Search & Rescue is a Dogpile program through which we’re donating a portion of our revenue to the ASPCA. Their goal is to contribute $1 million to animal rescue by the end of 2009.

So, how can you help? Download the Dogpile search bar and use it! When you use it, you will be helping saving lives of many animals and help with funding of the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals.

The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA) is one of the largest animal welfare organizations in the world, working tirelessly to provide effective means for the prevention of cruelty to animals.

Download the Dogpile Toolbar and rescue pets while you search. Click Here

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The San Francisco SPCA has warned dog owners their Vet hospital has saw a huge increase in Parvovirus this month. So far this month seven dogs have been diagnosed with Parvo compared to the normal one per month.

All of the infected dogs had one thing in common….they all have spent time in Golden Gate Park and in the Haight District. It is possible all of these dogs contracted the Parvovirus during their play time in the San Francisco dog park.

Protecting Your Puppy from Parvovirus

The SPCA urges dog owners to keep all inoculations (shots) current to avoid the possibility of Parvo. Parvovirus is a serious and life threatening disease for dogs and the only want to prevent it is keeping up with all shots. Puppies should not be taken to a dog park until all of their shots have been completed!

If you have taken you dog to the mentioned park and he is vomiting, experiencing diarrhea or has become lethargic, contact your vet ASAP.

Photo source:englishcremegoldens.wordpress.com

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Canine hip dysplasia is a common but crippling disease that may happen to the man’s best friend.  It is a common disease that may affect dogs of any large breed.  There may however be breeds that may develop hip dysplasia but can outgrow such condition.  They may not even show symptoms because they are able to manage the problem.

This does not necessarily mean that all canine are candidates to hip dysplasia.  The breeds that are susceptible to hip dysplasia are the following dog breeds:

• Labradors
• Golden Retrievers
• Bloodhounds
• St. Bernards
• Boxers
• Rottweilers
• Siberian Huskies
• Dobermans

Almost all large breeds of dog are susceptible to canine hip dysplasia.  However, even smaller dogs especially those that are too much exercised may be candidates to hip dysplasia.

As mentioned above there are some who may have hip dysplasia but may outgrow said condition and thus they may not suffer from this painful experience.

On other hand, parent dogs that may not have experienced hip dysplasia may grow a puppy that may the disease.  Too much exercise and food intake may likely increase the risk of developing dog hip dysplasia.

Canine hip dysplasia susceptible Boxer dog breed

Another reason for the development of hip dysplasia may be sudden and excessive growth or nutritious excesses.

What are the symptoms of hip dysplasia?

• Changes in behavior may be linked to a condition including hip dysplasia
• Difficulty in moving up from lying or sitting down.
• For small dogs that may have developed hip dysplasia, shows symptoms by yowling or grumbling when handled.
• Stiffness and lack of motivation to move
• Increased sensitivity to touch
• Increased sensitivity to touch
• Playing or exercising may be difficult
• Slowness in movement
• Difficulty in climbing stairs
• Whining or making noises for no apparent reason
• Hiding and disappearing in sight
• Painful or violent reaction to extension of rear legs.

Diagnosis for Hip dysplasia

Hip dysplasia is difficult to assess.  Your veterinarian may recommend radiograph to young dogs of 6 months to assess if the dog is a candidate to hip dysplasia.

If the dog shows signs and symptom while already on their adulthood, clinical examinations, canine screening and imaging may be necessary.

Neurological and orthopedic tests may likewise be conducted to assess the condition properly.

Treatment for hip dysplasia

Short term treatment for canine hip dysplasia includes taking medications such as Analgesics and anti-inflammatory medications such as NSAIDs and Cortisones.

Surgery is a last resort, and it is dependent on the age of the dog and the severity of his condition.  The financial condition of the owner may likewise be a consideration because the surgery can be costly.

Exercise restrictions and weight management may likewise help alleviate the pain that your dog is experiencing.

Canine hip dysplasia may happen to any dog but this does not necessary mean that all dogs and breeds are candidates to this problem.

If you are careful about your dog, you may avoid medical condition including hip dysplasia.  Take care of your best friend and he will be with you for a long time.

Photo source:boxerdogz.blogspot.com

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Positive Reinforcement Dog Training

Positive reinforcement dog training is widely accepted among the vast majority of dog training experts. The training method is effective and a humane way to train your dog. Many people have found that positive reinforcement training works better than dog training collars and other training methods!

What is Positive Reinforcement Dog Training?

Using positive reinforcement entails rewarding the behavior that you wish to see repeated, and ignoring the behavior that you don’t. Positive reinforcement dog training works with your dog. The theory of positive reinforcement recognizes that lessons are more meaningful for dogs, and tend to “stick” more, when a dog is able to figure out what you’re asking.

When you use positive reinforcement training, you’re allowing the dog the time and the opportunity to use her own brain.

