My Dog Won’t Eat – Is It The Food?

My dog won’t eat his dog food There are many reasons dogs may not be eating. Some can be from sickness within your pup or it can be they just don’t like the dog food you are feeding them. In todays post we are going to look at how you can help if your dog not eating due to stubbornness of not liking their food. However, if you believe there might be something else going on, a vet should examine your dog for medical issues. Some dogs are picky eaters, especially ones that get’s scraps from the kitchen table or by getting into the trash. Once they get the good stuff, it is hard to talk them into eating plain old dog food. I personally go through this with our dog Rosco. If you think about it, it’s like us humans going from fast food to vegetarian meals (nothing against...
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How To Go Camping With Your Dog

Camping with a pet is a favorite pastime for many people.  However, there is more to camping with your dog than simply showing up to a campground, dog in tow.  Here, everything you need to know about camping with your dog will be discussed.   Choosing a Campground The first step is to choose a campground.  Even though it seems obvious that dogs would be allowed at every camp site, you should always double check to ensure that rules have not changed.  Many state parks, for instance, do not allow four-legged friends.   After you have double checked that dogs are, in fact, allowed on-site, know the rules and regulations.  If you plan to allow your dog to join you for off-leash hikes, make sure dogs are allowed off-leash in that area.  No matter how well-behaved your dog, it is imperative that you follow the posted ordinances.   Finally, consider...
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20 Tips on Helping Your Dog with Separation Anxiety

Separation anxiety is a common problem for dogs, particularly among certain breeds.  While separation anxiety is one of the more difficult problems to overcome – and indeed is a top reason why animals are re-homed – it can be addressed with patience and training.  Listed here are 20 tips for helping your dog with separation anxiety. What is Separation Anxiety? Separation anxiety is a mental / emotional disorder that results when a dog is separated from a favorite human.  Oftentimes, separation anxiety is confused with isolation anxiety, in which a dog simply cannot tolerate being left alone.  True separation anxiety is far less common than isolation anxiety; however, the two terms are typically used interchangeably. Symptoms of Separation / Isolation Anxiety Dogs that suffer from separation or isolation anxiety generally show similar symptoms.  Telltale signs of these disorders include: escape attempts excessive scratching and destruction near exits and doorways urinating...
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Help! My Dog Ate _______! What Do I Do?

Dogs explore the world with their noses and mouths, which sometimes means they eat things they should not.  Here, a comprehensive list of common items that are frequently ingested by dogs, as well as what to do in each instance will be discussed. My Dog Drank Alcohol Dogs have a significantly lower body weight than humans and a vastly different metabolism, so even small amounts of alcohol can cause problems in your pet.  Lower-alcohol beverages, such as beer, are less likely to cause harm in your dog; however, hard liquor can be fatal even in small amounts.  Also note that certain pet products like dental sprays can contain a high amount of alcohol (listed as ethyl alcohol), which can become toxic if used in large quantities.  If your dog is experiencing signs of alcohol poisoning, such as vomiting, diarrhea, lethargy, difficulty breathing, or coma you should call the ASPCA Poison...
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6 Common Mistakes New Dog Owners Make When House Training Their Puppies

how to potty train a puppy
It takes a considerable amount of time and energy to mold your pup into a balanced canine companion; no wonder some pet parents end up frustrated and confused when their dog becomes uncooperative. House training your puppy doesn’t have to be a grueling process though; it’s just a question of establishing a good routine built around your dog’s needs. Here are 6 mistakes you should avoid when house training your dog: Wrong feeding habits The first thing you should be aware of is that your pup’s digestive system gets stimulated whenever she eats, leading her to urinate within 15 minutes of eating, and defecate within half an hour of having their meal. Consequently, practices like over-feeding, observing unsuitable diets (like salty food) and not feeding your pup at regular times only make potty training harder. Punishing the puppy for its indoor accidents Puppies generally lack good bladder control; they need...
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What Type of Dog Would be a Good Fit for your Home?

