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My Dog Is Afraid of The Vet: 6 Tips That Work

This is extremely common. Most dogs are afraid of the vet and this happens due to a number of reasons. Unfortunately, the vast majority of veterinarian professionals have had little or no education on dog behavior. As a consequence, they fail to notice the subtle signs of fear and stress that end up escalating into aggression a few months later. Everything starts to fall apart right at the first visit, when the dog is still a young puppy. The first time he goes to the vet, he feels scared and uncomfortable; then, he is taken into a room where a strange person touches him and invades his personal space. That weird person places a thermometer in his booty, opens his mouth, grabs his ears and, in the end, stabs a needle into his skin! By the time the puppy is leaving, he already hates the vet. I mean, who wouldn’t?...
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From Birth to Adult: Phases and Changes

Dogs go through a few different sensitive periods during their lifetime, when it comes to their physical and behavioral development. Some of these periods are quite important, due to the impact they’ll have on the dog’s personality and behavioral health. We can identify nine different phases; in this article, we’ll discuss some of the particularities of each of them. Phase One The first phase is the fetal period. This includes the development of the fetus up to parturition. During this period, the puppy will be influenced by the mother’s experiences. If she’s exposed to high levels of stress, the puppies will be prone to develop anxiety and fear. It is also during the fetal period that the male’s brains will go through a masculinization process, due to the production of testosterone. This will make them more likely to exhibit typical male behaviors such as urine marking, roaming, inter-male aggression and...
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The  American  Pitbull  Terrier-­Adopting  

There  are  so  many  dogs  waiting  for  a  forever  home.  The  best  place  to  get  a  dog  is  an  animal  shelter.  Especially  the  American  Pit  Bull  Terrier.  You  may  be  thinking  different  things  as  you  see  that  name,  like  they  are  scary  or  they  are  a  very  bad  breed.  First  of  all,  a  pit  bull  is  not  a  breed,  and  secondly  pit  bulls  are  only  bad  if  they  are  raised  a  badly.  However,  sheltered  pit  bulls  have  been  know  to  love  a  person  even  after  they’ve  been  through  a  rough  life  in  the  past. Adopting Adopting  a  pit  bull  or  any  dog  can  be  rewarding  for  you  and  your  dog.  The  pit  bull  will  have  a  lot  of  personality  traits,  and  since  it’s  been  in  a  shelter  it  was  most  likely  abused,  abandoned,  or  used  for  dog  fighting  which  sometimes  can  bring  up  aggressiveness  in  the  dog.  A  pit  bull ...
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Puppy Biting: What Can I Do?

Puppies bite. In fact, sometimes we may even wonder whether we’ve adopted a baby crocodile instead of a dog. After a week with our new puppy, our hands are marked, our clothes are filled with wholes and our minds are desperate! Does this mean we’ve adopted an aggressive dog? Will he bite people in the future? The truth is, this is a perfectly normal behavior for puppies. Just like human babies, they discover the world with their mouths. Since their mouths are filled with tiny, pointy, sharp teeth, it hurts. If it didn’t hurt, they would miss the opportunity to learn an extremely important life lesson: bite inhibition. Imagine the following scenario: two young puppies are happily playing with each other. They nibble, mouth and bite each other. All of the sudden, one of the puppies enthusiastically bites his sister; she yells and moves away from him. The young puppy...
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Which Dog Trainer Should I Choose?

Now-a-days, it is as easy to find a dog trainer, as it is to find a McDonald’s. They’re everywhere and the number of dog behavior related professionals keeps growing. We can find Facebook pages, websites, ads on the local newspaper and several business cards being displayed at veterinary clinics and hospitals. Since the prevalence of behavioral problems in dogs seems to be increasing, this could be a good thing. When the demand increases, so should the offer. However, the problem lies on the lack of legislation and certification when it comes to animal behavior professionals. Dog training isn’t a regulated profession. Legally, it doesn’t exist. As a consequence, anyone can wake up in the morning and decide to start working as a dog trainer; no one will force you to study, to become a certified professional or to be evaluated. And, unfortunately, most dog trainers aren’t adequately educated professionals and...
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I’m Pregnant… How Do I Tell My Dog?

