So what are the best dog treats for dental health? This article will answer that question as well as touching on good dog health care that you can utilise to ensure that your dog’s teeth don’t go bad. When it comes to dog health care, and specifically dog dental care, you need to feed your dog hard, and/or crunchy dog food. If you’re feeding raw bones, you’re well on the way. But what if you’re not keen on feeding your dog raw bones? Not to worry, there are plenty of other things you can do for the health of your dog’s teeth and gums, that will assist in getting rid of that plaque build up that is so bad for the teeth and gums. How about some raw veges, or raw apple and so on? Soft food is okay, of course, but you should make sure that your dog eats something hard and/or crunchy at least once a day.

You may also want to brush your dog’s teeth at least twice a week. This is not a very pleasant thing to do but it will help with the pet dog health for their teeth. Use salt on the toothbrush, or buy a specialized dog tooth paste if you prefer. There is also another option to brushing your dog’s teeth - you can give hard dog treats or “dental chews” that will help them just as much as brushing their teeth would.

So what are the best dog treats for dental health? There are a lot of experts that are saying that Gourmet Dental Treats for Dogs are tasty, dogs love them, and they’re great for your dog’s teeth! They contain only natural ingredients and also boast calcium and phosphorus for healthy teeth and bones. You can’t do much better than that.

Is it possible the family dog will also be a risk to the household when it comes to the spreading disease? Is it likely that a dog will pass on germs to humans?

There are several diseases that can be transferred from dogs to humans, these are known as zoonotic diseases (can be transmitted from animals to humans). Not all diseases that affect our pets can be transferred to people but of the ones that can, they can potentially be serious. Below are some of the most common zoonotic diseases that dogs can pass to people.

Ringworm is a common skin disorder also known as tinea that can affect the skin on the body, scalp, feet or the groin. Ringworm is not as its name implies, caused by a worm. It is a skin infection caused by a fungus. Ringworm is contagious; it is passed by handling contaminated items such as combs, unwashed clothing and shower surfaces or by direct skin-to-skin contact between people.

Roundworms (nematodes) have long round bodies and are invertebrates (animals having no backbone). Their size ranges from those plainly visible to the naked eye to those only visible only under a microscope. Roundworm eggs or larvae can enter through the skin or be picked up on the hands and transferred to the mouth by the soil that they are found in. Apart from the roundworm that causes trichinosis, adult roundworms live in human intestines and can cause health problems.

Tapeworms in dogs are caused by swallowing a flea infected with a tapeworm larva. A dog may eat a flea while grooming. Once the flea is digested inside the dog, the tapeworm larvae develop into an adult tapeworm. The adult tapeworm is made up of many small pieces each about the size of a grain of rice with adult tapeworms measuring 4-28 inches long. Inside the intestines, the tapeworm matures and these pieces detach and pass into the feces.

Tick Borne Diseases, as the name suggests are diseases spread by ticks. Unlike fleas, ticks are not insects, but arachnids like spiders, mites and scorpions. Ticks go through a four-stage life cycle, eggs, larvae, nymphs, and adults. In the United States Lyme disease is by far the most often reported tick-borne disease in humans and is passed on when bitten by an infected blacklegged tick.

While dogs can pass germs to people, it is not likely you will get sick from touching or owning dogs. The best protection is to wash your hands thoroughly with running water and soap after contact with dogs, dog saliva, or dog stools. Keep your dog healthy and clean, use flea and tick shampoo regularly.

By Aditya Chatterjee

Are you planning for a family vacation but wondering what to do with your puppy? Should you keep the dog at your friend’s place, use bonded pet-sitting service, or put him in a kennel.

It’s safe to keep your dog in a good dog kennel because your dog will be kept safe, secure and well looked after by the kennel owner and trained staffs. There might be outcry to put a dog in cage but it’s still much better than dog collars that choke a dog and give them electrical shocks.

Why you should put your dog in kennel?

A professional facility will provide better care of your dog and trained employees will have experience in detecting the signs of distress or illness in your pet.

