Brush your teeth

Did you know your vet recommends that you actually brush your dog's teeth?  Part of keeping your pet happy and healthy is also keeping your pet's mouth healthy.  You veterinarian will usually have some free samples of tasty dog tooth paste for you to try, it's meat flavored.  Dogs like meat, they like the flavor of meat toothpaste, which is both helpful and hurtful.  Although your dog will not fight as much when you attempt to brush their teeth, they tend to lick to try and get the flavor.  But as with any dog, they more you do something, the less sensitive your dog will become to it.

Mmm...meat.

Hey, what you got there?

I can't lick it when it keeps moving!

Breed of the Month--Great Dane

Great Dane

Color:  Black, blue, brindle, fawn, mantle, harlequin

Height:  Males:  30 inches/  Females:  28 inches

Weight:  Males:  119 lbs/ Females:  101.5 lbs

Life Span:  7-10 years

Breed Health Concerns:  Hip dysplasia, cardiomyopathy, bloat, cervical vertebral instability, osteosarcoma, and lymphoma.

Coat:  Thick, short, and glossy

Country of Origin:  Germany

Visit the American Kennel Club for breed standards and more information.

The origins of this breed are not exactly known, but believed to have been descended from a type of mastiff and possibly Irish Wolfhound.  Danes originally served as boar hunters, war dogs, and bull baiters.  The Germans refined the breed and declared it the national dog of Germany in 1876.

Today the Great Dane is more of a lover than a fighter.  The Dane retains a powerful protective instance for his family, but is very playful, affectionate, and patient.  The Dane enjoys children, but sometimes his size can be dangerous when leaning affectionately towards small children.  Great Dane's are very people oriented.

Exercise:  

Although the Great Dane is quite large, he does not require a lot of exercise.  The Dane is happy with the normal walk twice per day.  The Dane is happy indoors and enjoys just hanging out with his family.

Grooming:  

The Great Dane is an average shedder, and will require regular brushing, but the short coat is easy to care for.

Training:  

The Great Dane can be somewhat of a challenge to train.  The Dane is intelligent, but was bred to be an independent thinker.  Holding the Dane's attention requires creativity and high rewards in training.  Socialization is very important to start as a young puppy with Great Danes.

General Canine Vaccinations

General Canine Vaccinations


It is important for every dog to have a regular veterinarian and regular yearly check-ups and vaccinations.  All dog will need these regular vaccinations to participate in any obedience class or before attending the dog park...
1)  DHLPP
         ...Distemper, Hepatitis, Leptospirosis, Parainfluenze, Parvo
2) Bordatella
3) Corona
4) Rabies

Distemper is a viral disease that is highly contagious.  Distemper can be fatal.  Symptoms include lack of coordination, seizures, and uncontrolled twitching.

Hepatitis is a virus that is highly contagious.  It is spread by contact with infected saliva, stool, or urine. Symptoms include discharge from the nose, eyes, and mouth, red eyes, and fever.

Leptospirosis is spread through contaminated urine.  It is a bacterial disease that can cause kidney, liver, and digestive tract damage, and is often fatal.  Symptoms include bloody diarrhea, red eyes, vomiting, abdominal pain, a brown coat on the tongue, and ulcers in the mouth.

Parainfluenza, more commonly known as "Kennel Cough," is a highly contagious viral disease, caused by several different viruses.  Symptoms include a dry cough and nasal discharge.

There are two kinds of Parvo:  1) Enteric (diarrhea form), 2) Myocardial (cardiac form).  Canine Parvovirus is a viral disease.  Parvo attacks a dog's cells like lymph nodes, bone marrow, and the gastrointestinal lining.  It can affect the heart of young puppies.
1) Enteric Parvo symptoms include appetite loss, vomiting, diarrhea, and depression.  This virus must be treated quickly or it can be fatal.
2) Myocardial Parvo can cause sudden death in puppies.  A puppy who does recover from Myocardial Parvo may develop heart problems that could lead to a shortened life span.


