Humans and dogs have been living together for over 12,000 years. Millions of Americans share their lives and their homes with dogs. These wonderful animals love us unconditionally, protect us, protect our homes, guide the blind, and are our constant companions. Despite all of this we still have misunderstandings that lead to dog bites.

Photo: Stockxpert

For children, dog bites are frightening and traumatic, and with a little work, most can be prevented. We teach our children about safety for many situations–from safety rules for crossing the street and traveling in cars to being careful around things that are too hot or sharp. We can also teach them to be safe around dogs. Follow these tips to help your children have a positive relationship with our "best friends".

First–Teach your children the golden rules:

• Do not chase or tease a dog.
• Do not disturb a dog while it’s sleeping, eating, or drinking.
• Don’t play in the dog’s sleeping area.
• Don’t play with the dog’s food or water.

Second–Teach your dog the golden rules:

• Do not jump on people.
• Don’t bark or paw at people.
• Do not charge the door when someone comes in.
• Do not bite, nip, chew, gnaw, or mouth people even in play.

Third–Guidelines for parents and pet owners:

1. Provide your children and your dog with enough exercise and positive social interactions them enjoy each other’s company cope with stressful situations.
2. Don’t allow children to use your dog as a climbing toy. Even with the most patient pet, children should not be allowed to climb on them. It’s a recipe for having their tail pulled, eyes poked, paws injured, etc. A dog bite would be a natural response, so it’s best to avoid it.
3. Small children should always be supervised when interacting with a pet. Dogs and children can be unpredictable; it’s the adult’s responsibility to provide a safe environment and a watchful eye..
4. Keep the dog out of threatening situations. It’s important to be sensitive to the dogs’ needs and fears. If your pet is used to calm or quiet, and children are visiting, playing, running, making noise; watch for signs of nervousness. It may be best to confine your dog to a quiet room or crate during times of too much activity, removing the potential for problems.
5. Know your dog and learn how it communicates using body language. Usually dogs give warning signs before biting. Sometimes the signs are subtle, but they should never be ignored. Here are a few ways to know that it’s time to intervene between a dog and a child:
   • The dog turns its head away from a child or gets up and moves away.
   • The dog yawns, pants, or licks its lips when the child approaches or interacts with him.
   • The dog gives you a pleading look as though asking to be rescued.

      

    

    

6. Know your dog’s limits. Sometimes dogs communicate more directly and may be warning that it’s ready to bite by growling, showing its teeth, or raising the fur along its back. To prevent a dog bite or a dog attack immediately intervene by removing any child from this situation and provide a quiet place for your dog.
7. Don’t let play get too rough. Many dogs and children play quite well together and should be allowed to do so. Watch for when the play escalates and gets too rough or too excited. A dog bite or scratch may occur accidentally when playing gets too rough.

For children, dog bites are frightening and traumatic, and with a little work, most can be prevented. These rules and guidelines establish boundaries of respect between children and dogs, and pave the way for successful relationships.

Attorney Marya Sieminski joined the Law Offices of Sam Bernstein in 2003. She is admitted to practice law in Michigan state courts and in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Michigan. She earned her Bachelor of Science degree at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and graduated magna cum laude from Wayne State University Law School. Marya has worked as a trial lawyer for 10 years and exclusively represented victims in personal injury litigation and in workers compensation claims. She also was appointed by the Governor to serve on the State of Michigan Workers Compensation Qualifications Advisory Committee.

The Law Offices of Samuel I. Bernstein, our Michigan dog bite and personal injury law firm, has championed the cause of seriously injured Michigan dog bite victims for three generations.
 

If you have a dog that stays outside, even for a few minutes, you need to get a dog house for your pet. Small dogs are especially vulnerable to the weather, so make sure you pamper your pooches properly by buying appropriate dog houses using the following tips:

Just like housing for humans, dog houses range from basic to designer, with the respective price tags attached. Again, like housing for humans, you need to take into account the basic needs of the occupant, your dog. Your dog’s size and coat will help you on your search for prime pup real estate. A dog house offers basic shelter from the elements. You definitely should not buy a McMansion for your Yorkie. Your dog doesn’t care about impressing the neighbors with his digs, he wants to stay warm.

