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Dog Arthritis Causes, Symptoms & Treatment

Filed under: Ages & Stages,Dog Health,Dog Life — DoggySpace on November 12th, 2010

Dog arthritis, which most commonly occurs in older dogs but may also be witnessed in younger canines, is a degenerative disease that primarily affects the joints. While there are various strains or types of dog arthritis the most common form is osteoarthritis which can be caused by joint stress, trauma to the affected joint, or simply age.

Canine Osteoarthritis

Osteoarthritis is specifically caused by the breaking down of cartilage causing the bones to rub together. This culminates in sore joints and other symptoms. There are healthy and effective ways to help naturally combat some of the symptoms of dog arthritis as well as more direct forms of treatment.

Which Dogs Are Most Prone To Arthritis?

Arthritis is most common in older dogs but can be witnessed in canines of any age. It is also more common in dogs that are considered overweight because this means that they are less likely to get adequate exercise. However, degenerative diseases are also linked to arthritis and ailments such as osteoarthritis and hip dysplasia can be found in very young dogs with the problem exacerbating over time.

Seeing The Signs

Early detection of degenerative arthritis can help you take action before it really gets hold. Arthritis can be an acutely painful condition that makes life miserably and painful and without intervention of some sort the problem is not only likely to persist but worsen too.

Symptoms

Stiffness, limping, and even lameness may be a sign that your dog has arthritis. Weight gain, loss of appetite, inactivity, and unusual sleeping patterns are other possible symptoms. Any kind of action or reaction that may indicate pain from movement could point to the onset of arthritic complaints. If your previously house trained dog starts urinating in the house then this may be a sign that he or she does not want to walk outdoors because of the pain.

Treatment

Canine arthritis cannot usually be fully treated but the symptoms can be managed. This is especially true if you catch the signs early and take your family companion to the vets as soon as possible.

Exercise and proper diet are encouraged. Exercise improves the muscle mass around effected arthritic joints and this relieves the tension put on the joints. It helps ensure that joints remain flexible rather than becoming stiff and painful.

The effects of degenerative arthritis are usually worsened through bad diet, especially if a previously active dog becomes less active. Overweight dogs should be put on a diet to help them achieve and maintain a healthy weight and there are special food products that are designed especially for this purpose.

Medications

Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs are commonly prescribed for dog arthritis. The anti-inflammatory properties means that they can provide rapid pain relief in many cases. However, they do not repair the damage that has already been done to the cartilage. Certain medications including aspiring may also be prescribed but you should never give your dog human remedies or drugs for their arthritis or any other illness or complaint.

Prevention

Prevention is better than cure and in the case of canine arthritis this means the prevention of the arthritis from getting worse. A holistic program can be worked out with your vet that includes diet, exercise, and even supplements. These can strengthen muscle mass, improve joint movement, and prevent the arthritis from worsening. Orthopedic dog beds can prevent pain while sleeping and give your dog somewhere comfortable to sleep and you should ensure that you have a comfortable collar and leash for walking too.

Canine Arthritis

Canine arthritis can be incredibly painful for dogs, as it can for humans. There are medications that can be prescribed by the vet that will help ease the symptoms and good exercise and diet may prevent the problem from worsening but there is very little that can be done to repair the damage that has already occurred in the body.

Article by Matt Jackson and photo by monkeyc

Housebreaking a Puppy

Filed under: Ages & Stages,Dog Training — DoggySpace on October 11th, 2010

Having a new puppy is fun. Think about all the things you and your puppy can do together. Imagine all the tricks you can teach your puppy. Before you get caught up with the things you want your dog to learn, don’t forget that housebreaking a puppy is one of the most important things you have to do to make your dog adjust effectively to its new environment. There are several ways on housebreaking a puppy. Choose the method that is convenient for you so that dog training is easier on you and your dog. Understanding your puppy and building communication between the two of you are important factors in determining your success of potty training a puppy.

Communication is an essential part of dog training. If you don’t communicate well with your pet, potty training a puppy may be harder for you. Housebreaking a puppy should be started as soon as you bring the puppy to your house. You should start by having a consistent command phrase you can use to mean that your dog needs to relieve himself on the spot where you want him to. A command phrase or word can be anything like “outside”, “go” or “potty time”. The phrase you choose is not very important, what’s important is to use the phrase frequently and assign a consistent meaning to that phrase. You can’t use the word “go” to mean “potty time” today and use it tomorrow to mean “run”. Frequency and consistency in meaning is very important, especially on the first days of dog training.

