Fleas On Dogs

Wage War on Fleas On Dogs: That time of the year has come around again when those terrible little blood-sucking insects, with teeth already sharpened, are waiting for the right moment to begin their onslaught. They are not only getting ready to invade and multiply in your dogs' fur but also in your home.

So what can we do to help our dogs combat these horrible little pests? You have to declare war on them or they will declare a full-scale war on you and your dog. Yes, the dog flea loves the taste of both human and dog blood and they can also cause an allergic reaction to both dogs and humans when they bite and suck your blood.

To make it easier for you here is a suggested list of counterattack moves.

1 Make a list of the warfare tactics you will have to apply to make sure you will leave no living flea or eggs to carry on breeding.

2 Build an arsenal of flea treatments like shampoos, sprays, dog flea tablets, household vacuums for sucking up the dust, washing machine, and cleaning materials.

3 Make a list of places to treat like the living room carpet or bedroom, or wherever your dog has been. Leave no place un-cleaned where fleas and their eggs may reside or it can ruin all your valiant efforts.

4 Make a priority list of what needs attacking first.

5 Do not forget about the outside den, like kennels, the garage, or even the greenhouse.

6 Remember your car (rugs etc) if he or she has travelled in it.

7 Do not forget the clothing belonging to you and your family; those pesky critters can hide anywhere.

8 Other household pets may hide the fleas even temporary. If you are declaring war on dog fleas then declare war on the other pets you have in your home, like cat fleas.

9 Try and limit your pooch to only having contact with other dogs that you know have been treated for fleas.

10 Your favorite walks, which other dogs use, can re-infest your dog although there is not a lot you can do about that.

Dogs that contract fleas are often miserable and can even suffer from nasty allergic reactions, which can make them suffer even more misery.

To rid your dog and home of these irritating pests you have to be thorough, or they can soon become re-infested. Remember, leaving just one egg or flea on your dog or in your home will start an avalanche of new intruders and you will have to start all over again.

It is easy for any dog to become infested with fleas the solution is, however, more taxing both mentally and physically. Fleas do not inhabit a dirty home in preference to a clean one, on the contrary they would just as well prefer a clean furry rug to one matted with dirt.

Once the main battle is over then it only remains for you to be on your guard and take preventative measures to make it more difficult for them to breed again. Discuss this with your vet if you are unsure.

Fleas On Dogs by Ian Nicholson:

Ian Nicholson has over fifty years experience with all things dogs and invites you to visit him at http://www.choosebestdogbreed.com to learn more about fleas and also receive a free e-Book.

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Postal Puppy Box Giveaway

Has your dog gone Postal? Will no treat satisfy them?

We've just been let into a little secret from the people over at Postal Puppy. They are about to start shipping shiny new dog stuff to doorsteps every month. We've convinced them to share the contents of their first boxes with us: Natural dog treats, along with some organic dog treats (made with locally sourced ingredients), an organic flea and tick control, a professional pet shampoo AND something magic. It's so magic that it's guaranteed to stop unwanted barking, console whimpering puppies, reduce hyperactivity, minimize fear of thunderstorms, calm your dog in the car, and more!



Head over to PostalPuppy.com to guarantee yourself a box full of goodness or you can enter this contest to win a box (Or, both!)

The Postal Puppy Giveaway is open to residents of the United States only, 18 or older and will end on 7/4/12 at 12:01 AM EST.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Disclosure: I would like to thank Jessica at PostalPuppy.com for the opportunity to host the Postal Puppy Giveaway The opinions within this post are of my own and I was not influenced in any way. I was not compensated in any manner, other than the opportunity to post this giveaway and an opportunity to receive a Postal Puppy Box (review coming soon). My reviews may not always positive, but they are my personal and honest opinions. Please conduct your own research before purchasing products. For more information about All About Labradors please read our Disclaimer and Disclosure Policies.

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Great Advantages of Taking out Pet Insurance

A pet owner has a responsibility to provide the best health and medical attention for their pets. Depending on where you live, the state or county, there are laws placed into effect for protection of humans. For instance, a bite from a rabid pet requires days of painful shots for the human, and the pet is put down. The costs for a pet to receive shots, health checkups, medicines and medical surgeries are rising every day. The internet allows pet owners to obtain pet insurance online; and this insurance is affordable. Pet insurance policies are being obtained by the hundreds because of the monetary savings for a pet owner in the long run.



There are humans that perceive their pets as part of the family. Many allow their pets to live in their homes and pamper them. When the pet is perceived by a human as part of the family, an illness or health issue gets taken care of quickly. These humans built loving bonds with their pets because they perceive their pet like a parent would a child. Taking care of their pet is automatic for pet owners and the pets are well taken care of and live long, full lives. The average pet owners are finding that to provide their pets with the health care needed can be expensive, and because of pet insurance online medical services are affordable.

