13 Mar 2010
Learn tips and instructions on how to train your dog to come back. Be sure to take notes and practice the tips found in the free video below:
How to Train Your Dog to Come Back When Called — powered by eHow.com
08 Mar 2010
Learn from this free instructional video how to train your dog to back up.
Train a Dog to Back Up with Body Language — powered by eHow.com
photo courtesy of Dr. Julie & William Wickel
1. Determine the root of your dog’s habit of chewing on furniture. The reasons may be from teething, curiosity, boredom or a behavioral disorder. Your veterinarian or behavioral specialist will be glad to assist and discuss these options with you.
2. Provide a teething ring or a frozen washcloth for your dog to chew.
3. Keep your dog close and monitor it closely. Use a baby gate to keep him in the same room as you. You can also crate train your puppy and put him in the crate with toys for short periods in times you can supervise it.
4. Divert your puppy’s attention to something more suitable and less damaging, such as dog toy, when you catch your dog red-handedly chewing. Alternate toys of soft and hard textures available to avoid boredom.
5. Set time as a “me and my puppy” bonding moments. The much needed interaction can easily redirect your dog’s energy to worthwhile training such as learning tricks, obedience training workouts, and engaging in outdoor adventures.
6. Make it a point to raise your dog as a physically active pet. You will have fun during these times, and lose weight too! Chances are, your dog will be too tired to even think of chewing the furniture.
04 Mar 2010
1. A dog that retrieves is likely to get more exercise than a dog that doesn’t.
2. You will have an easier time when you use a retriever. You can just stand in one spot and throw the ball for your dog.
3. Most dogs love to chase after the ball and bring towards the owner. When the dog gets close enough he/she starts to play keep away. You can get your dog to give you the ball by having two tennis balls with you.
4. Always make sure to have two balls with you.
5. Get your dog interested in the second ball when they come back to you.
6. The better you are at acting like you’re having a great time with the second ball, the faster your dog will drop the ball he/she has.
7. Don’t throw your ball until your dog has dropped the ball he/she has.
8. End the retrieving game before your dog gets bored with it. In this way the next time you play fetch, your dog will be very excited about it.
1. Throw the first ball and let your dog go after it. When your dog starts to come towards you, ask your dog to “drop it.”
2. If your dog does not drop the ball, stop paying any attention to your dog and take out the second ball.
3. Start to have fun or act like having fun with the second ball. Toss it up in the air. Show your dog that you’re having a great time with the second ball. Keep doing this until your dog looks at you. If you’ve done this step correctly, your dog will drop the ball that he/she has and look up at the one you have.
4. As soon as your dog drops his/her ball, show the ball you’re holding to your dog. As soon as your dog focuses on the ball that you’re holding, throw it.
5. Repeat the process when your dog comes back to you. Within a short period of time, you’ll have your dog retrieving for you.
25 Feb 2010
The key to understanding your dog is to also learn how to read your dog’s body language. In this way, you can assess her attitude thus you predict your dog’s next move. Dogs are non-verbal so body language is the best way you can talk to them. Vocalization in forms of barking, howling and whining, takes second place to a canine body language. You are sure to spend some time observing dog once you learn these basic types of dog body language. The advantages of understanding dog language will protect you and your dog form dangerous situations. It will also aid in training or determining common behavior problems.
This is shown when your dog stands straight and tall with her head held high, ears perked up, and eyes bright. You can see its mouth slightly open but relaxed. Her tail may sway gently, curl loosely or hang in a relaxed position. Your dog is friendly, at ease and non-threatening with her surroundings.
A happy dog is basically the same as a confident dog. The dog will usually wag its tail rapidly. Expect your dog to jump and run around with glee. A playful dog will show the “play bow” where its front legs are stretched forward, head straight ahead, rear end up in the air and wiggling. Take this as a positive sign to play.
The anxious dog may act similarly submissive. It often holds its ears partially back with its neck stretched out. It stands in a very tense posture and sometimes shudders. Often, an anxious dog slightly whimpers or moans. See its tail set low and may be tucked. An anxious dog may overreact to stimulus and can become fearful or even aggressive. If you are familiar with your dog, try to divert its attention to something more pleasant. However, be cautious when you try to soothe your dog. Do not provoke her or try to soothe it.