Understanding your pet’s behavior is also an important part when potty training a puppy. One of the mistakes most pet owners make is to not know the signs their pets do when they need to relieve themselves. You need to know these signs so you can take your puppy out or bring him to the area of the house where you want him to pee before your puppy actually does. Some of the most common signs are walking around in circles, pacing and sniffing.

2 of the most popular method in housebreaking a puppy is crate training and paper training or the use of puppy pads. You need to have time and patience in whatever dog training method you choose. There is no cutting corners to potty training a puppy. When crate training, make sure to use a crate big enough for your puppy to be comfortable in. The principle of crate training is to teach your puppy that the crate is his bed and he should not soil it. Keep him in his crate several hours a day. Let him out when you see signs that he needs to relieve himself. After a meal or a play session, it’s important that you take him out so he can do his thing before you put him back in the crate. Balance the time your puppy is in and out of his crate. A dog that’s put in the crate for a very long time may become destructive and noisy. Let him out several times a day so he can run around the house or play with you.

Paper training is usually used for small dog breeds like a Cocker Spaniel or Chihuahua. Have several layers of newspaper on the area that you want your dog to relieve himself. Every time your puppy relieves himself, throw the top layer of the newspaper. This way, it will be easier for your puppy to smell his way to the spot where he needs to pee or defecate. Other pet owners prefer to use puppy pad for potty training a puppy. With a puppy pad, your dog will just follow the scent of the pad to lead him to your chosen area where you want your dog to relieve himself. Paper training and crate training are just some of the methods you can use in dog training. There are other methods you can try for housebreaking a puppy.

Housebreaking a puppy should not be a hard time for you and your dog. The most important thing you need to know when housebreaking a puppy is to give your dog enough time to adjust and get used to his new routine.

Photo by ★ɱark and article written by Alysson Price

How to Clean Pet Urine and Neutralize Odor

Filed under: Ages & Stages,Dog Behavior,Dog Training — DoggySpace on July 23rd, 2010

Whether your pet has a problem with indoor accidents or is simply trying to mark his territory, cleaning up pet urine is imperative to preventing recurrences. Your pet enjoys a particularly strong sense of smell and can easily identify areas where it has urinated in the past. If you have other pets, the smell of the urine may cause them to urinate in the same spot – even if they typically only urinate outdoors. Thus, when cleaning up pet stains, you must clean the stain thoroughly enough to neutralize the smell to both humans and animals.

Step One: Blot Away the Urine Stain

As soon as your pet urinates on the floor, blot up as much of the stain as you can with a towel or dishcloth. Terrycloth is perfect for this job. Your goal is to clean away as much of the urine as possible before it has an opportunity to soak into your carpet’s padding and dry there.

After you’ve soaked up as much of the urine as you can with a towel, use a thin, absorbent material, such as a paper towel or napkin, to absorb any remaining pet urine. Place the paper towel or napkin over the stain and press down as hard as you can. You can even stand on the spot to ensure that you’re applying adequate pressure. Do not stop blotting until the spot appears completely dry.

Step Two: Dilute the Remaining Pet Urine

Pour club soda liberally over the pet urine stain, giving it a few seconds to soak in. Club soda dilutes pet urine both beneath your carpet and on the carpet’s surface, making it less likely to give off a noticeable smell. While club soda is ideal for this, you can also use plain water or equal parts water and white vinegar.

After the club soda has a chance to soak into the carpet, blot it away using towels and paper towels in the exact same manner that you cleaned up the initial pet stain.

Step Three: Neutralize Pet Urine Smells

Once you’ve cleaned up the pet stain and diluted the remaining urine within your carpet, you can further combat the smell using baking soda. Pour baking soda over the spot where your pet’s accident occurred. Press the baking soda into the carpet using even pressure. This can be done by stepping on the pile of baking soda several times or placing a heavy object over the spot. Let the baking soda sit on the pet stain for at least one hour before vacuuming it away. The baking soda will pull any moisture you may have missed out of the carpet while also combating the unpleasant odor of pet urine.