While many people believe a dog is just a dog, this theory simply isn’t true.  Certain dog breeds will make better companions than others in particular situations.  Finding the right fit for your home will increase your – and your dog’s – happiness, while minimizing the risk of potentially having to re-home a pet.  Here, common situations that pet owners face, including the right dogs for each scenario, will be discussed. You Don’t Have a Lot of Space Many people believe that owning a dog requires a large home.  However, there are many types of dogs that thrive in small dwellings like apartments, and even prefer them.  Some of the best dogs for living in small spaces are quite unexpected.  These include Great Danes, Greyhounds, and American Bulldogs.  Other common apartment breeds include toy-sized dogs such as Chihuahuas, Yorkshire Terriers, and Toy Poodles.  In general, companion dogs and brachycephalic (short-nosed)...
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10 Ways to Stop Your Dog from Barking

Dogs are man’s best friend; their loyalty and dedication are unmatched. Picture this, it’s 6 am on a cool Sunday morning, and your best friend is constantly barking for absolutely no reason. Not so cute anymore right? There are solutions to your problem, which will leave everyone happy. Mentally and physically occupy your dog Many times, excessive barking is a sign that your dog isn’t getting enough physical activity. The barking is a way for it to release this energy. The dog could also lack mental stimulation and is showing their distress through excessive barking. This can be remedied by taking your dog on a daily walk and giving him tasks that will use his mental and physical strength to complete. This exercise should help to release some of the pent-up energy and help to reduce the constant barking or encourage barking for the right reasons. We suggest interactive dog...
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Product Review: Purina Fortiflora Nutritional Supplement

Probiotics are becoming a common word in our vocabulary, thanks to important research that has been done on gut health.  Foods like yogurt, kefir, kombucha, and fermented vegetables are becoming increasingly popular, thanks to their high probiotic content.  Just as humans can benefit from improved gut health, so can dogs.  Here, Purina Fortiflora Nutritional Supplement will be reviewed. Purina Foriflora Nutritional Supplement contains vitamins and minerals, as well as Enterococcus faecium, which is a common probiotic found in both human and animal supplements.  This probiotic is intended to be fed once per day, and is a powder sprinkled over a dog’s food.  The ingredients are:  animal digest, Enterococcus faecium, L-Ascorbyl-2-Polyphosphate, Brewers Dried Yeast, Vitamin E Supplement, Zinc Proteinate, Beta-Carotene, Salt, Manganese Proteinate, Ferrous Sulfate, Copper Proteinate, Calcium Iodate, and Sodium Selenite. The Purina Fortiflora Nutritional Supplement is intended for dogs who have suffered (or are currently suffering) from diarrhea and...
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Reasons Your Dog is Having Accidents in the House

One of the most frustrating occurrences for a pet owner is to have an otherwise potty-trained dog begin having accidents in the house.  In fact, potty problems are one of the top reasons that dogs are returned to shelters or re-homed.  Here, reasons your dog is having accidents in the house will be discussed.   Stubborn Proteins If your dog is having accidents in the house in the same spot each time, the most likely reason is that the area has not been adequately cleaned with an enzymatic cleaner.  Dog urine contains proteins that act as a “calling card” to your dog’s nose.  Until those proteins are removed, your dog will continue to do his or her business in that location.  To remove stubborn proteins, use a cleaner that is specifically formulated for destroying these enzymes, such as Nature’s Miracle. Underlying Medical Condition Medical problems such as urinary tract infections,...
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Is a Chihuahua Right for You?

Chihuahuas are among the oldest – and most popular – dog breeds in the world.  Currently, the Chihuahua is the 30th most popular dog in the United States according the American Kennel Club, but is a Chihuahua right for you? Temperament Despite being a toy-sized dog, Chihuahuas have a lot of personality.  According to the AKC breed description, they should be “sassy, charming, and graceful,” with emphasis on sassy.  Indeed, Chihuahuas can become aggressive and territorial when not properly socialized.  In addition, Chihuahuas are extremely loyal dogs and have a tendency to become protective over a favorite human. Size, Coloring, Upkeep Male and female Chihuahuas should weigh 4 – 6 lbs and stand 6 – 10’’ tall at the shoulder.  There are two different coat lengths:  short and long.  Contrary to popular belief, long-haired Chihuahuas are lower maintenance than their short-coat counterparts, as they shed less frequently.  There are nine...
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