Americans And Dogs

There's no doubt about it--Americans love their dogs. Here are a few facts about the mighty pooch's status in the USA:

- One family in three owns a dog in the United States.

- Americans spend more on dog food per year than they do on baby food.

- Over 5 million puppies are born in the USA every year.

- The bloodhound is the only animal whose evidence is considered admissible in court.

- The Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show is the second oldest yearly sporting event in the United States, and has been held for over 120 years.

A pampered pooch is a happy pooch. Check out the latest in dog grooming and bathing accessories at Bathing a Dog. www.bathing-a-dog.com/

Search Petscape Navigator, the largest collection of pet sites on the Internet.

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Introducing A Leash

When you start training your dog to use a leash, it's best to start slowly. Don't just hook Fido up to his leash and start off down the street--chances are good both you and the dog will end up stressed out and unhappy.

Instead, gradually introduce the dog to the leash concept in your home, allowing him to get used to the restraint without distracting noises and smells. Once he's accepted the leash, move the training into the yard. Finally, take the dog for his first walk in a quiet area, without too many distractions. Your dog, and you, will be much more comfortable if you introduce the leash slowly.

For hints on leash-training your dog, check out Walking a Dog. www.walking-a-dog.com/

Choosing A Breeder

Planning to buy a purebred puppy? Read these pointers on selecting a breeder:

- Ask about health guarantees.

- Check the cleanliness of the kennels.

- Ask to see the breeder's written health records.

- Puppies should remain with the mother for the first six weeks.

- Be alert to multiple breeds in the same kennel. This could be a sign that puppy production is the focus . . . rather than quality.

- Ask about the mother's last pregnancy. If litters are less than a year apart, the breeder may be more interested in making money than in responsible breeding.

- Good breeders can talk with authority on the breed, and have plans to breed better and healthier dogs.

Find more information on purebreds at Specific Breeds. www.specificbreeds.com/

My dog loves to eat grass

Is there something missing in her food?

The question may sound far-fetched, but actually is not. Monitoring what your dog eats is a good example of taking your dog's health and nutrition needs seriously. Now, there is a new Web site resource that provides interactive tools to determine the right nutrients and brand formulas for your dog's size, age and species.

Visit the Iams.com or Eukanuba.com sites to locate the Nutritional Fact Book. It is an interactive tool that helps you evaluate all aspects of your dog's health. For example:

-If you are worried about your dog's weight, click on the interactive chart and discover if your pet's waistline is tipping the scale.

If you want to better understand why your dog should not have milk, just examine the visual depiction of the digestive tract. Taking a look at how truly delicate it is quickly demonstrates how changes in the diet can disrupt a dog's health.

-If you want to know what to expect in terms of how fast a puppy will grow, take a close look at the growth chart.

To answer all your questions about your dog's eating habits -- good and bad -- and find valuable nutritional information for your pet, visit these Web sites or call the Iams Pet Professionals at 1-800-863-4267.

Post-Surgical Care

Some dogs make terrible patients, especially after surgery. They often concentrate on their stitches as the source of their discomfort. They're not concerned about infection, or reopening wounds--dogs leave it to you to worry about those minor details. Elizabethan collars prevent pets from licking or biting stitches, but you have to make sure the dog doesn't scratch them.

Most pet post-surgical care is common sense, really. Provide the patient with a quiet, comfortable environment. Follow your vet's instructions carefully, and limit exercise for a while. Ask your vet about specific restrictions regarding diet and outside activity. And a bit of love and special attention will go a long way to help your pet feel better.

For more information on dogs and surgery, surf over to Managing Pet Pain. www.managing-pet-pain.com..._care.html

Search Petscape Navigator, the largest collection of pet sites on the Internet.

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Diggin' In The Litter

Dogs and cats can coexist very well under the right circumstances. Just remember that the average house cat considers two things to be sacred--his food bowl and his litter box.

An unsupervised bowl of cat food is just too big a temptation for a dog. (Why would he resist cat food? He once tried to eat your VCR collection.) Try feeding the animals in separate rooms.

Keep the litter box in a private, non-doggie place too. Think of it from the dog's point of view--it's a lovely smelly sandbox full of buried treasure and treats! Now think of the dog's point of view from your cat's point of view . . .

Go to Dogs With Cats for help in calming the cat/dog relationship. www.dogs-with-cats.com/html/harmony.html

Dos And Don'ts At The Dog Park

Dog Parks are becoming increasingly popular across the country. To prevent conflicts among dogs, a common-sense code of conduct has developed:

Take only neutered dogs to the park--unneutered animals are more aggressive, and more likely to start fights.

- Clean up any mess your dog makes.

- Never leave your dog unattended.

- Don't offer to watch someone else's dog. A dog who's unfamiliar with your voice won't listen to your commands.

- If you've brought kids along, watch them as carefully as you do your dog.

- If your dog is a female, never, ever, bring her to a dog park if she's in heat.

Want to find a dog park in your area? Visit The Dog Park online. www.thedogpark.com/

The Leash--The Best Prevention

If the dog is man's best friend, then the leash is man's best chance to prevent his friend from hurting himself. Unleashed dogs often dash out into traffic, with tragic consequences. Keeping your dog leashed around roads is the best way to prevent broken bones, lacerations or even death.

The leash also helps prevent Fido from getting into fights. A dog fight might end with just a few scratches or cuts, but anything more serious requires veterinary intervention. The leash might not prevent other dogs from trying to start something, but it will help curb your dog from being the instigator of problems.

Canine Constipation

Now there's a topic you don't want to talk about over breakfast! Canine constipation should be treated seriously, though--it can be a sign that something's really wrong with your dog, and requires veterinary attention. Whatever you do, don't try treating this yourself.

Sudden constipation, coupled with lethargy and obvious discomfort, could indicate a possible intestinal blockage, which can be life threatening. Get your dog to the vet as soon as possible. If the dog has a long-standing constipation problem, then the chances are good that he needs a change in diet. Again, the best person to help determine those changes is your vet.

Got a question? Visit a vet online--Ask Doctor Steve! www.ask-doctor-steve.com/...earch.php3

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Down, Boy!

It's happened to most dog owners. One minute Rover's chewing on a dog bone, and the next, well, he's, er, humping your leg. Or, if you're really unlucky, he's after your prudish Aunt Matilda's leg . . .

Just high-spirited puppy lust? Probably not. Most male dogs, and some females, will mount other dogs to assert dominance over them. When your dog targets your leg, he thinks he's getting one over on a more dominant member of the pack. Reassert your dominance by firmly pushing him away and telling him "No!" or "Stop!" Otherwise he might get confused enough to think he actually is dominant.

Find more information on dog behavior sites at Canine Behavior.com. www.canine-behavior.com/

-- Anonymous, July 21, 2002