Most of the time, a boarding kennel facility will be a member of the boarding kennel association. This means that the facility has been provided with proper training and direction and will adhere to strict guidelines in the quality care of your pet.

Always prefer boarding kennels where proof of your dog’s immunization history is mandatory for admission. This rule should give you a piece of mind regarding the health of your dog.

You can select ordinary to expensive luxury suites for your dog. However, you can get an affordable rate if you are repeat customer. Hence, you really need not to worry for cost if you have shoestring budget.

Checklist before you finalize kennel for your dog

1. Take help from other dog owners, friends and families, veterinarian or grooming shops to find a good dog kennel. This research is important. You should look for online review of your chosen kennel.
2. Check license of the kennel
3. Check whether staffs are friendly, knowledgeable and seem to care about the dogs. It is also necessary to find the availability of Veterinarian
4. Kennel must have good facility and it should be clean and free from debris.
5. Check the cages, gates and sleeping area of dogs
6. There should be an exercise area for the dog.

Train your dog before you put him in Kennel

It is advisable to let your dog learn about the kennel on her own at first. You should sit close to the kennel and utilize some tasty treats just inside which will attract him to look in. Once the dog inside the cage, close the door for few minutes initially and slowly raises the duration. It will become a habit for the dog.

Dog should feel at comfortable inside the cage so it should have food, water and a cozy sleeping area. You can also keep a chewing toy inside the cage.

By Jerry Welsh

Affenpinschers need to be closely groomed at least two or three times per week to make their 1 inch coat clean and nice smelling. These little dogs are fun loving animals. It’s very easy to create a wonderful relationship with them, they are very adventurous, active, curious and, at times, stubborn. The great thing about them is the fact that they are playful and fun loving animals and that is what makes them such great company and pets, especially for children.

Owners will easily develop great camaraderie with them as they are an affectionate bunch, especially to family members and they display it by being protective of their owners.

They need continuous and consistent training because of the difficulties involved in housebreaking or house training them. The training methods should be changed constantly as they easily bore when asked to do repetitive tasks. They also possess the qualities of being territorial with their food and toys so having them play with little children is not recommended.

Affenpinschers are generally quiet, but they can be very nervous or excited when attacked, surprised or threatened. They show no sign of fear towards aggressors. They will be greatly appreciated by a family who longs for a good humored dog breed and who likes to be entertained by shows put up by their pet dogs.

The Affen is prone to a health condition called dysphasia. Just like with other smaller breeds of dogs, they are subject to a case of collapsed trachea and the best way of avoiding this is to walk your dog by using a harness instead of the traditional dog collars. Cataracts can sometimes occur in this breed.

Owners should bear in mind that their dog craves the utmost attention and it will easily adopt one of the family member as their leader. If there is a lap available, chances are it would want to sit on that lap. They tend to wander around finding a more comfortable place to sleep it’s recommended that owners set up a comfortable sleeping place for their little bundle of love.

When you have two or more Affenpinschers, one tend to get jealous of the other for attention. It can also happen if you have other pet animals like a cat. But mostly they get along with other pets like cats and other breeds of dogs.

Overall this is are a very easy breed to own and live with. They like to play with their master, especially in the park, and they care for their owners. They are a great source of entertainment for those who likes seeing lively dogs.

Affenpinschers have an average lifespan of approximately 11.5 years; most, if taken well care of, can live even longer… old enough for them to share a lot of wonderful memories with the rest of the family and be an active, much loved part of the family.

Taking good care of your little monkey dog will reap great rewards as this breed knows how to express its love and respect for their masters and owners.

What is the most recognizable breed in the world?

No! It is not Lassie the Collie. It is the German Shepherd Dog. There has not been another breed that is so internationally recognized as the German Shepherd.

Back in the 1890’s a German cavalry officer, Captain Max von Stephanitz was dreaming of creating a working dog that was not only beautiful to look at, but had intelligence, loyalty and perseverance.

