Dog Blog | Dog Treats - Natural Dog Treats

Bad breath can also be treated with a doggy breath spray. It’s a good idea to consult your vet to be sure that the bad breath is not the result of a medical condition such as diabetes or kidney failure. Bad breath in dogs is sometimes caused by bad teeth that may be rotting and giving off a bad smell. So check his teeth first.  If his teeth are in bad shape, try giving him healthy dog treats, like pig ears, to chew on.  The chewing action helps to remove plaque and tartar.

Dog odors have many contributing factors. One reason why your dog has a musty smell could be caused by a skin condition called atopy. Dog odor is also a sign that your dog needs a bath.

Ear infections are frequently the cause of an offensive odor, especially among long-eared and floppy-eared dogs. The inside of the ear becomes moist and hot, providing the perfect environment for infections. Ear infections are a common cause of bad smells. Make sure he doesn’t have any discharges, bad odors or strange colors or insects in his ears. Weekly cleaning will help prevent infections. Ear infections can be quite stinky. Usually these are bacterial infections. Ear infections almost always have a bad smell and are relatively common in drop-eared dogs.

Ear disease (otitis) can be a source of odor that varies from yeasty to one resembling sewage as either cerumen or pus accumulates in the diseased ear canal. Anal sac disease or excessive anal sac production can cause a very musty pungent odor.

Clean the carpet with baking soda. Since most dogs love to lounge on the floor, odors can linger in the carpet. Wash your dog and it will help rid of dog odor that may be annoying. Wash his bedding and his clothes with a little baking soda mixed with your detergent powder. Adding a little white vinegar to the rinse water will also help.

Skin infections and allergies may lead your dog into giving off a smell as hyperhidrosis sets in. Hyperhidrosis is a condition characterized by abnormally increased perspiration. Skin diseases can cause a dog to have increased or abnormal odor. Allergy can cause increased production of apocrine sweat, which imparts a musty odor.

Here is the main point. A clean and healthy dog that is bathed and looked after on a regular basis will smell nice and not distract from the fun of companionship.

Animals shed to get rid of old, damaged, or extra hair. They normally grow a heavy coat in the winter to help insulate themselves and then shed the extra hair in the summer. However, dogs will also shed broken or damaged hair, and if their skin is irritated from conditions such as allergies, they will also shed excessively. Read these tips for keeping your dog’s skin and hair healthy to reduce shedding as well as effectively removing the hair.

 Flea control has reached new levels in recent years. Today, there are products on the market that you can treat your pet with once a month that will help keep those annoying little jumpers away. Insect growth regulators, or IGRs, are safe and act like flea hormones to interrupt the life cycle of the flea, preventing them from maturing into adult fleas. Lufenuron is one example of an IGR. It inhibits flea egg production, but doesn’t kill adult fleas, so flea bites can still occur. Others, such as imidacloprid and fipronil kill adult fleas, and the latter works on ticks as well. Depending on the product used, you may be giving your pet a pill, spraying his coat or applying a liquid substance to one area of his skin; the substance will spread to cover his body. These treatments are available only from your veterinarian and are given once a month. Be very careful to use the products as directed; some may be effective for dogs, but toxic to cats. Consult with your veterinarian before implementing any flea control program.

Now that you’re armored with some information, you can help your pet win the war against fleas….and always remember to reward your pet after any sort of flea treatment, so give him bully sticks to make him feel better!

It is natural for puppies to explore their environment, however, their natural curiosity often leads to frustration on your part when they chew your favorite slippers or dig up your flower bed. While you may be tempted to punish your naughty pup, reinforcing good behavior is much more effective and will keep you and your dog happier.

Chewing
Destructive chewing may be related to anxiety. It is important to train your dog to lie on its bed or in a crate, rather than constantly at your side. Teaching your dog that he or she cannot always receive attention on demand may lessen anxiety. For dogs with separation anxiety, begin with short departures and then gradually increase the length of your time away to lessen their anxiety.

Chew treats are a great way to keep your puppy busy as well as relieve pain associated with teething. Present your puppy with a variety of treats, like lamb ears, to determine which types he likes best, but never give your dog chew toys that resemble household items that you do not want him to chew, i.e. a toy shaped like a shoe. Rotate different treats to keep your puppy’s interest and reward your puppy with praise when he chews on them.

