When you can feel the seasons changing from autumn to wintery weather, we instinctively change our habitual routines for the approaching cold, damp even freezing conditions. But rarely do we think of our four legged friends, Just because they have fur doesn’t mean that their coat is in any way adequate to deal with freezing weather. “think about it”, some breeds such as Huskies or Alaskan Malamutes have the genetics to be able withstand long periods of time outdoors in cold freezing weather. On the other hand, breeds such as The Staffordshire Bull Terrier or the English Bull Dog, do not have the same protective fur or extra padding on their paws to endure these prolonged freezing weather conditions. It only takes a few moments to ready your dog for the changing weather conditions.

Dogs will often need to eat more during the winter months, and consume more calories to help them produce sufficient amounts of their own body heat. Consulting a veterinarian on how to increase the dog’s caloric intake, without overfeeding, is the best way to accomplish this. If a dog ever begins to shake or shiver from cold temperatures, make an effort to slowly, but steadily, warm him/ her, as persistent shivering is a sign of hypothermia, which can be very dangerous to both dogs and humans.

As a guide a dog’s temperature is always slightly warmer than the average human’s temperature. When forecasts get too chilly, a few special precautions are all that’s generally needed to make sure that you and your dog are comfortable on winter days.

The following is a list of Do’s and Don’ts to help you give your dog the cold-weather care they deserve.

Do provide proper shelter:

If a dog lives outside in a tradition kennel, consider covering the top of the kennel with a water-resistant tarpaulin, or other protective covering, this will protect your dog from the elements. Or, consider placing a doghouse inside of the kennel, so that the dog has safe shelter from rain, snow and driving winds. Additional to this, dog’s bedding should also always be slightly elevated to keep from becoming wet or frozen. Special heaters or heating pads may also be added to the kennel or doghouse to provide additional warmth. If using a heating device, be sure it is designed for use in pet shelters, as regular heaters are never to be used in animal shelters or enclosures.

If it gets too cold outside, consider bringing a dog inside, especially during the evening hours when the temperature drops dramatically, and prepare a warm space for them to sleep through the night.

If you can’t keep your dog indoors during winter months, provide an elevated structure with a door to protect pets from wind and changing weather conditions. ?Provide dry, clean bedding materials such as straw or blankets and replace bedding if it becomes damp or wet. Find a house large enough for you dog to be able to stand up and turn around, but small enough to retain thier body heat.? Not to be bias but this is exactly what the STRONGDOGZ™ KENNELS is built for.

Do provide indoor dogs with a warm sleeping area away from drafts.

Do use caution around bodies of water. Keep pets away from rivers, ponds and lakes as they begin to freeze. Continue to use caution even when the water appears completely frozen.

Do keep hair around paw pads trimmed. Less hair will help keep paws free of ice and snow, which can quickly ball up between footpads and create uncomfortable walking conditions for pets.

Do check paw pads for small cuts and cracks. Consider dog boots for dogs that react negatively to walking on ice and snow – especially dogs that react to snow removal products.

Do clean your dog’s paws after walks to remove salt and snow removal chemicals, which can be toxic to pets.

Do check your dog’s ears, tail and feet for frostbite. Just as dogs are sensitive to hot summer pavements, cold winter walkways may cause pain or contribute to frostbite. A dog that continually lifts individual legs off the ground during a winter walk may feel the effects of frostbite. Frostbitten skin may appear red or gray. If you suspect frostbite, wrap your dog’s feet in a blanket or towels to gradually warm them and contact your veterinarian.

Do provide the proper type and amount of food for the season. Dogs housed outdoors and dogs that participate in strenuous outdoor activities may require additional food during colder weather. On the other hand, indoor dogs that exercise less frequently in colder months may need less food.

Do provide adequate fresh, unfrozen water. If your dog lives outside, consider investing in a heated water bowl. Indoor dogs also may require more water to combat dry winter air.

Do invest in a pet sweater for shorthaired breeds. Watch for telltale signs that your pet is cold. Like us, pets will shiver in response to being chilled.

