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If your dog has already shown an aptitude for basic obedience like sit, stay and heel then he might be up for the challenge of agility training. Agility training involves a handler coaxing his or her dog through an obstacle course. Judges then score the dog’s performance based on the number of mistakes made and the speed at which the course is completed. Agility training and competitions can increase the bond between you and your dog, provide plenty of exercise and mental stimulation and give you an outlet for your love of all things dog. If you would like to get started in agility training keep the following tips in mind and you and your dog will be well on your way to a fun and rewarding hobby.

1. Make sure your dog can work with your without a lead. This can be a huge obstacle in itself for some dogs. Even the most well behaved dogs in the house can wonder off or become distracted when outside without a lead. You might wish to practice your training on a homemade course in your fenced back yard. This will get your dog used to the training before going to an off leash course.

2. Work from both sides when training. If you and your dog get used to you standing in one position he will be thrown off guard if the competition course requires you to stand in another position. You should be able to stand on either side of the obstacle without your dog being uncomfortable. To make sure this does not happen you will need to create variety during training.

3. If your dog is less than enthusiastic you will need to find a way to motivate him. Try not to pressure your dog and make the training fun. Find out whether your dog is more motivated by treats, toys or verbal praise and then use that particular reward for training. Praise less for slow performing and more for quick performing until your dog figures out what behavior pleases you the most.

4. Do not go too fast. If your dog is enthusiastic about training make sure to slow down the training to make sure that each obstacle is completed properly without mistakes. Enthusiastic dogs tend to finish as quickly as possible despite not learning how to perform each obstacle properly. Speed will be important later in the training; however, performing obstacles correctly is the foundation of agility training.

5. Avoid harsh punishment. Agility training should be fun for your dog. Dogs will perform much better if they are having fun. Harsh punishment may create fear or anxiety in your dog, possibly deterring him from the obstacle altogether.

6. Do not push through difficult obstacles. If you come upon a road block in your training then leave it alone for a while. If your dog just can’t seem to get a certain obstacle then it is best to simply stop working on it for a week or more and then come back to it later. This will avoid any frustration on your part which might lead to frustration from your dog.

7. Keep training sessions short and sweet. Keep them short because your dog’s attention span is relatively short. Your dog will learn more in 5 fifteen minute sessions than he will in two hour long training session. Keep them sweet by ending the session on a positive note. Always end the training session with praise and affection to ensure that your dog is enjoying himself. You will enjoy the training much more in short and positive sessions as well.

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Once you have identified the triggers that cause your dog’s unwanted urination you can begin to modify his behavior. Here are several tips to create a calm and appropriately submissive dog thus ending the submissive urination problem:

1. Calmly and quietly compliment, praise or reward your dogs with treats when he urinates outside. When he urinates inside never scold or punish your dog. Simply say no in a firm, even tone, ignore your dog and quietly clean up the mess. Aggression or loud response will only reinforce the behavior by assigning attention to it. Also, submissive dogs do not require severe scolding as it can make them even more fearful, submissive or stressed out in the future and only make the problem worse.

2. Greet your dog calmly from a standing position. When you bend down and your dog lies down to say hi, he will be showing more submissive behavior which reinforces other behaviors of this nature such as submissive urination.
3. Avoid direct eye to eye contact when you first see your dog upon returning home from an absence. This can be intimidating to a timid pooch and precipitate submissive behavior.

4. Do not grab and hug your dog when you walk into a room where submissive urination has occurred. Once again, a shy pup may see this as an act of dominance and the result will be submissive urination. Simply come in the door quietly and immediately take your dog outside and allow him the opportunity to potty in the proper location.

5. If submissive urination occurs at a specific time like before sleeping or just before you go out, try limiting your dog’s drinking water during those times. Be careful not to deprive your dog’s water access for more than just a very short period of time as water is essential to his well being. Dogs can become dehydrated quickly as they do not have the same ability to cool themselves as we do.

6. Do not make your homecoming a grand event. The excitement in your voice and greeting can be a signal to your dog that he should submit to your entrance and respond with submissive urination. Enter the room calmly and ignore your dog until he is calm and even keeled. Allow your dog to come to you and he will relax and be less fearful or excitable. He will learn that this is not a time for him to respond to dominant behavior with submissive urination.

7. Join a group dog training class. Submissive urination can extend to areas outside of your home and the group setting will allow for proper socializing with other dogs and their handlers. By helping your dog to build his confidence in a variety of situations you will help him to create balance and an even mood which will cut down on his fearful response of submissive urination. As your dog becomes more confident remember to be firm yet quiet and calm to encourage his new attitude without turning him into a spoiled pooch.

