Taking your pet to the veterinarians’ office can be an adventure all on its own.  There are so many sights, sounds, smells and other sensations that your pet can easily become quite excited or agitated to the point that control is difficult.  Multiply this by the ever rotating average of 10 or more pets in a busy waiting room and mass pandemonium could be the result.

Without proper training and control, a veterinarian’s waiting room might quickly become a bedlam of scales, feather and fur as the animals all compete for space and attention. 

So what can you do to make the trip less stressful for your pet, yourself, your vet and the staff?  There are five basic points that will make any visit, less of an odyssey.

1 - First, be certain to leash or halter train your dog if you do not plan on using a pet carrier for transport. 

A pet carrier is ideal for small animals as this provides them a measure of security, as they have their own personal space, and it also gives them protection from larger or aggressive animals that might be in the waiting room, but for larger animals a pet carrier may not be an option.

A shorter leash or halter is best in this situation as it provides more control for the dog owner and prevents tangling with other animals or furniture.  Leashes also provide a handhold for cases where aggressive behaviors amongst animals might otherwise get out of control.

2 - Secondly, consider muzzle training for your pet.  Many veterinarian hospitals now request you to muzzle your pet.  This is for the safety of other patients as well as the staff. 

A muzzle will simply fit around a dog’s mouth area and prevent biting but to a dog that is unfamiliar with the device this can be a very frightening experience.  Giving your pet the opportunity to learn about this device in a non-threatening environment can make the office visit much less traumatic.

3 - A third tip is not to forget the rewards.  Unless your veterinarian has requested your dog have no food for specific purposes, such as testing, or if they do not allow food in the waiting room, feel free to bring along a treat for your pet.

This will help them to feel more at ease with the new surroundings and help to keep their focus on you rather than on getting a closer look at the iguana on a leash in the corner.  It also gives you the chance to continue the training lessons while waiting for your pet to be called back to the exam rooms.

Plus, your dog will think you are really cool and, if you are lucky, so will that cute receptionist you’ve had your eye on.

4 - Fourth, keep track of your pet’s medical records.  Is your pet allergic to anything?  Is she up to date on her vaccination shots?  How old is he?  Has your pet had any surgeries, major illnesses or parasites?  These things are all important to know and could be potentially life threatening if you didn’t keep them current.

Regular visit to the vet and being current on shots is always a good idea.  Why risk losing your precious friend to some disease that is virtually non-existent over a measly few dollars?  Plus, visiting the vet regularly will help your pet to become more relaxed with the office settings and they will respond better.

5 - For our fifth tip, let’s party.  Socializing your pet to other people and animals prior to vet visits is a great idea provided they are current on their vaccinations.

This allows them to learn acceptable behaviors around other animals and what the boundaries of interaction are.  Hosting a puppy party is a great way to do this.  Invite several other dog owners over to visit and serve a modest picnic or potluck type meal.

Encourage the dogs to play and interact together and with the other owners.  This will help them to learn what you will and will not accept and helps you to determine potential problem areas.

Following these simple tips can make vet visits less traumatic on all involved and much easier to cope with.  You will thank yourself later.

Your pet will thank you and so will the staff at the vet’s office.

For more great information on Dogs Visit: http://www.doghealthrevealed.com

Many people do not realize the importance of caring for their dog's teeth.  As dogs age, the need for dental care increases.  The best way to ensure proper dental health for your dog is to start while they are very young. Many dogs do not like their mouths touched.  It is important for you as a dog owner to desensitize them to being handled like this at a very young age.

The veterinarian is always going to need to examine your dog's mouth and you do not want to have problems with this.

The best way for you to get your dog used to having his mouth touched is to begin touching it when you first get your pup. 

Make sure to touch the lips, open the mouth, and touch the teeth in a calm and relaxing way for about five minutes each day until your pup is used to being handled in this way. 

Make this a regular part of your interaction with your dog so he remains calm when you are doing any kind of preventive dental care.

Most veterinarians recommend brushing your dog's teeth daily.  Many manufacturers make special toothpaste and brushes for dogs. 

You do not ever want to use human toothpaste on dogs as it may be harmful to them.  To get your dog used to having his teeth brushed, you may want to start by putting a dab of dog toothpaste on a cotton ball and rubbing it over his teeth.  Toothpaste for dogs is usually quite tasty to them, so he shouldn't mind this.

