Nope, the solution doesn't involve a ball and chain. Not necessarily. This isn't your office and I'm not your good-for-nothing crook of a boss.
Now, teaching your dog not to run away is a process that should start as a puppy.
The mistake most dog owners make is to follow their puppy when it wanders away. What should actually be done if you want to prevent future run-aways is to let the puppy wander, keeping an eye on him or her but acting as though you're not paying attention. That way, your puppy will eventually realize that he or she is wandering off, and that it needs to pay attention and stay near you in order not to get lost.
This habit of staying near you rather than wandering off and being followed, when instilled as a puppy, is sure to remain throughout that puppy's life. It not only nurtures attentiveness in your dog, but reinforces your status as "pack leader," since they need to follow you and not vice versa!
Recognizing you as pack leader from an early age in this way will promote love and security in your dog, and will prevent dangerous run-away situations in the future!
Showing posts with label Pets. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Pets. Show all posts
Tuesday, November 21, 2006
Fido Ain't Gonna Cut It: Choosing a Cool Name for your Dog
I've always regretted naming my dog Shaliqua. But, what's done is done.
There's still time for you to find a great name for your dog, though!
The best place to find a cool name for your dog is from Greek and Roman mythology. Search on the internet for pages about famous characters from ancient myth and you're sure to come across a few cool names that are suitable for your pet.
You'll also need to consider the breed of your dog. Is it known for its strength, beauty, or intelligence? When searching for a cool name from mythology, you might do a little research and see which characters were famous for those same attributes!
If you'd really like to find the perfect name for your dog, try searching for books on mythological characters in Greek and Roman history at Amazon.com. Skimming through the Oxford Concise Companion to Classical Literature is sure to reveal some great names, along with brief descriptions of the stories and attributes that made them legendary!
There are other cultures, like the Irish and the Norse, that have rich mythological histories as well. These are worth searching, too, especially if you have a German or Irish breed. The possibilities are endless!
The bottom line is that you need to find a name for your dog that you'll be happy with, and hopefully one that other people will admire and find interesting as well.
So do some reading, have some fun and let the naming begin!
There's still time for you to find a great name for your dog, though!
The best place to find a cool name for your dog is from Greek and Roman mythology. Search on the internet for pages about famous characters from ancient myth and you're sure to come across a few cool names that are suitable for your pet.
You'll also need to consider the breed of your dog. Is it known for its strength, beauty, or intelligence? When searching for a cool name from mythology, you might do a little research and see which characters were famous for those same attributes!
If you'd really like to find the perfect name for your dog, try searching for books on mythological characters in Greek and Roman history at Amazon.com. Skimming through the Oxford Concise Companion to Classical Literature is sure to reveal some great names, along with brief descriptions of the stories and attributes that made them legendary!
There are other cultures, like the Irish and the Norse, that have rich mythological histories as well. These are worth searching, too, especially if you have a German or Irish breed. The possibilities are endless!
The bottom line is that you need to find a name for your dog that you'll be happy with, and hopefully one that other people will admire and find interesting as well.
So do some reading, have some fun and let the naming begin!
Deafness in Dogs Caused by an Antibiotic?
The antibiotic used to treat an ear infection in my 11 year old German Wirehair Pointer caused her to go completely deaf. This particular antibiotic is one commonly prescribed for ear infections, known as Triotic.
Most antibiotics (including Triotic and others like it) used to treat ear infections in dogs are known as "ear toxic." This means that if there is a perforation or tear in the timpanic membrane deep inside the ear canal of your dog, it may cause severe swelling within the ear. This swelling can cause irreparable hearing loss in dogs.
There is no easy way to tell whether any given ear treatment will cause deafness in your dog. The best solution is for you to closely monitor your pet for signs of hearing loss, and to discontinue use and contact a vet as soon as symptoms appear.
Your dog may be suffering from hearing loss if he or she:
-appears to be ignoring verbal commands -cannot be awoken from a nap without physical contact.