Do keep puppies and older dogs indoors except for short periods of time. As with humans, young and old dogs are more susceptible to the effects of the cold.

Do keep dogs on a leash – especially during bad weather or snowstorms when they can lose their ability to find their way by smell.

Do pay attention to snow removal. Avoid piling snow near fences and creating an escape route for curious pets.

Do keep identification tags updated in the event your dog runs away.

Do clean up antifreeze spills immediately. Many dogs like the sweet smell and taste and, unfortunately, even very small amounts can be lethal to them. If you suspect that your dog has ingested antifreeze, take your dog to your veterinarian immediately. There may be time for Antizol-Vet, an anti-freeze antidote, to help your dog. Also consider using an animal-friendly anti-freeze.

Do maintain your pet’s grooming schedule. Regular brushing keeps your dog’s coat supple and prepared for the cold. However, when you bathe your pet, be sure to dry his coat thoroughly before allowing him outside.

Do visit your veterinarian for a checkup before the cold weather strikes. Cold weather may exacerbate certain conditions, such as arthritis. Sudden changes in the weather or drops in temperature may affect pets suffering from osteoarthritis.

Don’t suddenly house an indoor dog outdoors. Dogs require a month or more (as seasons change) to become accustomed to lower winter temperatures.

Don’t keep your dog outside in all conditions. Pay attention to the thermometer. If it dips too far below freezing, it’s too cold for any dog – even those accustomed to being outside.

Don’t treat all dogs alike. Breeds such as Huskies or Alaskan Malamutes have the genetics to be able withstand long periods of time outdoors in cold freezing weather. On the other hand, breeds such as The Staffordshire Bull Terrier or the English Bull Dog, do not have the same protective fur or extra padding on their paws to endure these prolonged freezing weather conditions.

Don’t leave pets alone in cars during cold weather months. When the engine is off, a car can act as a refrigerator, holding in the cold.

If  in doubt consult your Vet.

Source: Strongdogz Dog Kennels

Your backyard may be a dog’s paradise, but the area can be fraught with danger, especially if you have a puppy that is young, adventurous, and going through that oral fixation phase where he must chew on anything he can find.

The worst age bracket for this problem is between 1 and 6 months, however, other types of dogs, such as Golden retrievers as a prime example, seem to carry this chewing habit with them for the rest of their lives.

Beware Of The Following Backyard Dangers

As a busy dog owner, you may not have the time or the resources to properly research many aspects of raising an adult dog or puppy, therefore, below is a list of the most common dangers may be that lurking in your backyard.

This list is compiled from reports as outlined by the American Society For The Prevention Of Cruelty To Animals (ASPCS).

• Fertilizers and compost piles.
• Ornamental ponds that contain blue-green algae.
• Toxins created by animals such as insects, toads, spiders, scorpions, and snakes.
• Poison from citronella candles which are used to guard against mosquitoes.
• Swimming pool supplies and treatment chemicals.
• Mulch that contains Cocoa, which are typically placed around shrubs and other plants.
• Fly traps which contain methomyl.
• Poisonous plants like grape vines, azalea, castor bean, sago palm, and kalanchoe.
• Snail and slug  traps which contain metaldehyde.

Be as proactive as you can by puppy-proofing not only the yard area, but the inside of your home as well.  Close garbage cans tightly. Lock up all pool supplies. Put away your lawn and garden materials.

Further protect your animals by following the instructions carefully given on pesticide products, fertilizers, bug sprays, and other hazardous materials. I would even go as far as investigating all-natural products that can be used to replace these poisonous dangers. Ask your veterinarian or your local landscaper for some recommendations.

And if you ever suspect that your dog or puppy has ingested a dangerous poison, chemical, or is bitten by a venomous predator, contact your veterinarian or call the APCC: (888) 426-4435.

How Do Dogs Get Diabetes?