You can then try a finger brush, available at your veterinarian's office or pet supply store.  Eventually, especially for larger breeds, you will want to graduate to a regular dog toothbrush.  Regular brushing will help prevent the buildup of calculus and debris on your dog's teeth.

Another way to help prevent calculus and buildup on your dog's teeth is by using rawhide chews specially formulated for dental care. 

Many companies manufacture these chews.  One of the best available is by C.E.T.  Most veterinarians carry C.E.T. dental health products.  C.E.T. chews are formulated with an enzyme that helps keep plaque from forming and prevents the buildup of bacteria.

Also, the natural abrasion of rawhide chews helps keep teeth healthy.  C.E.T. also makes a chew that contains chlorhexadine which has antimicrobial properties.

Some companies also make special dental health food, which may be recommended to you by your veterinarian to help prevent dental problems.

Even with proper preventive measures, most dogs will eventually need a dental cleaning from your veterinarian.  If your veterinarian recommends a dental cleaning, it is important that you follow through.

If your dog develops dental disease, harmful bacteria can pass through into the bloodstream causing potentially serious problems such as kidney infections and infections involving the heart valves.

A dental cleaning performed by your veterinarian is much like a human dental cleaning, however your dog will need to be sedated.

The anesthesia is light and with today's technology is extremely safe.  Many veterinarians have anesthesia monitoring systems just like those used in human medicine.  A thorough exam will be performed to determine if any teeth need to be pulled or repaired.

Some veterinarians will do x-rays of the teeth to find any cracks or diseased teeth.  After this, a trained member of the veterinary staff will perform a dental cleaning.  First, they will scale the teeth to remove the tartar above and below the gum line.

This will be done with both hand instruments and ultrasonic scaling equipment.  After this, the teeth will be polished, which will make them smooth and help prevent plaque from adhering to them.

Most veterinarians will also do a fluoride treatment.  This is to help strengthen the enamel and prevent plaque from forming.  If any teeth are diseased or broken, your veterinarian may pull them.

Some veterinarians who specialize in dental care will perform root canals and other intensive dental work.

Most veterinarians will put your dog on a treatment of antibiotics to help prevent bacterial infection.

It is very important to take good care of your dog's teeth to keep them healthy and to prevent infections.  Always follow your veterinarian's advice and if you have further questions, consult your veterinary staff or pet professional.

For more great information on Dogs Visit: http://www.doghealthrevealed.com

All dog owners are familiar with the problems caused by pesky fleas.  Fleas are very small wingless insects, brownish red in color, and have sharp mouths by which they obtain blood from their canine hosts.  Flea bites usually cause your dog to scratch at affected areas and some dogs are more sensitive than others and can have allergic reactions to flea bites. 

In general, fleas do not transmit diseases from dogs to humans, but the potential for this exists and they can and do bite humans as well as dogs and cats.

Fleas and flea larvae live in warm climates and will live until the ground freezes in cooler climates.  They can live on in your home well past this time also. 

If you suspect that your dog has fleas, you should take him to your veterinarian.  Your veterinary staff member will first use a flea comb on your dog.

Flea combs are wide tooth combs and "flea dirt" or dried blood flea excrement is what they are looking for.  If this is found, your veterinarian will recommend treatment.

Most veterinarians recommend preventive treatment for fleas as it is much easier to prevent them than to treat them.

For those of you that wish to treat your dog for fleas without commercial products, there are a few recommendations.

One way is to comb your dog with a flea comb regularly.  You can put some petroleum jelly on the comb to help fleas stick to the comb.  Other people recommend using rubbing alcohol to slow down the fleas so they are easier to catch. 

Garlic and Brewers Yeast added as supplements to your dog's food are recommended by those who prefer the natural approach to treating fleas, however, the benefits of these treatments have yet to be proven.

There are several over the counter flea treatments available at your local pet store.  However, many of these contain pyrethrins, which are natural insecticides derived from the chrysanthemum plant.

In the past, this kind of treatment of fleas was the only one available to veterinarians.  If you choose to use a product containing pyrethrins, you should be aware of the potential side effects.

