http://www.thedogdaily.com The Dog Daily is a site for dogs and dog lovers alike with tips, products and know how about anything dog related. en-us Copyright &copy;2001-2010 Studio One Networks Thu, 4 Mar 2010 00:10:02 EST Thu, 4 Mar 2010 00:10:02 EST Dogs webCOMAND http://blogs.law.harvard.edu/tech/rss 60 http://www.thedogdaily.com/images/logo.gif http://www.thedogdaily.com 0 0 http://www.thedogdaily.com/ask-expert/index.html A very general guideline is that healthy, active dogs should receive about half an hour of aerobic exercise at least three to four times a week. That exercise could be a brisk walk, swimming, jogging, fetch or other activity that will bring up your dog's heart rate. If you can do these activities with your dog, you will benefit too. Beyond that basic recommendation, many factors affect how often and for how long you should walk or otherwise exercise your dog. One is whether your dog is indoors-only or if it has some access to a midsized to large yard throughout the day. Another consideration is dog breed and size. Long-legged dogs generally need to walk longer distances than short-legged ones, which must move faster for each of your own steps. Certain breeds, like huskies and terriers, were bred for stamina. These dogs can usually run and play for long periods of time. It's a myth, however, that greyhounds make good jogging partners. They can reach high running speeds but only over short distances. Latest Ask Experts http://www.thedogdaily.com/ask-expert/index.html Sun, 7 Mar 2010 00:00:00 EST http://www.thedogdaily.com/ask-expert/index.html Pit bulls have gained a bad reputation in recent years due to poor management and breeding practices enacted by a relatively small percentage of people. The reality is that the majority of bull and terrier breeds -- such as your pit bull terrier, the Staffordshire bull terrier and more -- make well-mannered pets as long as they come from a reputable breeder and have been properly socialized. Ideally, your dog was exposed to other people and animals in a positive, nurturing environment starting at no later than seven to eight weeks of age. However, your expression of concern over your dog potentially getting jealous and aggressive is a hint that your dog may not have been properly socialized or that it needs an obedience refresher course. Such classes allow you to introduce your pet to unfamiliar people and other dogs under very controlled, supervised conditions. Local humane societies, pet stores and other places often hold these classes. Latest Ask Experts http://www.thedogdaily.com/ask-expert/index.html Sun, 28 Feb 2010 00:00:00 EST http://www.thedogdaily.com/ask-expert/index.html Dachshunds were bred to bark. In the past, the body shape and size of these unique, social canines made them perfect for smelling, chasing and digging out underground prey. They would then alert their owners by letting out excited barks. On the upside, you have one of the world's best alarm systems. Dachshunds, as you suggest, tend to bark at anything and everyone. Barking is self-rewarding to some extent: It's a release for your dog. Besides, some attention from you is better than none, so even if you answer the barking call with a scold, your dog still succeeds in bringing you near. It's much easier to reward silence than it is to punish barking. When your dog goes on his next yipping spree, call your pet to you and give the "sit" and "stay" commands. Your dog should know these already. If not, a basic training or refresher course is in order. When your dog is still and silent, reward the good behavior with a treat, praise and attention. With a similar process, you can also train your dog to bark on command. Save that lesson for later, though, because you don't want your pup to confuse the two orders. Latest Ask Experts http://www.thedogdaily.com/ask-expert/index.html Mon, 22 Feb 2010 00:00:00 EST http://www.thedogdaily.com/ask-expert/index.html Protection from the cold can be a life-or-death matter for all dogs, and this is especially true for small breeds. Your dog is shivering in a futile attempt to stay warm, so you should either limit his outdoor exposure or buy him properly sized booties and a warm coat (or other appropriate clothing). Dogs, like all mammals, experience heat loss that's proportional to the surface area of their bodies. The heat created by their bodies is, in turn, proportional to their mass. Large, warm-blooded animals generally create more heat than they lose, but the ratio can easily go out of balance for tiny dogs exposed to cold conditions. Many toy and small breeds -- such as Chihuahuas, miniature pinschers and toy terriers -- don't possess thick coats and other body structures that can help these pups tolerate much cold. Problems can even occur indoors, so make sure your house is kept at a comfortable temperature for both you and your dog. Latest Ask Experts http://www.thedogdaily.com/ask-expert/index.html Sun, 14 Feb 2010 00:00:00 EST http://www.thedogdaily.com/ask-expert/index.html Before you limit yourself to a certain size of dog, keep in mind that large dogs don't always fare poorly in smaller spaces. An easygoing golden retriever, for example, might actually be better-suited to apartment life than would an energetic schnauzer. A lot has to do with the temperament and lifestyle of the individual dog. Mixed breeds often get a bad rap, but they frequently provide the best of all worlds in terms of temperament, care, health and more. It depends on the individual and his or her particular breed history. You might look for a beagle, bichon frise, poodle or a terrier breed and mix, since these dogs