-responds to sound but cannot tell where the sound is coming from.
-flaps his or her ears excessively.
-attempts to rub ears with paws.
Fortunately, hearing loss in dogs IS reversible if caught in time. At the first sign of hearing loss, stop applying the ear medication and contact your vet.
Often, a vet will prescribe an anti-inflammatory drug, like prednisone, in order to reduce swelling in the ear and allow healing. However, it should be noted that prednisone itself, if used excessively or incorrectly, can also be detrimental to your pet's health. Always consult your veterinarian and follow his or her instructions.
The bottom line is that whenever your pet is on an antibiotic of any kind, pay close attention and know your dog's behavior, because early detection of a negative reaction can be the difference between a healthy pet and a deaf dog!
Most antibiotics (including Triotic and others like it) used to treat ear infections in dogs are known as "ear toxic." This means that if there is a perforation or tear in the timpanic membrane deep inside the ear canal of your dog, it may cause severe swelling within the ear. This swelling can cause irreparable hearing loss in dogs.
There is no easy way to tell whether any given ear treatment will cause deafness in your dog. The best solution is for you to closely monitor your pet for signs of hearing loss, and to discontinue use and contact a vet as soon as symptoms appear.
Your dog may be suffering from hearing loss if he or she:
-appears to be ignoring verbal commands -cannot be awoken from a nap without physical contact.
-responds to sound but cannot tell where the sound is coming from.
-flaps his or her ears excessively.
-attempts to rub ears with paws.
Fortunately, hearing loss in dogs IS reversible if caught in time. At the first sign of hearing loss, stop applying the ear medication and contact your vet.
Often, a vet will prescribe an anti-inflammatory drug, like prednisone, in order to reduce swelling in the ear and allow healing. However, it should be noted that prednisone itself, if used excessively or incorrectly, can also be detrimental to your pet's health. Always consult your veterinarian and follow his or her instructions.
The bottom line is that whenever your pet is on an antibiotic of any kind, pay close attention and know your dog's behavior, because early detection of a negative reaction can be the difference between a healthy pet and a deaf dog!
Most Loyal Animal: Cats or Dogs?
To compare the loyalty of cats to that of dogs is like asking which is better on the ocean: a car or a boat? The question is weighed heavily in favor of the boat, because cars just aren't made for the water.
Alright, it's nothing like that. But let's assume for a moment that this is a valid comparison.
It's much the same for cats: they're great animals and can make great companions, but where a dog wants you and you alone, a cat has other interests. They like you, but they're just as happy spending the day catching mice or playing with a ball of yarn. This in turn makes them more interesting creatures, because what the hell have they been doing all day? Cats have lives, whereas a dog lives only for you.
Remember that, my boy, and you'll go far.
Alright, it's nothing like that. But let's assume for a moment that this is a valid comparison.
It's much the same for cats: they're great animals and can make great companions, but where a dog wants you and you alone, a cat has other interests. They like you, but they're just as happy spending the day catching mice or playing with a ball of yarn. This in turn makes them more interesting creatures, because what the hell have they been doing all day? Cats have lives, whereas a dog lives only for you.
Remember that, my boy, and you'll go far.
Kennels: Convenient, or Hell on Earth?
You'd like to leave Fido off at the kennel so you can get away for the weekend. But when your dog walks into that kennel, is it really all happy tails, or is it your best friend's own personal hell?
I left my 11 year old German Wirehair Pointer at a local kennel over a holiday weekend recently. She had an ear infection at the time, so I left the ear medication for the kennel employees to administer to my dog.
When I came back to pick her up a few days later, I quickly noticed that she was completely deaf. I took her to the vet as soon as possible, where I learned that certain ear medications can cause deafness, but that if it is caught early enough, permanent hearing loss can be prevented. If she had been at home, I'm sure I would have noticed her hearing loss as soon as it developed!
