How to make New Years a happy time for your dog.

The HUGE end-of-year celebration is fast approaching! Did you know it is also one of the most prevalent times of year that result in missing pets, as many pets become frightened and dart out open doors. The onslaught of extra people in the house (or lack thereof, if you're away) can bring on anxiety, as can the noise that sometimes accompanies the festivities. Fireworks and, in some cases gunfire, are unfamiliar and frightening to pets of all species.
Here are a few things to keep in mind, and tips to help keep pets safe, sound and happy:

CLICK HERE to view the rest!

New Year, Inspire Your Dog!

The beginning of a New Year inspires us to improve ourselves as well as our pets and their relationship with us. If setting BIG training goals for your dog seems overwhelming, here are 10 small things you can do that will help!

To see all 10 tips CLICK HERE or go to http://all-things-shih-tzu.com/2011/12/new-year-inspire-your-dog/.

Shelters Overrun With Abandoned "Purse Dogs"

This topic is one that is near and dear to my heart.  Please read Shelters Overrun With Abandoned "Purse Dogs" on my new blog!! I would love to hear feedback as well!

A Likely Match!

Check out our post on a likely match by clicking here. This is the link to the new and improved blog! It's a work in progress, but it's getting there!!  =)

2012 Dog Calenders

Ever year around this time I look forward to buying a dog calendar! I will be buying a Shih Tzu dog calendar of course, however, calendars.com offers any calendar you could ever possibly want!

What kind of calendar do you buy every year? CLICK HERE to view all of the awesome deals on calendars that calendars.com is offering.

Burly owners of foo-foo dogs, rejoice!

Hi all!  I'm starting to move this blog over to Word Press. I just completed a recent post called Burly Owners of Foo-Foo Dogs, Rejoice! click here to see the whole post!

It's NEVER too late to socialize your dog!

Dog not socialized well?  With patience and a little common sense, it’s never too late to have a very friendly, well-socialized dog.

While the window of socialization closes for most puppies by the age of five months, many puppies – and dogs slip through the crack without this experience. Not to worry, all is not necessarily lost. It is still very possible to begin again with an older pooch – it may just take time and patience. Oh yeah, and food treats!

If your dog was not socialized by 5 months of age, start now. Today is the first day of the rest of your dog’s life! Remember the first time your puppy or dog came home and you called him into the kitchen as you unscrewed the lid on the “doggie cookie jar?” The sound had no meaning until your dog connected it to the cookie in the jar. Now every time he hears that lid unscrew, it’s a good thing! Cookies! What if your dog made that same great connection with people he didn’t know? Every time he met someone new he got a bunch of high value cookies? That would be way too cool!

If you have not taught your dog commands, work on sits, and downs so that you can eventually give your dog sits and downs to focus on rather than feeling anxious about the new person. Always work your puppy on leash to control the training environment. Each new person widens his circle of friends. Take your time with your dog and move at his speed.

Leibster Award!! YEAH!!!

Liebster is a German word meaning dearest, and the award is given to up-and-coming bloggers with less than 200 followers. It was my honour to receive my award from the lovely and talented Nicole who has created PAWFECT FRIENDS! She blogs about her love of dogs and has done a fantastic job! You really should check out her blog! =)  I really need to thank her for giving me the Liebster Blog Award. So I must continue the trend and send to 5 other blogs!

Here are the rules for the Liebster Award:
1. Thank the giver and link back to them.
2. Reveal your top five picks {with less than 200 readers} and let them know by leaving a comment on their blog.
3. Copy and paste the award on your blog.
4. Hope that the people you’ve sent the award to forward it to their five favorite up-and-coming bloggers and keep it going!
It is hard to just pick five!  I’m sure there are plenty more that deserve an award as well! So, here it goes...