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The one thing that pet owners fear the most is the loss of their beloved pet. While it is an unpleasant and heart-wrenching topic, it is important to know your options in the untimely event of your pet’s passing. This can be especially true if your pet’s passing comes unexpectedly. Advanced planning should be considered to make the unfortunate event easier to deal with when the day comes. It should also be considered in the event that your pet passes while you are travelling and your animal is in the care of an individual or an organization. What are your wishes for your pet’s death care? In the event of a tragedy would you know your options? Would your friends or family members know what to do? These are all questions that should be answered in advance as they are difficult to deal with even with advanced preparation. There are several options available including home burial, burial in a cemetery, cremation and rendering.

If you decide to bury your pet at home you should check with your local city or county government to make sure there are no restrictions in place regarding the burial of animals. If there are no such regulations you should place your pet’s remains in a heavy duty plastic bag and then place them in a metal or wooden box. Next, you should dig a hole at least three feet deep to serve as the final resting place. This can be an emotional experience so make sure to have a few close friends or family members on hand to lend their support. It can also be difficult to dig such a large hole so you may need physical help as well. While this option is the least expensive it might not be an option if you move frequently and wish for your pet’s memorial to be near you.

Another option is burial in a pet cemetery. There are several things to consider when looking into this option. The first thing you want to do is check with the owner or Management Company to make sure the cemetery is on “dedicated” land. This means that the land is dedicated to being a pet cemetery and that its function will not change if the land is sold. You will also need to consider the type of burial. Most cemeteries offer communal burial where multiple animals are buried together. In communal burial there is typically a memorial wall with engraved plaques for each pet resting there. Some cemeteries offer individual plots with individual grave markers; however, this is more expensive than communal graves. To find a pet cemetery, start by asking your Veterinarian for a recommendation. If they do not have a dedicated pet funeral home that they use you can simply look up pet cemeteries in the yellow pages or online.

One of today’s most popular options is pet cremation. During cremation the remains of your pet are incinerated and you are presented with the ashes upon completion. One factor for consideration is if the crematorium does dedicated or multi-animal cremations. If they cremate multiple pets the ashes are divided and each owner ends up with the remains of their pet in addition to the remains of the pets of others. Dedicated cremations are common; however they are more expensive. Regardless of the option you choose most Veterinarians will make a plaster plaque of your dog’s paw and include it on a special box filled with the remains of your pet. This can make for an attractive display case for your pet’s remains. If this sounds morbid to you; you can choose to spread the ashes of your pet in a special place you shared with your pet such as a river or trail you used to swim or hike together.

The final option is controversial for some and is known as rendering. This is a process in which your pet’s remains are processed and turned into useful ingredients such as tallow or fertilizer. Some find this offensive while others feel that their pet’s body is essentially being recycled back to the planet. Some find comfort in the fact that their pet’s can be of further use after their death. You should check with the county animal control department if you are interested in researching this option.

Regardless of the option you choose, remember that the memory of your pet will always be with you. When you have made your final decision make sure that your friends and family are aware of your wishes. Make sure to keep phone numbers and addresses of the selected care provider on file for convenient access in your time of grief.

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Our sense of sight should never be taken for granted; the same goes for our dog’s sense of sight. One of the responsibilities of dog ownership is maintaining optimum eye health in your dog. While your dog might be at a greater risk for eye health issues because of his breed or age, there are some things you can do on a regular basis to keep his eyes healthy and strong. Read the steps below for the actions you need to take with regard to your dog’s eye health. 

Step 1: Get informed about the eye health issues that are common to your dog’s breed. Whether it’s genetics, poor breeding history or some other factor, some dog breeds are more prone to eye health issues than others. Do some research on the eye conditions that your dog might be prone to based on his breed. Being more informed will allow you to identify possible problems before they become more serious. It is especially important to do your research if you have a puppy, as puppies are susceptible to even more eye health issues than you might think.

Step 2: Prevention is the key. One way to prevent your dog from getting eye infections or corneal scratches is to never let him hang his head out the window while you’re driving. While it may look like the dog is enjoying this small act, it is the cause of many eye health issues. Also, do not allow him to sit in the back of a truck, as he will be constantly exposed to the dust and debris that circulates through the air while driving.

Step 3: Trim his bangs. Keep the area around your dog’s eye nice and neat. Some breeds naturally have longer hair around their eyes; dog owners should not be afraid to trim this hair. If you don’t like the idea of having a pair of clippers or scissors so close to your dog’s eye, make regular appointments for him at the groomer.
 
Step 4: Keep your dog’s eyes clean. Mucus tends to build up in the corners of many dog’s eyes. Rather than pick at it with your fingers, take a cloth that is moistened with warm water and simply rub it over the eyes. There are also several eye wash products on the market that are safe to use on your pet’s eyes on a regular basis. (Eye cleansing should only be used to maintain regular eye health; do not do this if you suspect your dog has an eye issue, as you could irritate the eye further.)