So for your dog to be happy, pick a dog house that is big enough for your dog to stand up and turn around in, but not much bigger than that because your dog’s body heat helps warm up the dog house in the winter. For small dogs and dogs from warmer climates, look for insulated or double-walled dog houses. Insulated dog houses stay warmer in winter and cooler in summer, just like human houses. If you get a lot of wind, you may want to add a door, which are available for most dog houses. Finally, if you live in an area of extreme hot or cold, you may consider a heated or air-conditioned house for your dog, but I would recommend checking with your vet first.

You should also provide bedding inside your dog’s house. Old towels, blankets, or sheets make good bedding. In wintertime, put a thick folded layer down for insulation from the cold ground, then put more bedding on top. In summertime, put just enough bedding in so your dog can choose to lie on the cool floor of his dog house or on the bedding.

Now you have your dog house. But where should you put it? The placement of dog houses should be less about where it looks good and more about where he will like it. Most dogs will not use a poorly-placed dog house unless the weather is horrible.

Try to face dog houses where they get the most sun in cold climates and the least sun in warm climates, where there is not a lot of wind, and where your dog can keep an eye on you and your property. If he doesn’t want to go in his house after a few weeks, try simply rotating the dog house or move it to a new location.

Every dog should have a dog house if they are outside without human supervision. Little dogs especially can get cold very quickly in inclement weather. At the same time, some dogs won’t ever use a dog house, so don’t feel too bad if your dog chooses to sit on his house in the rain. At least he has a dog house to use however he wants.

Author Jennifer Akre is an owner of a wide variety of online specialty shops that offer both products and information on how you can easily furnish and decorate your space. Whether it’s your living, bedroom, or even your deck or patio, there are many tips you can use to make your space both functional and beautiful. Today, she offers advice on how to create an area perfect for your pooch using practical dog supplies, sturdy dog houses, and comfortable dog furniture.
 

Supplementing Your Dogs Feed
By Stuart J Smith

To ensure that your dog’s immunity system is kept in top condition you will need to ensure that there is a good balance of vitamins and minerals in his diet. It is not uncommon in homemade foods that this balance is derived from a supplement.

As pet owners we need to know what vitamins are in the food and the symptoms of excess or deficiencies in each vitamin. We also need to know which vitamins need topping up daily and which are stored in the body. Vitamins B (thiamine, niacin, pyridoxine etc) and vitamin C are called water-soluble vitamins and they are not stored in the body and need replenishing each day. Vitamins A, D, E and K dissolve in fat before they are absorbed in the blood stream to carry out their functions. Excesses of these vitamins are stored in the liver. It is not therefore necessary to replenish these vitamins daily.

Cod liver oil is a very good source of Vitamin A and can help to avoid night blindness and is also very good for skin condition. Vitamin D can also be found in fish oils and egg yolks and promotes the healthy growth of bones by increasing the body’s ability to absorb calcium.

Vitamin B1 is important as it helps to release the energy from foods. Typically B1 is found in peas, beans, lentils and other legumes so if possible try and get some of these vegetables into the food mix. It has been known for dogs that are fed with fish in frozen conditions that a supplement of B1 is required as they will not be getting the B1 from the fish and the conditions are not ripe for supplementing the food with vegetables.

It is also important to ensure that your dog is receiving the correct balance of minerals. To promote good skin health the dog must get the correct amount of zinc and he will need potassium for muscle health and for his teeth he will need calcium with phosphorous.

It may be possible that if your dogs feed includes a good variety of vegetables with meat such as chicken, beef or mutton that the requirement for artificial supplements may be greatly reduced. If, however, that balanced diet cannot be provided then you should consider supplementing the diet. As always it would be best to consult your veterinarian to evaluate your dogs feeding practices and then recommend the best supplement.

The author of this article writes for a puppy website called House Train Ur Puppy. You can find more articles like this one at HouseTrainUrPuppy.com
 

Dogs and cats get orthopedic injuries just like we do. In fact, it may surprise you to find out that almost any surgery that can be performed in human medicine has a corresponding animal procedure for your pet. Veterinary medicine has changed–and improved–drastically over the years as the human-animal bond has increased.

Photo: pcvhvet.net

Working with veterinary surgical specialists over the last several years has really opened my eyes to the possibilities that exist. Not to mention the fact that I have had to take advantage of some of these "possibilities" for not only personal pets, but also for rescue animals in my care.

So, what kinds of injuries require specialty orthopedic surgery?