In some cases, specific dog breeds are genetically prone to developing diabetes. Such dog breeds include the golden retriever, miniature schnauzer, and the standard poodle. These breeds may develop diabetes at a young age simply as a result of the type of dog they are.

For other dogs, it is theorized that diabetes is the result of another disease in the animal which destroys the cells of the pancreas, thus branching off to diabetes. However, for most dogs, diabetes is caused by too many carbohydrates in the diet mixed with an inactive lifestyle, which of course leads to obesity, and ultimately – diabetes.

The Lowdown On Carbohydrates

Just like what happens when humans consume too many carbohydrates, a dog’s blood sugar level will rise tremendously after eating a meal that is high in carbs. It happens extremely quickly as well. As a response to this, the body than uses insulin as a way to push the blood sugar back into the cells. Each of these cells have insulin receptors which open and close like a doorway in order to regulate the flow of blood sugar.

Through years and years of high carbohydrate eating, these “doorways” begin to break and eventually shut down. Your dog’s body then produces more insulin resulting in sporadic cycles of insulin resistance. Eventually the body will no longer be able to create the insulin needed to push back the blood sugar into the cells. The final result of this action is diabetes.

Other Ways Dogs Get Diabetes

Dogs that are overweight and older and age can also get diabetes from a very unique way. In many cases, these dogs came down with diabetes after they were given corticosteroid medication.

Whether it was by injection or tablet, the corticosteroids given to overweight pets seem to have caused the disease to set in. Researchers claim that these dogs were already genetically susceptible to diabetes and that the medication was just the trigger it needed.  The good news for these types of diabetes cases is that with proper diet and medication, the disease may go into remission and the dog may be able to have his insulin discontinued indefinitely.

Perhaps the greatest single cause of diarrhea is a change of diet. Thus, a dog that has been used to eating a commercial brand dog food and is suddenly given table scrapes is very likely to suffer diarrhea. A change in drinking water, especially when traveling, can also cause temporary diarrhea.

Abrupt changes in diet are particularly distressing to puppies whose intestinal tracts are still very sensitive. If you purchased your puppy from a breeder, you have probably been told what to feed the dog based on what he had been fed in the past. If, on the other hand, you got the dog from other sources such as a friend or an ad in the paper, it is advisable that you find out what he is eating. In any case, you should consult about your dog’s diet with a vet. There is always the chance that the dog is not getting the proper nourishment he needs.

If you find that your puppy has been used to a raw meet diet and you are going to feed him a commercial food product, be sure to make the transition a gradual one. Start by mixing just a bit of the commercial food into the raw meat. Gradually increase the amount, day by day, until you have completely eliminated the raw meat. This gradual change will prevent your dog from suffering diarrhea.

Other causes of diarrhea are overfeeding and underfeeding. A dog that is very hungry and overeats is apt to get sick, as is a dog that is fed less than once a day. Such a dog will usually overeat when he is finally fed. All the evidence reveals that dogs are less subject to diarrhea if they are fed half a total amount twice a day, rather than the whole amount at one feeding. Many breeders, as well as veterinarians, recommend self-feeding, where the dog is left a full dish of food to eat as he chooses. Only dry commercial food is used in this situation, and diarrhea is very rare.

Another cause of diarrhea is excessive water consumption. The dog that drinks too much water is often suffering from something more serious than diarrhea, and a visit to the vet is recommended. During the months of summer, of course, it is something else again. Dogs, like humans, tend to overdo the liquid intake and diarrhea becomes more common.

Summer is also the season of another serious source of diarrhea – spoiled food. Be cautious of moist food that becomes moldy and keep the dog away from garbage cans. In addition to spoiled foods, garbage cans carry a number of baneful morsels like sawdust or soap, any of which can cause serious digestive problems.

Summer diarrhea from garbage cans may be just a symptom of something more serious. Intestinal inflammation (enteritis) can result from the dog eating rotten meat. Diarrhea is also associated with distemper, leptospirosis, and a variety of worms, from whip to hook. Therefore, feed your dog less in the summer and never increase the amount of his food.

