Dog Guidance Blog

The articles within www.dogguidance.com are currently having a change in format to resemble the main pages better. The Pit Bull, Dog Parasite, Dog Grooming, Dog Nutrition, Dog Behavior and Training and Dog Disease articles have had the upgrades. Hopefully the other main pages will be updated soon. 

All Breed Club: This club may be a member club of the American Kennel Club (represented by a delegate), or it may be licensed by the American Kennel Club.  Either a member club or a licensed club may hold an all-breed show at which championship points are awarded.  Its main interest is in purebred dogs in general, all breeds.  Most of the large shows you read about are run by all-breed clubs.

Specialty Club: A club formed for the improvement of any one breed of purebred dogs.  It may hold specialty shows and trials at which championship points are awarded, sanctioned matches, social functions, etc.

Specialty Show: A show given by a Specialty Club at which championship points are awarded.  This show would be for one breed only, as the Specialty Club is formed for the improvement of one breed.  Such a show may be held in conjunction with an all-breed show (by designating the classes at that show as its Specialty Show) or it may be held entirely apart from any other show.

Go to showing dogs for more information.

The proper selection of a dog food is the most important thing a dog owner can do.  Why then, when the procedure seems such a necessary step to proper feeding, do so many dog owners refuse to subject the food they feed to a critical evaluation before they feed it to their dog?

The answer is probably because they don’t know how to.  Companies making dog foods, who do know how, have traditionally provided only “feeding instructions,” but never instructions for a procedure that might enable a customer to discover a product that was superior to their own. 

The widely held belief that any food, simply because it is the product of the American pet food industry, is automatically adequate and nourishing to a dog, is pure myth.  A feeling of security because the food has been purchased from your trusted local grocery is based on even less reality.

There is only one way to select a food that you can be confident will provide your dog with adequate nourishment.  That way is to subject all of the foods available to you to a critical evaluation program.  The time taken to correctly make a food evaluation is time well spent, and the procedure should never be slighted.

See nutrition for dog for more information.

In order to keep health problems in your dog from getting serious, you need to detect them early.  Sometimes just watching your pet and catching abnormal behavior can tell you that there is something wrong, even before the actual signs start to appear.  Therefore, it is necessary to give your dog a basic check-up about once a week.  This check-up takes no more than a few minutes, and it can help prevent problems as well as expenses down the road.

Start with a body rub.  This makes your pet comfortable.  While giving him his rub, check for any signs of flaking or scabs which can be a sign of parasites, a skin disorder, or allergies.

Also check for any lumps and bumps.  Although they are a normal part of aging in dogs, they can also be a symptom that there is something wrong.  Check for any swelling that could indicate parasites, heart trouble, or cancer.

His breathing should be smooth and quiet, unless he is panting.  If his breathing is raspy or rattling, he could have a respiratory problem.

Your dog’s heartbeat should be regular and strong.  To check for his pulse, place your hand against his chest by his left elbow.  Count the number of beats in 15 seconds and multiply it by four.  The rate should range between 60 and 160. 

Examine his ears, eyes, and mouth and check for any signs of abnormalities.

Pit Bulls are in rescue for many reasons.  The most common one is simply because their first owners did not think things through properly when they decided to get a Pit Bull.  Another reason is that the dog did not get along well with the children or other pets in the house.  Some Pit Bulls were rescued from illegal dog-fighting operations and will require extra care and rehabilitation.  These dogs need special attention with experienced owners.
 
There are many Pit Bull rescue groups available that have these pets screened for temperament and health problems.  However, just like what you would expect from a good breeder, there are organizations that are very picky about prospective homes for these abandoned dogs.  Experienced rescue groups evaluate the needs and special requirements of each dog in their care and help you get a dog that fits well with your situation and lifestyle. 

Because most of these dogs in rescue have already been to too many homes, you have to choose one very carefully to make sure that your home will be the one where he can settle in permanently.  Contact your local animal shelter and ask to be notified if a Pit Bull should become available. 

For more in formation about Pit Bulls visit the Pit Bull facts page.