Bordatella is a non life-threatening form of Parainfluenza, however it is very dangerous to young puppies.  Symptoms are a dry, hacking cough and some nasal discharge.


Corona can affect dogs of all ages.  This contagious viral infection is spread by fecal and oral secretions.  This disease is also very dangerous to young puppies.  Symptoms include diarrhea (usually orange-yellow colored and foul smelling) and loss of appetite.   This disease can be fatal.

Rabies is a virus that affects the central nervous system of a dog's brain, and is often fatal.  There are two forms of rabies.  Paralytic Rabies may appears as only minor changes in a dog's behavior, weakness and poor coordination, before paralysis sets in.  Furious Rabies is noticed by extreme behavior changes like aggressive and attack behavior.   Although we do vaccinate our dogs against Rabies, if you have ANY inclination that your dog has come in contact with a rabid animal, take them to the vet immediately!

Breed of the Month--German Shepherd

German Shepherd Dog

Color:  Black, reddish-tan, tan, gold to light gray markings, solid black, solid gray,
(white is not accepted by the AKC)
Height:  Males:  23.5-26 inches/  Females:  21.5-24 inches
Weight:  Males:  66-88 lbs/  Females:  48.5-70.5 lbs
Life Span:  10-14 years

Breed health concerns:  Allergies, bloat, elbow dysplasia, Cushing's syndrome, epilepsy, glycogen storage disease, hip dysplasia, hypothyroidism and exocrine pancreatic insufficiency.

Coat:  Medium-length double coat with dense, straight, harsh, outer coat and thick undercoat.
Country of Origin:  Germany

Visit the American Kennel Club for breed standards and more information.

One of the most recognized breeds in the world is the German Shepherd Dog and is well known for its adaptability, intelligence, and trainability.  The "father of the breed" was Rittmeister Max von Stephanitz.  Von Stephanitz promoted German Shepherds in the German Shepherd Dogs club (founded in April 1899), from 1899-1935.  He encouraged the breed's use in the military and for police during World War I.

Today the German Shepherd dog severs in many ways including:  police work, army work, search and rescue, scent discrimination, and as guide and assistance dogs.  German Shepherds are very loyal dogs, intelligent, and brave.  Shepherds are great with children of all ages and instinctually tuned into their people family members.  This is one of my favorite breeds.

Exercise:
German Shepherds are very energetic and intelligent dogs that require daily vigorous exercise.  Shepherds must be mentally and physically challenged each and every day to remain healthy and happy.

Grooming:
The Shepherd requires regular brushing to keep its dense undercoat under control.  The Shepherd is a heavy seasonal shedder.  It is not recommended to bath Shepherds too often because it will deplete the essential oils of the skin and coat.

Training:
Shepherds thrive on training.  Shepherds have been used as service and police dogs for many years.  They also excel in sports like herding, agility, and obedience.  Shepherds are very quick learners and appreciate people that keep them challenged.

Socialization

Socialization


This term tends to be thrown in your face a lot if you're a dog owner.  Everyone from breeders, rescue personnel, and veterinarians will tell you to socialize your dog.  This is very true, proper socialization is vitally important to raising a well balanced, well mannered dog.  The problem is that many people are confused by the term.

Proper Socialization:  Is teaching a dog to not react to stimuli by desensitizing him to every day things.

This means the more experiences your dog has in a good, positive way, they less they will react to things that are unfamiliar with them.  All of these experiences should be introduced at a pace the dog is comfortable with.  Do not force a scared dog, let him take his time and become comfortable with the situation at his own pace.  A dog (and especially a puppy) should always appear happy and relaxed during socialization.

Another way of thinking about proper socialization is to literally desensitize your dog to regular sounds and occurrences.  Things like cars, skate boards, and bikes.  Also people who are different:  short, tall, wearing a hat or glasses, etc.

Improperly socialized dogs tend to be over-reactive or shy.  They withdraw from people and sometimes flinch or freeze.  Many improperly socialized dogs suffer from anxiety.  Poor socialization can also lead to aggression.  