Some ways a dog owner can facilitate the training process:

• Use meaningful rewards. Dogs get bored pretty quickly with a routine pat on the head and a “good girl” (and, in fact, most dogs don’t even like being patted on the head – watch their expressions and notice how most will balk or shy away when a hand descends towards their head). To keep the quality of your dog’s learning at a high standard, use tempting incentives for good behavior. Food treats and physical affection are what dog trainers refer to as “primary incentives” – in other words, they’re both significant rewards that most dogs respond powerfully and reliably to.
• Use the right timing. When your dog obeys a command, you must mark the behavior that you’re going to reward so that, when she gets that treat in her mouth, she understands exactly what behavior it was that earned her the reward. You can also use your voice to mark desired behavior: just saying “Yes!” in a happy, excited tone of voice will work perfectly.
• Consistent dog training commands. When you’re teaching a dog a command, you must decide ahead of time on the verbal cue you’re going to be giving her, and then stick to it. So, when training your dog to not jump up on you, you wouldn’t ask her to “get off”, “get down”, and “stop jumping”, because that would just confuse her; you’d pick one phrase, such as “No jump”, and stick with it. Your dogs rate of obedience will be much better if you choose one particular phrase and use it every time you wish her to enact a certain behavior for you.

How to reward your dog meaningfully

All dogs have their favorite treats and preferred demonstrations of physical affection. Some dogs will do backflips for a dog treat and other dogs prefer to be rewarded through a game with a cherished toy, or through some affection from you.

How to correct your dog when using positive reinforcement dog training

The great thing about positive reinforcement dog training is that it doesn’t require you to do anything that might go against the grain. You won’t be called upon to put any complex, weighty correctional theories into practice, or be required to undertake any harsh punitive measures.

When it comes to positive reinforcement training, all you have to do is ignore the behavior that you don’t wish to see repeated. Not getting any attention (because you’re deliberately ignoring her) is enough to make just about any dog pretty miserable, and thus is a powerful correctional tool.

Contemporary belief in dog training states that we should simply ignore incorrect responses to a training command – that, with no reinforcement from us (yes, even negative attention – like verbal corrections – counts as reinforcement: to some dogs, negative attention is better than no attention at all), the dog will stop the behavior of her own accord.

The bigger the fuss you make over her when she does get it right, the clearer the connection will be between a particular behavior(s) eliciting no response at all, but other behaviors (the right response) eliciting massive amounts of positive attention from you.

Need more dog training advice? Check out take a look at SitStayFetch. It’s the complete handbook for dog owners, and is step-by-step how-to’s for dog training.

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If you have a dog in your home, you need to consider your dog’s dental health as much as you consider your own dental health. This is to ensure that your dog will be a healthy and happy dog. Just like humans, dogs can get tarter build-up, gingivitis and gum disease.

Oral disease is the number one health problem diagnosed in dogs today. To prevent dog oral disease it is essential to provide your dog with good dental care.

Why is dog dental health important?

• Food particles and minerals from saliva harden to become plague. Plague or tartar develops under the gums and may carry infection. Infection in the blood stream may cause kidney, heart, or liver diseases.
• Poor dental health is a serious health issue among many dogs. Periodontal disease can be painful and can lead to tooth loss, abscesses, and infection.
• If you dog has severe breath, he may have gum disease which is from a lack of dental care.

Dog dental care

How to introduce brushing to your dog?

Your dog may not be prepared for you to hold his head, lift it up, and explore the inner part of his mouth. In this case, you need to introduce him to the process slowly. Practice brushing everyday. Short brushes at first, you may need not clean it thoroughly. After few weeks, he may then get used to the process and will allow you to clean every part of his teeth. This is not easy you need patience and a lot of it.

Brush his teeth using dog toothpaste. Avoid using human toothpaste because there are chemicals in the human toothpaste that may cause vomiting for your dog. If this happens, your dog will never want his tooth brushed again.

Dental chews may likewise be helpful to keep your dog’s mouth clean. Dental chews may stop the development of plague. However, these dental chews may not reach the gums where dental problems start. It is therefore necessary that brushing be done regularly.

Of course, brushing your dog’s teeth could be a tedious job especially for busy people like you. However, if you want your dog to live with you for a long time, you may need to ensure you take care of his teeth well.

Things you may use to take care of your dog’s dental health

• Three head toothbrush. This is to ensure that you brush all sides in one stroke.
• Finger toothbrush, if you are not comfortable with other toothbrush.
• Dog toothpaste, may option on this one. There are flavored once as well.
• Dog dental gel
• PlagueOff for Dogs
• Dental chews
• Antibacterial dog breath freshener

There are many products on the market to help dog owners keep up with their dog’s dental health. It may not be easy to start your dog on a regimen like this, but it is for his own health.

Our dogs have their teeth cleaned once a year by our vet. The professional veterinary dental cleaning is called a prophylaxis. Under sedation our dogs teeth are examined, flushed to remove bacteria, cleaned and any tarter or plaque is removed.

To prevent dental disease, your dog needs routine dental care at home and by your bet. For more info on dog health care, The Ultimate Guide to Dog Health is a great book for all dog owners!

Photo source:dog-breed-dictionary.co

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