Bringing a new dog into your home can be lots of fun, and you will find that dogs can be loyal and caring companions to you and your family. However, a new dog, especially a puppy, can wreak havoc in your home if you do not take the time to train it properly. Of course, it is also important not to have unrealistic expectations. Training a puppy takes time and patience, and you can’t expect your new dog to learn everything at once.
If you are a first time dog owner, the following five tips should help you get started. It can also be helpful to talk to other friends or family members who have dogs, as other dog owners are usually bursting with practical tips and advice.
1. Start the training from day one
Many new dog owners make the mistake of thinking their puppy is too young to learn. This is absolutely not true, and the sooner you begin the training the better. The longer you wait, the more deeply ingrained bad habits will become.
2. Positive is better than negative
Research has shown that dogs learn faster when they are praised for good behavior than when they are rebuked for doing something wrong. This is not to say that you can never discipline your dog for doing something naughty, but you should try to put the emphasis on what the dog is doing right.
3. Be consistent
You need to establish some ground rules with your dog from the very first day, and then stick to those rules. If you don’t want your dog to beg when you are sitting down to dinner, don’t feed it
dog
Everyone wants their beloved, pampered dog to look radiantly healthy and beautiful. A shiny, soft coat, bright eyes and a sweet, adorable countenance all accent your pet’s appearance. Any veterinarian will tell you that the most important factor affecting your pet’s looks is its physical health. Untreated illness, parasites and poor nutrition can result in a dull coat, discharge around the eyes and weight problems.
Regular Checkups and Premium Dog Food
For optimal health, make sure your
Dog
There are many different types of dog trainers - amateur, professional, or vocational dog trainer.
These can be done part-time or full-time. You may pursue becoming a dog trainer as a hobby, a career, or a lifestyle. This article is intended to help you determine which one, if any, is right for you.
A word of caution about entering into the dog training business.
Spousal support is of the utmost importance. If your significant other is not interested in dogs, you may be all right if your approach to dog training is limited to the 9-t0-5 style.
If your lifestyle is going to embrace dogs and dog training, this may become a source of friction and resentment from your spouse. An individual who was used to being the center of attention, but now has less of your time because you are busy working with and talking about dogs, may tire easily of you and your dogs.
This does not mean you must go into a partnership in dog training with your significant other. Rather, just be sensitive to the idea, and discuss your potential vocation with your partner beforehand.
THE AMATEUR DOG TRAINER
The amateur dog trainer is typically someone who pursues dog training as a hobby, and usually on a part-time basis. The amateur may only train dogs for him or herself, assist in dog training classes to help out the community.
They may be involved in Competition training or any other aspect of dog training. The amateur dog trainer trains purely for the joy of working with dogs as a
Dog Trainer
Ringworm is a skin infection which is caused by fungi. The name of the disease is derived from the classic ring-shaped skin lesion composed of a scaly area which is devoid of hair in the center and surrounded by a red ring on its border.
Ringworm in dogs can also be manifested by irregular areas of scaling and crusting and is sometimes called atypical ringworm.
The most common fungal organisms that cause ringworm in dogs include Microsporum canis, Microsporum gypseum, and Trichophyton mentagrophytes. These fungi are prevalent in regions characterized by hot, humid climates.
Transmission of ringworm is by direct contact with infected hair of affected dogs or by spores found in the soil. The infection can also be acquired via direct contact of furniture, toys, combs, carpets, and grooming supplies which has been used by dogs with ringworm. People can get the infection from their pets and vice versa. Infected animals will continue to shed the fungal spores into the surroundings.
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The fungus infects the hair and hair follicles of dogs. Most ringworm infections have been found in puppies and young adults. Healthy adult dogs often possess resistance to the causative agent. The tell-tale lesions are typically found on the paws, tail, ears, and face. Small pustules often form within the lesion. As the infection progresses, the lesion may continue to grow in size. Ringworm has
Ringworm in Dogs
Cryptococcosis is a fungal infection which is caused by Cryptococcus neoformans. Dogs which have acquired the infection usually suffer from severe problems that affect the central nervous system. The causative agent thrives well in soil and droppings of wild and domesticated pigeons. The feces of pigeons possess high levels of creatinine which creates a favorable environment for the fungus to flourish and survive.
The disease is transmitted through inhalation of infective spores. These spores can enter the body through cuts in the skin. Most cases of Crytpococcosis are found in cats but humans can also be infected. Dogs which are prone to the infection include those with compromised immune systems.
Cryptococcosis in dogs has been commonly observed in young adult dogs. Although it can affect any breed of dog, the cocker spaniel, Labrador retrievers, Doberman pinschers, and great danes appear to be more prone to the disease compared to other breeds.
Symptoms of Cryptococcosis in Dogs
Upon inhalation, the fungal spores take residence in the respiratory tract and even in the lungs. In many healthy dogs, the fungus stays in the lungs without creating any problem however in weak animals or those with poor immune systems as a result of disease or of excessive use steroids, the disease can progress into an advanced state which is a systemic disease characterized by pneumonia, granulomas, and other systemic symptoms.
A high percentage of infected dogs manifest neurological
Cryptococcosis in Dogs
Coccidioidomycosis, also called “Canine Valley Fever” is an infection caused by the fungus Coccidioides immitis. The fungus thrives well in sandy alkaline soils in regions with low rainfall, very high temperatures, and low elevation. It is transmitted via inhalation of airborne spores when dogs play in areas where the fungus is present in large numbers. Infection results in a respiratory disease or a disseminated form which can range from mild to severe. Aside from dogs, the disease can also occur in cats and people.
