The quickest and easiest way to solve this problem is of course to simply secure the dog in an area away from your guest. However, an older dog in this case may be easier to train than a younger dog, as they tend not to get as excited as the younger pooches. In this case the use of a short leash and collar will restrict the dog from jumping on the guest. As they desist from the jumping be sure to praise and reward him/her with kind words. Over a period of time the older dog will replace the “bad jumping habit” with the new one of calmly waiting for the “OK” to greet the guest.

Depending on the age of the pooch you may find the animal has some physical limitations, which will have a bearing on the kind of training you can give to your dog. Be alert for signs of arthritis, displaced joints, muscle damage and other possible injuries when training. The animal will normally reveal such problems with a whine, limp, stiffness or even refusal to respond because of pain.

In this same vain an older animal will tire more easily than a younger one. You may find your more mature pet will learn quicker and easier if you keep your training sessions to a shorter period of time. Several short sessions will accomplish the same objective, as the longer ones, and will give your beloved pet more time rest.

The actual learning pace of the older pooch may be somewhat slower than a younger one. Some dogs may show a decline in their learning skills as they grow older. Therefore, you will need to allow your pet to learn at their own speed. If you rush the dog, during the training cycle, you may cause more harm than good.

As we all know when training any dog, regardless of age, the use of praise (including petting) and treats is an important part of the training. However, with older dogs especially, it is best to use the treats sparingly. If you over treat the dog you may add unhealthy weight to your animal, which in turn can lead to other health problems. Remember, that often times, the dog will respond just as well to hugs and sincere praise as they will to a treat.

It is important for you to remember that, just like humans, older dogs will make mistakes when learning something new. If this is the case don’t resort to yelling and hollering or to physical abuse of any sort to your pet. The only thing you will do is confuse the poor animal and you may cancel out what you have already accomplished. However, you still need to correct the dog and let it know it has done something wrong.

This can be accomplished with the proper voice tone and body language demonstrated by you. Remember to use very short phrases or single words to express your displeasure with the performance. Repetition and consistency will help the dog understand when it has done something wrong and will also convey to the dog when it has performed well.

Training an older dog can be more difficult than a younger dog. You, as the trainer and master, are ultimately responsible for the effectiveness of the training. By being patient, consistent and repetitive in your methods you will be able to teach and old dog new tricks.

Learn How To Teach A Dog Tricks

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Perhaps one of the most common injuries which can be harmful to your pet is something as simple as an insect bite. Some of the insects which can cause pain and suffering to your pooch are the ants, hornets, spiders, wasp and other stinging insects. If your animal is going to have a possible reaction it will normally surface within the 1st half hour or so. It is fairly easy to recognize the signs of the dog`s reaction.

Your pet may suddenly start scratching excessively, nibbling or biting at the injured area and whining with pain. In some cases if it is sever enough anaphylactic shock and other forms of shock may occur. It is best if you give the dog first aid as soon as possible.

Find the location of the sting and try to locate the stinger. Many of these insects stingers will break off in your dog and can cause further damage if not removed properly. It is strongly recommended, by Veterinarians, not to use tweezers when removing the stinger. It is best to use the edge of a credit card or a similar object and scrape the stinger out, in lieu of trying to pull it out.

To ease the pain and itching of the bite you can apply things like calamine lotion or other similar salves and lotions. A really fast acting treatment is the blending of water and baking soda, which will form a paste and apply directly to the wound. Another alternative is to apply ice wrapped in a rag or an ice pack to the wound to keep the swelling and pain down. However, as soon as practical after administering the first aid, be sure to call your Vet.

As stated above it is possible for your dog to go into shock if it has received multiple bites and stings. The symptoms for this could be wheezing, high temperature, staggering, losing conciseness, difficulty breathing, very fast and shallow breathing and other symptoms. If your pet appears to be in shock, make every effort to keep it warm and hold its head up, as this may well ease the breathing situation. After administering the first aid it`s critical for you to get the animal to your Veterinarian or an Emergency Veterinarian Service. Without the proper treatment for shock your best friend may die.

These are just a few tips on how you can help your dog if it should get in trouble. Knowing the right thing to do and when to do it may save the life of “man`s best friend?. A very quick search on the internet, using the keyword “dog first aid? with the quotes, will give you tons of other information. In addition your local Vet will have a brochure on pet first aid.

