Nail Trimming

	TODAY'S PET TIP Nail Trimming
Dogs' nails can get very long and eventually get caught on something, causing a painful torn nail. While trimming nails is a painless and simple process, it takes practice and patience to master the skill. Two important factors are knowing where to trim and having the right tools. Have your veterinarian show you how to do it the first time. If you are ready to trim, using a nail trimmer for pets, cut the nail below the quick at a 45-degree angle, with the cutting end of the nail clipper toward the end of the nail. In dogs with dark nails, make several small nips with the clippers instead of one larger one. Trim very thin slices off the end of the nail until you see a black dot appear towards the center when you look at it head on. This is the start of the quick that you want to avoid. Trim nails so that when the animal steps down, nails do not touch the floor. Another option to a traditional nail trimmer is the new "nail grinder" or rotary tool. This device is basically like a dremeltool that grinds your dogs nail to its desired length. It is easy and fast

Choosing Toys!

	TODAY'S PET TIP Choosing Toys
There are many different types and styles of dog toys to choose from. Do you know which your dog would like best? To figure this out...consider how your dog likes to play. What activity does he like most? Is he a chewer? Does he like to fetch? Or does he like to play tug-of-war? Maybe your dog is a cuddler and likes snuggling up to soft plush animals? Pick his toys by his chosen activity

Hair Mats in Dogs

	TODAY'S PET TIP Hair Mats in Dogs
Removing hair mats is fraught with potential complications. Many mats are firmly attached to the skin, so you must be extremely careful not to cut the skin as you cut off the mat. Many small mats can be removed with a thorough brushing. If mats remain, try to make the mat smaller by brushing the hair near the mat. Once you are sure that the mat can only be removed by cutting the hair, then go for the scissors. Clippers are the safest and best way to remove matted hair. Unfortunately, most people do not own clippers and must make do with scissors. Be very careful. For severely matted pets, it is easier and safer to see a groomer for professional help.

How Often to Give Your Dog a Bath

	TODAY'S PET TIP How Often to Give Your Dog a Bath
Factors include: his hair coat, hair length, how often he gets dirty, where he lives (if he is indoor or outdoors most of the time), shedding cycle, and any underlying skin problem. Some dogs need baths only a couple times year while others need weekly grooming. It is beneficial to brush your dog about twice a week. Bathing your dog every month or two isn't unreasonable, but some dogs will need more frequent cleanings. A good rule of thumb is to bathe your dog only when his coat gets dirty or begins to smell "doggy."

Atopy in Dogs

	TODAY'S PET TIP Atopy in Dogs
Atopy is an itchy, inherited skin disease. It is caused by an allergy to substances that are contacted through the air, either by absorption via the respiratory tract or contact via the skin. It is the second most common allergic skin condition in dogs. Flea allergy dermatitis is more common. Antihistamines tend not to be helpful. Secondary bacterial infections are common. Immunotherapy is the ideal form of treatment and is recommended for dogs that cannot be managed safely and effectively with symptomatic therapy. This technique is effective in 60 to 80 percent of atopic dogs.

Ethanol Toxcity

	TODAY'S PET TIP Ethanol Toxicity
Ethanol is a major component of alcoholic beverages and is also included in fermented products including bread dough. Signs of toxicity such as staggering, drooling, vomiting and lethargy occur when an excessive amount is ingested. In extreme cases, ethanol toxicity can result in death. Treatment is usually successful and most pets fully recover. Due to the potential toxicity and associated illness, ethanol ingestion is not recommended in pets but, it if occurs, prompt veterinary care is encouraged.

Hair Mats in Dogs

	TODAY'S PET TIP Hair Mats in Dogs
Removing hair mats is fraught with potential complications. Many mats are firmly attached to the skin, so you must be extremely careful not to cut the skin as you cut off the mat. Many small mats can be removed with a thorough brushing. If mats remain, try to make the mat smaller by brushing the hair near the mat. Once you are sure that the mat can only be removed by cutting the hair, then go for the scissors. Clippers are the safest and best way to remove matted hair. Unfortunately, most people do not own clippers and must make do with scissors. Be very careful. For severely matted pets, it is easier and safer to see a groomer for professional help.

Seizures in Dogs

	TODAY'S PET TIP Seizures in Dogs
A seizure or convulsion is a sudden excessive firing of nerves in the brain. It results in a series of involuntary contractions of the voluntary muscles, abnormal sensations, abnormal behaviors, or some combination of these events. A seizure can last from seconds to minutes. Seizures can occur for a variety of reasons including: Low blood glucose (sugar) Liver disease (called "hepatic encephalopathy") Inflammatory or infectious diseases that affect the nervous system Poisons or toxins Brain tumor Head trauma Blood vessel disorders that affect circulation to the brain Congenital problems Always call or see your veterinarian if you witness your dog having a seizure.