With pet insurance online there is no reason that any pet should have to suffer or go without proper medical attention. There are pet owners that do not take their pets health needs seriously and the pets suffer as a result. Pet owners that have pets and do not abide by the laws are placing themselves and others at risk. Most importantly, their pet’s lives will suffer as a result. Unwanted pregnancies or major illnesses can occur and without the proper medications can kill not only the pet but a human too. Pet insurance will cover health check-ups, shots, medicines, and surgeries, if needed. The medicine for a pet is specialised and human medicines are not suitable. Most medicines for pets are obtained by a visit to the Veterinarian; depending on the health problem, medicine can be costly. Having pet insurance will defray the major costs and allow your pet to be healthy, happy and loving. Pets need a health insurance policy just like humans need the NHS.

Great Advantages of Taking out Pet Insurance is a Guest Post by Lisa Jones:

My name is Lisa. I am a tech writer from UK. I am into Finance. Catch me @financeport

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Take Your Dog to Work Day - June 22, 2012

In honor of Take Your Dog to Work Day next Friday, celebrity dog trainer Harrison Forbes offers his top five tips for avoiding an office "faux paws." Harrison is currently on a nationwide tour, promoting summer safety and flea, tick and heartworm prevention.



Trainer Tips for Canine Co-Workers

Friday, June 22 is the 14th annual Pet Sitters International “Take Your Dog to Work Day.” While the ‘howl-o-day’ invites canines into the cubicle, failing to prepare can quickly lead to a professional faux pas. Celebrity dog trainer, animal behaviorist and radio host Harrison Forbes offers some helpful tips on appropriate office etiquette for your four-legged companion.

Practice Makes Perfect: Before to bringing your dog into the office, practice polite behavior by taking them out to public places. Letting Fido tag along on your next trip to the park, pet store or café patio, will help them become more acclimated to new people, places and animals. This will help them learn proper behavior when greeting people and help them relax in new settings.

Plan, Prepare and Protect: Plan ahead and check with your co-workers to make sure everyone is allergy-free and comfortable with dogs. Also, prepare your work space by hiding electrical cords, and setting out a dog bed and water bowl. Most importantly, make sure your pet is up-to-date on vaccines and protected from fleas and ticks that can be passed from other four-legged office mates. Use a monthly topical treatment like PetArmor®, which is the fipronil-based preventative that offers the same protection as Frontline® at about half the cost.

Walk This Way: Learn leash manners before stepping foot into the building. A trick to combat leash pulling is to stop walking or stop and walk in the opposite direction. When the dog stops and the leash becomes loose, start walking again. Repeat this exercise until your dog learns to walk with you instead of pulling ahead. This can be a long and frustrating process, but it will be effective in the long-term.

Sit and Stay: Condition your dog to sit and stay on command. This is the proper way to greet co-workers, and will help ensure your work day is productive. Teach “sit” and “down” by practicing ahead of time out in public, and offering a small treat for every successful command. Keep training sessions short and gradually build up to an hour. Once at work, encourage your dog to sit or lie down in its bed while in you’re working in your office.

Getting to Know You: Avoid office disputes by asking permission before you allow your dog to greet another dog, and don’t force your dog to become ‘friends’ with another dog; let them meet in their own time. Try to keep a loose leash when introducing your dog to another. Pulling tightly on the leash may cause your dog to become nervous and to growl or snap.

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Labrador Retriever Training Secrets - Free PDF

This is an updated post from a few years ago (links expired) for a free copy of Labrador Retriever Training Secrets by Charles R. Heflin. Its been around for some time but may still be very useful to many Labrador Retriever owners.



Labrador Retriever Training Secrets provides some excellent information on the introduction to your Labrador Retriever, selecting a Labrador and Labrador Retriever training. Here are the chapters you will find listed in Labrador Retriever Training Secrets:

Chapter 1 - Introduction

Chapter 2 - Why is training essential?

Chapter 3 - Selecting a dog trainer

Chapter 4 - Advantages of training

Chapter 5 - Positive Reinforcement

Chapter 6 - Preparing to train

Chapter 7 - How to train your Lab

Chapter 8 - Why Training Your Lab Can Fail

Chapter 9 - Training & Behavior

Chapter 10 - Excessive Barking & Howling

Chapter 11 - Basic Training

Chapter 12 - Types of Training

Chapter 13 - Training to correct bad behavior

Chapter 14 - Training you can use to your advantage

Chapter 15 - Fun Training

Chapter 16 - The Lab’s Sense of Scent & Associated Tricks

Chapter 17 - Training & Show Biz



For those of you that are members of Scribd, you can print or save the ebook by clicking on the download link (next to word Scribd above). You can also view the ebook full screen by clicking on the Fullscreen link.