While visiting a dog show in 1899, he happened to see a beautiful dog and immediately bought him.

This dog was named Horand von Grafrath. Horand became very famous in Germany because of his beauty and intelligence.

In 1899 von Stephanitz and some other interested parties formed a society known as the Society for German Shepherd Dogs and Horand von Grafrath became the sire for building the breed of German Shepherds. This society still exists and is the largest and most influential breed club in the world. The Society was responsible for creating the list of strict breeding standards and guidelines, along with creating a register for German Shepherd Dogs

It established the first German Shepherd Dog Show in 1899 and today it draws people and dogs from all over the world. In 1908 the AKC registered the first German Shepherd and at that time an American German Shepherd Dog Club was also formed,

However, World War I came upon the world and anything German was quickly frowned upon.

In America the name was changed to Shepherd Dog and the British decided to call the breed the Alsatian Wolfdog.

The war ended and in 1931 the word German was again added to the name.

As the American soldiers returned home from Europe and peace was restored. They brought tales of heroic deeds that these dogs were capable of and slowly but surely, the breed once again regained great popularity.

German Shepherds starred in movies and Rin Tin Tin became a household word. Roy Rogers even had a German Shepherd in his TV series.

German Shepherds were bred originally as sheep herding dogs and even today the herding instinct still comes to light on occasion.

When we think of German Shepherds, our minds click to police dogs, guard dogs and guide dogs as they are great working dogs.

However, they are super great family dogs. Their protective instinct makes them great dogs to have around children.

A German Shepherd has a stable and steady temperament, their loyalty can never be questioned, their intelligence makes them quick learners and they even have common sense.

Granted they are not known to have the “greeting” exuberance that some dogs have; as they do appear at times, aloof and imposing

German Shepherds were bred to herd and protect sheep and the shepherd.

This quality remains and they are protective of their humans, which makes them cautious when a stranger approaches what they consider their “charges.”

Owning a German Shepherd requires a person (family) that has time to devote to training, outdoor activity and has lots of love to give.

Though these are considered working dogs, they are also “people” dogs and need love and attention.

An ignored German Shepherd that has not been given any training or care ultimately becomes a nuisance and ends up in a shelter with little hope of finding a home.

German Shepherds because of their popularity have been bred by many indiscriminate breeders and as a result the puppies are of poor quality and temperament.

If you are thinking of getting a puppy, do your research investigate your breeder, check bloodlines, look at where the dog is kept, see the parents if possible, be certain the puppies are being handled and loved before they are put up for sale.

One of the most important things to remember is that these puppies need to be socialized (all dogs do,) but for a German Shepherd it is extremely important that they be people oriented.

Also, breeders will tell you the American bloodlines are the best.

If you want to show your dog, that is more than likely the truth as the AKC has been known to reject many of the German bred dogs due to conformation.

American bred German Shepherds have a less intense temperament and a more streamlined body. German bloodlines tend to build a stockier dog that is more suited to be a “working dog” as its temperament is rather intense and they are very high-energy.

That is not to say they would not make great family dogs, it just means that they will require more from you in the line of training, outdoor activity and patience.

On the negative side there are a few things to consider, many cities consider German Shepherds, along with some other breeds as intimidating and aggressive and have put into force very strict rules regarding the housing of such dogs at your home.

Likewise, many insurance companies have declined to insure homes because of what they consider too great a liability if you have a dog that is considered aggressive.

Health wise there are several things to take into consideration; hip and elbow dysplasia are common problems, bloat is another, young puppies (8 to 12 months) can suffer from panosteitis (excessive bone production in the large leg bones. The puppies generally will grow out of it, but it does cause a great deal of pain and some lameness.

Pannus is an eye condition that responds to medication, but can in some cases cause blindness.

A spinal disorder called degenerative myelopathy is fairly common, along with epilepsy and a middle ear disease called peripheral vestibular disease.

I have listed these negatives not to discourage you from getting this wonderful dog, but to alert you to some of the possible problems. Investigating the bloodlines of your puppy and the health of its parents and grandparents is a good place to start.