Dogswell Treats Removed From Stores

Dogswell Treats Removed From Stores

When to Start Bathing a Puppy

When to Start Bathing a Puppy

Dogs That Shed The Most

Dogs That Shed The Most

Hair Mats in Dogs

	TODAY'S PET TIP Hair Mats in Dogs
Removing hair mats is fraught with potential complications. Many mats are firmly attached to the skin, so you must be extremely careful not to cut the skin as you cut off the mat. Many small mats can be removed with a thorough brushing. If mats remain, try to make the mat smaller by brushing the hair near the mat. Once you are sure that the mat can only be removed by cutting the hair, then go for the scissors. Clippers are the safest and best way to remove matted hair. Unfortunately, most people do not own clippers and must make do with scissors. Be very careful. For severely matted pets, it is easier and safer to see a groomer for professional help.

Onion Toxicity In Dogs!

	TODAY'S PET TIP Onion Toxicity
Does your dog sit in the kitchen while you cook, nibbling away as you chop onions with wild abandon? Next time be careful not to let stray onions make it past your dog's lips. Dogs and cats lack the enzyme necessary to properly digest onions and this could result in gas, diarrhea, or severe gastrointestinal distress. If large amounts of onion are ingested or onions are a daily part of your dog's diet, the red blood cells may become fragile and break apart. Severe anemias and even death can occur if the dog ingests lots of onions and receives no treatment. The most common source of onions for cats is in human baby food. Some baby foods have onion powder added for taste. When consistently fed baby food with added onion powder, signs of toxicity can develop

Dogs with Dental Disease

Has your dog ever gone in for a big kiss only to make you recoil in horror at their doggy breath? Far from being just a nuisance, this could be a sign of a serious illness.

Halitosis, or bad breath, is the most common sign of dental disease. Classic "doggy breath" is not necessarily normal. It's usually caused by an infection of the gums and potentially the other supporting structures of the teeth. Plaque builds up every day on the tooth surface including at the gum line. Left in place, the plaque can mineralize, or harden, in less than 2 days. The familiar brown, grey, or yellow staining commonly seen near the gum line is a sign of advancing disease.

Signs of dental disease include bad bath, red inflamed gums, loose teeth, tartar accumulation, and/or calculus on the teeth. Dental disease is the most common ailment affecting pet dogs and cats.

New Addition to Family

It has been sometime now since I have posted on my blog.
alot has happened in our family in 2012. We lost our beloved Goldberg back in  the fall, 2012. he was 15 years old. My little mom passed right before Thankgiving, 2012. Bless her heart. She was 93 years old and suffered for 3 years or more with altsheimers. We also lost our beautful 30 year old Arabian geldin, Pablo December of 2012. Needless to say 2012 was a bad year for us.

They say, time heals all wounds and I guess that is true. They will all remain in my heart and memories. It has taken me some time, but I come to realize it is time to move on. I still have my boy Adin. He is a 5 year old golden and a little dog I saved from the highway Neagan, although he is an outside dog.

We now have a new addition to our home. Her name is Alexi, Lexi for short. She joined our family in March. She is a very beautiful little girl. I guess I forgot what it was like to have a puppy in the house, since Adin is 5 years old. Boy is this little one a handful! She gives my big boy a rough way to go!. You would have thought she would have been afraid of him, since she was just as big as his head when we got her, but that is not the case. I have a feeling she is going to be the boss around hear!

She is now 13 weeks old and is growing like a weed! We our working on the potty training right now. It is coming along ok if you take her out every 30 minutes or so. One thing I always do with my puppies is to crate train them. I feel that is the best way to do it. Normally they won't mess in a cage, unless it is too big. We are working on our second cage, since she out grew the first one.

Chewing is another thing we are addressing at this time. So far, so good. She hasn't really torn up anything of value as yet. I make sure she has plenty of rubber toys to chew on. Between them and Adin, it keeps her pretty well occupied. She is at the point now where she is getting ready for her new teeth, so I have to pay close attention to her. Puppies are like babies when they are teething.

I know it seems like alot of work to have a puppy, but it is so worth it! To watch her grow is a beautiful thing. It does take alot of patience though. Right now she is hiding under the day bed, so i better see what she is up to!

I am posting  a couple pictures of her. I am sure you will agree she is a beautiful little girl!