For all others, you can download Labrador Retriever Training Secrets in PDF format.



This post contains affiliate link(s), which may result in compensation for AllAboutLabradors.blogspot.com. For more information about All About Labradors please read our Disclaimer and Disclosure Policies. We've shared this information to inform you of your option to either use our affiliated links or to go directly to the site of interest.

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Teach Your Labrador Retriever to Stay

Teaching your Labrador Retriever to stay will make for a happier household for everyone. When taught correctly, the "stay" command will help produce a well-mannered and safe Labrador Retriever.



Teaching your Labrador Retriever can be challenging, as they are naturally energetic. With the stay command, you will teach them to do nothing but maintain their position until you release them (do Labrador Retrievers ever stay still).

After you and your Labrador Retriever have mastered the SIT and DOWN commands, the next important step is training your Labrador to stay.

In the following video, you will learn important information, tips and techniques on how to teach your Lab to stay. Remember practice, patience, persistence and love with your training.



Here are a couple more helpful training lessons to teach your Labrador the "stay" command:

Teaching Your Dog to Stay from The Washington Area Humane Society - "The "STAY" command is one of the few commands where it is beneficial to repeat the command while teaching."

How To Teach Your Dog the STAY Command - "You need to understand that training your dog to stay is not an easy task. You need patience and time to get this right. Your attitude in teaching your dog will greatly affect her progress. Congratulate and show your dog that she is doing well each and every time she does it right. Do not rush the process and take as much time as needed to teach your dog this command as it will be of great benefit for the both of you."

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The Myth of the Alpha Dog

Most behavior problems in dogs involve either normal canine behaviors owners don’t like or understand, or undesirable behaviors rooted in anxiety.

In order to improve any type of dog behavior issue, the steps must always include:

* Learning what ‘normal’ means in the canine world
* Identifying and minimizing risks associated with the behavior
* Effectively communicating with the dog
* Learning to read the dog’s signals
* Meeting the dog’s needs

Unfortunately dog trainers, veterinarians and other canine experts have been conditioned over the years to believe ‘bad’ behavior is driven by a dog’s desire to be dominant over his humans.

So owners receive the message that exerting control over their dog – showing him who’s ‘boss’ – is the key to improving behavior.

This is an anthropocentric focus on the relationship between people and dogs which considers only the needs of the human.

The Merriam-Webster definition of anthropocentrici:

1) considering human beings as the most significant entity of the universe

2) interpreting or regarding the world in terms of human values and experiences

According to Dr. Karen Overall of the University of Pennsylvania, an Applied Animal Behaviorist,

"The entire concept of dominance as applied to pet dogs is almost always based on a profound misunderstanding of the shared history of dogs and humans.”

Dog-Human Relationship History

Canines have relationships with humans that stand alone among all relationships between people and domestic animals.

Anthropological evidence shows that dogs have lived closely with humans for at least 30,000 years, and have been engaged in different tasks alongside humans for at least 15,000 years.

And for the past 2,000 years there have been specific breeds of dogs of varying shapes and sizes that engaged in specific tasks helpful to humans.

In fact, many of the physical differences among dog breeds developed as a deliberate effort by humans to match desired behaviors to physical attributes. Dr. Overall uses the example of field trial or working English springer spaniels and show dogs of the same breed. These animals look like completely different breeds because they’ve been bred for different behaviors and ‘jobs.’

She theorizes the relationship between humans and dogs developed initially to take advantage of the power of collaboration. Then over time, changes in actual brain function may have occurred with the result that today’s humans and dogs truly rely on each other.

Normal Dog Behavior Doesn’t Include a Drive for Dominance

To be dominant is to have the ability to control access to resources, and to keep that control by winning out over competitors who also want to control access to the same resources. Dominance is often expressed as aggression.

Dominance shouldn’t be confused with having a higher status in a relationship. A higher status individual achieves the ranking not by his own behavior, but by the behavior of the lower status individuals in the group who subordinate themselves to him.

In a social hierarchy where there are higher and lower status individuals, dominance rarely leads to aggression or fighting – just the opposite.

Flawed Theories of Canine Behavior

Early studies seem to have misinterpreted the concept of dominance in canine social hierarchies.

The dogs in early experiments formed rank hierarchies based not on their own natural social tendencies, but on how the studies were designed. Further, researchers assigned dominant traits to certain dogs based on their behavior with a bone as puppies.

The way puppies interact in a natural setting is actually much more fluid than study results indicate, and it changes over time as they mature.