Broken bones, of course, come instantly to mind. But, does your pet need to be seen by a surgical specialist, or can your primary veterinarian repair the fracture? Well, this depends not only on the complexity of the fracture and the procedure to repair it, but also on the skill and experience of your veterinarian. I have seen cases where the pet had to undergo additional surgery by a specialist after a first attempt by a primary care physician. Think of it this way: if you had been hit by a car and required major surgery, would you go to your GP, or would you want to be operated on by a surgeon?

Joint injuries are also very common, especially in large, athletic breeds, and in overweight dogs. We routinely operate to correct torn cruciate ligaments and luxating patellas. These procedures are usually fairly costly, and the last thing you want to do is try to save a few dollars by having an inexperienced doctor perform these procedures. I have seen hip surgeries go so badly that there is no longer anything for a specialist to work with. There is nothing as difficult as telling a client that you could have helped their pet — if you had been able to operate first, or sooner.

Recovery and rehabilitation are difficult for many pets, and for their owners! It takes a long time for bones to heal properly. So, if you pet needs orthopedic surgery, you are looking at approximately 12 to 16 weeks — yes, that’s 3 or 4 months! — before "Roscoe" will be able to go back to normal, off leash activity. I’m not sure who this is more difficult on, the patient, or the owner. But, the worst thing you can do is assume that because "Roscoe" doesn’t seem to be in any pain, you can relax on the exercise restrictions. You don’t want "Roscoe" to end up back in the operating room, or worse, end up not being able to be restored to normal activity at all.

Not only have I seen pets have to come back for second, third, even fourth surgeries, I have also seen dogs that had to be put down because their prognosis for recovery was so poor when exercise restrictions were not followed. When the surgeon says 2 weeks in a crate, and an additional 8 weeks of on-leash walking only, she means it!

The use of orthotic devices is an option for pet owners when surgery is risky or to help in your pet’s recovery process. Custom braces can support the operated limb and allow proper healing to take place. They can also help correct the limb’s function without surgery. Your surgeon will be able to let you know whether this is an option for your pet.

Baby Girl is a beautiful Australian Shepherd at Mill Creek Animal Rescue. She came to us when she was about six months old with a horrible limp. I took her to an orthopedic surgeon. X-rays showed that she had suffered a fracture of her front left leg at some point in the past. Unfortunately, this was never treated, and there was a mal-union of the radius/ulna. Her ulna had tried to grow, but was growing out, rather than in length, while the radius continued to grow normally. This resulted in her paw being pushed sideways at a terrible angle. The doctor felt that although she had probably attained 65% of her full size, that surgery would benefit her and provide improved quality of life.

Baby Girl underwent surgery in early January. A 1 centimeter segment of the ulna was removed, and then the bone stabilized by divergent pins. The x-rays looked promising, and her foot appeared much straighter than it had pre-surgery. Now, Baby Girl thought she was better immediately. She wanted to romp and play the day after surgery. But, having seen post-surgery disasters, I followed the aftercare instructions to the letter. Two weeks post surgery, the splint came off. Baby Girl was walking much more normally, but still remained crated except for 3 or 4 daily leash walks.

Last month, Baby Girl returned for x-rays to determine whether or not the bone had healed. The x-rays revealed: SUCCESS! Although a pin had migrated and had to be removed, Baby Girl was released back to full, unrestricted activity — much to her joy and mine!

In closing, orthopedic surgery can greatly improve your dog’s quality of life. If your dog requires surgery, first find a good orthopedic surgeon. If your primary care veterinarian doesn’t have a recommendation for you, visit the ACVS (American College of Veterinary Surgeons) website for the name of a specialist near you. And, whatever you do, follow the aftercare instructions. It may be difficult on both of you, but in the long run, you’ll be glad you did!

Cheree is practice manager of Azzore Veterinary Specialists, and founding director of the Mill Creek Animal Rescue - both in Russellville, AR. You can view pets available for adoption at Petfinder or visit her at MySpace. You can view Baby Girl’s x-rays in her own photo album at myspace.

Healthy snack treats for dogs is one of the best ways you can take care of mans best friend. Your dog requires the correct food if it is going to mature into the healthy dog it was meant to be. Healthy snack treats for dogs are an necessary part of that affect. Mans best friend is just like you and needs the right amount of vitamins and minerals if it is going to grow up full of energy and life. You can make your own healthy dog treats without much cost.

If you have not recognized by now there is a lot of trash that goes into most commercially made dog food. There are heart wrenching stories of people thinking they were feeding their animal the best food available only to have their puppy become ill and realize that it was the store bought food that had made them that way. If you really knew what went into dog food it would make you think twice before feeding it to your animal.

