Thursday, December 9, 2010

Dog Separation Anxiety Cures...What You Can Do Right Now To Help Your Dog With Separation Anxiety


Dog separation anxiety is so common among dogs that a lot of dog owners dismiss the behavior. Thinking it's just their dogs personality and will grow out of it.

Unfortunately, unless you work with your dog to help him/her with this panic disorder your dog will not just "grow out of it."

Your dog will get progressively worse. Some cases when left unchecked can require medication or the expense of a dog behaviorist.

When you suspect your dog is suffering from dog separation anxiety...here is a simple technique you can use to help your dog deal with his/her anxiety issues.

Exercise!

A dog that is completely run down won't have time to deal with his/her own anxiety issue. Your dog will be to tired to even think about it.

Dogs need a lot of exercise. Most dog owners think the few times they take their dog out for that 15-20 minutes bathroom walk is exercise enough.

Dogs have a lot of energy. If they do not get enough daily exercise...that energy builds up. If they don't get the opportunity to burn off that energy they will get frustrated and engage in destructive behavior. Chewing up your favorite shoes, digging holes where there should not be even ignoring you when called.

Not getting enough exercise can make their separation anxiety even more stressful.

If you're going to be away from your dog for an extended period of time you will need to schedule exercise before you leave for the day. Plan on getting up early enough to give your dog exercise for at least an hour. If time is an issue a minium of 15-20 minutes. If you run for exercise in the mornings...try allowing your dog to run with you. It's great exercise for him/her and it's great bonding time for the both of you.

The point is the more you can tire your dog out...the better behaved your dog will be.

Here are some other ways for your dog to get his daily exercise.

Dog Day Care
If you can afford the expense...dog day care provide lots of exercise and socialization for dogs. Running jumping and playing all day takes care of all of that pent up energy. It can be very expensive so be sure it is something you can afford.

Dog Parks
I am not a big fan of dog parks but they exist and a lot of people take their dogs. If you decide to do so be aware that most are not staffed. You will have to rely on other dog owners to manage their own dogs. Sadly many do not. Proceed with caution.

Backyard Fun
If you have large backyard try setting up regular vigorous play time. A game of fetch can blow off some energy. Many pet stores sell agility sets. Use them teach your dog jumping and running tricks. (Make sure your dog is old enough for agility training first ...check with your vet to be sure your dog is physically developed enough to participate)

If you're going to be away from your dog for more than 4 hours at a time...consider hiring a professional dog walker to give your dog a walk in your absence.


By.
Shirley Hayes

Thursday, June 24, 2010

Your Dog's Health Is Directly Related to Protein Consumption


For thousands of years dogs and before them wolves were forced to find their own food. These meals were composed primarily of meat with some fat and fiber and a small amount of carbohydrates. Their only concern was finding enough meat to meet their natural drive to consume protein. In some innate way, canines were and are driven to a diet high in protein to maintain a healthy body. They are naturally drawn to meals that satisfy the necessary components needed to sustain life. Protein contains these necessary building blocks called amino acids that are essential to your dog's health.The debate over canine meals began when the first bag of dog food was created and intended to replace the traditional meal for dogs. Initially, little thought or concern was placed on the quality of the protein in dog food. However, with the growing concern about a dog's health came the discussion about what type of protein was being used. In addition, dog owners became interested in their dog's ability to digest and utilize the necessary elements in commercial dog food. These concerns led to the challenge of creating a food that was and is better for our canine friends through independent research. While dog food manufacturers will recommend and promote their brand to boost sales, independent research can give a clearer picture of the best formulation for your dog by comparing various brands.Proteins are made of amino acids. Amino acids are the basic elements needed to promote and support growth and development as well as a healthy immune system. Twelve of the twenty-two known amino acids can be naturally made by your dog. However, to maintain your dog's health you must provide a quality food that allows them to consume the remaining ten amino acids. The amino acids that must be consumed are called the essential amino acids. These ten amino acids include arginine, histidine, isoleucine, leucine, lysine, methionine, phenylalanine, threonine, tryptophan and valine. An interesting fact is that dogs are able to manufacture their own taurine (an amino acid) while cats are not and must get it from their diet. This is the main reason that dogs are able to live on cat food but cats cannot live on dog food.As one attempts to supplement their dog's diet with the necessary amino acids, there are a number of items to keep in mind. In general, puppies, pregnant and lactating dogs will require a higher amount of protein that will change as the growth period or pregnancy changes. Adult dogs do not require as high a percentage of protein in their diets and special concerns arise as the animal ages. Kidney function is extremely important when considering the amount of protein need to maintain a dog's health as related to ingested protein. This is the reason for the various dog foods that represent the various stages of a dog's life. While protein is an extremely important element, offer the right amount during the different stages of life maybe more important.

