When you begin training, dog training aids are a great way to get started. Crates are a fantastic way to allow your dog to feel safe, and although it may seem like a cage to us, to a dog it actually makes them feel more secure. A crate is one training aid you won’t want to be without.

The other aid you wont want to be without is treats. Find out what your puppy loves best, and then give it to him for doing good things! Nothing is more effective.

Most of all enjoy it – these first few months a magical time and allow you to buuild a lifelong bond with your dog.

When people suffer from allergies, the symptoms are quite obvious.  Sneezing, flu-like signs, sudden appearance of rashes, and the likes are the common human allergic reactions.  Dog allergy symptoms, on the other hand, are more difficult to pinpoint because dog behaviour is very much different from ours.

However, a close observation of the signs that our dogs exhibit will help us come up with an educated approximation as to what may be bothering them.

The Common Dog Allergy Symptoms

The following dog allergy symptoms may not be dog allergy symptoms at all.  They may indicate conditions other than allergen-triggered problems.  However, these are the commonly observed manifestations when it comes to dogs suffering from allergies.

These commonly observed dog allergy symptoms are classified into 3 groups of allergies.

The following are dog allergy symptoms caused by skin allergens:

- Dog sneezes a lot.  How much is “a lot?”  Observe the sneezing dog for ten minutes.  If he sneezes more than 5 times within the said period, then chances are, he may be suffering from a cold or he may be suffering from an allergy.
- Dog starts to cough, and the cough is accompanied by intermittent sneezes.
- Dog’s eyes start to become watery, and such a symptom is accompanied by either sneezing, coughing or both.

The following are dog allergy symptoms caused by inhaled allergens:

- Dog starts to itch at an alarming frequency.  That a dog will scratch a spot or two is normal.  But if the dog scratches multiple spots most of the time, then something may be triggering the itch.
- Dog starts to bite his tail with alarming frequency.
- Dog starts to develop rashes, which often start to manifest on the area underneath the point where his legs are attached to his torso.  The area around his ears can also be starting points of such irritation.

The Following are dog allergy symptoms caused by ingested allergens:

- Dog starts to vomit.
- Dog acquires diarrhea.
- Dog starts to cough or choke up.

Determining Dog Allergy Symptoms Will Help Us Determine The Type Of Relief Needed

Dog allergy symptoms caused by skin allergens will tell us that preventive measures should be taken to eliminate substances which tend to irritate our dogs’ skin.  Fleas are the usual suspects.  Hence, anti-flea products should be resorted to.  Anti-flea products come in many forms.  Flea collars, flea sprays, and flea shampoos are just some of the popular types of anti-flea solutions in the market today.  Efforts to eliminate fleas should be doubled during summer because such is the season when fleas multiply at a frightening rate.

Dog allergy symptoms caused by inhaled allergens tell us that we should clean the areas that our dogs frequent.  Vacuum cleaning is a recommended solution, as this will get rid of the microscopic substances that may be triggering the allergies.

Dog allergy symptoms caused by ingested allergens tell us that we should closely monitor our dog’s diet and change certain delicacies which our canine companions may not be receptive to.

In all cases, a visit to the vet will ensure that proper determination and treatment of the canine allergy will be achieved.

What causes bad dog breath?

In most cases dog breath is caused by a build up of plaque. Just like in humans, mouth hygiene is important for dogs.

If plaque is left to build up to dangerous levels it can cause more serious infections. Making sure your dogs mouth is hygienic is very important.

How can I cure dog breath?

In many cases simply brushing your dogs teeth several times a week can go a long way towards curing dog breath. Most dogs won’t like their teeth being brushed straight away but if you do it from as young as possible they are more likely to accept it.

If you try to brush your dogs teeth without it getting used to you being around its mouth first then don’t expect much co-operation from the dog. Instead, build it up slowly and make sure whenever your are handling the dogs mouth it is in a relaxed and comfortable environment.

You should also make sure you use a specially made dog toothpaste as they are flavoured in a way dogs will enjoy.

