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Via: TheDogTrainingSecret.com

Hyperkinesis in Dogs: What Is It, Why Should You Care?

Hyperkinesis in dogs is rare. If you have a dog that appears to acting in what is common called a hyper-active way, the chances are it is NOT hyperkinesis. However, learning to understand more about this condition can help dog owners identify the signs and in this article we start out by looking at a case study where drugs were used as a treatment plan for hyperkinesis. Read the rest of this entry

Article source: http://www.dogmagazine.net/archives/6640/hyperkinesis-in-dogs-what-is-it-why-should-you-care/

Tips for Being a Responsible Dog Owner

Dogs need order and leadership from their “pack leader,” which means that good canine manners start with you. Bark Busters wants to help the dog owners be the best possible by offering Tips for Responsible Dog Ownership. These tips will help you build a great relationship between you and your dog and help your canine companion live a long, healthy and happy life.

• Get your dog spayed or neutered. Spayed/neutered pets not only live longer and healthier lives, but they also make better companions. The best age to spay/neuter a dog is around five to six months old, at the beginning of puberty. Talk to your vet about the right time for your dog.
• Provide proper identification. Your dog should always wear an I.D. tag with your name, address and phone number. Getting your dog microchipped gives an added layer of protection and increases the chances that he will be returned to you if he is lost or runs away.
• Get training to help you understand your dog. Knowing your dog’s unique temperament and tendencies will help you to better control how he behaves. A well-behaved dog is less likely to upset people and other pets in public places, will be more welcome at gatherings, and will enjoy a better relationship with everyone he meets. Plus, his good manners will reflect positively on you, his responsible owner.
• Schedule regular check-ups with your veterinarian. Choose a veterinarian who shares your medical philosophies and beliefs; then follow his/her recommendations for vaccinations, diet, spaying/neutering, annual check-ups, and other care.
• Make time for your dog. Owning a dog is a big responsibility that takes time and discipline. Make time daily to pet, play with, take on walks, or do other activities with your dog that are fun for both of you.
• Provide regular exercise appropriate for your dog’s breed, age, size, and other unique characteristics. Whether it’s a short walk or a rousing game of fetch, exercise is essential to your dog’s physical and behavioral health.
• Provide shelter for your dog. A crate or doghouse is an ideal place for your dog to rest, sleep, and feel safe. The enclosure should be large enough for your dog to sit, stand and turn around comfortably, but small enough to retain his body heat inside the shelter.
• Travel safely. Keep your dog safe in the car by using a crate or by attaching the dog to a seat belt with a harness. Never let your dog ride free in the back of a pickup truck (he could be thrown into traffic) or allow him to hang his head out of the car window (a danger to his eyes).
• Watch for temperature extremes. Never leave your dog in the car if it is extremely hot or cold outside. Your car is like an oven under the blazing sun and a freezer in the bitter cold.

Article source: http://www.barkbusters.com/page.cfm/ID/5/iNewsID/894

Tips to Help Prepare Your Dog for the Arrival of a New Baby

In support of Baby Safety Month, Bark Busters helps ensure the safety of your family when brining home a new baby

In support of Baby Safety Month in September, Bark Busters—the world’s largest dog training company—offers tips to help families ensure a smooth transition for their dog when bringing home a new baby. If you are expecting a baby and you have a dog, take time now to prepare your dog for the day you bring home your new child.

“Dogs can feel rejected and become confused or stressed when parents suddenly shift their attention from dog to baby,” said Liam Crowe, CEO and master dog behavioral therapist of Bark Busters USA. “A dog doesn’t understand why a baby is being elevated above the dog in the pack. In trying to regain his pack position, the dog may seek attention through behaviors such as barking at the baby’s cries, jumping up, or chewing on baby’s things.” Read the rest of this entry

Article source: http://www.barkbusters.com/page.cfm/ID/5/iNewsID/884

Fire Safety Tips for Dog Owners

Your pets are treasured family members and need protection as much as your own family in the event of fire. Sadly, some 500,000 pets are affected by fires each year, and over 40,000 of them die. Most fire victims die from smoke asphyxiation. A fire needs oxygen to burn, so lack of oxygen or inhaling smoke is more often the killer than the fire itself.

Following are some tips to help you know what to do to prevent fires and if a fire breaks out in your home. Read the rest of this entry

Article source: http://www.barkbusters.com/page.cfm/ID/5/iNewsID/866

Dog Etiquette Tips to Help Dog Owners

Making sure our canine companions mind their manners at home and in public is our responsibility as pet parents. Bark Busters—the world’s largest, most trusted dog training company—offers a simple set of tips for proper dog etiquette. By observing these guidelines, you and your dog will avoid unsafe and unsavory situations. Read the rest of this entry

Article source: http://www.barkbusters.com/page.cfm/ID/5/iNewsID/811

Article source: http://www.barkbusters.com/page.cfm/ID/5/iNewsID/883

Do older dogs lose their teeth in the same way humans do?

A) Well, in all honesty, older humans shouldn’t necessarily lose their teeth as a matter of course. Good canine oral care, just like good human oral hygiene can avoid problems for your canine’s canines.

Excessive tartar build up is the enemy for your dog’s teeth as it creates a bacterial climate whereby destructive agents invade the gum and bone surfaces, causing damage or destruction to both, and eventual tooth loss in some dogs.

Machines such as the cavitron have been used with some success in removing excess tartar from a dog’s teeth.

Once the dog has bitten down on a piece of food, the outer surfaces are not utilized very much so most of the tartar forms on the outside of the teeth. The inner surfaces are being stimulated more by the action of chewing and therefore remain cleaner.

Here are some further reading sources for anyone interested in more canine oral care info…

DogTips.co – Dog Teeth Cleaning
Specialist – Dog Teeth (full information website)

Article source: http://www.dogmagazine.net/archives/6601/do-older-dogs-lose-their-teeth/

Toxic Plants for Dogs

I ran across this information at http://www.cybercanine.com

I thought this would be the perfect time to share this with all of you since it is the season for gardening. Click here to see the list of plants that can be toxic to your dog.  Toxic Plants For Dogs

Tips for Dog Owners in Multi-Unit Residences

Article source: http://www.barkbusters.com/page.cfm/ID/5/iNewsID/897