By. Brent Harte

Tuesday, January 26, 2010

Welcome To The Automatic Pet Feeder For 5 Star Treatment


You could possibly consider an Automatic Pet Feeder to be a bit of an extravagance. Almost like a cat or dog restaurant on tap. Some of these feeders are quite sophisticated as well. They have timers of course, in order to manage the automatic delivery. but some actually allow you to record your voice as well, so that your pet hears your dulcet tones and helps avoid pet stress.

Some models actually have an ice cooler as well. This is great if you want to leave fresh food available for your cat or dog (or even rabbit). Normally speaking you would leave dry food because there might be a risk of fresh food going off if there was a delay in your returning. Having an ice store helps keep fresh food up to scratch, so that your pet can continue living in the manner to which they have become accustomed.

The other advantage is if you want to keep your pet on a strict eating schedule. Many pets do become overweight from a combination of over eating and lack of exercise. You can certainly place some control over the former by using an Automatic Pet Feeder. The best ones have multiple set up times so that you can set the food to be delivered at very specific times. You would not normally leave your pet on their own for any amount of time. You might want to feed them in the evening for example, if you knew that you would be home late. All the models that I have come across work for a minimum of 24 hours. Some do operate over longer period though, up to 4 or 5 days even.

Maybe you are away on holiday and you have someone dog or cat sitting, and don't want to tie tour helper down too much. Either way. these gadgets do offer a great deal of flexibility.

By. Charlie Cory

How To Stop Dog Aggression Toward Other Dogs



Does your dog show aggression to all dogs regardless of size, breed, or sex? Did you know that this aggression is brought on by fear? This can be caused by some traumatic experience when your dog was young, or sometimes it may even be inherited. Regardless of what brought on your dog's aggressive behavior, it is important for you know the corrective measures that you must take so that you will know how to stop dog agression towards other dogs. Did you know that this aggression is brought on by fear? This can be caused by some traumatic experience when your dog was young, or sometimes it may even be inherited. Regardless of what brought on your dog's aggressive behavior, it is important for you know the corrective measures that you must take, as this behavior is not only annoying, but it can also be dangerous.

Dog aggression is his way of communicating his personality, and you can get a handle on his aggression, however it does require training. If you decide training your dog yourself is the way to go, then you must have patience with your dog. This will take time and patience on your part, and remember that dogs are not instant like we are. They move at their own pace.

Here are a couple of tips for you to keep in mind while you are learning how to stop dog aggression toward other dogs:
  • Don't take your dog to places where there will be a lot of other dogs that your dog does not know
  • If your dog gets attacked by another dog, removed him from the situation immediately
  • Don't use physical force as punishment-this will frighten them more
  • Taking a detached attitude with your dog-let them know you are boss
Training your dog can be a rewarding experience for both you and your dog. Not only does it put you in control, but makes your and your dog more confident with each other. If you look at it this way, your dog is heeling, lying down, or staying, he will not be preparing himself for aggression.

When you learn how to distract your dog's aggressiveness, you cool down the situation, then you can simply walk away from a situation that might other wise be trauma for you and your dog. It is always a must that you give your dog a reward when he has calmed down. A typical reward would be some kind of food that is a treat for your dog. After time, he will start picking up that if he does this or that, he gets a treat, and that could be his motivation, consistency in this department will determine your success.

By. Paula Snyder