Author Archives: Jack
The Effects of K9 Obesity
Obesity causes many health problems in our dogs. Not only that, but research suggests that being excessively generous around the middle shortens a dog’s lifespan by as much as two years. So, an overweight dog doesn’t live as long as a lean animal, and their quality of life is significantly reduced.
Managing K9 Obesity
If your dog is overweight, it can be hard work getting them back down to a healthy weight, however it is worth doing. Here are the steps you need to follow to help your dog to lose weight.
6 Common K9 Eye Injuries
Dogs don’t always have a great sense of self preservation when it comes to taking care of their eyes. They often stick their heads into situations that may result in damage to their eye, and a trip to the veterinarian.
K9 Heat Stroke
Dogs don’t sweat when they are hot like we do; they rely on panting and evaporation of moisture from their mouth and tongue to keep their body temperature within normal limits. This isn’t always effective when conditions are particularly hot, such as inside a closed car. Hyperthermia, or heatstroke, is also a risk if you exercise your dog in the middle of the day during the warmer months of the year.
Socializing Your K9 Puppy
When your pup is growing up, it’s important that you are aware of the critical socialization periods that they go through. There are three main socialization periods in dogs:
Using Punishment In K9 Training
Many people involved in dog training are confused about what punishment actually means. It doesn’t necessarily mean hitting your dog, or scruffing and shaking them. Punishment is defined as something that reduces the likelihood that your dog will repeat a particular behavior.
Raising K9 Orphan Pups
Sometimes a bitch isn’t at all interested in rearing her pups, and if that happens, it’s up to you to do the job for her. This can be a lot of work, but is very satisfying to see the pups thrive under your care.
Problems With K9 Pregnancy
When you are breeding your dog, you spend a lot of time making sure she is in the best of health, and choosing the right stud dog for her. After a successful mating, you should be able to relax and enjoy her pregnancy, shouldn’t you? That’s not necessarily the case, and there are several things that can go wrong during the 63 day gestation period.
Reasons For Difficult K9 Births
The term “dystocia” means difficult delivery, and it is a common reason for late night phone calls to veterinarians!
What Happens During A K9 Cesarean Section
If your dog needs a Cesarean section to deliver her pups, you may feel anxious and worried, and rightly so. Any surgical procedure does have its risks, however Cesarean sections usually result in a very positive outcome for the bitch and any pups that are still alive in her uterus.
What Is Clicker Training?
Clicker training is a way of training your dog without using any force or compulsion. It is based on a system of rewards: the dog does what you want him to and he is then rewarded with a treat, or a game of tug.
Can Behavioral Problems Be Genetic?
Nature or nurture? There is always a debate about whether a dog is born with a behavior problem, or whether they develop it as a result of their upbringing.