A submissive dog is meek, gentle and non-threatening. Your dog holds its head down, ears down flat and averts its eyes. Its tail is not tucked but is low and may sway slightly. Your pet may roll on its back and expose its belly. You might see your dog doing the submissive pose when you just got home. A submissive dog may also nuzzle or lick the other dog or person to manifest passive intent. Sometimes, your dog will sniff the ground or otherwise divert her attention to show that it does not want to cause any trouble.
The fearful dog combines submissive and anxious attitudes but with more extreme signals. Your dog stands tense, yet very low to the ground. Its ears are flat back while its eyes are narrowed and averted. The tail is between her legs. A fearful dog typically trembles and often whines or growls. Your dog might even bear its teeth in defense. Just like scared man who feels very threatened, your dog may also urinate or defecate. A fearful dog can become aggressive at the moment it senses a threat. Do not try to reassure the anxious dog. Instead, remove yourself from the situation calmly. Be confident and strong when you do steer your dog away. Do not comfort or punish your dog. Dogs are territorial so move her to a less threatening, more familiar location.
The anxious dog may act somewhat submissive, but often holds her ears partially back and her neck stretched out. She stands in a very tense posture and sometimes shudders. Often, an anxious dog slightly whimpers or moans. Her tail is low and may be tucked. An anxious dog may overreact to stimulus and can become fearful or even aggressive. If you are familiar with the dog, you may try to divert her attention to something more pleasant. However, be cautious – do not provoke her or try to soothe her.
An aggressive dog goes far beyond the word “dominant”. All feet are firmly planted on the ground in a territorial manner. When an unwelcomed visitor advances to its territory, your dog may lunge forward. The ears of the dog are pinned back, head is straight ahead, eyes are narrowed but piercing, tail is straight and full. Your dog bears her teeth, snaps her jaw and growls or barks threateningly. The hairs along her back stand on edge. Instincts will tell you to get away carefully when you see a dog showing these signs. Do not run. Do not make eye contact with the dog. Do not show fear. Slowly back away to your safety. If your own dog becomes aggressive to the point of harming other people, seek the assistance of a professional dog trainer (try Dog Whisperer) to learn the proper way to correct the behavior. Dogs exhibiting aggressive behavior should never be used for breeding.
A dominant dog will try to assert herself over other dogs and sometimes people. Your dog stands tall and confident and may lean a bit forward. Its eyes are wide open and makes direct eye contact with the other dog or person. See its ears up and alert complete with the hair on its back standing on edge. Its demeanor appears less friendly and possibly threatening. You may also hear lowly growl. If the behavior is directed at dog that submits then there is little concern. If the other dog, however, tries to be dominant, a fight may ensue. A dog that directs dominant behavior towards people can pose a serious threat. Do not make eye contact and slowly try to leave. If your dog regularly exhibits this behavior towards people, you need to modify your dog’s behavior.
21 Jan 2010
Rehabilitate troubled dogs for adoption! Volunteer at DogTown to mentally and physically repair canines by diagnosing ailments, playing catch, teaching tricks, and finding them a loving home! Based on the hit National Geographic TV show!
System requirements:
Windows Vista, Windows XP
Pentium-III processor speed
256 MB RAM
100 Mb Hard Drive Space
64 MB VRAM 16 or 32-bit Video Card
16 bit DirectX compatible sound card
DirectX 9.0
English bulldog puppy blog loves to hear from you. Why don’t you send us your questions about anything on your pet, English bulldog puppies or dogs? We will be more than happy to provide the answers for you. Send us your questions today by writing on the Contact us page.
QUESTION
“English bulldog make loving companions. I’m concerned whether it is perfectly alright to have my bulldog get its first shot before age of 8 weeks? Do you also have information about vaccination of English bulldog puppies?”
Answer 1:
The earliest vaccination is advisable is at 8 weeks… earlier than that, and the vaccine will stress the immune system and will not provide immunity.
Bulldogs have a tendency to have crappy immune systems, anyway. Vaccination as early as five or six weeks can do serious damage and further impair their immune systems.
Answer 2:
You should probably talk to your vet about this one…
Some do it differently than others, and as you may know some depend on the breed of dog, age, etc.