Step Four: De-grease the Pet Stain

Even if you begin cleaning your pet’s urine stain as soon as the accident occurs, the ammonia in an animal’s urine gives it a greasy texture that allows it to rapidly adhere to fabrics such as carpeting. The end result is that neutralizing the urine may not remove the stain. Standard carpet cleaning sprays may also be ineffective at preventing a permanent pet urine stain on your carpet. Household degreasers, however, are perfect for this job.

Spray a household degreasing product, such as Greased Lightning, directly onto the pet stain. Use a warm, wet cloth to work the degreaser into the stain, wiping vigorously. Keep a bowl of water next to you throughout the process since you’ll want to rinse the cloth out frequently. If you have concerns about degreaser staining your carpet, test it out on an out of the way area of carpeting before applying it to the pet urine stain.

Step Five: Prevent the Smell of Pet Urine

While club soda and baking soda work wonders for neutralizing pet urine odor, you can opt for additional odor prevention by purchasing one of the many specialty products available for neutralizing the smell of pet urine on carpets. Call your veterinarian for a recommendation before making a purchase, as some products work better than others.

The best cure for pet urine stains is prevention. Consider installing a doggie door or taking your dog for more frequent walks if indoor urination becomes a problem. If you have a cat that urinates on the carpet, clean its litter box more frequently. Your cat’s definition of a full litter box and yours may vary! You can also provide your cat with more than one litter box to encourage it to use the litter box rather than your carpet. Should occasional accidents still occur, however, prompt cleanup ensures that your carpet will remain pristine and pet urine odors don’t become a problem.

Photo by jaimieo

Puppy Socialization

Filed under: Ages & Stages,Dog Life,Dog Training — DoggySpace on June 10th, 2010

Puppy socialization is the foundation for a lifetime of good dog behavior. A properly socialized puppy will respond to new situations, people, and environments without the fear and aggression that often develops in dogs that are under emotional stress. While the most important period in your puppy’s socialization occurs between 8 and 12 weeks, when the puppy’s mind is going through a fear imprinting stage, good socialization should not end after 12 weeks.

In order to properly socialize your puppy you must make sure to expose him or her to as many healthy new environments and people as you can. Since the point of exposing your puppy is to teach him or her how to handle and react to potentially stressful situations, it is important that you remain in control of the situation, as well as your own reactions and emotions. Even young puppies can sense your emotional responses to stimuli and, like human infants, will react according to the impressions they get from you. Happily greeting strangers as you take your dog for walks, or settling in comfortably with a large group of human friends show your dog how he or she should respond to these new situations as well.

Because of health concerns it may not be safe to socialize your dog through visits to the dog park, or places where other animal’s poop is likely to be found. Instead, substitute controlled play dates with other pups, training and socialization classes, and frequent walks for potentially health-effecting socialization. Taking your pup for frequent car rides and to visit the homes of friends will also help him or her to adapt easier to new environments.

Besides new environments it is essential to familiarize your dog with objects he or she may perceive as threatening or strange. These things may include tall men, hats, umbrellas, loud noises, children, and wheelchairs. Having the individuals possessing potentially frightening characteristics or objects interact positively with your dog, even offering them treats and affection, will help your dog come to love these strange characteristics.

As your puppy grows remember to encourage him or her to enjoy new things, and seek out new experiences and stimuli to expose him or her to. By taking the time to socialize your dog with intention and control you will ensure a happier outlook for your pet and minimize stress and aggressive reactions. Properly socialized puppies often turn into better behaved adult dogs, and will make your dog ownership a joy instead of a headache.

Photo credit manyfires

Comfort Your Grieving Dog

Filed under: Ages & Stages — DoggySpace on January 31st, 2010

While humans have many outlets for grief over the loss of a dog, like a DoggySpace memorial, the late dog’s furry pal is often left to struggle with his or her grief. For the friend and companion of a deceased dog life changes drastically when they lose a loved one. Not only does a grieving dog have to cope with the loss of a friend but her or she also has to determine where his or her place in the ‘pack’ is now that their companion is gone.

How you handle your dog’s grief can help him or her cope with their sense of loss and return to their healthy, happy doggy nature. A grieving dog may display his or her sense of loss through acting ‘depressed.’ A lack of appetite, less barking, acting tired, being sluggish, or losing interest in activities such as play and walks are all signs of dog grief.