Step 5: Wipe those tears away. Many breeds have an increased tear production that results in stains beneath their eyes. These are usually referred to as tear stains or eye drainage stains. If your dog is prone to these stains, purchase a tear stain remover and work it into your dog’s regular grooming routine.

Step 6: Check for cloudiness. Some dog owners fail to recognize the symptoms that can indicate Glaucoma, as many of the symptoms are similar to those found in conjunctivitis. Dog owners need to make an appointment with a veterinarian immediately upon noticing a cloudy look to their dog’s eyes.

Step 7: Be alert for discharge or reddening. Conjunctivitis is one of the most commonly treated eye health issues in dogs. If you notice your dog’s eyes are red, irritated and have increased discharge, make an appointment with your dog’s veterinarian.

Be vigilant about any changes in your dog’s appearance or behavior. If your dog is squinting, swollen, or pawing at his eyes this might indicate an eye health issue. Be alert for any discoloration or haziness of the eye, as well as an increase in tear or mucus production. Sometimes even a loss of appetite or lethargic behavior can indicate an eye health issue. You know your dog better than anyone. If he has any of these symptoms and/or he doesn’t seem like himself, get him checked out immediately.

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While we can’t catch each others colds, dog and human medicine have more in common than you might think. Dogs and humans share diseases such as cancer, diabetes, heart disease, high blood pressure and even depression. Some illnesses are unique to dogs, but others are similar to those we face. Here are the 8 most common health problems our dogs face:

1. Heart Disease: Dogs are just like people in that they can be born with inherent heart problems or develop them in middle age. Heart disease in dogs manifests itself in two forms. On one hand the valves lose the ability to close properly, causing abnormal blood flow. On the other hand, the muscle walls of the heart become thin and weak leading to possible heart failure. Dogs are also just like people in the respect that moderate exercise and a healthy diet help to minimize the risks of acquiring hear disease.

2. Heartworm Disease: This disease develops when a dog is bitten by a mosquito carrying microscopic heartworm larvae of a parasitic worm known as Dirofilaria immitis. The larvae enter the dog and grow and settle in his heart and lungs. This can cause lung disease and heart failure. Heartworms are easily preventable with a monthly pill or topical treatment available from your Vet for a nominal cost.

3. Canine Distemper: Distemper is a virus that occurs wherever there are dogs. It is extremely contagious through respiratory secretions and can be obtained through contact with excrement. Fatality rates among puppies can reach 80%. While the disease is not as common in older dogs a bout with Distemper can permanently damage their nervous system, cause blindness and paralysis. This disease is easy to prevent through proper vaccinations of puppies and continued yearly vaccinations throughout the dog’s life.

4. Canine Parvovirus: Also known as CPV, this virus is highly contagious and attacks the intestinal track, white blood cells and the heart muscle. It is spread by dog to dog contact and fecal matter and can survive for long periods of time outside of the body. Thankfully, yearly vaccinations will prevent this disease.

5. Canine Bordetellosis: Also known as Bordetella or Kennel Cough, Bordetellosis is caused by bacteria present in the respiratory tracts of animals and can result is a condition which presents a severe and chronic cough accompanied by nasal discharge. While most cases of kennel cough are treatable with antibiotics, the condition can cause death in young dogs or dogs with weakened immune systems. The best cause of prevention is nasal spray administered by your Veterinarian during your dog’s annual check up. Most kennels and boarding facilities require Bordetella prevention before accepting your dogs for boarding as the condition is common in boarding facilities, hence the name kennel cough.

6. Canine Parainfluenza: Similar to the human flu, Parainfluenza is a virus causing respiratory tract infection. This condition is preventable through a combination of vaccinations and is not typically fatal.

7. Canine Leptospirosis: This disease is bacterial and impairs renal (kidney) functions in dogs. It is spread through contact with urine and can cause impaired vision, convulsions and kidney failure. This is one of the diseases preventable through yearly vaccinations and can be completely prevented.

8. Rabies: Rabies is an acute viral infection that attacks the central nervous system. The disease is fatal and can go undetected for months in some cases. Rabies is spread through animal bites and can be contagious and fatal to humans as well. Most counties in the United States require proof of rabies vaccination in household pets because of the deadly nature of the disease and its threat to humans. This requirement has caused a significant decline in rabies cases occurring within the US. Most cases of rabies are reported from wild animal bites rather than dog bites.

While many of these diseases are deadly, prevention is relatively painless and inexpensive. Routine annual exams and vaccinations can completely protect your pet from most of the conditions on this list. While there are many other conditions effecting health of our pets, protection against these common diseases is the cornerstone of our dog’s good health.

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