I am sure that most dog owners have seen the movie “Marley and Me” by know; if you haven’t its worth checking out. For those dog owners living with older pets it’s not far from reality. Like our human children, we think of our dogs as always being puppies with seemingly endless amounts of energy.

The truth of the matter is that sometimes our dogs forget they cannot do what they use to or for as long. They continue to try to please us biding for our attention only to find that sometimes our increasingly busy schedules offer little. As pet parents we need to understand that this time is precious and worth spending every extra moment.

The old adage of seven dog years’ equals one human year starts to ring true when your dog turns four to five years old. At that age, they are more like a 28 to 30 year old human and depending on the breed by the time they turn seven they should be considered a senior citizen. The age expectancy for small to medium dogs is anywhere from 12 to 18 years, for large breeds 10 to 15 years while extra large breeds is 7 to 10 years.

The most important thing you can do for your senior dog is have your vet give a senior seven blood work up. This test will screen for a host of issues affecting older dogs. Next would be to realize the limitations of your dog while playing and exercising. Cut the time you use to spend by half finding other activities and reasons to offer your affection.

Expect some “accidents” to happen in the house; do not treat this as you would when your dog was a pup. If your dog was properly housebroken then these accidents are an embarrassment for your dog. Punishment or a stern voice will only make them feel worse as well as confused. On the other hand, do not offer a condolence saying, “that’s okay” or you will begin to un-do previous training. Instead, let your dog outside more frequently and if it gets worse place some Wee Pads down encouraging their use instead of the carpet.

Other signs are weight lose, loose of sight and hearing, and weak and tender joints.  There are several types of dog food and dog treats available to pet parents that contain natural ingredients formulated to relieve the pain of aging joints. For sever joint pain and arthritis consult your vet; new medications are now available with little side effects that will offer your aging dog a higher quality of life.

Be sure to give extra attention to teeth and gums. Broken or loose teeth are common for older dogs requiring professional cleaning from your vet. Dogs are susceptible to certain types of cancer and like humans; some are operable will others are not. You can find several specialty veterinarian hospitals throughout the country that offer complete oncology departments for pets.

It is sad to say but most pet parents have yet to embrace pet health insurance and the price of treat becomes the concern leaving some the only option to euthanize their pet. At the end of the day, living with an older dog is about quality of life. Purchasing pet stairs to help them get to their favorite spot and consulting with your vet will help extend those precious moments. However, when their quality of life can no longer be maintained then euthanizing is the best choice.

One of the responsibilities of dog owners is to recognize when something isn’t quite right. Your dog’s breath can be one of the most difficult areas to find a problem. For new dog owners doggie breath can seem unpleasant especially in puppies or those dog owners who also have a house cat with a litter box.

However, your dog can acquire an unpleasant order beyond doggie breath for a number of reasons such as dental disease, oily skin, ear infection, or a blocked anal gland. The first task on list is to determine exactly where the odor is coming from.

If their breath seems particularly bad check out their teeth; if they are yellow then perhaps it’s time for the vet to give your dog a full dental cleaning. Dog dental chews such as Greenie’s can help keep teeth clean and breath smelling fresh in between regular tooth brushing.

Brushing your dog’s teeth should be part of the grooming process and will help keep your dog from acquiring the same mouth diseases their pet parents are susceptible too. If their teeth are in good shape check their skin.

If you notice any flaky dandruff or an oily feel to their coat with a strong odor, this could be a common disorder called seborrhea. Frequent bathing in a medication dog shampoo can prevent the odor as well as provide relief to itchy dry skin.

Next would to check your dog’s ears. If they react to pain or you notice sores or discoloration then make an appointment with your vet. A dogs ears are very different from those of humans and you should not try a flush them out on your own. This procedure is best left to the professionals.

Lastly, check your dogs stool. If it seems hard or you notice a lack of stool in your yard then there could be a more serious problem going on. Look for any sign of pain or change in their normal behavior such as lack of eating or an inability to relax and lay down. This is a sign of discomfort and you should make an appointment to see your vet immediately.