There is a potential threat of toxicity when using a product containing pyrethrins, not just to your dog, but to other animals in the house and humans as well.  Make sure you follow the label usage directions and if you have any questions about using these products, consult your veterinarian.

Today, there are much safer products available.  Most of these products are only available through your veterinarian.  One of the most popular treatments for fleas is Frontline Plus by Merial.  It is topically applied to the skin of your dog on the back of the neck.

According to Merial, Frontline Plus kills 98-100% of adult fleas within 24 hour and will also kill eggs and larvae to prevent fleas from recurring.  Frontline Plus is waterproof for up to 30 days and is safe to use on puppies as young as 8 weeks of age.

Another popular flea treatment is Sentinel by Novartis.  Sentinel is a monthly pill that also prevents heartworms.  Sentinel kills adult fleas, eggs, and larvae.

Novartis also makes the flea control products Program and Capstar.  Program is a flavored tablet that is given monthly, and while it does not kill adult fleas, it does interrupt the flea life cycle by preventing the development of flea eggs. 

Program is safe to use in dogs and puppies four weeks of age and older.  Capstar is a pill that is given to kill adult fleas.  It can be given as often as once per day.  According to Novartis, Capstar will begin killing adult fleas within 30 minutes.  One pill should kill all adult fleas.

Capstar is safe for dogs and puppies four weeks of age and older.

Remember that it is much easier to prevent fleas than to treat them once your dog has them.  As with all medications, follow the advice of your veterinarian.

If you need more information about fleas and flea prevention, contact a member of your veterinary staff or pet professional.

For more great information on Dogs Visit: http://www.doghealthrevealed.com

Teaching your pet tricks is easiest when you work with their nature, not against it. Most dogs are eager to please and respond enthusiastically to rewards.

Teaching tricks is often as much a matter of simply using those rewards to direct or build on a spontaneous behavior as it is teaching an entirely foreign one.

Watch for spontaneous behavior close to the one desired. A dog will sometimes crawl on its belly for no apparent reason.

It may be scratching, it may simply be having fun. If this is a desired trick, watch for the beginnings of the behavior, then be prepared to associate it with a hand gesture and voice command, then reward immediately.

Teaching the basic 'sit', 'come', etc commands is usually simple.

A few repetitions with a treat or verbal praise and the dog learns rapidly. Teaching tricks can sometimes be as easy as expanding on the basic behaviors. 'Come' can easily be transformed into 'walk in a circle'.

Abbreviate to one word, such as 'circle' or 'spin' for example.

At first it might be helpful to use treats to encourage wanted actions, but don't overdo it.

Diets spoil easily, and ultimately you want the dog to respond to verbal command and praise without food rewards. After the command-behavior pair becomes automatic, treats can be withdrawn.

Favorite toys are a good way to encourage certain tricks. Take a short rope the dog loves to play tug with and encourage a jump by moving it rapidly up and down, just out of reach.

Then, after the command-behavior pair is established forgo the rope and just use your hand.

Hide-and-seek is another game easily taught using a favorite bone or chew ball. The dog's sense of smell is keen not only close up but at surprising distances.

Take advantage of it by hiding the toy under a box a few feet away, then lengthen the distance, remove the box to another room or place it up on a table. Proceed in stages.

Dogs' affection is a useful trick training aid. Many spontaneously want to offer a paw to express themselves. Put the dog in a 'sit', then kneel down in front of him.

Hold up your own 'paw' and give a command 'five' (for 'high five' or 'give me five' or 'paw', whatever works).

Sometimes the paw comes up right away, for others you may have to gently pull it up using the voice command at the same time.

Praise anyway, once you're in position. Put the paw back down and try again.

Extending tricks is easy, too. Start with one 'high five', then extend into 'sit pretty' by taking the paw and lifting gently.

The other will often come up spontaneously. Hold both and praise and reward. When sitting at the desk and I want mine to sit pretty, I often pat my chest and up he comes followed by lavish praise.

Training tricks should be fun, both for you and the dog. Other training is for safety, control, discouraging property destruction, etc.

Tricks are strictly to give you and your friend something to laugh about. Enjoy!