Digging
There are many reasons why dogs dig: to cool off, search for rodents, bury and recover bones or other toys, escape confinement or just for fun. Dogs may be more prone to dig when they are left alone without another diversion. To keep your dog stimulated and occupied, provide him with chew toys and increase play and exercise time to tire him out. You may also consider getting a second dog.

You can discourage digging by changing the groundcover (replace dirt with rocks or concrete) or use remote punishment (turn on a sprinkler or toss a tin can filled with pebbles next to your pet to startle him). If your dog continues to dig, you may want to provide a digging area for him to reinforce appropriate digging.

 Proper grooming for your dog does not only have aesthetic purposes but also adds to your pet’s holistic growth - physical and psychological. Since dog hair can interlace due to dirt and grime in the coat forming mats and tangles, they would need to be groomed to keep proper hygiene. Plus grooming generates more bonding time with your pet, creating a stronger relationship.

It is best to train your dog to be groomed at an early age. But, an untrained dog can still be taught to accept all the attention. Train your pet to get used to his body parts being handled and brushed, and if you are having trouble, always be sure to reward him afterwards by giving him dog treats, like bully sticks. 

You need not go to a professional groomer, but if you don’t have the time or the interest to groom your dog, be sure to select a groomer that handles the animals gently.

by Rose Lenk

Brush your dog often

Brushing will stimulate oils in your pets skin & keep it moist & healthy. Brushing will prevent matting of your dogs coat. Brushing is a great way to show your dog attention. Brushing eliminates dead hair in the coat that contributes to shedding, so use tools like the furminator to get the job done right.

Maintain the length of your dogs nails

You can walk your dog often to wear down nails. Clip your dogs nails on a regular basis. If they are cut too short they can bleed & sting. Groomers usually charge a little less than veterinarians to cut nails. If you believe your dog will be aggressive about getting their nails cut it is best to take them to the veterinarian.

Bathe your dog regularly

Buy dog shampoos & conditioners from pet stores. Do not use flea & tick shampoos unless your pet needs them, they can dry out your pets skin. Be sure to rinse your dog thoroughly, leaving soap on skin can cause problems. Bathing a dog with knots & mats will worsen them, be sure to eliminate these before or immediately after the bath. When drying your dog use low heat. Dogs are sensitive to burning, keep this in mind while adjusting water temperature. Bathing your dog will cut down on chances of infestations of fleas & ticks. Place cotton in your dogs ears before bathing. Often water in the ears can lead to ear infections. By washing away dead hair, regular bathing reduces shedding of your dogs coat.

Keep your dogs ears clean

Do this with dog ear cleaner bought from any pet store. Put a small amount of ear cleaner on a cotton ball and swab outer surface of the inner ear. Keeping your dogs ears clean & dry will reduce chance of ear infections & ear mites. You can also buy ear wipes from any pet store to keep your dogs ears clean. Dog groomers & veterinarians can also clean your pets ears for you. Many longhaired dogs grow hair in their ears that needs to be pulled to prevent ear infections. This hair can be gently pulled out with hemostats. Most people leave this to their groomer or vet.

 by Shaan Randow 

Dogs take care of some of their grooming needs on their own, but still need a helping hand from their owners. Taking the time to groom your dog on a regular basis has its own rewards; it strengthens your bond with her and allows you to notice health problems before they become serious. If you find your dog won’t sit still for an ear-to-tail going over, do one task each day. As she gets used to you handling her, you can begin to combine tasks so that you spend your time more efficiently.

Licking, scratching and shaking are ways dogs keep their coats clean and somewhat free of debris. A good brushing performed by you will keep her fur clean and free from painfully matted hair. Longhaired dogs should be brushed every day, to prevent tangles in their fur.  Always use a brush that removes the dead undercoat of the dog.  The Furminator is a great new tool for this. Dogs with shorthair or smooth coats can be brushed once each week. Some dogs love the massage of a good brushing, but others take a while to get used to it. If your dog tries to escape while being brushed, get her used to it in small steps. Start by just running the brush along her coat two or three times while you talk to her in a happy voice. Give her a treat at the end of the session. Each time you work with her, increase the length of time you brush her.

