Fifer`s Schnauzers

Observing your dog licking and scratching himself is painful, especially when a skin condition is to blame. In the following two blogs, we will be covering the most common dog skill illnesses and what you can do in order to prevent and help your pet when any of these problems arrive.

-          Allergic reactions. Dogs can be allergic to food, grooming products and environmental irritants. A dog suffering from allergies will continue to scratch himself relentlessly and the skin will reveal a rash. The most effective solution is to identify and avoid exposure to the allergens but medication such as corticosteroids can help relief the symptoms.

-           Yeast infections. Symptoms include itchy, irritated or discolored skin. It most commonly occurs in the ears and paws. A topical cream usually does the trick to solve this type of infection but medicated baths and oral drugs are sometimes necessary for a faster recovery.

-          Bacterial folliculitis. This is a common infection that causes bumps, sores and scabs on the dog’s skin. Since it is easier to i identify in short haired dogs, if your dog is long-haired look for symptoms such a dull coat with scaly skin underneath. This problem usually occurs simultaneously with other skin problems such as injury, allergies or mange. Antibacterial ointments and baths together with oral antibiotics are what is typically recommended by vets as cure.

-          Impertigo. It is a bacterial illness most common in puppies represented with pus filled blisters over the skin which usually form in the hairless part of the skin. This condition is rarely serious and can be solved with topical medication.

-          Seborrhea. Popularly known as dandruff, this skin condition causes a dog’s skin to develop scales and become greasy. It can result as a complication of another medical problem, reason why it is important to treat the underlying cause.

Most people have a pampered and spoiled animal at home, whose health is a major concern and seeks to always give better food and better health services to his or her beloved dog or cat. For that, they seek the ultimate for them. And last, according to Canadian veterinarians and technicians, is the alternative therapy. In fact, chiropractic, massage, homeopathy and acupuncture have been incorporated into the health care of dogs and cats.

So, chiropractic helps restore mobility of the spine and joints of the animal. Massage helps improve blood circulation, stimulate the immune system and brighten hair. Homeopathy, as in humans, treats all the animal body, not just part of it. Finally acupuncture is used to relieve pain, stimulate the energy flow and release substances in the brain that promote their welfare, although it is clear that there are anatomical differences between animals and humans. If the pet moves a lot, an infrared device is used to activate the acupuncture points.

- Growling with your dog’s teeth showing. This type of behavior usually symbolizes that your dog is uncomfortable. He is either trying to show dominance or communicating that he is scared. If he is showing more teeth than gums, this usually means that he is trying to show you he is boss and needs space. Our best advice is to simple slowly moved away. If on the other hand, the dog is growling with a lot of visible gums, your dog is frightened and is prepared to attack and defend himself. Under no circumstance should your turn your back to the dog. Avoid contact and if possible and back away slowly showing the least fear possible.

- Smiling. Believe it or not, dogs smile when they are content. When they are happy, their facial muscles are relaxed and their month hangs open. Also, the tongue hangs loosely and is sometimes visible over the front of the teeth; the ears are straight and the eyes soft.

- Standing tall. When a dog wants to tell everyone he is in charge, he will stand very tall with straight legs. It will usually tense its body to allow maximum height.

- On its back. When a dog is scared it will drop its tail and lower its body. Make sure to reassure and calm him down by creating giving him space.

Ingredients:

1 large egg

¼ cup olive oil

¼ cup powdered milk, preferably non-fat

¼ cup of applesauce

½ cup of grated parmesan cheese

Preparation method:

a) Mix well all the ingredients in a large bowl.

b) Roll the dough out to size of a cookie sheet and pat it onto a lightly greased cookie sheet, spreading it to the edges.

c) Cut desired sizes into dough using a sharp knife. If you are making treats that you will be using for training purposes, cut them into small pieces.

d) Sprinkle the parmesan cheese and garlic powder on dough for additional flavor.

e) Bake for approximately 15 minutes in a 350 degree oven. Turn off the oven and let the treats cool until hardened.

f) Break the treats apart into pieces and store in the freezer or an airtight container.

No matter what the breed of your dog, you should give your pet general care to maintain his health, with a beautiful shiny coat and to be a happy pet. In thie way you give him back the unconditional love that he gives you. The areas that should care are:

Cleanliness: The bathroom is very important, but do it carefully. To begin, you must determine how often you have to do, since some breeds require more frequent baths than others. You must also use the right soap, brush before bathing and take good care of his head, especially the eyes and ears. The cleaning includes the care of the teeth.

