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 | In baseball a left-handed pitcher is called a "southpaw." Believe it or not, your dog could be a real southpaw. It`s called "handedness," the preference for one hand-or paw, in this case-over the other. About one dog in five is a southpaw, favoring their left paw. |
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| | Does your dog lick his paws frequently? This may be a sign of allergies, which might include allergies to food, seasonal inhalant allergies or a contact allergy. Other signs could include itchy skin and poor coat quality. See your veterinarian for more information. |
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| | Traveling in the car with your canine companion can be fun and exciting. Make stops at least every four hours or so. Even though your dog normally doesn't go out that frequently, the excitement of travel can cause increased urgency. When stopping at rest areas, provide fresh drinking water as travel can be dehydrating. |
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| | Your dog loves nothing better than to please you. He craves your attention and approval. Make sure that you spend some time each day praising and playing with your dog. He will be a happier and more relaxed companion. |
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| | Did you ever wonder why dogs eat some of the things they do, often getting into the garbage and consuming trash and non-food items? It may have something to do with the fact that they have only 1 taste bud for every 6 of ours. |
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| | While you are away, does your dog bark frequently, stimulated by the outside world? Consider keeping him in an inner room of the home and playing the radio softly, or providing other white noise to disconnect him from the outside environment. |
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| | Some dogs become anxious during thunderstorms. It may be possible to desensitize them from the sounds of the storms. Initially, try playing a nature recording of thunderstorms on your stereo at low volume. Play the recording daily, gradually increasing the volume. Do this over a period of a week or more. |
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| | Is your dog an avid swimmer? If so, he is likely to get water in his ears while swimming. Water left in the ear can upset the ear canal`s natural balance, causing an itchy and sometimes painful ear infection. It is important to wipe out your dogs ears with cotton and a drying ear cleaner after each swim. |
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| | Out of what material are your dog's bowls constructed? Ideally they should be made of ceramic or stainless steel. Plastic bowls can often cause local irritation or a skin sensitivity to the chin. |
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| | Did you know that you can train your dog to ring a bell to signal that he needs to go outside? Hang a bell next to the door, low enough for your dog to reach. Every time you go outside, hit the bell before leaving. Show your dog how to make the bell ring with his paw. Soon he will be hitting the bell himself to signal his need to go outside. |
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| | Food from the table is, in general, inappropriate to feed your dog as it does not provide balanced nutrition. Some people foods, however, are down-right toxic. This includes raw onions, chocolate and grapes in large quantities. Call your veterinarian if your pet has ingested any of the above. |
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| | Did you ever notice how your dog who is fearful of storms is nervous long before the storm arrives? Often sensitive pets will show signs of fear even when there is no obvious signs of a coming storm. Dogs are infinitely more sensitive to changes in barometric pressure and can sense a storm long before us. |
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| | Dogs pant when they get warm. Since they are not able to sweat, they thermo regulate by evaporating saliva/water off their tongue and mouth. For this reason it is crucial that your dog has access to plenty of water at all times. |
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| | Puppies of small breed dogs such as Maltese and Yorkshire terriers, are at increased risk for developing hypoglycemia. The signs of hypoglycemia include trembling, weakness and seizure. Feed your small breed puppy 4-5 times daily until he is twelve weeks old. |
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| | Taking your dog along when you run can be very beneficial to the health and well-being of your dog. You will both enjoy each other's companionship, while getting into shape. Make sure you gradually condition your dog to the length and pace of your running route. He is just as prone to sore muscles and injury as you are. Additionally, be careful to avoid running on hot asphalt or concrete surface as it may damage the dog's paws. Always carefully examine your dog's paws following a run to determine if any cuts, abrasions, or debris are present. |
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| | Make sure to adhere to a regular routine when caring for and interacting with your dog. Deviations from normal routine, such as lack of interest or lethargy, on the part of your pet may be the first warning sign of illness. |
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| | Have you ever noticed a dog owner that looks exactly like his dog or vice-versa? You are not the only one who has noticed this curious occurrence. People all over the world remark on this interesting phenomenon. We do know that a tremendous amount of unconscious signaling occurs between a pet and owner, which bonds them together in a very special way. |
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| | Digging is an innate trait in many dogs. Sled dogs such as Huskies and Malamutes dig holes to provide a sheltered place from the wind. Terriers and Daschunds were bred to dig tunnels to flush out prey and to locate rodents. Other dogs simply dig because their acute sense of smell and hearing informs them that there is something interesting beneath the ground. For some dogs, digging may be a form of boredom when left alone for long periods of time. Consult your veteriarian if it becomes a problem to find out if your dog may have separation anxiety. |
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| | Does your dog dream? While we cannot determine what they dream, it is apparent that they do in fact dream. You may have noticed your dog twitching slightly and sometimes even vocalizing quietly in his sleep. It is important to not awaken him as this can be startling and disorienting |
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| | Don't exercise your dog immediately after eating. Large deep-chested dogs are especially prone to a life-threatening rotation of the stomach if exercised immediately following a meal. Furthermore, many dogs will vomit if engaged in active play after eating. Wait 30-60 minutes after a meal before exercising your dog. |
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| | Is your dog fearful of car rides? Consider going for a few short rides around the block, culminating in a tasty food reward. Gradually lengthen the trips making sure to praise your dog for good behavior and always offer a treat at the end. |
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| | Did you know that as the temperature drops outside your dog's energy requirement increases? Depending on how cold it is outside, you need to feed your pup between 1.2 to 1.8 times more than if he was housed indoors. Speak to your veterinarian about the type and amount of food best suited for your outdoor dog. |
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| | Did you know that having a dog can be good for your health? Studies have shown that petting a dog decreases blood pressure and heart rate, while increasing one's sense of well-being. |
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