Sometimes, the cause of diarrhea has to do with specific elements in your dog’s diet. For instance, egg whites, unless they are cooked, will cause diarrhea. The same is true with excessive lactose. Therefore, do not feed your dog too much milk or milk products.

In older dogs, a heart malfunction can signal diarrhea. So can a malfunction of the kidneys or the liver, abdominal tumors, and many other conditions. All dogs can get diarrhea from such intestinal irritants such as salts and acids or from the ingestion of foreign matter like toy balls, splinters, or lint.

Normally, a dog’s diarrhea will pass in a day or two. Be sure to avoid milk or broth, and mix some cooked rice or macaroni with his regular food. If the diarrhea lasts after a few days, or if it is accompanied by blood in the stool or vomiting, contact your veterinarian.

You try to visualize how green the new lawn will be, the right plants and shrubs that will bloom. You see your dog and his newly built, comfortable doghouse nestled right next to that healthy oleander bush that will be growing. As water dish lies cool as it sits in the shade of that same bush. Your imagination is so detailed that you can even picture a beautiful oleander leaf falling gently into the water dish as its caresses the surface.

Isn’t this a beautiful scene, relaxed, serene, natural, and safe?

Wrong wrong wrong!  

While this mental picture may look amazingly beautiful, it is actually very deadly. One sip of water from that water bowl that has your favorite oleander leaf floating in it can kill your dog within an hour!

Did you know that there are almost a thousand species of plants that are considered poisonous to dogs and other house pets? And that is just in North America alone. All too often when a dog is taken to the veterinarian for sickness and the vet explains to the owner that it was the result of poison, the dog owners all jump to the conclusion that “someone else” must have poisoned their dog.

More than 95% of such veterinarian visits are the result of backyard poisoning from owners who unknowingly beautified their landscape with daffodils or bulbs of hyacinth, without a clue that these common plants can be fatal to animals. A dog can literally dig into the ground and unearth a bulb which can immediately become the object of its chewing desire.  Once swallowed, it becomes a lethal ingestion.

Autumn crocus plans, Glory Lilies, and the star-of-Bethlehem are other examples of popular plants which are very poisonous. The lily-of-the-valley is another lovely plant that is popular in many homes but once snatched up by a puppy can spell certain death.

A true botanist at heart loves a yard that is quilted with cornflower, black eyed susan, golden glow, lantana, sweet peas, and bleeding heart. But if a dog lives in this very same atmosphere, certain death is lurking inside each and every one of these plants.

Did you know that the poinsettia, known everywhere as the beautiful “Christmas Plant” and used in hundreds of thousands of homes during the holidays, is so dangerous that a single leaf chewed up by a child can be fatal?

Do you know what other indoor plants are a severe life threat for you dog? Knowing more about Common Dog Indoor Poisonous Houseplants can literally save your dog’s life.

Let me guess, you probably have plants decorated inside such as the caladium, alocasia, elephant ears, a few philodendrons, and even a sprinkle of skunk cabbage for added sparkle. There is nothing to fear in this lovely scenario, is there?

Wrong! 

Each indoor plant that we just mentioned above contain a small amount of sharp crystals known as calcium oxalate. Once your dog bites into these plants, the crystals become embedded in its mouth which not only results in pain, but can be fatal due to the immense swelling of the back of the tongue, thus preventing the dog from breathing, and ending in death by suffocation.

Mistletoe is a beautiful little plant, widely known as a yuletide decoration, that provides a traditional reminder of happiness during the holidays. But when the holidays are over, these mistletoe plants are carelessly thrown into the trash can. If your dog doesn’t get to it then there is a good possibility that a free-roaming dog outside may snatch up a few bites when the trash is put out. Either way, these dogs can become very sick when ingesting the mistletoe.

During wedding ceremonies, thousands of churches every year are decorated with beautiful yellow Jessamine to accent the ceremony. And the brides all carry bouquets of this yellow Jessamine. At the end of the ceremonies, these lovely decorations are tossed into the trash and death is literally waiting for any stray dog with nothing better to do than eat the blossoms of these plants.