Good nutrition: it is something that should be present. The food must be provided according to the size and age of the dog. A puppy needs are not equal to those of an adult dog.

Exercise: along with good food, it is important that your dog exercise. This will help him maintain good overall health. The nails need to be cut regularly, but if the dog makes enough exercise, this won’t be necessary.

Male dog neutering, also known as sterilization, castration or by its formal veterinary names: orchiectomy/ gonadectomy, is the surgical removal of a male dog’s testicles. It is usually done for purposes of medical health benefits, canine population control, genetic-disease control and even behavioral modification.

This common surgical procedure is relatively simple and can be performed by most veterinary clinics all over the world. Our blog contains everything you,  as pet owner, need to know about male dog neutering.

Reasons for and against neutering:

Pros

a)   Prevention of unwanted litters that end up in unsafe environments.

b)   To reduce the spread of inferior genetic illnesses, traits and congenital deformities.

c)   For the prevention of testicular diseases.

d)   Entire dogs are likely to be more aggressive and more dominant and more prone to male-to-male aggression than neutered animals.

Cons

a)   Dogs can become overweight or obese.

b)   Loss of breeding potential and valuable genetics.

c)   It involves costs and veterinary surgery.

d)   Possible reduced body musculature.

Most dog owners at one point or another have wondered what their dog is thinking. Sometimes the cute little expressions they make with their faces are so humanlike that anyone could believe they are about to start talking.

Body language and expressions are the best way to decipher doggie language. They provide us with answers and clues on how they feel.

Dogs have a special connection with humans. Recent work has identified they have ability to respond to verbal commands, human body language and intentional states. Dogs are able to decipher human`s metal and behave in accordance to the human’s attentional state. Recent studies also indicate that not all dogs are sensitive to visual cues in the same way, for example, dogs living in a home environment rather than a shelter are more sensitive and respond better to stimuli.

Dogs’ ability to follow human actions comes from a willingness to accept humans as social companions, combined with conditioning to follow the actions of humans to acquire reinforcement. The type of attentional cues, the context in which the command is presented, and previous experience are all very important.

The Alaskan Malamute is a sled and companion dog of U.S. origin. It measures up to 64cm and weighs up to 85 pounds. Its name comes from the region they come from and the tribe that uses them to pull sleds. It is a recognized breed by the American Kennel Club since 1935.
Malamute dogs are very intelligent, affectionate and friendly. They are easily trained especially as to where to relieve themselves because they are very clean and like to please. They are not good guardian dogs because they are not aggressive and would rather want to play with the thief.
They have long, thick and abundant hair to protect them from cold. It is better to have them in cool and cold climates, but they can adapt to warmer climates but their coat becomes shorter to tolerate heat.
They are very strong, so they can pull large amounts of weight in the sled and are champions in pulling competitions. They have a lot of energy and will be a good addition to a family where they have work for them and / or time to play with them.

Teaching a recently born puppy is more complicated because they have not fully developed the capability to hold their need to pee or poo. Some experts recommend starting the training process at around four months which is when bladder and bowel control begins to occur.

One way to start adapting your dog to the process is to begin taking him or her out as many times as possible. This will begin to familiarize your pet with the idea that leaving the house means an opportunity to go number one and number two.

Keep in mind that your puppy will not understand that it is not ok to pee or poo inside the house until he is told not to do so. The first times, when accidents begin to happen, tell him in loud and firm voice “no”. Make sure that you don’t yell or hit him because it can slow down the training process.

If the animal goes inside the house, clean it immediately, this way the dog does not get used to using that specific space for this purpose. The best is to clean it up with vinegar which will help remove the smell completely.

Teaching your dog to shake can be one of the easiest dog tricks to teach because once your dog understands it becomes a natural action. As a matter of fact, it might take just one or two short sessions. Before you know it, he or she will be doing several variations of the trick.

If your dog has any type of degenerative joint disease or arthritis, check with your veterinarian before proceeding because even simple and easy tricks like this one can place stress on your dog’s joints and cause pain.

In order for a dog to learn, he or she must first know how to sit. Once the dog is sitting down, in a clear and affirmative tone say the word “shake” then reach down and literally lift his paw. Give the dog some sort of reward (for example, a treat) and say “good shake” two or three times. Let go of the paw and repeat several times.