The German Shepherd Dog is one of the nature’s most unique and wonderful canine gifts. This dog will love you until “death you do part.”

You on the other hand have to be intelligent enough to know what a treasure you have and be willing to devote the time to training, exercising and loving this dog.

If you do not have the time or the ability, do yourself and the dog a favor and get a fish.

The way in which a dog sees the world is very different from the way humans see it. A dog’s sense of smell is far superior to that of humans. It is thought that a dog’s sense of smell is at least 100 times more powerful than that of man, and it is obvious that dogs rely on this sense a lot, when you see them using their nose to investigate an object it has found.

When two dogs first meet they generally have a good sniff at each other, as they check each other out. It is also common for a male dog to cock his leg to mark his territory, and they do this to cover up the scents of dogs that have been there previously. A bitch in heat emits a special smell only noticeable to male dogs, which is why bitches in this condition are usually kept a close eye on.

A dog’s hearing is also superior to man’s, especially high frequencies. Hence the use of ‘dog whistles’, which we cannot hear, but can be heard by dogs. Also, often a dog will hear and recognise a noise before humans can, like footsteps approaching down the path, or the car pulling onto the drive. Dog’s can also move their ears to help them pinpoint the sound more accurately.

A dog’s eyesight is thought to be inferior to man’s, at least during daylight. There is no firm evidence either way as to whether dogs are colour-blind or not, but it is thought that their colour vision is not as well defined as humans. However, at night it is a different story. Dog’s eyes are better equipped to deal with the dark, enabling them to see better than humans. Also, dogs have better peripheral vision, which allows them to see further to the sides than we can. So, not only can they hear someone approaching from behind sooner, they can also see them sooner as well.

Communication between dogs is very impressive, they utilise sound, smells and body signals. The eyes are very important, a stare is usually used by a dominant dog to a submissive one, to show dominance. If a person stares at a dog, the dog will usually look away, and may roll on to his back to show submission.

The way a dog holds his ears is also an important indicator. Ears held back against the head show submission or fear, whilst ears which are erect indicate alertness. Tails are also a great indicator. If it is held high it generally means alertness, whilst a wagging tail probably means excitement. A tail held low generally means fear or submission.

Dog barking sounds don’t mean a lot to many people. For the most part, they are simply acknowledged as a sort of vocal exercises done by dogs, and those who aren’t fond of these animals may even consider barking dogs a loud disturbance. However, they are much more than that. Dog barking sounds are actually a basic method of communication for dogs.

Photo: naturaliving4dogs.com

Apart from that, there hasn’t been a detailed explanation or better understanding as to why dogs bark and how they have managed to grow so different from their ancestor, the wolf. The latter also barks occasionally, but wolves in general much prefer howling as a way to communicate. This is a far cry from dogs, who appear to have a fondness for barking as often and as loudly as possible!

Yet dogs share this fondness for barking with wolf cubs. This fact—along with many other similar physical features they share with dogs, as well as habits like the tendency to be submissive—has led experts to theorize on neoteny. Neoteny is a condition wherein adults retain juvenile traits. Therefore, it is said that dogs and wild cubs share certain similar aspects of behavior.

Another possible explanation could be the phenomenon of domestication itself. When humans and dogs first got together in a symbiotic relationship of mutual benefit, the dog proved to be a most convenient and effective alarm system.

The barking warned them and prepared them against impending danger from predators, marauders, and other intruders. And so the barking was encouraged, even highly prized, which is why some breeds—like hunting dogs, for example—are significantly louder and more vocal than others.

When and why does a dog bark in the first place? This can include the expression of an emotion (loneliness, elation, excitement, stress, fear, etc.); when a dog is feeling hungry or neglected; when he hears other dogs barking or sees strange dogs approaching; when he hears strange sounds he is unaccustomed to; and sometimes, he barks just because he wants to.

Your pet may bark when you leave him home alone, especially if he suffers from separation anxiety, and he will bark his approval once he senses you approaching the front door after you’ve been gone the whole day.