But the one I went through:
1.) The three vaccinations for parvo, only one of which she recieved and then contracted the disease before I could get her vaccinated for the second time.
**But they are suppose to be administered by injection 3 times every 3 weeks when the pup is 8 weeks of age.
2.) Then once the pup is over 4 months of age, they get their rabie shot.
3.) You need to get a preventative for heart worms, fleas ticks all the stuff. This should be continuous all year long.
4.) Then once a year they need to be brought back to the vet for a parvo and rabies booster.
But like I said you should talk to your vet and he will work out a vaccination plan with you for you and your companion.
***Please make sure you get all of your dogs vaccinated, especially for parvo. It is a deadly disease and is HEARTBREAKING to watch your best friend go through. It is almost always fatal and is a lot less expensive to prevent it than it is to cure it!***
Answer 3:
Vaccinations depend on where you live and what you will do with your dog. A hunting dog will need a more complete bunch of shots then a sedate lazy Bulldog. Pups usually get 3 Distemper etc shots then rabies at 4 months then a year later the Distemper etc a 3 yr rabies then no more shots for 3 years. If you live with a tick problem then you need the tick shot, if you have a hunting dog or run your dog around snakes you need an anti venom shot, if you live on a farm or your dog will be around rats then your dog needs lepto. Your vet should know the proper shots your dog will require for it’s environment. I do not give lepto and do give the rest every 3 yrs until the dog is 7-8 yrs old then only the rabies every 3 yrs. I buy the Intranasal KC vacs and give them every 6-12 months.
27 Jul 2009
English bulldogs are not gifted with the ability to communicate with us through words. It only follows that dog owners should rely on their pets‘ actions and attitudes to guide us. Nobody else knows their own dog but themselves so you may be the first one to notice sudden changes that need to be addressed. It is always a good thing when you have a good relationship with your veterinarian so you are more comfortable calling when an emergency arises.
Contact your veterinarian right away or bring your bulldog to an emergency clinic upon observation of the following signs:
• Blue, white or very pale gums
• Labored breathing
• Collapse or loss of consciousness
• Dizziness, imbalance, or circling
• Inability to walk
• Extremely bloated abdomen
• Seizures
• Signs of acute severe pain (such as crying out very loudly and excessively)
• Body temperature over 104 or under 99 (normal is typically 100.5-102.5)
Watch out for the following signs persisting for more than 2 to 3 days. Contact your veterinarian as soon as possible.
• Poor Appetite
• Lethargy
• Vomiting
• Diarrhea
• Lameness
• Weakness
• Excessive salivation
• Frequent and/or inappropriate urination
• Constipation
• Excessive scratching or dull, dry, or flaky hair coat
• Wheezing or frequent panting
• Nasal discharge or congestion
• Displays of mild to moderate pain (such as crying when a specific area is touched or action is taken)
It is better to be cautious rather than ignore and wait for symptoms to become worse. You should contact your vet for any peculiar or sudden changes which your bulldog does not normally show. There are some cases when your vet readily tells you that something does not need to be addressed right away. Other situations would have it when your vet advise you to make an appointment or go to an emergency clinic based on the urgency of the signs and symptoms that your bulldog exhibit.
A majority of English bulldogs live healthy and happy lives. They’re fun companions that love to run and play outdoors, but often they’re slowed down by knee problems. A dog’s knee is quite similar to a man’s knee known as the stifle. Slipping knee caps or patellar luxation is a fairly common issue for bulldogs. It is caused by the knee cap popping in and out of place. It results to lameness, pain, joint instability and is common to older dogs. Don’t take your observation lightly when you see your dog limping or hopping when moving around. It is urgent to take it to the veterinarian to assess the nature of the injury and to determine the extent of the injury.
Luxating patella is a condition that happens when your bulldog’s knee cap slips out of place. The patella is intended to rest in the center of the dog’s knee joint within the patella ridges.
The most common form of luxating patella found in English bulldogs is called medial luxation. The severity of the floating knee caps or luxating patella is determined by four different grades.
Step1. Monitor your bulldog’s activity levels. If you observed that your pet has suddenly avoid going for walks or has lost interest in playing then it might be experiencing some mild pain in its hind legs since its knee caps are most prone to slipping.