Inhaling even a few infective spores of the causative agent can already start a Coccidioidomycosis infection. Once inhaled, the incubation period is around 1-3 weeks after which the dog will manifest clinical signs. Most cases of Coccidioidomycosis in dogs are mild however a small percentage can develop the severe form of the disease particularly when their immune system is suppressed or compromised. Thus it is in puppies, geriatric and dogs with weak immune system where the severe form of the disease can be seen.
There are two main forms of the disease in dogs. The first one is the respiratory form where the clinical manifestations mainly reflect the presence and colonization of the fungus in the respiratory system. These symptoms include fever, coughing, and depression. As the disease progresses, severe pneumonia might set in.
The second form of Coccidioidomycosis is the disseminated form where the fungal infection can spread to other parts of
Coccidioidomycosis in Dogs
Histoplasmosis in dogs is a non-contagious infection which is caused by the fungi, Histoplasma capsulatum. The organism thrives in the soil particularly in moist and humid conditions. It abounds in organic matter such as bat and bird droppings which are rich in nitrogen.
There are several predisposing factors which have been associated with increased incidence of Histoplasmosis in dogs. Young dogs are at higher risks of acquiring the disease. Dog breeds which are prone to developing Histoplasmosis include brittanys, pointers, and weimaraners.
Histoplasmosis is acquired by inhalation of airborne spores. The organism localizes in the lungs to multiply and spread to other organs of the body via the circulatory system. Aside from dogs, the infection can also affect cats and humans. Just like dogs, cats and humans acquire infection via inhalation of spores and not through direct contact of infected animals.
Most dogs with Histoplasmosis suffer from the subclinical form of the disease thus they fail to show any clinical manifestation. In severe cases, the symptoms which are manifested will depend on the organ system/s which has been affected. Histoplasmosis in dogs often affects the respiratory and digestive tracts. In some cases, it may cause a systemic infection when the causative agent is widely distributed throughout the dog’s body systems.
The most common clinical manifestations include—general malaise accompanied by a lack of appetite and weight loss.
Histoplasmosis in dogs
Blastomycosis is a systemic disease which is caused by the fungus, Blastomyces dermatitidis. This fungal infection primarily affects dogs and humans. In humans, the disease is called “Chicago Disease”, “Gilchrist Disease” or “Mycosis”.
The primary mode of transmission of Blastomycosis is through inhalation of the fungal spores. The fungus abounds in the environment—in bodies of water and in the soil—thus most infections occur in dogs which spend a considerable amount of time outdoors. It has been observed that there is a high incidence of Blastomycosis in intact male dogs and large breed dogs.
The disease has also been observed to commonly occur in dogs between the ages of 1-5 years old. Certain breeds of dogs are predisposed to the infection. These dog breeds include Labrador Retrievers, Golden Retrievers, Doberman Pinschers, Coonhounds, Pointers, Cocker Spaniels, and Weimaraners.
Once the spores enter the dog’s airways, it stays in the lungs where the infection commences. As the organism multiplies, it spreads to the vascular system and/or lymph nodes.
Blastomycosis Symptoms
Blastomycosis infection in dogs is manifested initially by a gradual loss of appetite followed by intermittent fever, weight loss, and depression. Coughing may also be present and usually gets worse as the disease progresses. By this time, the infection may have spread to the nervous system, bones, lymph nodes and skin.
Studies and clinical observations have shown that
Blastomycosis in Dogs
The genus Clostridium is a group of anaerobic bacteria (they can thrive in conditions where oxygen is not present) which have been linked to several important diseases in dogs. Two of the most common clostridial infections in dogs are caused by Clostridium perfringens and Clostridium difficile.
Some healthy dogs have been found to harbor C. difficile in their gastrointestinal tract without suffering any infection. However antibiotic treatment can create a favorable environment for this bacterium to increase in number and cause a condition called pseudomembranous colitis, a serious local infection affecting the colon.
Clostridium perfringens is also considered a normal bacterial flora of the gastrointestinal tract. However when conditions are favorable for their multiplication and colonization, the infectious agent can cause Clostridial enterotoxicosis, an abnormal condition of the intestinal tract which is manifested by diarrhea and abdominal pain.
Vomiting and fever may also be present. There are certain types of Clostridium perfringens that produce toxins and have been linked to food poisoning in dogs. These are bacteria which are acquired when dogs eat poorly cooked meat or poultry.
Most dogs suffering from food poisoning often recover from the gastrointestinal symptoms after a day or two without any serious complications. However, there are those that develop into clostridial necrotizing enteritis, an infection which may be fatal for dogs.
There are
clostridium in dogs
Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever (RMSF) is a tick-borne infection which can affect both dogs and humans. It is a zoonotic disease which is caused by Rickettsia rickettsii, a parasite that dwells within the cells of the host. Humans cannot acquire the infection from dogs rather, the dogs can carry ticks that can transmit the parasite to man.
The infection is transmitted from one dog to another via the bite of Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever tick, Dermacentor andersoni and the American dog tick, Dermacentor variabilis. The incidence of Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever is remarkably high during the tick season that ranges from April to September. In order for the tick to transmit the parasite, it has to remain attached to the host (dog) for at least 5-20 hours for transmission to take place.
Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever symptoms
Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever symptoms in dogs is characterized by a subclinical and acute phase. Dogs with subclinical infections fail to show signs of the disease although tests may reveal certain abnormalities. Dogs often recover quickly from the subclinical form of the infection.
On the other hand, the acute stage of RMSF is manifested by various symptoms that can suggest a variety of diseases. These symptoms are general and non-specific such as anorexia or loss of appetite, depression, muscle and joint pains, fever, accumulation of fluid in the face and legs, and enlarged lymph nodes. Infected dogs may also suffer from gastrointestinal problems such as
Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever in dogs