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As you well know a dog`s instinct is to just relieve itself when and wherever the urge strikes it. This is extremely prevalent during the puppy stage of development of your pet. However, the good thing about the puppy stage is the animal is pliable and easier to train than in a more mature stage of its life. Consequently, it will behoove you to start the potty training of your pet the very day you bring it home.

If at all possible, when you first get home with the dog, take the time to allow the puppy to relieve itself outside, preferably in the area where you are going to want the dog to do so from now on. When the puppy does so, it is important to make a “big deal” over it with sincere praise, petting and scratching of the little creature. After the completion of the tour of the outside area, if your dog is going to be an inside pet, it’s time to move inside where the initial potty training will continue.

Once inside you will find the new puppy will more than likely become excited because of the new surroundings and may well get the urge to pee again just as soon as you put it down. At the very minute that happens, it is critical for you to address the matter, then and there.

In a very stern voice, with a tinge of anger, you should use the puppies name and the word “No” or “Stop”, several times, accompanied with the raising of your hand, palm forward or with a clenched fist with the index finger raised and pointed towards the dog. The tone of your voice, with the tinge of anger, will alert your puppy that the act it is performing is not pleasing to you. The raised palm or finger, which accompanies the word “No? or “Stop?, will enforce a sense of domination in the puppy.

You will find using this method of “potty training your puppy? does not require you to strike the dog or use any physical type of force, to get the little creature to respond to you and the training. The only thing you will need to do is be persistent, consistent in the method of potty training your puppy and patient to see results fairly quickly.

Learn How To Potty Train A Dog

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FACT 1: You, the owner, are primarily responsible for your “best friend” being obese.

Most dog owners do over feed their pet by 20% or more.

FACT 2: Table scrapes are not the right kind of food for your favorite beloved canine.

Most table scrapes contain an inordinate high calorie count, because of large amounts of fat, starches and sugar.

FACT 3: The unburned calories will be absorbed into your pet`s body and turned into “fat”.

Keeping your dog active will help burn up the additional calories brought on by table scrapes.

It’s now time to take a look at additional facts which will help you keep your K-9 at the proper weight level.

FACT 4: Your local veterinarian should be consulted before putting your dog on a diet.

The local vet will be able to determine if your pet is indeed over weight. Canines in one breed, e.g. Labs, just as humans, have different shaped skeletons. Although the Labrador Retriever breed will have the basic characteristics noted in all Labradors, one may have a heavy boned skeleton while another one won`t have the same size bones and density.

This is turn can cause a major difference in the “perfect weight? of the same size Labs. Whereas one that weighs 90 pounds with large bone density, is a perfect weight and the one with less bone density that weighs 90 lbs. would be considered overweight.

The expert advice of your vet will quickly determine this for you.

FACT 5: Certain breeds of dogs are predisposed to being overweight.

Studies have shown that genetics, which contribute to forming fat in lab rats also, may play the same role in canines.
Unfortunately, there are different breeds of K-9`s which have a propensity to become overweight because of genes. Just a few of these breeds are, Collies, Bassett Hounds, Shelties, Labrador Retriever, Dachshunds, Cockers and others. Please understand this doesn`t mean every dog, in the breeds mentioned, is going to get fat. However, it does mean you should be on guard for the possibility, if your dog is one of these breeds, may be one of the ones affected because of genetic inheritance. Once again a call to your vet will quickly reveal if the breed you own is predisposed to obesity.

FACT 6: Age is a factor in overweight dogs.

A great many dogs began to put on weight starting around the age of two years. This is generally around the age where they begin to mature and become somewhat less active. You will see this tendency to gain weight right on up into the twelve year range. As the dog becomes older this “weight gain? tends to level off and in fact will decline with proper diet and exercise.

FACT 7: Medications can contribute to obesity in your pet.

Just as in humans, meds “man`s best friend? is on, may well increase their appetite and even cut down on the metabolic rate. Thus the meds may lead to eating a lot more food and depressing the burning off of calories through the natural process of converting it to energy. Again keeping your vet advised as to your pet`s weight gain, may result in a change of the meds to help decrease the added pounds.

These facts in Part I and Part II are just a sampling of the information you need to know to help your overweight dog. Your local veterinarian will have additional information that will help you keep your dog healthy and give you and “Fido? many years of companionship together.