Kennels simply can't provide the same level of care and attention that your dog gets at home. So if your pet is on a new medication, he or she simply shouldn't be left at the kennel, as the personnel there have too many dogs to take care of and may not notice that your dog is having an adverse reaction to his or her medication.
For more information on the risks of prescription drugs and your pet, talk to your veterinarian, and look online to find more information on the dangers of your dog's specific medications!
I left my 11 year old German Wirehair Pointer at a local kennel over a holiday weekend recently. She had an ear infection at the time, so I left the ear medication for the kennel employees to administer to my dog.
When I came back to pick her up a few days later, I quickly noticed that she was completely deaf. I took her to the vet as soon as possible, where I learned that certain ear medications can cause deafness, but that if it is caught early enough, permanent hearing loss can be prevented. If she had been at home, I'm sure I would have noticed her hearing loss as soon as it developed!
Kennels simply can't provide the same level of care and attention that your dog gets at home. So if your pet is on a new medication, he or she simply shouldn't be left at the kennel, as the personnel there have too many dogs to take care of and may not notice that your dog is having an adverse reaction to his or her medication.
For more information on the risks of prescription drugs and your pet, talk to your veterinarian, and look online to find more information on the dangers of your dog's specific medications!
Don't Buy From a Breeder, You Jerk!
There are so many reasons to adopt an older dog from a shelter.
For one thing, they're already trained. They know basic verbal commands, maybe even hand gestures. And best of all, they won't pee on your carpet!
They make great companions. Older dogs don't require the constant supervision that a puppy needs, and yet they will love you like a parent!
Older dogs are full of life and love! My 11-year-old German Wirehair Pointer has more energy than I do. She loves running and playing... vets always think she's a young pup!
The bottom line is that older dogs deserve loving homes, too. Puppies will be adopted without too much difficulty, but lots of the older dogs in a shelter are destined to live out their days in a cage. Adopt an older dog and save a life!
But most importantly, if, having read this, you still have your mind set on a puggle, you need to realize that there's something seriously wrong with you.
Go watch Entertainment Tonight and never come 'round these here parts again. Y'hear? What'd I tell you about coming 'round these here parts?!
For one thing, they're already trained. They know basic verbal commands, maybe even hand gestures. And best of all, they won't pee on your carpet!
They make great companions. Older dogs don't require the constant supervision that a puppy needs, and yet they will love you like a parent!
Older dogs are full of life and love! My 11-year-old German Wirehair Pointer has more energy than I do. She loves running and playing... vets always think she's a young pup!
The bottom line is that older dogs deserve loving homes, too. Puppies will be adopted without too much difficulty, but lots of the older dogs in a shelter are destined to live out their days in a cage. Adopt an older dog and save a life!
But most importantly, if, having read this, you still have your mind set on a puggle, you need to realize that there's something seriously wrong with you.
Go watch Entertainment Tonight and never come 'round these here parts again. Y'hear? What'd I tell you about coming 'round these here parts?!
Your Dog's Health: When to Get a Second Opinion
It's always a good idea to get a second opinion from another vet.
If you seek a third or fourth opinion, you might try calling an animal hospital for information and advice on your pet's condition. Animal hospitals will often answer your questions about pet health for free.
I once had an issue with my dog in the middle of the night. She had gone completely deaf and I didn't know where to turn. I went online and looked up local 24 hour animal hospitals, found a few, and called each of them. I explained the situation and they each advised me on what to do. When I wanted a second opinion, I called another 24 hour animal hospital. Needless to say, their professional advice was a great comfort to me!
The people who work in these hospitals are there to help. They love animals and like nothing more than to give you advice and information about your pet's health and well-being. It's free, so next time you have a pet question, why not try contacting your local animal hospital?
Now for non-emergencies, websites are your best bet. There are plenty of links which are worth checking out. Just make sure that the website you visit is reliable so that you don't get inaccurate information about your pet's health. When in doubt, verify any advice that you get by comparing it to other websites!
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