First of all when researching the best dogs with children you need to think about the child’s safety. You don’t want to have a nervous or over-excitable dog around small children as there is always the chance of the child being scratched or even knocked over. This doesn’t mean that all big dogs are not right for families with small children however. Larger breeds can often be fantastic with children, especially dogs such as the Labrador or Golden Retriever.

You also need to think of the dogs safety and health. Smaller dogs always run the risk of being hurt or injured by overzealous child’s play. Bigger children may even fall onto and crush the small dog in extreme cases.

There are many dogs that can potentially be great with children, some small and some large. A few of the best dogs with children are:

• Labrador Retriever
• Golden Retriever
• Collie
• German Shepherd
• Basset Hound
• Beagle
• Most mixed breeds

Choosing the right breed for your family is extremely important, but there are also many other factors involved that can affect the pets ability to interact with kids. Good obedience training is a must for any dog, but is especially important for a dog around small children. In fact, getting your children involved in the dogs training can be a great way to build up a relationship between the pet and kids.

However it is a sign that all is well with the dog’s digestive system. If the dog is capable of leaving some stool on the kitchen floor or on the living room carpet or the doormat on the front door, it can only mean that he’s eating well and he’s breaking down his intake just as efficiently.

A constipated puppy, on the other hand, can be an indication of some alarming possibilities with regards to the dog’s health.

Worse, a constipated puppy – if left unattended – may very well be a very sick puppy in due time.

Is Your Constipated Puppy In Danger?

Nothing in this article should be taken to mean that a constipated puppy should immediately cause alarm.

Canine constipation is quite a normal occurrence, as common as constipation in humans. A constipated puppy may be suffering such a condition because of stress, as is the case when he is away from the toilet spot he has become familiar with. A constipated puppy may likewise have eaten something inedible which has caused havoc on his digestive system. Something as seemingly harmless as a bone, surprisingly, isn’t really fit for consumption.

The most common cause of dog constipation is lack of exercise which affects the rate of the pup’s metabolism and putting into disarray the scheduling of his body’s waste disposal system.

All of these may not seem that grave.

However, a constipated puppy may also be suffering from a very serious condition such as heavy worm infestation. Or he may be suffering from a prostate disease. Or he may even be suffering from a severe intestinal disorder.

Now these possibilities demand immediate medical attention, so if your puppy is constipated for more than 24 hours you should always visit a vet immediately.

When To Worry About A Constipated Puppy

Indeed, even if you are saddened by the plight of your constipated puppy, his condition is generally harmless. However, if his constipation is accompanied by the following symptoms then there may be a greater problem:

- When constipation is accompanied by chronic vomiting.
- When instead of disposing waste through his anus, the pup releases some blood.
- When the puppy refuses to eat for more than 3 days and he is not within his teething period.
- When constipation lasts for more than a week.

Prolonged constipation will trap some dangerous toxins in your puppy’s system. Given his still fragile internal defence mechanisms, these toxins may potentially be fatal for your pet.

How To Cure A Constipated Puppy

The most instinctive thing to do is to induce stool disposal. The safest way to do this is by introducing fibre to your dog’s diet. You can sprinkle a little serving of oat-based supplements with his usual food. One to two tablespoons of oat bran, for example, will usually be enough to regularize your dog’s potty schedule in less than a week.

Ample water supply should also be made available to the constipated pup at all time. Ensure that the water is clean. Most dogs suffer from constipation because they become dehydrated.

If constipation is persistent, you may want to expedite matters by using a dog-friendly mild laxative on your constipated puppy. Always consult your vet first though.

For a long term solution, feed your puppy with quality dog food and make sure that he has the opportunity to engage in regular exercise. 30 to 35 minutes of walking per day will be enough to keep his metabolism running at a healthy and efficient pace.

A constipated puppy who may be suffering from a grave medical condition as indicated by any of the symptoms we have discussed earlier will have to be brought to a vet. Only a veterinarian can identify with certainty the problem that’s plaguing the constipated puppy, and only he can prescribe the proper remedy.

Remember that if you suspect there is something wrong with your dog ALWAYS take it to the vet immediately. The information in this article was not written by a vet and should not be taken as medical advice.