Dogs and babies aren’t incompatible. On the contrary, when a child has the opportunity to grow next to a doggy friend, the benefits are immense. Living with a pet can help children develop their nurturing skills, responsibility, empathy and communication skills; they can also learn how to be empathetic and kind. Some studies have shown that dogs can help kids develop their self-esteem, create and maintain healthier social relationships and also exercise more regularly (which decreases the incidence of obesity and weight problems). They can also contribute to a decreased risk of cardiovascular disease. Unfortunately, things may not go as smooth as desired once the baby arrives. This is why you should invest on preparing your dog to accept the presence of the baby. Here are a few tips on how to do it: Go to the internet and search for baby sounds. There are plenty of videos with babies...
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Reasons to Spay or Neuter Your Dog

Photo: Douglas Aanimal Shelter After purchasing or adopting a new dog, you may be given the decision whether to spay or neuter. Most reputable breeders or dog rescues will require the dog be sterilized, but if given the option, there are many reasons why the small investment is the right decision. I really suggest you read my article named “Do Your Truly Want That Puppy? Be Prepared for What They Don’t Tell You!”, this subject is one of the reasons New Dog Owners was created! Contrary to popular belief, raising puppies is not “fun” Many pet owners decide not to spay or neuter their dogs because they feel that having at least one litter of puppies would be an enjoyable experience for the entire family. However, owners do not consider that puppies require round-the-clock care for the first 8 – 10 weeks of their lives. The mother, no matter how...
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Doggie Dialogue: Making Vet Visits More Manageable

For many dogs, visiting the veterinarian can be stressful, or even downright terrifying! Our furry friends have no way of understanding what’s going on, after all, and not only are they introduced to unfamiliar smells, sounds, people and animals, but sometimes they have to undergo procedures that might be startling or even uncomfortable for them. It’s no wonder that so many pets hate the vet! Unfortunately, though we might just want to give in and avoid the vet altogether, regular health care is important for your dog, and it might be needful for your dog’s doctor to administer a medication or perform a physical examination on your pup. Teaching your dog to stay calm at the vet’s office is an important skill that benefits every dog – and owner, too! First, you want to start by establishing a positive, consistent and trusting relationship with your dog. A close bond will...
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Coping With Your Dog’s Death

Dogs are lovable creatures and owners most definitely build up a bond with them over time. However, dog owners face the most difficult time of their lives when their dog expires. While death is inevitable, there are a number of ways and methods through which owners can cope up with this irreplaceable loss. For all those grieving owners, here are a few tips you may consider: Respect the Grieving Process: Dog owners, upon the death of their dog, usually fail to understand that, like any other grieving interval, the death of the dog also has a grieving process. Experts recommend acknowledging this process and absorbing oneself into it. The first step is indeed acceptance. This means that denial won’t get you anywhere. Accepting that your dog has really expired, is really the first step little step that will lead you to eventual peace of mind! Reach out to others who...
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5 Must Have Items For Camping With Your Dog!

The fresh air of the great outdoors is calling your name, but you want to share this relaxing yet adventurous vacation with your best furry friend, right? Before setting off down the trail or pitching your tent at the local state park make sure you pick up these 5 essential items! Contain Some Fun Even the most reliable recall off leash needs some containment. A dog play pen should always be considered for the down time after your day time fun. Relaxing is a big part of your camping trip, so why shouldn’t your dog have a safe, shady spot to kick up his paws and enjoy the sounds of nature? Look for an appropriately sized dog play pen that include a top to provide shade and collapses down in a snap for easy travel. Bed Time You may not want to share your sleeping bag with your dog, so...
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