If your dog is grieving you can help. While replacing the lost pet may be one of the first ways to help your dog ‘move on’ that come to mind, its recommended that you wait until your pet has finished grieving before giving them a new pal. Instead, spend more time with your grieving pet. Spend time grooming or petting them, take them on car rides or walks designed to spend time with him or her. Also, make sure to leave a blanket or mat that belonged to the deceased dog around the house. This will help the grieving dog to remember their lost pal and deal with their emotions.

As you help your dog cope with his or her grief you will find that the bond between you and your pet has grown eternally stronger.

Adult Dog Adoption

Filed under: Ages & Stages,Dog Life — DoggySpace on January 26th, 2010

If you’re thinking about adopting a dog, but cringe at the idea of having to housetrain a puppy, then the adult dog may be for your. While it’s true that some adult dogs are up for adoption because they have been mistreated, either by their family or as a producer of puppies for a puppy mill, this doesn’t make adult dogs ‘criminals. Most adoptable adult dogs were given up by families who found that they couldn’t afford the time or money to maintain dog ownership, got them for a child or relative who tired of them, or simply got lost and were never found.

Adult dogs are often at least partially trained, so housebreaking is no longer a major concern. Another benefit of adopting an adult dog is that they have outgrown the hyperactivity and love of chewing that younger dogs often display. Meanwhile, they’re just as willing and ready to play, without having to be calmed down in between.

Adult dogs are just as willing to find a new family and become part of a “pack” again as younger dogs, but are often more sensitive to their family’s needs and placement in the pack, meaning less headaches as you teach your dog their status in your family. While some people believe that adult dogs may not be as loyal or loving to a new family as a puppy, this is a myth. Adult dogs tend to spend just as much energy loving their new family as a puppy does, without requiring as much effort to train.

Dog Games for Smart Dogs

Filed under: Ages & Stages,Dog Life,Dog Training — DoggySpace on January 18th, 2010

Having trouble keeping your smart hound occupied and out of the “dog house?” Trainers say that dogs that are occupied are less likely to engage in undesirable activity, like chewing on your shoes, and smart dogs tend to get bored easily. Here are some games you can play with your intelligent dog to keep him or her entertained.

Retrieving items is a great game for smart dogs that love to feel like they’re useful and part of something. Train your dog to recognize an item, from the remote to the car keys, and then ask them to “fetch” it. As they get used to the game you can even send them on the hunt for items stashed in a separate room.
Indoor or out and obstacle course is not only a great way to give a dog physical exercise but a mental workout as well. If you’re indoors you can create an obstacle course out of Pilates balls, chairs, tables, or anything sturdy enough for your dog to climb over, under, or around. Outside you can create larger courses with slides, stairs, and poles for them to weave under over and around.
Clean up is another handy game for dogs that like to have a job to do. Using a command like “Pick up” guide your dog through the steps of using his or her mouth to carry a toy back to its rightful place. Soon enough you’ll be able to keep them entertained and straightening the house with a simple command.
Ball and Cups are a great game to entertain dog’s minds. Place a ball underneath one of two, or even three, cups and shuffle them around. Let your dog sniff and determine which cup holds the ball. You can even train your dog to tap the proper cup with his or her paw to add to the fun.
Letting your dog play “messenger” by delivering presents or messages tucked in their collar can also be an easy and fun way to keep your dog entertained, while exercising his or her ability to “find” a family member.
For those moments when your dog needs entertainment but you can’t be by their side consider an interactive dog toy, like Nina Ottosson’s Zoo Active Toys, which not only entertain dogs but help develop their problem solving skills.

Puppy Training: The First Week

Filed under: Ages & Stages,Dog Training — DoggySpace on January 14th, 2010

The first week a puppy is in its new home is the most important week of training. From crate and potty training to getting your new pet to stop chewing and whining the amount of training may seem overwhelming. While the desire to tackle one item of training at a time, or wait until everyone has adjusted to the new pet may be strong, a new puppy is most impressionable during its first week in its new home. Your new puppy will learn best during this time.

Using a crate is an important part of training your pet. He or she will need to spend a lot of time in their crate, and the sooner you show him or her that it’s a nice play to be the better. Make sure the puppy’s crate is just big enough to turn around it, so that they will not potty in it and so that they will feel safe. Be sure to put in comfortable padding and to reward your new dog with a treat for the time they spend in the crate.