Dogs of any breed, size or type can suffer from stress.  In fact, a certain amount of stress is necessary for a healthy life.  Hunger produces a form of stress that motivates us to find food, which is a healthful activity.  However, a pet dog that receives a doting owner’s petting and praise on demand all weekend tends to build an insatiable appetite for constant social gratification.  Once he is left alone, particularly for a long period of time, the dog is frustrated by a frustrating problem where he cannot find his emotional food.

Whether this condition results in problem behavior depends on the stability of the dog’s nervous system and how the animal behaves to relieve tensions that will always arise from frustration.  A chewing problem develops in the orally oriented animal.  The tension relief is manifested by chewing up objects that smell and taste of the owner, of things that, to the dog, are symbolic of the owners.

In some cases, litter mates of the same sex where one is a chewer and the other well behaved, even when both have been equally overindulged.  On the other hand, in some situations, litter mates living in non-indulgent homes where the problematic stress was created simply by the owner returning home late.

The 2 best dog training books that we have come across are Secrets of a Professional Dog Trainer and SitStayFetch.

For more information, please visit the Dog Training And Behavior Problems page.

The Big Dog Breed article page has just been loaded onto the website. It provides information about big dog breeds such as Scottish Deerhounds, Bearded Collies, English Setters, Boxers, Great Danes, Airedales, Mastiffs, Saint Bernards, Bloodhounds, Briards and many more. Go to www.dogguidance.com/bigdogs.htm to view the whole list.

You owe it to your dog to thoroughly inspect and check the dog food that you buy for him.  If you are purchasing semi-moist dog foods that come wrapped in cellophane then be sure to follow the simple guidelines below.

The cellophane should be soft and pliable, and it should not be off color.  Pillow-pouched bags should contain a small amount of air that does not escape under moderate pressure.  A careful inspection should also be made through the unopened wrapper for any dull or furry, gray or black spots; or for any shiny or moist, whitish or yellowish spots. The first is mold growth, the second bacteria.

Soft-moist foods are not subjected to high heat and many species of both mold and bacteria remain viable in soft-moist foods.  A little water is all either needs to get started, and away they go, held in check only by the inhibitors within the soft-moist food. 

Once the visual inspection of the wrappers and wrapped surface of the food has been made, tear open the cellophane.  Observe all odors at the time of opening the wrapper.  Pick up a piece of the food and squeeze it.  Regardless of the type, it should be soft, spongy, and tender.  It should have a slight lubricated feel, but should not feel moist on the surface.

See nutrition for dog for more information.

Your puppy needs a crate.  It is his private, personal, snug den where he can sleep, chew a toy and watch the world around him, completely undisturbed.  Crates come in two styles: closed (fiberglass) or open (wire). The closed crate is draft-proof, but some puppies as well as their owners want to be able to see more.  The open variety offers this visibility, but most dogs like the crate covered, especially while they are sleeping.

Either type must be placed away from drafts and sources of heat or air conditioning.  Regardless of which style you decide on, it is important to get the correct size.  Gauge the adult size of your pup and get a crate that will just allow him to stand and lie down. If that size gives him more space than he needs for the next couple of months, use an adjustable barrier that can be moved back as needed.

For large breeds, it may be wiser to have a crate suitable for up to six months of age, and then get the one that will last the dog a lifetime. The best puppy bedding is a folded bath towel, one that is washable or disposable in case of accidents.

Give your dog a well-balanced diet, proper exercise, training, play-time, a whole lot of love and attention, and you’ll have a dog that will live a long and healthy life!  One that is free of diseases and dog parasites. 

In addition, you can prevent him from catching different types of serious illnesses, disease, and dog parasites by taking basic, preventive measures.  It is very important that he gets his regular vaccinations early on to lessen his vulnerabilities to diseases.  You also need to keep a close eye on him, both physically, as well as his actions and behavior.

Check your dog for signs and symptoms of dog parasites every time you groom him.  Common dog parasites that live on your dog’s skin are fleas, lice, and ticks.  Dog parasites such as fleas can be checked by running a fine-toothed comb over your dog’s coat.

Dog lice are a little harder to detect, it is easier to spot lice eggs (nits) by looking for white, tiny dust like particles on your dog’s coat.  Ticks are a type of dog parasite that is easy to see because they attach themselves to the dog’s hair and sink their mouths into the dog’s skin to suck his blood.  They eventually fall off and look for another victim, although some stay on your dog and cause severe illness and irritation.