You have just arrived home from the breeder with your wonderful new puppy. It is the goal of every new or experienced dog owner to have the best dog on the block. The question is how you get there; the answer is patient and consistent training. Basic dog training can be divided into two areas, teaching commands and behavioral correction.

Dog treats can be a tasty addition when teaching your dog basic commands, however behavioral correction requires the owner to understand the concept of alpha male and being the pack leader in your dog’s life. Dog treats have little to no place in corrective behavior, as your dog needs to understand his/ her position in the pack.

Teaching basic commands like come, stay, sit etc. is a more appropriate environment to use dog treats. The trick is to use them at the right moment during training. The most important aspect of any successful training lesson is to ensure the command is learned and executed to receive your affection as the reward.

As you practice with your dog, continuing to reinforce learned commands the order of reward should always be your affection followed by a dog treat. The reason for this order is so your dog will associate the learned command with the reward being your affection and not the dog treat.

Dogs will favor different treats over time after all variety is the spice of life. If your dog tires of the treat or decides he/she no longer likes the dog treat then there is no incentive for your dog to successfully execute the command. As your dog wants nothing more than to please you, giving your affection first will provide the right incentive for the reward.

Behavioral corrections are a completely different ballgame. Depending on the behavior or its severity, most issues should be left to professional trainers and dog behaviorists. If your first dog is a rescue dog or shelter dog, try to find out as more information as to previous training and socialization as you can. The answers will give you a pretty good idea on how the dog will behave once they arrive home.

Here are a few tips for pack leader issues you should be aware of and how to establish you as the pack leader:

• Never let your dog sleep in your bed with his/her head even with yours-this reflects dominate behavior,
• Ignore your dog when you first come home from work if they are jumping up on you-wait for them to calm down and then give your affection,
• Be on the lookout for any signs of aggression,
• Mouthing and Mounting-both are signs of dominance and both should not be allowed.

Learning when to give your affection and when to use dog treats during training will properly incent your dog to execute a learned lesson. Patients and consistency are the two most important concepts of training. Be firm no shouting and repeat, repeat, and then repeat again everyday and you will have the best dog on the block.

By Remarkable Dogs

There is no doubt about it dogs love rawhide bones. It helps them with boredom keeping your dog from chewing on your stuff and helps their teeth & gums. Nevertheless, are they really safe for your dog? Some dog owners swear by them while others will never give their dog a rawhide chew. There is a happy medium but first let us look at why this dog chew may be unsafe.

Rawhide bones are made from animal skin, typically cattle while some are made from combining cattle and pigskin. When these dog chews dry out, they can splinter and if your dog loves to just gobble these chews done then you run the risk of mouth and intestinal damage. Dog rawhide chews also expand when they get wet so if your dog eats them to fast swallowing large pieces then it can expand in the stomach causing intestinal blockage. If you are going to give your dog a rawhide chew you should monitor the process and always give your dog a rawhide bone bigger then his/her mouth. The rawhide sticks and a large dog do not mix.

The alternatives to rawhide bones are plentiful. Nylon bones are one choice providing the same success in relieving your dog’s boredom while also promoting healthy teeth and gums. Nylon bones scrape away-unwanted plaque and tartar while messaging the gums. Keeping your dogs mind occupied is beneficial if your dog bores easily and enjoys chewing on household items and getting into trouble.
You could also try real bones, however, these too can splinter and must be cooked as raw bones can carry far too much bacteria. For more information on cooked dog bones and food, see our previous articles on the subject. Yet another substitute to rawhide is dog dental chews.

Dog dental chews will satisfy their chewing while freshening their breath. There are many varieties on the market today with choices of flavor, size as well as several different brands, available at the pet supply store at Remarkable Dogs.

If you are going to give your dog a rawhide chew then you should know the dangers. There are alternatives to rawhide chew and your dog will benefit from the new technology. Choose the right alternative for your dog and give your family pet the mind stimulation, reduced boredom all the while providing healthier teeth and gums.