Many dogs have died as a result of contaminated commercial dog food. One of the key ingredients in this tragedy was the ingredient Melamine which is used to make fertilizer and plastic. It can be deadly if consumed by dogs which is exactly what happened. Many things that go into your dogs food are not allowed to be included in your food. Probably the most gross thing about commercial dog food is that it contains deceased animals which dog food producers are permitted by law to put in their food.

Enough about the food you thought was safe for your dog. Don’t give up. There are recipes for healthy dog treats. Treats which you make yourself can be as different as healthy peanut butter flavored dog treats for your dog. It is a fun and gratifying experience to have a dog. A pet will provide you with many years of loyalty and love but you must treat it right.

Don’t think that love is all your dog needs. A puppy will demand different foods than a older dog but luckily there are recipes for healthy dog treats that will fit the needs of your dog. There are many different kinds of dogs. That will also influence your dogs dietary needs. A smaller dog will require different amounts of foods than a larger one. It will be essential that you have your dog eating regular meals. Your dog however will like a snack now and then. That’s where recipes for healthy dog treats are needed.

You can make healthy dog treats in your home and save money over store bought dog food. In addition it will be healthier for your dog as well. Taking care of your dog might require a few changes in your way of thinking and doing things. Giving them plenty of love and healthy dog treats for your dog will help to insure a healthy life for your pet.

Do you know what ingredients your dog is being fed in it’s commercial dog food. Learn the right way to care for your puppy or dog by visiting http://healthydogtreats.blogspot.com/

You’ve worked on training in the house and leash training, and you’re excited to bring your puppy with you to the beach and everywhere else. There’s only one problem: your dog vomits every time you are in the car. Cleaning up dog vomit is definitely not an enjoyable task, and many dog owners fear that their dogs will never be able to ride in the car. There are some dogs that do get motion sick, but there are others who vomit because they are stressed.

Photo: kango.com

The first thing you should do is make sure that your dog is not stressed in the car. Bring your dog, on leash, into your car. Put him where he will be sitting, then sit in the driver’s seat. Do nothing else for five minutes. Allow him to walk around and get comfortable with the feel and the smells of the car.

After you’ve done this for five minutes, start the engine, but go nowhere else. Look at your dog and see if he is exhibiting signs of being car sick, for instance, is he drooling or has his ears dropped. If he is not, continue to idle for five minutes or so. If he is looking car sick, turn off the car and allow him more time to become accustomed to it.

Once he is able to sit for five or ten minutes in an idling car without getting sick, it is time to go for a little drive. Keep it short, under five minutes or less, and try to avoid bumpy roads. If your dog is able to keep his kibble down, increase the amount you drive on a daily basis. If not, you may want to speak with your vet to see if you can give your dog Dramamine, which works well for both people and pets. Be aware, however, that most dogs that are truly carsick often grow out of it before they are a year old.

To learn exactly how I trained my dog, visit http://www.rapiddogtraining.com/ where you’ll learn everything you need to know about how to become pack leader and much more.
 

Certain foods for dogs should be avoided at all costs. Although dogs can often eat some things that humans eat, there are some things which dog owners should definitely know about.

Photo: Stockxpert.com

A clear example is alcohol - even in smaller amounts this can cause major problems for your dog like intoxication. In extreme cases it may also result in a comatose state - or worse, death! Drugs, such as marijuana and similar substances, are an equally bad idea. These can adversely impact the nervous system and change the heart rate, cause vomiting, and more.

Liver is a food that should only be given to dogs in small amounts, as larger servings can result in too much Vitamin A being built up inside the dog, leading to Vitamin A toxicity. This can have a significant negative effect on the muscles and bones of a dog, especially over an extended duration of time.

Raw eggs and raw fish are believed by some people to be acceptable, however uncooked eggs have avidin, which is an enzyme that inhibits the absorption of certain vitamins in the B group. This can lead to (sometimes, but not always) subtle problems with the hair or skin of the dog. Raw fish on the other hand, is even worse. This can cause a deficiency of thiamine, possibly leading to seizures or death, however this usually only becomes serious if the dog is fed raw fish on a regular basis.

Sugary foods should also be avoided for the most part. Obesity and dental problems are the obvious hazards here, however something called diabetes mellitus is also a potential risk.

Allosia Online Books has a section of online dog books.