As you brush your dog, run your hands through her fur down to the skin to look for plant debris and fleas. If you notice lots of dark specks on her skin, she has fleas. The specks are flea droppings. A very obvious amount of droppings indicates a flea infestation that should be treated immediately. As you brush the hair on and around her tail, look for rice-like debris. These are usually a sign that your dog has worms of one sort or another. You will need to have her checked by your veterinarian to determine the type of worm and get the proper medication.

Dental problems are common in dogs. To avoid costly veterinary treatments, keep your dog’s teeth in top shape by brushing her teeth each day. You can use a child’s toothbrush, or a finger toothbrush designed for use on pet’s teeth. Be sure to only use toothpaste labelled for use on pets; human toothpaste can be toxic to your dog. In addition to brushing, give your dog rawhide chews to gnaw on-they help keep her teeth and gums healthy.

Some grooming tasks don’t need to be done everyday. Ears and nails can be checked weekly and monthly, respectively. Once each week, look inside your dog’s ears. If you see coffee-ground-like specks, your dog may have ear mites. You should check your dog’s nails at least once each month. If you walk your dog frequently on sidewalks, she is probably wearing her nails down on the concrete. However, it is important to check to be sure they have not grown too long. Dogs with overgrown nails develop physical problems as they shift their weight as they walk to avoid discomfort. You can learn the proper way to clip your dog’s nails from a standard pet care book, or your veterinarian.

Training your Whippet can be a fun and yet challenging experience. They are known for being very headstrong, but at the same time, they are eager to please their owner. Many dogs were bred years ago to do a certain thing and now that they are domestic, we expect them to become a different type of dog. Luckily for the Whippets, who were bred to race and course, we train them for the same things today. With patience and time, you can teach your Whippet obedience that will impress anyone.

It is important to remember that Whippets are very sensitive dogs and will not respond well to physical punishment or to loud, angry or stressful voices. In fact, it will be worse than no training at all. They are very capable of being taught the basic home commands such as sit, down, stay, etc. With time and patience, many dogs complete not only basic obedience but also go to compete in advanced obedience competitions. Many Whippet owners go all the way successfully with the training including lure coursing, racing, fly ball competition and agility. Lure coursing is chasing a plastic bag pulled by a string, but often has the appearance of a fluffy animal.

If you are planning to train your Whippet for any type of competition, it is important that he or she be in top physical condition. They require exercise regularly, good nutritional food and need to be free from parasites, which can make them weak and sick. You may want to have your local vet check him over to assure he is in top condition so he can do his best. Allow your dog to train around other dogs if possible to promote a sense of competition in him or her. Training for competition can begin as early as 3 months of age. Allows show your Whippet when he has done well. Be generous with praise and treats (like chicken dog treats) during training.

The Whippet is a medium sized, active and playful shorthaired dog that is part of the sighthound family. They look like a greyhound, but are a breed of their own. They are gentle and quiet dogs that make great all around family pets. They become very attached to their family members, including the children and enjoy spending most of their day sleeping. Some Whippets are prone to ‘excessive greeting disorder, which occurs when a dog will jump, bark, and howl when his owners return from any absence of 10 minutes for longer. This can be dangerous if you have young children in the home, so you may want to crate your Whippet while you are gone, so the family can enter the home safely before uncrating him.

Whippets are very active and athletic dogs that love pursuing their prey and do it with great enthusiasm. They generally don’t snap or growl at other domestic animals. They are playful, loving dogs that have been given the nickname of ‘Velcro dog’ because of how they love cuddling with you on the bed or couch. They are not a dog that is content to lay on the floor by themselves. They are very easy to housebreak whether they are male or female unlike some other breeds. The female is more strong willed and the male more loyal, but both sexes make excellent pets. It is important to remember that each dog is different and his training will go differently as well.

Whippets make great racing dogs due to the excellent speed, and have participated in many races such as lure coursing, straight racing and oval track racing. Whippets are such active and athletic dogs that they can easily jump on the top of the countertop, couch or wherever they want to be to see what is going on around them. If bored, they will chew on things so it is important to give them plenty of toys or treats (like dog treats). Whippets were bred to chase, so it is important to always keep them on a leash while outdoors. If they see a small animal that they consider prey, they will chase and they can run up to 35 mph. By time they get tired of the chase, they could be miles from home and lost. Many Whippets lose their lives by being hit by a car.