Step 2. when your dog makes a skipping motion when he walks, it could be a sign of patellar luxation. Dogs having a chronically slipping knee caps will walk on its unaffected extremity causing a skipping motion when walking. They may occasionally walk on three legs then return to their normal gait when the pain has subsided.
Step 3. This is a good time to see if your dog is overweight. A little extra weight can put serious pressure and strain on your pet’s joints leading to patellar luxation. Your English bulldog may need to lose excess weight to help alleviate the pain of its joints. Work with your vet to help your dog and its weight loss plans.
Step 4. Keep a record of temporary lameness when your pet occasionally goes lame at play then appears to be fine again after 10 to 20 minutes as a sign of patellar luxation. Your pet will no longer feel any pain once the knee cap slips back and may appear to be not limping.
Step 5. Look at the posture of your dog’s back legs. English bulldogs that have this joint problem in both hind legs may walk with their legs splayed out or tuck their hindquarters under them even when no problems exist. When your dog changed his posture dramatically
Patella luxation is considered to be an inherited condition. English bulldogs with luxating patella can also live an active life although it is recommended that they should not be bred.
04 Jun 2009
Food poisoning can happen to any other bulldog as it happens to every dog at least once in their lifetime. Once dog smells something they like then it will eat it even if rotten or not. Spoiled foods are rotten and rich in bacteria and other harmful microorganisms capable of making your pet sick. When these harmful microorganisms reach the digestive tract, its body will employ every means to eliminate these substances as manifested by vomiting and diarrhea. The extent on how far the microorganisms are located can be known by the symptoms shown by your pet. Vomiting usually means that the germs are spread through the upper intestines. Diarrhea means that it has now spread to the lower intestines.
The symptoms of food poisoning in bulldogs can be a combination of vomiting, diarrhea, lack of appetite, and generally feeling unwell. When your dog is suffering from food poisoning then it will not defecate more than usual and feces will be in large amounts unlike other lower digestive system illnesses.
Don’t take the case of food poisoning of your bulldog lightly. You should investigate and check possible areas in your house that may have contributed to your pet’s sickness. Food poisoning can be found in its sources such as garden, on a walk, around the house, or in the garbage bin where the illness derived its nickname of “garbage disease.”
When the gastro intestinal tract including the stomach is irritated from unwanted substance, it causes the body to flush it out of the system either through vomiting and diarrhea. It is the same mechanisms as with human and other animals on coping with damaging substances in the digestive system.
Your English bulldog may respond to a sudden change of diet by showing signs and symptoms of food poisoning. Its body may not be accustomed with the new food variety given so you may want to introduce foods more slowly next time around.
The most effective, if not the only, way to cure dog food poisoning is to enable the dog to get rid of any offending foods or substances in the digestive system. You will need to stop feeding your dog for 24 hours and give them only water. If you continue feeding your dog then its body will not have any means to get rid of all the food in its system. It will only make vomiting and diarrhea worse since it makes the digestive system think there is more bad foods to get rid of.
The initial step to take on the detoxification and clearing of your dog’s digestive system is to start feeding it with strictly water only for 24 hours. When 24 hours have passed you should begin feeding it with bland foods such as boiled rice, pasta, boiled chicken, turkey or white fish. These bland foods will ensure that the stomach is eased in gently and minimize the risk of food rejection due to strong taste.
Continuously monitor your bulldog to note if it has produced at least two normal stools then you can gradually begin introducing them back to their regular foods. You can do this by mixing the bland food with some stronger tasting food then slowly increasing the amount of normal food you add until your dog is eating full portions of their daily diet.
This process should not take longer than 48 hours after the initial 24 hours of “water diet”. If the vomiting and/or diarrhea become worse over this period then it is strongly recommended to seek further advice from your vet. The vet will then assess for other symptoms such as obstructions, infections, or inflammation caused again by dog food poisoning.
Pet owners should be responsible enough to practice proper dog food preparations, maintain a clean home environment, and ensure your pooch does not eat whatever it sniffs. Treating a simple sickness won’t be too costly but not as less costly when prevention of likely sources of food poisoning.