1. Nicole and Gwedolyn

2. Life with Dogs

3. Animals Animals Animals in my life


4. Little dogs on long leashes


5. You did what with your weiner?

This was certainly not an easy task picking only 5 blogs! So what are you waiting for it's your turn to give the Liebster Award to your top 5!!  =)

Dog Ear Infections

If your doggy is suffering from an ear infection or you suspect that he is you’ll want to learn all you can about them.  These dog ear infections are also called Otitis Externa.  This is basically when the outer ear canal gets infected.

 It’s important to learn about the structure of the ear in order to understand infection.  The three parts to the ear are the outer, middle, and inner ear.  These infections actually occur in the outer ear, which is the pat of the ear you can actually see.

 It is this structure that makes dogs prone to getting ear infections.  The way the different parts of the ear are laid out makes it hard for the ear to drain.  That means that water and other debris can become trapped inside.

 If you’re not sure if your dog has an ear infection it’s important to learn the signs.  Many dogs that are infected will shake their head often, their ears will drain with a yellowish-brown fluid, and the ear gunk might smell a bit like yeast.  There may also be some redness and swelling around the area depending on how bad off the infection is.

 There are many reasons these infections occur.  One of the most prevalent is because of allergies.  Some dogs are more apt to get allergies than other dogs, which can cause a chain reaction of more ear infections.

 If your dog swims that might be another reason they’ll develop ear infections.  The ear anatomy makes it hard for water to drain out so yeast and bacteria multiply in the area.  You can try and dry the area as thoroughly as possible in order to prevent the problem.

 After your dog has been diagnosed with having an ear infection you’ll want to take steps to get rid of it.  The first thing you need to do is clean your pup’s ears.  Try putting a few drops of ear cleaner in their ear and massage the area.  This will loosen anything that might be stuck in there.  Be sure to wipe away the dirt afterwards.

 When you’re sure the ear is very clean you can put the medication in your dog’s ear.  Be very careful to follow all directions from your vet so you can be sure the treatment will work.  Your vet will usually specify to put a few drops of medication into each ear.

 Now, not every dog with an ear infection receives the same treatment.  If it is more of a yeast problem your dog will most likely receive an anti-fungal medication.  If it is more of a bacterial infection your dog will get an anti-bacterial.  Also, if your dog’s symptoms are very bad they might not get drops at all, but rather a systemic treatment where your dog takes oral medication.

 In addition to medication your vet might also cut the hair down around the ear. That will increase the airflow that the ear receives and speed up the healing time.  If things do not clear up your dog might require surgery to reconstruct the ear canal for better drainage.

 Once you know what to look out for you can do a lot to prevent ear infections in your dog.  If your dog happens to get one, you can rest assured knowing there is treatment available and that you’ve done your job as a pet owner to learn all about it.

Seven Steps to a Great Dog Life!

The responsibility that comes with having a pet is not to be taken lightly. It is up to you to make sure that your pet's needs are met and that you have done everything in your power to make your pet's life a happy one.

Here are seven easy things you can do to make sure that your pet has the best life possible:

1. Make sure your pet has it's ID tag. The ID tag tells where your pet lives and of any medical conditions your pet may have. If your pet wanders off, it may be the only thing standing between your pet and the pound!

2. Prevent behavioral problems by enrolling your pet in a behavior training class before it acquires any bad habits. This tip will make both you and your pet happier for the entire lifetime you are together!

3. Get your pet a check up from a vet at least once a year. Some behavior problems can be health related and taking your pet to the vet on a regular basis will help you with tip # 2.

4. Prepare for disasters. Your pet cannot read the escape plan you have made for your family in case of a flood, fire, or other disaster! Make sure your escape plans include someone in your family having the job of securing or gathering up and removing your pet(s) from your home and taking them to a safe place.

5. Plan for the future. Who will take care of your pet if something happens to you? Make sure you have a "godparent" for all of your pets. This includes short term care as well if you are in the hospital, incapacitated, or out of town.