Take Responsibility

Now that you can see that there are many common houseplants that represent death to your dog and other house pets, it obviously would behoove of you to understand exactly what you are putting into your home for plant decorations. Place your dog’s life ahead of your wish list when designing your indoor plant set up.

Further, if you think that your dog has been poisoned by plant toxin, bring both your dog and the suspected plant culprit with you to the veterinarian. If the vet knows exactly which plant caused the poisoning, he will have a better chance at providing the correct antidote.

Keep in mind, however, that your veterinarian cannot be expected to know as much as a botanist would, but proper diagnosis and the correct treatment of specific plant poisoning is at the vet’s fingertips through the national Poison Control Center if additional help is needed.

Teaching your puppy the “leave it” and “drop it”commands can keep your youngster from doing something dangerous, such as eating mouse poison, rotten food and other yucky stuff, or running into the path of a speeding car.

“Leave It”

With your puppy on a leash, walk by a tempting item, such as food or a toy (you can pre-place items for this exercise). When your puppy tries to pick up the item, give a short quick tug on the leash and say, “Leave it.”

Enthusiastically praise your puppy for obeying (“Good Sparky!”). You can offer a treat reward at this time if you prefer, but praise and a pat on the head work just as well. Repeat this routine at home.

Here’s another method you can use to teach your puppy the leave it command: Hold a food treat in your closed fist. When your puppy noses your hand, say “Leave it,” and keep your fist closed. When your pup stops nosing your hand, reward with praise, then give a verbal release command (such as “okay”) and let your puppy have the treat. Continue working like this until your puppy will sit quietly without touching a nearby treat until you give the release command.

“Drop It”

When your puppy picks up a forbidden object, say, “Drop it!” and walk over to your puppy. If your pup won’t release the item, offer it a tempting treat as a trade for the item. When your puppy drops it, offer praise and a safe substitute – preferably one that’s more enticing than the forbidden item.

If your puppy runs away from you, don’t chase it – it’ll think you’re playing a game. Instead, ignore your little one and get yourself a treat from the kitchen (something you know your puppy likes). Take the treat to a puppy-accessible area and start to eat it (or pretend to eat it, if it’s a dog goodie).

Be dramatic about how yummy it is. Call your puppy over, then give the drop it command and trade the treat for the forbidden item. (Be sure to praise your youngster for obeying.) After your puppy finishes the treat, offer an acceptable toy.

While this imp-like behavior is destructive, it can also prove fatal for the puppy. For example, one good-sized bite out of a bar of soap containing harsh chemicals and the odds against making it to the vet in time before the puppy convulses and dies are ten to one.

The fat-soaked trussing cord from the turkey has been known to become entangled in the intestines of a puppy. In most cases, the owner is not aware that the puppy has gotten to the turkey or leftover bones until it is too late. An unsupervised puppy is like an unsupervised infant crawling around on the floor.

Puppies are also very attracted to decorations and ornaments, which includes magnets, pins, and needles. Splinters of wood, glass, and plastic are equally dangerous – for all are dagger-like and can puncture your puppy’s throat or become lodged in the intestines.

Some of the old-fashioned Christmas tree ornaments were manufactured using radium to make them glow in the dark. In a puppy’s stomach, this is a lethal poison.

Soft rubber of the type found in bath toys is also extremely dangerous for puppies. Veterinarians report that rubber is one of the most common causes of surgery in puppies and young dogs. The soft rubber tears easily and can stick to the puppy’s insides causing total blockage of the intestinal track.

And right after Christmas time, just about the time you feel you have everything picked up and out of harm’s way, your puppy could be gnawing on a string of tree lights. A 110-volt jolt to the mouth can be lethal.

The secret of surviving the holidays (or any other time of celebration with decorations around the house) and all your decorations for that matter, without harm coming to your puppy is supervision.  Keep in mind that it only takes a second for a puppy to choke on a gift wrap ribbon, or be strangled by a small ball lodged in his throat.

