All About Puppies – What To Expect The 1st. Year

All about puppies is to understand how your puppy develops, both physically and socially. You can tailor your puppys’ training and play time to include sessions that fit you and your pups schedules and abilities. Following this guideline will help to ensure he is getting the most from his or her new world of all kinds of people and places. It also helps limit training failures-which are most common when your puppy is either bored or asked to perform a task of which he is unable to perform to satisfaction. However, with all about puppies, keep in mind that these are generalized guidelines and your puppy will develop at their own pace.

What to expect from your puppy as it grows and develops within the first year

3-5 weeks of age
Your puppy is just now learning to hear , see and smell. As their senses are quickly developing, each puppy is becoming aware of their surroundings. With this awareness, your puppy starts to socialize with other family members; (brothers/sisters/mother). The puppy will also begin walking, barking, jumping, and playing with his /her family and playmates. At this time, their teeth will begin to show through and they want to and should be encouraged to eat solid foods.

5-7 weeks of age
Your puppy is now trying to wean himself/herself away from Mommy. This stage of development is one of the most important and the true start of their growing independence and curiosity of the big world around them. As a result of the puppys’ growing curiosity, they have no fear, making this age the perfect time to begin expanding your puppys’ environment and introducing them to a wide variety of items that will peak curiosity and promote learning.

7-9 weeks of age
By week seven, your puppys’ senses have continued to enhance, as he/she continues to investigate their surroundings, especially anything that is new and exciting. After weeks of interaction with their playmates and family and introduction of unfamiliar people into your puppies world, they have begun to develop a sense of how they should behave during interaction with others.

9-12 weeks of age
Your puppys’ interaction with their surroundings continues to grow as their motor skills continue to improve. Most importantly, your pup has begun to learn which behaviors are proper for which time, even if their attention span has remained short. Best of all, your puppy now has a strong desire to earn your attention now that you and your family have taken the place of their family and playmates.

Beyond 12 weeks of age
Your pup begins to push his way around his/her world as he tries to show who is the ruler of their surroundings and household. He also starts teething, which is marked by their increased chewing of any available object. In addition, your puppy starts to demonstrates more independence and willfulness. As a result, your puppies urge to please you may decrease and they may ignore even the most basic training commands.Your puppy will enter a second chewing phase around seven months of age. This chewing has little to do with teething and everything to do with their continued sense of exploration and curiosity. By this time, your pup also has a heightened awareness of dominant and submissive rankings.

All about puppies, what to expect the first year of the puppies life are very important for proper socialization with humans and other animals. It is preferable during this time to expose the puppy to anything they might be exposed to in the future.

About the author

Gun Guru

The happiness and safety of you, your pet, and the people around you is important. By responsibly taking care of your puppy and educating your puppy, you can have a well trained pet. Follow the links to a great training secrets.R-Rdogtraining.blogspot.com


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Information On Diabetes Insipidus In Dogs

Dogs suffer from diabetes as well. In fact, diabetes insipidus or drinking diabetes is a rare form of illness and can only be determined after specific blood and urine tests. In some cases diabetes insipidus can be controlled by giving the dog shots of antidiuretic hormone.

Content: Diabetes is a medical term that refers to a range of disorders that are characterized by abnormal thirst and frequent weak urination. One of the dog health issues by breed, diabetes in canines comes in of two forms:

F Diabetes Insipidus or drinking diabetes
F Diabetes Mellis or sugar diabetes

Diabetes Insipidus
Diabetes insipidus (DI) is a condition caused due to trouble maintaining water balance in the body. When affected by DI your dog will not be able to concentrate urine because of which he’ll urinate more frequently. The term “insipid” refers to dilute urine.

A rare form of dog health issues by breed, DI, a permanent condition, can only be diagnosed once blood and urine tests are carefully studied. In this form of disease, dogs generally drink more than normal water and urinate more often. However, pet owners mustn’t conclude that their pet has diabetes insipidus based on these symptoms alone. Lack of proper treatment can lead to dehydration, coma, and even death.

Most often pet owners ask pet health questions such as, “my dog has started drinking and urination more than normal, does he have diabetes insipidus?” There can be many reasons why your dog may have increased his intake of water or “polydipsia” and increased urination or ‘polyuria,’ such as diabetes mellis and some other kidney problems. It’s imperative that you get the dog checked by a good veterinarian as well as ask him/her pet health questions to ascertain the actual cause of these dog health issues.

Types Of Diabetes Insipidus
There are two main types of diabetes insipidus:

1. Central Diabetes Insipidus: Central DI is caused due to lack of adequate secretion of antidiuretic hormone (ADH) by the pituitary gland. Pet health questions are important to understand the other causes and effects of central diabetes insipidus and some of these include congenital defect, one or more tumors on the pituitary gland, trauma, or other causes.
2. Nephrogenic Diabetes Insipidus: Nephrogenic DI is caused due to lack of response by the kidneys to the antidiuretic hormone, which is secreted by the pituitary gland. Some causes of nephrogenic DI include congenital defect, metabolic disorders, or drugs.

Diagnosis of Diabetes Insipidus
A vet would typically, try to rule out other diseases with similar symptoms such as ‘Hyperadrenocorticism’ or Cushing’s disease, diabetes mellitus (sugar diabetes), hyperthyroidism in felines, renal failure, and liver disease among other dog health issues by breed.

Treatment of Diabetes Insipidus
Central DI can be treated with a drug called ‘Desmopressin’ that fulfills the lack of antidiuretic hormone. Available as DDAVP, its formulations include nasal spray pump; liquid to be used rhinal tube; liquid injection for subcutaneous penetration; and in tablet form for oral penetration.