1. A Change in Behaviour
If your dog is noticeably acting different to usual then this could be a sign there is something wrong. In some cases this could be anxiety or another emotion over a situation change, but in general behaviour changes indicate pain or an illness. As you know your dog better than anyone it should be obvious if your dogs behaviour changes, but it always helps to keep an eye out. Especially look for signs of fatigue, loss of appetite, loss of balance or anxiety.

If your dogs behaviour change lasts for more than a couple of days then you should always visit the vet to get a professional opinion.

2. Signs Of Pain
If your dogs shows obvious discomfort by biting or licking a certain area repeatedly then this could also be a sign of illness or pain. A dog in pain may also cry out or whine. Sometimes this will cause a change in behaviour too.

This symptom of pain in dogs is often caused by an injury but can also be caused by various illnesses. You should always visit your vet if your dog is in pain.

3. General Illness Symptoms
Apart from the way the dog acts there are many other external symptoms of illness. These include red eyes or swelling, ear discharge, a runny nose, coughing, diarrhoea, hair loss, weight loss, vomiting and many more. If you regularly groom your dog then you should notice these problems quickly. Once you do notice them visit a vet immediately to get a diagnosis.

If your dog is ill then the medical costs can be huge and difficult to pay. For that reason you should consider getting pet insurance. It can be a real help when your dog gets ill, so don’t overlook it.

Indeed, canine ticks may look harmless at first. But as soon as they attach themselves on your dog’s skin and a full blown infestation occurs, serious health problems may follow suit.

Canine Tick Avoidance, Not Canine Tick Prevention

Ticks aren’t insects. They don’t infest households, hence, there are no preventive measures that can be undertaken to repel these parasites. Like common opportunistic bloodsuckers, canine ticks live outdoors, using special heat-sensing functions to pinpoint warm-blooded mammals. Once their targets are found, they drop down on them to cling to their skin, sucking away in relative invisibility.

Though there is no such thing as dog tick prevention, there is such a thing as canine tick avoidance. Basically, if you don’t want your dog to be a victim of these mite-like parasites, then you have to avoid bringing your dog to places known as hotspots for canine ticks. These places include areas with tall grasses and woodlands immediately after the rainy season. These are known breeding grounds for canine ticks because of the moisture they manage to retain.

The Real Danger Of Canine Ticks

If you’d discover some canine ticks on your dog’s skin – especially the ticks that have frighteningly ballooned into the size an air pellet – you’d immediately ask if such is painful for your dog.

It isn’t.

The dog may feel some irritation, but in general, he won’t feel the blood being sucked out of his system.

However, though canine ticks are generally harmless, this doesn’t mean that they pose zero danger for our beloved dogs. The truth of the matter is that some canine ticks may carry diseases that they can introduce to your dog’s system. This is the real danger of canine ticks. Lyme disease and Rocky Mountain Spotted fever are just some of the potentially fatal illnesses that can be caused by canine ticks.

Some dog owners may also find it alarming that canine ticks can feed on humans as well. In most cases, dogs with canine ticks are likely to have owners with canine ticks too.

Getting Rid Of Canine Ticks

When it comes to eliminating canine ticks, nothing is surer than the old fashioned way: manually finding them, manually pulling them out, and manually squishing them into oblivion.

You will find mature canine ticks hard to pull out of your dog. Your dog may even show signs of pain whenever these parasites are pulled off his skin.

Temporary remedies like topical lotions and shampoos can help your dog avoid a canine tick infestation. However, most of these products only provide short-term protection – the most of which is merely 30 days – and they are not known to cure canine tick infestation that is already in progress.

Police Dog Training In History

Ever since two bloodhounds were dispatched by Sir Charles Warren to aid the Metropolitan London Police in their search for the elusive Jack the Ripper in 1888, police dogs have been a staple of many police departments in many federal jurisdictions all over the world.

In fact, police dog training can be traced as far back as the law enforcement procedures in the ancient Roman empire when canines were used to track escaped prisoners.

Even before the much ballyhooed Jack the Ripper case, in 1859, the Belgium police have already commissioned the usage of police dogs to aid law officers during their night shifts.

This rich history goes to show how capable dogs are in the maintenance of peace and order and in helping us achieve a priceless sense of security.