ADDENDUM:

Frequently Asked Questions About Overweight Dogs:

1. Will having my dog fixed (neutered/spayed) cause my dog to get fat?

No. Having your dog fixed is not the cause of your pooch getting fat. The real cause is that most dog lovers don`t realize that their dogs` energy requirements will be less and continue to feed them the same amount of food as they did before they had them fixed.

2. What is the easiest way to tell if my dog is overweight?

Simply take your hands and run them along the rib cage of your dog. You should be able to count or feel the ribs quite easily. If the ribs feel as if they are padded and cushioned more than likely your pooch is overweight.

Another quick way is to look at your dog from the top, side and underside of the animal. There should be a clear definition of a “waist line? from the bottom rib to the beginning of the hip bone. If not again your favorite little critter may be headed for or already be obese.

3. Do I have to use a special diet to reduce my dog`s weight?

Not necessarily. If the dog is not way over its` best weight, a decrease in the amount of the right food you provide it will suffice to help the canine lose the extra pounds. However, if the dog is very obese then a “special reduction diet? may be the best course of action.

Your local vet will be the one to guide you as to which is the right course of action, to ensure your beloved pooch is healthy and happy.

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It is true that some older dogs can also demonstrate these same symptoms, when placed into a new home, in most cases with the proper treatment and respect they will come around rather quickly.

The natural instinct of the majority of dogs, regardless of age and breed, is to serve and give unselfish love and devotion to their Master. Consequently, when bringing an older dog into your home they will have a natural tendency to adapt to the new situation and people surrounding them. A simple way to help them to do this is to speak in a pleasant, but firm voice when they join you. Take the time to stroke and scratch them in the more sensitive areas of their bodies. These sensitive areas are located at the base of the skull directly behind the ears, under the muzzle, the lower end of their spine, on the tummy and other parts of their bodies. When doing so you will quickly earn their trust and respect. However, this does not mean you are to give them the upper hand in your relationship with the dog.

Dogs, like the wolf, are instinctively a pack animal and have a natural desire to establish who the Alpha Male (leader of the pack) is. For an older dog, this is more important at the outset than it would be for a puppy just coming out of the litter. You can quickly assume this role by projecting, with your body language and voice tone, the characteristics of the Alpha Male. When demonstrating this it will be necessary, from time to time, to speak in a louder and harsher tone than you would normally address the dog in. This will be especially important when you observe the dog in some sort of bad behavior. As an older dog has already been exposed to a human being, as the “Alpha Male,? it is more likely to accept you quicker, in this role, than a puppy.

As you can see adopting an older dog may well prove to be the best route for you when selecting your new dog. It likely has had more training, of some sort, and is more likely to adapt to a new environment, with fewer problems, before a new puppy will. But, the fact remains, you are the only one who can determine if an older dog is right for you.

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Puppies need greater amounts of protein, fat and carbohydrates than an adult dogs.  Furthermore, puppies need more frequent feeding schedules in a day, unlike an adult dog. The movement based requirements of diet are more in the case of puppies, since they are often more active than the adult dogs.

Elder dogs need restricted protein but the protein needs to be easily digestible and easily assimilated in the body.  The diet schedule should have ample supply of water for them. Feeding aged dogs too much protein may finally lead to over burden to the renal structures and ultimately, the dog may end up damaging filters in the kidney.

This is true especially when the immune system of these dogs is compromised due to many factors.  Similarly, the elderly dogs need less food only because the movements of the adult dogs are highly restricted and hence, they have to spend a limited of energy.

Female dogs in the pregnancy stage need not be fed a full stomach since it may cause some discomforts to the animal. However, the pregnant animal and the nursing animal need special type of food items that deliver a balanced type of nutrition with proper supplementation of vitamins and minerals.

The nursing animal with puppies need to be fed with enough amounts of calcium and hence, there will not be any calcium based deficiency and the bones of the puppies will be strong without any curving.

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Among the heart worm, fleas and other parasites, the fleas produce the hyper sensitive reactions in the affected animals. Hence, the animals infested with fleas start severely scratching of body. Many times, the scratching is so severe and the skin becomes more hyperemic and dermatitis occurs in the affected areas.

Animal will not lie down or sleep comfortably due to the constant bites by the fleas. Hence, animal looks as if affected by some severe skin disease.  If the animal is not properly attended for this tick bite problem, there will be often secondary bacterial invasions in these sites and there may even be a bad smell emanating from the skin areas.