In one town, what started out as a happy time during one lovely Christmas turned into a tragedy when the rubber band on a paddle-ball toy broke. The puppy reached the loose rubber ball before the child, and within a few seconds, the ball was firmly lodged in the puppy’s throat.

There’s no use in saying ”No” to a puppy in a roomful of Christmas decorations. No amount of scolding will make the puppy less curious. It may temper him for a moment, but the temptations to a young pup will overcome all of your “No-nos”, no matter how emphatic. A puppy’s stomach is a strong organ and can digest a lot of strange things, but aluminum icicles and rubber bands are not included.

The key to success when building a relationship between a cat and a dog has a lot to do with the individual traits possessed by each animal.  It is generally easier to build this relationship by starting off by introducing a young kitten to a dog that is a bit older.  Kittens are still a little bit more easy to mold than adult cats and while most cats will not eagerly run up to a dog to make friends, with a little bit of time an adjustment, it can be done

Expect some hissing and spitting from your kitten

When you bring home a new kitten and you begin initiating contact between your feline friend and your adult dog, you must be present at all times and expect the cat to display some fear by hissing and possibly spitting. This is just the way that cats express their fear as well as make an attempt to scare off a potential enemy.  In order to prevent your dog from reacting back towards this behavior, just grab your kitten when you see the hissing reaction taking place and then place her back down again to associate with the dog. It just takes time.

Use the method of “exposed isolation” to help them get to know each other

Exposed isolation means just what it says: you want to isolate the cat in one area and the dog in another, yet have them both exposed so that they can see and stiff at each other.  A great way to do this is to get a baby gate and separate the two animals on either side in a room.  Your cat now enough area to roam free, as well as your dog. And when they get curious they will simply come closer to the gate and sniff each other out, slowly making friends.

Do not get your hopes up

You have to realize that not all cats and dogs will get along no matter how much conditioning and training you involve them in.  Some dogs have an increasingly high amount of predatory drive, depending on their breed.

You have to remember that dogs are hunters and have a natural instinct to chase.  Before you consider purchasing a kitten it would be wise to do some research and ask specific questions about the type of breed of dog you have.  An obvious example would be trying to bring a kitten into the house where an adult pitbull is living.  It doesn’t take much common sense to know that this would be a mistake.

Being able to train a dog means you’ve committed to improving your relationship with your pet in a meaningful way. Think about it, you wouldn’t let your son or daughter behave in a way that rejects communication, hygiene, and controlled aggression, so why should this be permitted in your pet? By demonstrating to your dog what good behavior looks like, you’ll make sure that you’re teaching him or her to be a beloved pet instead of an out-of-control menace that you’ll have to give up.

What’s more, without opting to train a dog, his or her behavior will be completely out of your control. Your dog will mess indoors, none of your things will be safe from chewing and destruction, and bringing guests over to your house will be a very risky situation when your dog hasn’t been properly trained and socialized. When not deciding to train a dog, you could end up with a monster on your hands.

To train a dog, you can use an effective training program and remain consistent with it. Remaining consistent and patient is the best thing that you can do to ensure that your dog will properly learn the commands you’re teaching and will listen to your instructions.

I’ve been in your shoes before with my own pet. My methods involved trial-and-error before I stumbled upon the right program for me. This program provided me with more skills than any other strategy I’d tried. No more does my dog fail to listen or behave like the feral beast he once seemed to believe himself to be. If you’re curious to learn more about this amazing train a dog program, have a look at my review and story behind it.

You will learn how to train a dog in a way that is kind and effective; all the time showing your pet precisely how to be friends with you. Furthermore, you’ll be supported by an expert at all times because the program allows you unlimited access to email consultations to answer any questions that arise throughout the training process.

Learn to train a dog using a program that will guide you no matter your dog’s breed or personality. With that understood, it also shows you the universal rules to train a dog that will work for you no matter how smart, stubborn, or receptive your dog may be.

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