For more great information on Dogs Visit: http://www.doghealthrevealed.com

Here's a cool photo sent in by Elaine, of her Labrador Retriever Kelso.
Please keep your dog photo's coming in.

The word 'vital' has its roots in the Latin word for life. That gives us a clue to why dog training is so important, both for owner and dog - it enhances the quality of life for each.

Though dogs have been domesticated for thousands of years, they still have much of the wild in their natures.

They adapt well to home life, but they are still dogs, not furry small children. Training helps maximize peace and security for both the dog and the family.

Dogs are by nature hunters and therefore are inclined to chase things. Young dogs especially are prone to take off after another animal, a car or a child.

Any of these scenarios can result in harm to your companion, a person or property. Training a dog early on to listen to voice commands from everyone in the family lessens the odds of bad consequences.

Teach your dog to obey 'halt' or 'stop', then 'come' and you'll be much less likely to have accidents as the dog responds to his sudden surge of emotion.

At first, it might be necessary to use a leash so that you can physically jerk the dog sideways at the same time you issue the command.

Try to avoid jerking backward against the dog's throat. Then, as they associate the command with the physical action, they will come to obey by voice alone.

Techniques like that help ensure the security of other animals and people, but also that of your own dog as well.

Many dogs will race after another who, in fact, can do them great harm.

Their emotions take control - as when the other dog has entered his 'territory' - and they don't judge, as we might, whether they have any chance of chasing the animal away. They simply react.

But the importance of training your dog goes well beyond the very basic level of safety and security, or the avoidance of physical harm and property damage. Dogs are by nature pack animals.

They recognize a social hierarchy that is established very early in life. You must be at the top of that hierarchy, for the sake of your own sanity and that of your dog.

Some dogs will naturally try to take the so-called alpha role. That has evolutionary advantages when they live in the wild.

But in a domesticated situation you have the greater ability to forecast consequences. You and your dog will be better adjusted if you never let even the most assertive dog be your master.

Peace of mind comes from teaching your dog that, no matter how treasured they are, you are at the top of the heap.

That means they must come when you say so, stay when you command and do as you wish. Among adult humans, that sort of behavior is very dictatorial and many are reluctant to assert themselves that way. When dealing with your dog, it's essential.

Being the leader of the pack gives the dog a sense of its place in the group.

It can follow your lead, secure in the knowledge that you will keep it safe from harm and well-fed. You're acting like the alpha dog would. Training is the only way to bring that about.

For more great information on Dogs Visit: http://www.doghealthrevealed.com

Dogs aren't really stubborn. But they often do not clearly know what is wanted. Make it clear by quickly establishing alpha (dominant leader) status.

Be willing to exercise the patience and modest, firm forceto get the desired behavior. This can be particularly challenging when training a 'dog'.

Dogs naturally want to explore the environment. They sniff everything, turn things over, dig and snatch small objects.

As with any dog training session, minimize the distractions by arranging to be as alone and far from other voices as possible.

A backyard with a clear area or a large room with few small objects on the floor is best.

Take advantage of spontaneous behavior by observing when the dog is heading toward you and execute a voice-command/hand gesture pair that's unique for this behavior.

Try to select a hand-gesture and word that you wouldn't normally use except during training.

Start by facing the dog, putting it in a sit. Execute the 'stay!' command, then back away a step or two. Issue the hand-gesture and voice command. Praise lavishly for the correct behavior, but never reward 'partial' or incorrect ones.

Repeat, stepping further away. If the the dog comes too soon, put it in a sit/stay and try again. If the dog won't come at all, encourage with a treat or favorite toy.

For the very slow learners or the, well let's not say stubborn but just reluctant, leash and collar training can be a useful supplement.

Put the dog in a sit/stay and back off a few feet reeling out the slack leash. If the dog refuses to come, give a gentle but unmistakable tug while executing the voice command and hand gesture.

For the dog who comes a little to readily, get a long leash or rope and wrap around a tree or post. As the dog lifts off too early, give the leash a tug and execute a 'stay' command.

If you do not have a tree handy, try to find a partner to help with the training. The downside to using a partner is the dog will more readily become confused about whom to obey. Focus on a single person is always more efficient.

As with any training, patience and consistency are essential. Dogs don't spontaneously understand the usefulness of 'come' or any other human-induced behavior. Speaking harshly when the dog commits errors or is willful is usually counter-productive.