By Remarkable Dogs

When most people think of good dog grooming they think only of a bath and brushing to help maintain a beautiful coat and reduce shedding. Well there is one more very important task to good grooming and that is keeping your dog’s teeth clean and tartar free.  Just think what our mouths would resemble if we did not brush are teeth, have regular dental check-ups and professional cleanings.

Dogs are just as susceptible to the same diseases and oral infections in their mouths as we humans. Plaque and tartar buildup in your dog’s mouth can lead to:

• Gingivitis – inflammation of your dogs gums resulting from plaque & tartar buildup.

• Periodontal Disease – The next step after Gingivitis, where cavities around the teeth open and allow bacteria to build eventually attacking the bone resulting in tooth lose and worse.

• Pyorrhea – A more advanced stage of periodontal disease. Infection of the bone that leads to tooth lose and bad breath allowing disease and infection to spread to the rest your dog’s body eventually infecting every organ.

In order to prevent this cycle of tooth decay and infection incorporating a twice-weekly regiment of brushing your dog’s teeth is recommended. There are many flavors and styles of dog toothbrushes and toothpastes on the market to help maintain good dog dental hygiene.

If you’re like most people finding the time and patients for this task can be challenging. On the market today, you can find several choices to help offset a brushing regiment. Dog Dental Chews, which are marketed as treats, are a great way for you to accomplish this task. They can be given daily or in between brushings. Although the cost for these dog dental chew treats can seem a little pricey, in the long run they are far less expensive than a visit to vet for the treatment of Pyorrhea.

Veterinary appointments for a regular dog visit is at least twice a year. Schedule a teeth cleaning at the same time so your dog will benefit from a professional cleaning. Maintaining your dog’s oral hygiene is a vital part of good pet grooming. If you have your dog professionally groomed ask the groomer if they will brush your dogs teeth as well.

Whether you decide on any one particular solution or a combination of all those mentioned become committed to your dog’s oral health. Fresh breath and clean teeth will keep your dog healthy and safe.

By Remarkable Dogs

by: Remarkable Dogs

This article will be a first in a series providing some insight on organic pet food and the impact on your pets overall health. We will be covering questions like- will organic dog food extend your pet’s life, what is the impact on immune system, buy organic dog food or make your own, to name a few.

Will Organic Dog Food Increase Your Pets Life?

The answer is a resounding yes. It should come as no surprise that our canine family members will benefit as much from natural and organic pet food and less processed food as people. Like pet owners, pets need a well balanced diet coupled with regular exercise to maintain a healthy disposition.  A mixture of protein, carbohydrates, fruits and vegetables is important to your pet’s health whether you choose to develop your own special home-made pet food or purchased from a store.

There are a number of benefits from natural organic dog food. There have been many studies undertaken by various government organizations that found that organic dog food has more antioxidants and is a far better source of minerals and vitamins. The Association of American Feed Control Officials or AAFCO insures that any organic dog food meets the required guidelines set out by the agency.

You will begin to notice some positive changes when you introduce organic dog food in your pet’s diet. Their eyes will appear brighter, their teeth and coat will be stronger and shiner compared to other dogs who consume commercially produced dog food. Not only that, but your dogs general wellbeing will be noticeably brighter with more bounce and vitality in their step. You will notice less to pick-up in your yard as they will retain more of the vitamins and nutrients.

If consider to making your own pet food although extremely healthy, you must invest some time first and foremost, and read and learn about a dog’s nutritional needs. Just throwing your dinner leftovers in a bowl each day is not healthy for your pet. This could actually cause more problems and cause you dog to become sick.

When you begin the process of switching from processed dog food to all natural & organic pet food do so gradually. This will prevent a shock to their system which could cause nausea and diarrhea. Start with organic dog treats and begin to blend their old food with the new. Use 25% new and increase slowly over the next several weeks to finally all organic.

Always do your very best for your family pet as we speak for them. A word of warning though, there are many, many commercially purchased dog foods that can be harmful for your dog. In fact over the years there have been numerous dog food recalls due to accidental poisoning and others. This is why organic dog food can be very beneficial. Couple a new diet with regular exercise and your pet will reap the same benefits of longevity as the owners.