Unfortunately, these early ‘forced hierarchy’ studies led to the erroneous assumption that in healthy human-dog relationships, canines subordinate themselves to their owners. This led to the theory that owners must exercise dominance over their pets in order to elicit acceptable behavior.

The ‘show them who’s boss’ approach is flawed, according to Dr. Overall, because:

“Our historic and evolutionary relationship with dogs is one of cooperative and collaborative work. A hierarchical relationship like that formerly recommended would not have allowed dogs to work with humans in the ways that they have because humans would have had to make all of the work decisions.”

Dogs who do display dominant tendencies have in the past been diagnosed with ‘dominance aggression.’ But given our improved understanding of canine nature, that behavior problem is now more often referred to as ‘impulse control aggression’ or ‘conflict aggression.’ This rightfully distances us from the concept of dogs as naturally striving for dominance over other animals and people.

Aggressive Dogs are Anxious Dogs

Among the many shared behavior traits of humans and dogs is a tendency to suffer from maladaptive anxiety – anxiety that interferes with normal functioning.

Dogs with behavior problems involving aggression have an anxiety disorder. They are, in Dr. Overall’s view, troubled, needy and pathological. One of the worst methods for handling such a dog is to attempt to dominate him – especially when it involves hitting, hanging, ‘dominance downs,’ ‘alpha rolls’ and other similar techniques intended to show the dog who’s boss.

Dogs with anxiety disorders have trouble processing information and making accurate risk assessments. The actions dog owners take to demonstrate dominance over a misbehaving pet actually result in an already troubled animal feeling betrayed, terrified, threatened and backed into a corner by his human.

As you can imagine, this only results in a worsening of the dog’s condition.

In a future article I’ll discuss how we can change our thinking away from the concept of dominance-submission and toward more productive relationships with our canine companions.

References:

Merriam-Webster.com

Sources:

dvm360 March 1, 2012





This post contains affiliate link(s), which may result in compensation for AllAboutLabradors.blogspot.com. For more information about All About Labradors please read our Disclaimer and Disclosure Policies. We've shared this information to inform you of your option to either use our affiliated links or to go directly to the site of interest.

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Different Types of Seizures in Dogs

If you have a dog that has had a seizure, you?re probably worried about what it means for his long term health and functionality. Despite how alarming seizures are when they happen, in most cases seizures in dogs are not an indicator of a lifetime of poor health. With proper care and attention, dogs that are prone to seizures can live a normal and happy life.

No one really knows what causes seizures in dogs, although there are some factors that have been identified that help. There are some dogs that have brain tumors and these tumors cause them to have seizures. There are also some breeds that have a tendency to have more seizures than other breeds, although all breeds have some dogs that will have seizures.

There are two basic categories of seizures for dogs. There are focalized-which can be thought of as localized-seizures and generalized seizures. Generalized seizures tend to be the more severe and damaging of the two because they affect the entire brain and can cause the dog to be in recovery for hours or days after a seizure.

Focalized seizures affect a portion of the brain instead of the entire brain. This means that the affect on the brain is less severe than it would be in a generalized seizure, which makes recovery faster. Focalized seizures, for this reason, are sometimes harder to diagnose but they still require medical treatment.

There are some cases where a referral to a veterinary neurologist is in order. For example, if you have a dog with a brain tumor that you need to treat, a veterinary neurologist is the best person to handle the care of that situation.

Generalized seizures can be either major motor seizures or absence seizures. In absence seizures, the dog becomes still and unresponsive, with a fixed stare. It is incredibly disconcerting to experience, but not as overtly traumatic as a major motor seizure which consists of twitching, muscle rigidness and involuntary motor reactions.

On the other end, there are dogs that suffer from focalized seizures, of which there are also two types. The dog can suffer from simple focalized seizures, which are motor seizures that are localized to a specific part of the dog’s body. The other focalized seizure is a complex focalized seizure with affects the behavioral centers of the brain causing personality and psychological changes in the dog, which can be alarming and occasionally dangerous to experience.

Seizures in dogs require careful monitoring of the dog’s health and behavior and regular medical intervention, but with this extra effort, your seizure prone dog can live a happy and fulfilled life and be a good companion for you and your family.

I’m a veterinarian’s assistant with a special passion for educating others about seizures in dogs.

Different Types of Seizures in Dogs is a guest post by Celine Europa.

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Petching.com: Lost & Found Pet Locator

Petching.com is offering a very helpful tool should your lovable Labrador Retriever gets lost.

With their interactive Lost & Found Pet Locator, which is powered by Goggle Maps, you will be able to search if anyone has located your dog or cat.

You'll also be able to post that your dog or cat is lost and post that you have found a missing pet.

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