Painted Puppy

So when Caravaggio was a puppy, he wasn't always the most well behaved.  He got into many things over the years, but this is one of the most interesting.  My boyfriend, Adam Considine, is an oil painter.  He paints beautiful abstracts using oil on linen.  Caravaggio decided he wanted to help paint one day and grabbed the tube of paint for himself.  This is Caravaggio with his newfound blue mustache.

Look close to find the blue lipstick.

Dogs who cuddle

Who says dogs never cuddle?
I think my dogs know they were meant to be brother and sister :)

Awwwww!!

Kitchen Cute

Hanging out with the dogs today when they decided to pose for some cute pictures.
Just had to share!

Caravaggio & Nekita

Canine Developmental Periods

Relevant developmental periods in canine:

1.  First Fear Imprint Period
2.  Optimum Bonding Period
3.  General Socialization Period


1.  First Fear Imprint Period:  6-10 weeks
During this first period puppies are extremely sensitive to positive and negative experiences and extremely impressional.  It is very important to avoid any training that involves negative and abrasive techniques at any age, but especially during this period.  This is why positive reinforcement training is so important.  Positive reinforcement rewards the puppy for something good s/he has done, and therefore the puppy will want to engage in this behavior again and again throughout its life.  When someone refers to "this thing that happened that scared my dog for life," they are probably referring to a negative incident that occurred during this period.

2.  Optimum Bonding Period:  Begins at 7 weeks
This is the time a puppy is most likely to bond with other dogs and/or people.  This is why 7-8 weeks is the age most often recommended for people to bring home their new puppy.  Bonding with your pet is very important for many reasons.  You want a strong positive bond with your puppy so they will continue to be the dog you have always wanted throughout their life.  A dog that has a strong bond with his/her owner will listen to commands and respond better and be more overall focused on their owner.

3.  General Socialization Period:  7-16 weeks
Once your dog has been properly vetted and given the okay to interact with other dogs, it is vitally important that you socialize your puppy AS MUCH AS POSSIBLE!  An under-socialized dog is much more likely to be frightened, misbehave, and possible bite someone in the future.  The more you can socialize your puppy to every situation possible, the more comfortable your dog will become with anything you can throw at them in the future.  For example, when my oldest dog, Nekita, was a puppy, I took her everywhere I possibly could with me.  To the park to go swimming and grill out with friends, to another person's house, to a party, and for walks in busy areas with lots of commotion.  Anywhere and everywhere I possible could take her, I did.  This is why today, I can take Nekita anywhere, even leave her overnight with a friend, and she is fine.  She does not get anxious or nervous, she does not wine or pace, and she does not get scared when finding herself in a new situation or place.  The best thing you could ever do for your puppy is to proper socialize him/her!

Proper Dog Socialization

Many people may be confused about what it means to properly socialize your dog.

Proper Socialization is teaching a dog not to react to everyday things they will encounter by slowly desensitizing them to these things.  It is important to positively expose a puppy to as many different environments and situations as possible.  Keep in mind that exposure needs to be slowly introduced at the dog's pace, not the owners.  Letting a puppy explore new things at his/her own pace will help them become more comfortable and help avoid negative reactions.  Another way to think of socialization is to consider it desensitization.  For example when having your puppy meet new people remember to include a variety things:  such as people who are short, tall, adults, kids, someone with a hat or glasses, someone in a wheelchair or on crutches, etc.  Improper socialized dogs can be frightened by normal human greeting behaviors.

Proper socialization is the number one way for you to avoid having a dog in the future that will develop serious behavior problems such as aggression.


Once your dog has been approved by your vet to be around other dogs, start taking your dog everywhere you possible can.  A friend's house, a barbecue, a busy street, different pet stores, or even to work (if you're allowed).  The more places you can take your puppy, the better socialized and more calm your dog will become in any future situation.

Remember to go at the puppy's pace and not your own.  A puppy should always appear happy and relaxed during socialization.

Socialization for a puppy should start as soon as possible but the best time to socialize a dog is before five months of age.  This does not mean socialization after this age is not important.

So think about it...what are your plans for this evening or tomorrow?  Can you take your dog with?