Potty training is often a difficult task for an excitable puppy. Many trainers recommend restricting your dog to a small room and lining the floor with puppy pee pads or newspapers until they are housebroken. Whatever method you choose, make sure to take your dog out before and after meals, as soon as they get up from sleeping, and after they spend time alone or in their crate. Always walk a new puppy, encourage it to “potty” and praise it when it does so.

Whining, chewing, and jumping up are social behaviors you will want to tackle in the first week. If your new puppy misbehaves, do not punish it. It is still learning the rules and how it should act. Instead, re-direct it and praise him or her if it follows your redirection. For whining, refuse to acknowledge your dog, instead of coming to their call or scolding them. When you are ready to acknowledge you puppy, call him or her to you. If your dog is caught chewing something they should not, redirect them to a chew toy and praise them when they chew on it instead. Teaching your dog “down” when they try to jump up and not allowing your cute new puppy to jump excitedly will save you time and trouble as they grow to adults.

Don’t allow your puppy to do anything that will irritate you in the long run or as they grow to adulthood or you may confuse your new pet. Remember that your new puppy is learning the rules and try to be patient with him or her as they learn.

Puppy Potty Training Made Easy

Filed under: Ages & Stages,Dog Training — DoggySpace on January 13th, 2010

While potty training a new puppy may seem like a chore you’d rather avoid but, when potty training is done correctly, it can be turned into an easy task. Here are some hints to help you with your new puppy’s potty training:

Create the Right Mindset:

For both yourself and your puppy this is an important step. In order for your new pet to learn quickly and come to feel safe and loved in his or her new home you will need to never, ever criticize your potty training puppy for his or her failure. Doing so will make them afraid, and will make it harder for them to learn. Instead of rubbing your puppy’s nose in his or her mistake, calmly tell your puppy “No,” clean up after your pet, and start again. When your puppy gets it right praise them, but never punish them for a potty accident when they are training.

Supervised the Deed:

You’ll need to keep an eye on your puppy all the time. If you have to work, make sure your puppy is in his or her crate, and has just enough room to turn around in so they aren’t tempted to potty. When you’re home keep a constant eye on them, watching for potty signals such as pacing or sniffing the floor. If they display these signs, calmly take them outside and walk them. It is important to walk your dog, not just send them outside. While you walk your puppy tell him or her repeatedly to “Potty” then praise him or her when they do. Walking your puppy can also help you train him or her to potty in the area you want them to.

Using a Crate:

Whether it’s watching your favorite TV show, playing a game with the kids, or taking a shower, any time you can’t watch your puppy 100% then its time for Fido to spend some time in the crate. A good crate will be just big enough for him or her to turn around in and should be outfitted with a blanket or pad and a toy. Don’t put food or water in the crate, and don’t be tempted to let Fido have “room to stretch” as this may cause them to potty in their crate. Before and after you let your puppy spend time in the crate take them out for a walk, so they can potty. Don’t let anything get in the way of this or they may have an accident. When you’re going to work and during the night are two times you will definitely want to crate your pet to prevent accidents.

Using the proper mindset, supervision, and crate techniques will make housebreaking will be a breeze. Remember to praise your pup for their success and let their failures pass.

Puppy Food, an Important First Step

Filed under: Ages & Stages,Food & Nutrition — DoggySpace on January 4th, 2010

Many new puppy parents may not realize the importance of dog food in their puppy’s health and growth. But the proper dog food, or more precisely puppy food, can keep you out of the Veterinarian’s office in years to come. There are many different options for feeding your puppy, from canned or moist to dry foods, brand, holistic, and organic foods, as well as foods that vary by dog age and breed.

For puppies the most important thing is to buy a premium brand of dog food that matches their age and breed or size. By feeding your dog slightly more expensive foods while they are growing and developing their muscles and bodies you will be saving yourself money in the future. Puppies whose diets are not well designed to fit their growing bodies and breed’s needs often suffer from musculoskeletal disorders like hip dysplasia. Non-premium, or low-cost, store brands can also create food allergies in your pet. Dogs have been shown to become sensitive to the “filler” foods used in lower-cost brand name dog and puppy food, like wheat and corn.

Choosing the best food for your puppy can save you money in the long-term, even though it may seem you’re spending more now. Dog obesity, allergies, and growth and musculoskeletal disorders can be avoided if you start your puppy out right, with a premium dog food designed to meet their needs for growth.

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