6. Learn to avoid dog bites by training your dog and your family. This is especially important for children. Every year 4.7 million children are bitten by dogs. 80% are by dogs they know and have been in daily contact with! See http://nodogbites.org for more information and how to videos. (The site is part of The Humane Society web site.)

7. And last but not least - Have a heart - Be smart - and have your pet neutered or spayed as soon as they are old enough. If you can't afford to have your pet spayed or neutered go to these two web sites to see their requirements for getting a voucher to pay to have the procedure done. http://spayusa.org or http://pets911.com. Both sites will help you pay for the vet bill to get your pet spayed or neutered.

There you have it!

Seven simple steps to keep you and your pets happy for a long, long time.

The Danger of Dog Ticks

People have always known that ticks can carry various forms of disease. But now due to a number of conditions, their numbers are increasing across the United States.

Numerous experts have recently been warning that due to certain changes the numbers of ticks are increasing and their chances to infect your dog with disease is also increasing.

Urbanization of the woods and farmland is probably the most common factor that causes dogs to become exposed to ticks. Other causes cited by experts include a warming climate. In the past diseases that ticks carried would often show seasonality. But due to a warming climate some ticks are active all year long, and hence the diseases they carry are seen all year long.

Also the migrating patterns of birds are changing as well due to climate changes, and due to sub-urbanization more people are enjoying outdoor activities with their dogs leading to increased exposure to ticks.

Ticks have been implemented in carrying dozens of diseases. The most common ones known to dog owners are Lyme's disease, Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever, and Canine Ehrliciosis.  

For an adult tick the preferred animal to get a blood meal from is a large animal, preferably a deer. Deer are one of the main causes of a thriving tick population. If we didn't have deer we wouldn't have as big of a problem with ticks as we do.

Deer were heading towards extinction in the early part of the last century, but due to restrictions on hunting their numbers are increasing, hence we have an increase in the number of ticks.

Due to this increasing problem with ticks and disease most veterinarians are now recommending year around tick protection for dogs. Most common heartworm medications also prevent fleas and ticks so chances are your dog may already be protected against ticks but you should check with your veterinarian to be sure.

Ticks are continually increasing in numbers so it is important to keep your dog protected. Always be sure to check yourself, and your dogs for ticks after going in an area known to be populated with ticks.

10 Things You Should Never Give Your Dog

It can be fun to figure out what your dog’s next treat should be.  You might also be tempted to slip Fido some scraps from the dinner table.  Before you start doing anything like that you should know that there are certain foods you should never feed to your dog.

1. Chocolate is widely known as a food you should keep away from your dog.  It can speed up their heartbeat and lead to a heart attack and seizures.  In addition to that chocolate can also cause increased urination as well as vomiting and diarrhea.  As soon as you realize that your dog has gotten a hold of the chocolate you need to take it to the animal emergency center.

2. Grapes and raisins simply do not agree with a dog’s digestive system.  There is no exact measurement of how much they can handle so it’s best to keep all grapes and raisins away.  If not you might find increased urination, vomiting, and diarrhea.

3. Onions are another food that can wreak havoc.  They can break down a dog’s red blood cells and drastically decrease the oxygen that gets to its blood.  While the problems might not show up right away it can accumulate over time.  Keep an eye out for symptoms like vomiting, diarrhea, loss of appetite, and a general malaise.

4. Macadamia nuts are another no-no.  There is something in the nuts that can cause fever, heart problems, seizures or even paralyze your pet.

5. Please never feed your dog Alcohol.  Their bodies just cannot handle it and it can give them alcohol poisoning very easily and lead to death.

6. Bread dough is another food to avoid.  This is very soft and might cause the dog to think that it can just swallow the dough whole.  The dough can then rise in your pup’ stomach and cause bloating and nausea.      

7. Never feed your dog a caffeinated drink.  This will simulate their system in the wrong way and can have a bad effect.  Your dog’s heart might race which can lead to seizures or heart attacks.