Dogs generally practice two types of barking—the warning bark and the alarm bark.

The warning bark starts out as a rumbling, low-pitched growl (dog barking sounds that are playful in nature have a higher frequency), which gradually increases in volume and intensity as a full-blown howl, which is meant to show dominance and aggression. It is usually employed when in the presence of a perceived threat and a dog may feel the need to fight back and defend himself and his territory.

Photo: clickertraining.com

The second type, on the other hand, is not meant to be hostile. This is merely a dog’s way of calling his master’s attention, such as a ringing phone, a chiming doorbell, or a car pulling up in the driveway. And the dog won’t stop barking unless his master attends to these events.

You may find that your dog’s barking can grow increasingly annoying for you and you will want him to learn how to bark only when the situation calls for it. Give your puppy the proper training early on. Petting the dog or soothing him doesn’t help curb the barking; it may only reinforce the behavior. Instead, give him a reward him once he’s settled down and praise him for this. This is reassurance to him that he is doing the right thing by being quiet and will likely avoid barking too much as he does not wish to displease you.

So the next time you’re baffled about what your canine companion is trying to say, listen a little closer, observe how it’s behaving, and remember all that you’ve learned about dog barking sounds. This will help pave the way to a better relationship between you and your pet pooch.

Dogs and humans have been together for centuries. Why are we such pals? Dogs dig, bark, lick, steal burgers from the grill, get fleas, worms, ticks. Dogs have to be trained to do their business outside and then it has to be cleaned up. They have to be fed, bathed, brushed, walked, played with and watered. Dogs need attention, a veterinarian and must be cared for when you go on vacation or away for the night or a weekend.

Through all this, the human/dog bond is stronger than ever. It’s estimated people are spending over $2 billion a year on their family pets and this number increases yearly. Some say within the next 5 years people will spend in excess of $8 billion a year on their furry family members without blinking an eye. Those that pamper their pets are an example to all of how to say "thank you" to man’s best friend.

A well cared for dog will do anything to protect their human pack. Recently, a Chihuahua took on a rattlesnake to protect one of its family members and nearly lost its little canine life. Dogs are among the heroes after a disaster such as the twin towers or an avalanche. Dogs find the dead for a proper burial and the living who are covered with so much rubble or snow that no human could ever find them without the super sniffer of the dog. The stories about canine heroes are in the thousands and occur every day. How many people would not be alive today without the wonderful dog? Our lives are richer, happier, and so much better with our pal the dog.

Dogs have been guiding the blind and deaf for decades. These canine kings and queens create a quality of life and a safety net not found with any other animal. Dogs help people with Cerebral palsy and severe anxiety. Dogs calm children and adults with autism, bi-polar disorders and other challenges. It’s stated that by simply petting a dog, a human becomes more relaxed and blood pressure drops. Dogs warn us when someone is at the door or when an intruder has entered the house. Dogs sniff out bombs and drugs. Dogs seem to know when someone has ill intent. Dogs are looking out for us at all times. Always on alert. Dogs are the ultimate protectors. Dog is indeed man’s best friend and brings out the best in people. The love for a dog brings tears to the eyes of the most jaded & hardened people. This love can also drive a hard-core military man to break every rule in the book to protect a stray dog who has become a family member. Dogs are exceptional.

Dogs are more a family member than ever before instead of the old way of the pet who lives outside. People sleep with their dogs, cuddle with their dogs and take them on vacation. People pamper their dogs, dress their dogs and buy them only the best dog food available or make it at home. We thank our dogs every day for their love, companionship and individual personality. We have safety belts for our dogs and dog hammocks for the car. We adore our dogs and they in turn adore us.

This exchange of pure love is why we humans spend billions of dollars on dog supplies food, and all around spoiling. Our canine family member will die for us, warn us of danger and lead us home if we’re lost. It’s a fair trade to clean up the dog poop, deflea, deworm, detick, walk, water, play, brush, train and fill up the holes they dig.