Establish alpha status by firmness of voice, body posture and willingness to wait for compliance. Physical restraint or leading is a less helpful technique.

Most dogs quickly prove themselves eager to please and responsive to praise following the correct behavior. Just make sure they're the ones 'coming', not you. If necessary, prove that you're the stubborn one.

For more great information on Dogs Visit: http://www.doghealthrevealed.com

Are you contemplating crate training your dog but not sure of the benefits of doing so?

Crate training my dog was in my opinion the best thing I could have done and I would highly recommend it.

Here’s why: Before I bought my dog, Ruby, a friend of mine suggested that I buy a crate and use it from the very beginning.

I have to admit that up until then I had only considered crates to be of use when travelling or visiting the vets. However it has turned out to be beneficial to both myself and my dog.

As all puppies Ruby was in the habit of taking frequent naps during the day so each time she became tired I popped her into the crate and closed the door.

At first she had a blanket in there and a puppy training pad, just in case. I found that she slept soundly and was undisturbed by normal household activity.

As soon as she awoke I let her out and took her outside for her toilet. After only two days I found that she would happily retreat to her crate at regular intervals for some peace and quiet.

She still does this today either for a nap or to get away from the hustle bustle if the house is busier than usual. She feels secure and safe in there and it has become her little den.

From day one I used the crate as her night time sleeping area and designated part of the kitchen where she would be warm and away from draughts.

It is normal for puppies to cry at night for the first couple of nights and Ruby was no exception but because she was safely locked up I knew she could come to no harm, or indeed become bored and cause any damage to my kitchen.

After two nights she realised that crying didn’t result in me getting up and giving her attention and she settled to sleeping through the night.

Now her crate is available to her all of the time and her door is open all day for her to use her den whenever she wants to.

It comes in very handy if I need to leave the house as she happily lounges in there until I get back.

I bought the wire type of crate that is collapsible if necessary so she has a good view of what is going on and doesn’t feel like she is missing out while in there.

Please remember not to use the crate to lock up your dog if it does something wrong. You do not want your dog to associate the crate as being a punishment, but as a happy safe place to be.

 I hope this has been useful to you if you are thinking of crate training your dog too.

There are many dog health questions for which suitable explanation is required for the pet owners.

They may be caring their beloved pet animal, dog as informed by the neighbour or friend etc. The best thing that they can do is to get their doubts cleared from the veterinarian. Here is the discussion about few dog health questions.

How deal with constipation of a puppy?

It is the normal behavior of the puppy not going to the toilet for couple of days as he/she will be nervous when they have moved in to a new place.

If the puppy is drinking and eating normally, there is no need for tension. The pet owner can wait for another twenty four hours. In the mean time, make the pup walk for some time.

Try to give natural laxative like banana. Also make sure that you are giving the same food that the breeder was giving. Even after all these, constipation persists, and then takes the dog to the veterinarian to find out the cause and get the animal relieved from constipation.

What should I do incase my dog is constantly licking his rectum area?

The dog licking at the rectum area indicates that there is some problem with the anal gland. Anal gland infections are very common in pet animals especially dogs.

Impaction of the anal gland is possible if the stool is soft or if the gland is overactive.

The pet owner must understand that some dogs needs expression of the anal sacs while some other dogs do not require that in their life time. Excessive licking in the rectal area is the indication that the dog requires anal sac expression.

Bad smell and disturbance in the bowel movements are the other indications that inform us that the dog require anal sac expression.

Do the dogs really need exercise?

The dogs do require exercise for healthy life. The duration of the time required for exercise varies from breed to breed.

In general the younger dogs can manage exercise better than the older dogs as they will fitter and healthier than the older ones.

Besides the heart problems and other health problems will be much less in younger dog. But the point to be noted here is that the younger dogs will damage their joints and ligaments if the exercise is excessive and wrong.

The pet owner must feed the dog extra when they are under exercise regime. These dogs will need extra salt as the same will be lost more during workouts.

There list of dog health question is ever burgeoning one, for more information it is better to get in touch with the veterinarian.

To learn more about dog health sickness problem, visit our resources on how Dog's eye care health and see puppy health problems.

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