Close observation of the dog is highly essential to rule out the occurrence of fleas disturbing the animal to a greater extent. Similarly, the skin of the animal needs to be tested for the presence of ticks, lice etc. For this, the hair materials need to be separated and the close observation with patience is required for the proper diagnosis.

In many incidences, if anemia is present, the blood protozoa need to be ruled out in addition to the hookworm problems.  The clinical problems like anemia, loose motion, pot belly etc. might be recognized by the dog owners themselves and however, the dog needs to undergo the routine health related examination involving fecal examination, hematological examination and blood smear examination.

Many commercial products have come up in the market, which are useful to deal with all these conditions by single dose.  Drugs like ivermectin are highly useful and are available in both injection and oral form in addition to the solution form that can be applied on the skin. These drugs in dogs can lead to the prophylaxis of these conditions also.

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However, if you view it in terms of nutrients, often the dry food contains nearly ninety per cent nutrients whereas the canned food items contain only less per cent of nutrients and most of the times.  It is only soy products that are structured so well to look like meat pieces.

Hence, to make up the nutritional balance in the body systems, the dog has to eat more amounts of canned food materials than the dry food materials.  Hence, just compare the cost factor related to this feature by you.  Many dry food items are soybean and rice based.

Now some dry food items are based on corn. Sometimes, beef based or chicken based food items come in the cans along with mineral and vitamin supplements suited for the upkeep of the dog’s health status. Larger dogs that weigh more than thirty pounds need to be fed with semi moist food items or dry food items in most of the occasions.

This is to satisfy the food receptors in the stomach. This is due to the fact that the larger dogs need to eat plenty of moist food or the canned food items to satisfy these criteria.  But it may not be practically possible in these larger dogs.  The small sized dogs may have a satisfactory level of nutrients if fed even the moist food items.
However, the caloric density of the dry food should not be forgotten. Enriched dry food items are highly welcome ones than the non -enriched food items.

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What is the drug used often for the prevention of heart worm in
dogs? Ivermectin is the drug used often to have preventive
actions for these heart worms. Dogs affected reveal constant
coughing, panting and dullness in many occasions.

What will be the size of the worms? In the case of the females, it is about twenty-seven centimeters and in the case of males, it is about seventeen centimeters in length. Is there any vector involve in
the transmission of the disease? Yes. Mosquitoes often get associated as vectors in which the early development of larvae of heart worms occur in them.

Is the prophylaxis meant only for heart worms or others also?
The prophylaxis is meant not only for the heart worms but also
for the hook worms, whip worms, and round worms. What is the
infective type of larvae that is associated with the transmission
of these heart worms? The third stage larva that is transmitted by
the mosquito bites.

This occurs through out the world. In some areas, the incidences
are less in colder months in which the mosquito breeding will not
be there and may be dormant during these periods. What is the name of
the drug used for therapy and prevention? Ivermectin and
milbemycin oxime may be used for both purposes. Ivermectin is
available in injection form and oral form.

Additionally, the forms for external application are also
available. The cost factor needs to be worked out for all these
treatments. What is the frequency of drug used for prophylaxis?
One month before the mosquito season and up to two months after the
mosquito season, ivermectin or milbemycin oxime may be given
once monthly for the prophylaxis. Diethylcarbamazine may be used
for therapy purpose.

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However, if you view it in terms of nutrients, often the dry food contains nearly ninety per cent nutrients whereas the canned food items contain only less per cent of nutrients and most of the times.  It is only soy products that are structured so well to look like meat pieces.

Hence, to make up the nutritional balance in the body systems, the dog has to eat more amounts of canned food materials than the dry food materials.  Hence, just compare the cost factor related to this feature by you.  Many dry food items are soybean and rice based.

Now some dry food items are based on corn. Sometimes, beef based or chicken based food items come in the cans along with mineral and vitamin supplements suited for the upkeep of the dog’s health status. Larger dogs that weigh more than thirty pounds need to be fed with semi moist food items or dry food items in most of the occasions.

This is to satisfy the food receptors in the stomach. This is due to the fact that the larger dogs need to eat plenty of moist food or the canned food items to satisfy these criteria.  But it may not be practically possible in these larger dogs.  The small sized dogs may have a satisfactory level of nutrients if fed even the moist food items.
However, the caloric density of the dry food should not be forgotten. Enriched dry food items are highly welcome ones than the non -enriched food items.

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