Nephrogenic DI can be controlled with ‘Thiazide diuretics.’ The main purpose of these medications is to allow concentration of urine. Oral medicine such as ‘chlorothiazide’ works with the kidneys to ensure that urine can be concentrated.

About the author

Thierry Babineaux
If you think your dog may have diabetes and your worried about dog health you should see your vet.You could visit our forum if you want to ask any questions on pet health.

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Dog Training – Why Consistency Is The Number One Rule

Have you ever thought about what goes through a dog’s mind when it is being taught a new command?

Your dog does not know why you want him to sit, or stay or go down. He has no idea what the word sit means, it is just a sound coming from your mouth that he hears whenever you want him to complete a certain action.

Due to this we have to be consistent with our own actions so that the dog is able understand what we want of him or her, a lot sooner and with minimal confusion.

Your dog needs a motivation to be taught a new command. This motivation comes in the form of a reward. This can be an item of food, a toy or praise from you. You must praise and or reward your dog every time that he/she obeys the command. When you start training a dog it is pointless to praise him only occasionally. If he is to learn the command, you have to praise him every time that he obeys the command. This consistency will help the dog to learn at a much faster rate.

You have to show the dog that what he is doing is correct by praising him when he obeys the command. After he receives the praise and or reward, he will become motivated to repeat the action. If he is consistently being rewarded for a certain action he will be motivated to continue to do the same thing repeatedly.


This consistency follows through to all interactions between you and your dog.

For example – you might have five members in your family. You have a rule that your dog is not allowed to enter the bedrooms in your house. However two of your children encourage the dog to enter there bedrooms when you are not there. What does this say to the dog? Apart from confusing him, it tells him that if he really wants to go into a bedroom he can.

Another example – you are teaching a young dog the ‘stay’ command. The first time you issue the command and walk away your dog moves from his spot and lies down three metres from it. You instantly return to him, escort him back to the original spot and re issue the command (as you should). You start walking away from your dog and he ‘breaks’ again and lies down four metres from his spot. However on this occasion you do nothing about it and continue teaching the command. What does this say to the dog? It tells him that he does not have to stay anywhere and it is okay for him to get up and move around while you are teaching this command.

So you see that you have to be consistent with every interaction between you and your dog. Don’t have one rule one day and a different rule the next. Also, ensure that every member of your family has the same rules and boundaries for your dog so that he is not receiving mixed messages. It is unfair on your dog if different family members have different rules. In fact it is your responsibility as a dog owner to ensure that this does not occur.

A dog that knows the rules, and has consistency from you and your family will learn a lot quicker will be less inclined to indulge in undesirable behaviour and will be a lot more content and happier.

About the author

Nick Wilson is an author, a former Police Dog Handler, and the owner of K9Koncepts, based in New Plymouth, New Zealand. He focuses on teaching owners how to train their dogs with a simple and forthright approach. He also specialises in teaching owners how to overcome issues with problem dogs, and helps them understand the importance of the Canine Dominance hierarchy in dog training. His recently authored book “Train Your K9” is available from www.train-your-K9.com

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Dog Food Comparisons Can Make Healthier Dogs

By Ted Batron

Dog food comparisons can and should be made concerning brand and type of dog food. There are a lot of factors to think about. The process of selecting the right food involves making sure your pets health is protected. Fortunately there are dog food comparisons that can help you decide what is best for your dog.

What we want to look at are dog food products that contain natural ingredients and no preservatives or additives. Natural dog foods should contain human grade all natural chicken, organic brown rice, organic carrots, probiotics and other high nutrient products. In dog food comparisons we can readily see the advantages of natural balance dog foods. The carbohydrate and organic proteins are easier to digest, and probiotics are more easier absorbed by the body.

Many scientific studies have shown that a meat based diet is best for your dog. Many major commercial brand dog foods contain miscellaneous meat products mixed together with gluten and corn meal. Organic products contain primarily quality meat products.

When we look at dog food comparisons, we find that a dogs fur is healthier and thicker when eating a natural food diet. The dog also looses less fur through shedding. Along with that, your dog will have fewer digestive problems and firmer stools. The kinds of meat-based proteins you should look for in your dogs food is chicken, turkey, and white rice or brown rice.

Some dog food brands claim to be organic but contain only partially organic products. They may include some brown rice but also include the typical commercially produced “mystery meat” combination. Of the serveral organic products available, dog food comparisons show that the Newmans Own brand is high in nutrients and organics. Over 70% of all ingredients in Newmans Own foods are organic and include human grade all natural chicken and high levels of antioxidants. The “Newmans Own” brand carries an average price which is extremely reasonable and the quality of the products is high.

Natures Logic is the first commercially prepared 100% natural pet foods that doesn’t contain chemically synthesized nutrients.

Northwest Naturals makes a raw dog food meal that is rich in protein, vitamins and minerals and are grain-free. They add ground bone as a calcium source. To add flavor to the European style pet food, you can add meat and raw or steamed veges. You can add ingredients to your dogs food to make it a tastier choice. Organically produced vegetables and meats make healthy choices. The best choice is sometimes to make your own dog food. There are several guides available on how to make a healthy and nutritious meal.

There are a lot of choices available when it comes to dog food, the healthiest meals for your dog can be found by reviewing many different dog food comparisons. The higher the percentage of meat protein, the more your dog will enjoy it, and the better the health benefits.

The health and long life of your friend is always the first consideration when choosing a dog food. And you don’t have to make a choice between health and taste. Make sure your friend is with you for a long time, and make healthy choices.

About the author

The commercial dog food companies manufacture food that may be killing your pet, causing disease and shortening their life. You need to know the facts to maintain your friends health and happiness. Dog Food Comparisons at http://www.dogfood-facts-exposed.com for the truth about commercial dog food.

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