Police Dog Training Is Focused On Assisting In Law Enforcement Procedures

Unlike the general impression created by popular movies that star very intelligent dogs, being a police dog isn’t about law enforcement per se.  Being a police dog is all about assisting police officers in a variety of law enforcement procedures.

Hence, police dog training is focused on the many aspects of law enforcement assistance. These are:

- Chase and hold.  Police dog training may teach the subject how to pursue and hold a suspect in flight.  Police dogs will have faster speed and better mobility than police officers, after all.

- Tracking.  Tracking is an inherent skill of the canine specie.  With their superior sense of smell, canines who undergo police dog training can track missing people or things via association with scent left behind on objects readily available for the police department.

- Corpse detection.  Police dog training also produces search dogs which are used to cover wide expanses in search of deceased individuals whose bodies have been hidden to hide evidence of the crime.

- Sniffing out illegal substances.  This is, perhaps, the most popular aspect of police dog training, as most of the commissioned police dogs that people encounter are trained to sniff out banned substances like illegal drugs, bombs, gunpowder and the likes.  These are the police dogs we often see in airports, malls and venues where dignitaries and state officials gather

Can Any Canine Be Eligible For Police Dog Training?

Not all breeds of dogs are eligible for police dog training.  Only dogs belonging to the sports breed can be accepted in training academies.  And not just any dog from such a breed will be accepted.  An applicant will have to undergo a battery of tests before he can be subjected to police dog training.

It is a common misconception that only male dogs can be eligible for police dog training.  After all, a female dog in heat may just create more commotion instead of helping establish order, right?  However, even female dogs can be accepted into police dog training centres.  They just have to be temporarily retired whenever they’re in heat, whenever they’re pregnant and whenever they are rearing pups who are less than 2 months old.

First of all, if your dog does get aggressive towards another dog always stay calm. Dogs can sense the mood of their owner, and if you behave in an anxious manner this will only make your dog more aggressive. On the other hand, if you stay calm it is likely your dog will find it easier to relax.

If the dogs are still being aggressive towards one another and a fight does beak out never get between the dogs to try and break it up. In the heat of the moment the dogs may bite you as they are already in an aggressive frame of mind. Instead, try to distract your dog. Again it is important to stay calm as becoming outwardly anxious will only make things worse. Most dog fights don’t end up with any serious injuries, and you should never risk your own health to try and break it up.

If your dog has been aggressive towards another, remember not to pet or praise it to try and comfort. Dogs don’t think like humans and will assume that they are being praised for their aggression. Accidental positive reinforcement is one of the most common mistakes dog owners make when trying to prevent their dog being aggressive.

Above all, training your dog in the basic commands such as “sit”, “stay” and “come” can avoid almost all confrontations between dogs. Just remember to train your dog to respond to these commands even with distractions.

To start with lets go through some of the things that are potentially dangerous for a dog to eat. Most dog owners are aware that chocolate should not be fed to dogs, but there are also plenty of house plants that can cause a rash for the dog when touched, and some that can even cause vomiting, cramps and kidney problems. If you are unsure which plants are unsafe to have in your house, be on the safe safe and contact your local vet who will be able to advise you. There is always the chance that a dog might ingest a poisonous household chemical, in which case you should contact your vet immediately.

There are also outdoor plants that can have a toxic effect on your dog, such as rhubarb, spinach and nutmeg.

Common reactions to being poisoned are:

1. Rash on the mouth or skin after contact
2. Swollen mouth or tongue
3. Vomiting, cramps
4. Diarrhea
5. Convulsions
6. Internal problems that are difficult to observe

If your dog exhibits any of the previous symptoms of dog poisoning then you should contact your local vet immediately. The best way to eliminate poison from your dogs stomach is to induce vomiting, but this should only be attempted if the owner feels able to do it, and even then only if the dog is not depressed, unable to swallow or experiencing convulsions. This is best left to a vet in all but the most extreme cases.

If the dog has come into contact with the poisonous substance on the skin, a bath in warm water with soap is the best way to clean the dog and stop it from licking the poison off. Even if the dog is not showing any signs of discomfort with the poison on its skin or coat, it should be washed off immediately.