8. Avocados might be yummy for humans to eat but they are toxins to dogs.  They contain a chemical that can damage many of the body tissues in dogs.  Guacamole dip is a mix you’ll also want to avoid.

9. Be extremely careful with any food that has a pit.  These pits have cyanide in them, which are dangerous. It might even overtake the bodies of smaller dogs and lead to death.  If the cyanide doesn’t harm your dog, they still might choke on the pit itself.

10. Do not give your dog raw fish.  When fish is not cooked it can contain parasites.  When a dog swallows these parasites they will attach to the wall of the intestines.  This isn’t something you’ll notice right away either.  It is a tricky thing to catch when your dog has these parasites.  If you must feed fish to your dog you should make sure that it’s thoroughly cooked.

6 Types of Dog Aggression

While we would all like to think we do the best at raising our canine pals, few of us are dog experts. You may inadvertently teach your pup bad habits, or perhaps a family member or roommate’s behavior has. Maybe your dog got an attitude problem because of how owners prior to your treated him. Regardless, aggression is often a problem in untrained dogs and can vary from just an annoyance to downright dangerous. Keep your eye out for these aggressive behaviors in your dog and if you do see them, be sure to correct them or contact a dog behaviorist to help you correct them.

Dominate Aggression

Dominate dogs like to be in charge. Perhaps they were not required to work for anything for their owners, but for some reason, they have it in their heads that they are in charge. This dog can be seen actively approaching other dogs with powerful body language- tail and head held high. If other dogs submit to his control, there will less than likely be a problem, but if a dog tries to stand up to him, watch out. This dog can be very dangerous and can often be seen causing fights in local dog parks.

Nervous Aggression

This dog is often afraid. Afraid of loud noises such as phones, doorbells, outside disturbances or other dogs or humans, this dog reacts negatively by barking, snarling, biting, baring its teeth and generally getting upset. This dog may not have been socialized properly at an early age and is often enabled by their coddling owners who are concerned for their scared dog. This dog can be violent if cornered and often responds poorly to anything they feel threatening when they are on a leash or lead. Many owners do not take this sort of aggression seriously, but it should be noted that this is a very serious behavior problem.

Territorial Aggression

A common kind of aggression, this dog is very protective of his space. He feels threatened by any humans or other dogs entering his home, yard, garden or personal space. His desire to keep his space his own may stem from either fear or a need for dominance. This dog can be very dangerous if you cross his boundaries and could easily bite someone for being in his home.

Possessive Aggression

This dog doesn’t know how to share well. This type of aggression in dogs is a need for possession of their things. They react violently if you play with their toys, try to get in their food or water bowl or are getting attention from their owner’s (who they may feel are their possessions). This dog was possibly poorly socialized as a puppy and can be dangerous if you are to get too close to his things.

Predatory Aggression

This type of aggression is triggered by the need to chase or the prey drive. This type of aggression is created in dogs by lack of basic training or socialization. This type of dog becomes aggressive by seeing something small that could be considered prey move quickly in his line of sight. It could be anything from something that could actually be prey such as a squirrel or rabbit to a small dog or even a passing car, bike or skateboard. There are varying degrees of this aggression and you should not be worried if your dog happens to go wild when you encounter a bunny on a walk. If your dog gets overly aggressive when he is set off by his prey drive (snarling, biting, growling), you may want to contact a behaviorist.

Misdirected Aggression

This type of aggression is often seen in dog parks when owners try to break up a fight. When a dog gets into fight mode, he is often so sharply focused on his opponent than any external forces he may consider his combatant as well. This is a tough one, because just about any dog who is in such an intense situation may succumb to misdirected aggression. The best key to avoiding misdirected aggression is to do preventative maintenance. Keep your dog out of fights to begin with. When at the dog park or on a walk, make sure to monitor your dog’s body language including the position of his tail, whether his coat is standing up or not and how he moves. If you do have to break up a dog fight, avoid using your hands or use a large blanket to pull your dog out.