Pampered Dog Blog

If you are like most dog owners, your pet is most likely a beloved companion, friend, and a member of your family . When your pet gets sick, you may react with both panic and great concern. A common problem that many dogs have is heartworm. If you are looking for some tips for treating heartworm in dogs, this article can help.

Heartworm is caused by a parasite that infects your dog and resides in its heart. When it becomes an issue, it can cause the valves in your dog’s heart to become blocked and the arteries may also become clogged. This will make it difficult for your dog to breathe and can lead to death.

In order to treat this problem, you first need to be able to recognize it . If your dog has this parasite, he or she may find it hard to breathe and may develop a chronic cough. Your dog may also become very tired and weak.

Since this parasite can remain in your dog for many years before it is noticed, you should be sure to take your dog to the vet regularly . A vet can notice the issue before it starts and can also provide you with medication that prevents the parasite from staying in your dog’s system.

As soon as you think that your dog might have this problem, you should take action. Take your dog to the vet and have the appropriate blood tests performed. If your pet tests positive , your dog may have to have its health assessed to find out if it is healthy enough to be treated.

Medication is normally used to treat heartworm in dogs . The drugs will be injected by the vet as soon as the issue is confirmed and you will most likely have to provide your dog with regular medications and give a second injection after approximately one month.After giving your dog the injection, it will be necessary to keep him calm and make him rest for at least a week, and you will need to constantly monitor its health . In some cases additional treatments may be necessary . 

Once the treatment is completed it will be wise to take preventative measures to prevent your dog from getting the infestation again.  There are several options for medications that can be administered daily, monthly, or on a yearly basis.  Discuss the options with your vet to determine the best course of action.

Article by Jennifer Marshall – contributor to Pampered-Dog-Gifts.com where you can find gifts for your spoiled canine such as dog gift baskets, gourmet dog treats and more.

Give your dog a bone about twice a week as a special treat.  Dogs love large beef bones, raw chicken necks, and the tips off chicken wings.  If you are not sure how long they have been in the supermarket case, douse them with boiling water to kill any bacteria before feeding.

The benefit of feeding bones is that they give your dog beautiful, pearly white teeth that do not need to be cleaned.  However, feeding too many bones will give him constipation and hard, chalky stools.  Also, be careful to give your dog only large bones that cannot splinter.

When you give your dog a bone, leave him alone.  Dogs get possessive about their bones.  They are one of the few items that may cause dogs to growl at you if you try to take one away from them.  It is a very special treat, and he wants to be in a place to relax and enjoy it.  Let your dog go to his crate, which is the perfect place for him to enjoy his bone in peace.  Give him a few hours to indulge himself.  After a few days of chewing a fresh bone, it loses its magic, and most dogs will allow you to pick them up or handle them.

Article by Jennifer of Pampered-Dog-Gifts.com the online dog boutique where you can find the best dog treats

Are you up for the challenge? Great, because in today’s article we are going to discuss a simple method that can help you leash train your dog and teach her to obey the ?let’s go? command.

Because new puppies are easily distracted by anything and everything around them, it is important to start your ?lets go? leash training in a relatively quiet area. There should be very little distractions from other cats and dogs, children, and loud noises. The perfect area would be a private backyard or a quiet sidewalk in front, so long as you have a little bit of privacy.

The equipment you will need is simple: a leash, a loose fitting collar for your dog’s neck, and a squeaky toy that you will use to divert his attention towards you.

The first thing you will need to do is to get your dog interested in the squeaky toy that you have brought with you. Play with it and show it to her in a friendly manner while talking to your dog at the same time and asking ?what’s this?, ?pretty toy huh?, or ?look what I got? – doing so in a tone of voice that makes your puppy feel comfortable and playful. Everybody has that ?cutesy voice? that like to talk to their pets with, so use yours!

At this point your dog should be very turned on to the squeaky toy and will want to follow your hands and the fun noises that follow. To test this out you should get your dog’s attention diverted away from you, perhaps towards another animal, and then start squeezing the toy to see if she forgets the activity around her and darts towards you and the noise.

Stand with your dog at your left side while you have coiled most of the leash in your right hand. Your left hand should be holding the end of the leash near the collar as well as the squeaky toy. When you’re ready to move, give a loud ?Let’s Go!? command and begin to walk away. It is important that your command is in a cheerful and positive tone of voice.

Your dog should then start moving at your same pace because there is little room for the leash to extend and the fun in a squeaky toy that she loves so much is right near her face, keeping her entertained and wanting to move towards that direction.

Be sure to utilize the simple training procedure for only a few steps at a time. If you make the mistake of trying to keep your dog walking on the leash after giving the ?let’s go? command for too far lengths at a time, she will get bored quickly and will stop watching you in the toy, as well as your movements.

Repeat this protocol as often as needed until your dog will follow in your direction without the use of a diversion (the squeaky toy). Checkout other free info about Small Pet Dogs and Dogs Pet Supplies.

Grab practical hints to house train dog – welcome to your own knowledge pack.

Taco’s favorite birthday cake recipe

INGREDIENTS:
1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
1/2 cup butter – softened
1/2 cup corn oil
1 jar baby food , meat, beef, strained
4 eggs
2-3 strips beef jerky

Preheat oven to 325 degrees
Grease and flour a 8x5x3 loaf pan
Mix dry ingredients in a bowl and set aside
In a separate bowl, cream butter until smooth.  Add corn oil, baby food and eggs and mix until smooth.
Slowly add the dry ingredients to butter mixture and mix until smooth.
Crumble the jerky and fold into batter.
Pour batter into loaf pan and bake for 1 hour and 10 minutes.
Remove from oven and let cook on wire rack for 15 minutes.
Ice with plain yogurt or cottage cheese.
Store uneaten cake in refrigerator.  (this should keep for 3-4 days – although Taco and his brothers have not tested how long it will stay fresh)