tend to be friendly and smart. Cairn terriers are often favorites for families with toddlers, since these dogs usually love to play but also tend to have a gentle disposition. Latest Ask Experts http://www.thedogdaily.com/ask-expert/index.html Sun, 7 Feb 2010 00:00:00 EST http://www.thedogdaily.com/ask-expert/index.html There are a few different reasons your Yorkie could be repeatedly licking his nose and whining at night. Your dog may be feeling anxious and alone at this time, since both nose licking and whining are two ways that dogs communicate submission and distress to others. Cats often lick themselves when they feel anxious, as a means to calm down. It's thought that nose licking in dogs also helps to ease tension. Your dog could, of course, also be suffering from an infection or an obstruction in his nose. If you haven't done so already, be sure to discuss the matter with your veterinarian. Once possible underlying health issues are ruled out, you can better address what might be stressing out your Yorkie at night. If stress is indeed the problem, try to spend time playing with your dog in the evening -- but not just before bedtime, because you don't want to wind him up too much then. Before the lights go out, provide reassuring attention. Make sure your pet has a comfortable, quiet, clean and safe place to sleep. Latest Ask Experts http://www.thedogdaily.com/ask-expert/index.html Sun, 31 Jan 2010 00:00:00 EST http://www.thedogdaily.com/ask-expert/index.html Osteoporosis is the thinning of bone tissue and the loss of bone density over time. Dogs can suffer from this disease, which may make their bones more prone to fracture. The disease is extremely common in humans, with more than 28 million Americans suffering from osteoporosis. Dogs that consume a meat-only diet are more susceptible to getting osteoporosis. It is very important that you feed your dog a well-balanced, high-quality diet. Calcium is usually added to dog food. It’s often listed as calcium carbonate and/or calcium pantothenate. Reputable manufacturers spend tremendous resources and effort investigating how much calcium and other nutrients should be included in their products. As a result, your dog’s food should contain just the right amount of these nutrients, so supplements are not necessary. In some rare cases, veterinarians will prescribe calcium for fast-growing breeds. For most dogs, however, supplements are not helpful and can even lead to other health problems. Latest Ask Experts http://www.thedogdaily.com/ask-expert/index.html Sun, 24 Jan 2010 00:00:00 EST http://www.thedogdaily.com/ask-expert/index.html In addition to being hunters, wolves are scavengers by nature, so dogs have inherited the trait. To a scavenger, the world is its food bowl, which helps to explain why your dog might also try to nibble seemingly unpalatable things. In his mind, he’s not stealing. He’s grabbing a free and available bite to eat. Chances are your dog has grabbed food off your table more than once. Your dog felt rewarded, so the behavior was reinforced. He probably remembers the treats more than he does your scolding. To teach your dog better dinner manners, feed him only out of his bowl. Otherwise, he might associate his food with human plates and your dinner table. Teach your dog to sit before you put his filled bowl down in front of him. Doing so allows your dog to learn that he must obey you before eating. He will therefore not be so inclined to “steal” food when your back is turned. Latest Ask Experts http://www.thedogdaily.com/ask-expert/index.html Sun, 17 Jan 2010 00:00:00 EST http://www.thedogdaily.com/ask-expert/index.html While it’s best to use a leash, there are times when any caretaker might need to lift and carry a dog. It’s good to know the proper way to do this. If you hold a dog incorrectly, such as with both hands behind the forepaws, it could cause the animal substantial discomfort. With a squirming puppy or otherwise fidgeting dog, it could also cause the canine to get loose, possibly putting itself and others in danger. This technique is best for a puppy, but it works for most dogs too: Begin by placing one of your hands under the dog’s chest, behind its two front paws. Place your other hand under the stomach area. When you lift, allow the dog’s legs to rest on your arms, and cradle the legs for support. Keep the tail tucked in to avoid it getting hurt should the dog accidentally fall out of your arms or jump. Latest Ask Experts http://www.thedogdaily.com/ask-expert/index.html Sun, 10 Jan 2010 00:00:00 EST http://www.thedogdaily.com/ask-expert/index.html <p>Dogs’ eyes do indeed glow at night. The effect is produced by a part of your dog’s eye called “tapetum.” This mirror-like structure is located at the back of your dog’s eye. It reflects light, so even the faintest amount of light shining on your dog in near-darkness will make your pet’s eyes glow.</p> <p>The reflection allows your dog’s retina to register more light, permitting better vision in dimness. How much better? Your dog can see in light that is five times dimmer than you can see in, according to Dr. Paul Miller, a veterinary ophthalmologist and professor at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. Miller discovered this after extensively studying canine vision.</p> <p>Your dog’s cool nighttime glow and good evening vision, however, come with a minor price, says Miller. Perfect human vision is described as 20:20. Dogs have 20:80 vision, he explains, since the tapetum scatters light, causing a slight degradation.</p> Latest Ask Experts http://www.thedogdaily.com/ask-expert/index.html Sun, 3 Jan 2010 00:00:00 EST