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Showing posts from June, 2023

Dog Language: Aggression

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Dogs do not become aggressive overnight. There are always signs, though sometimes they can be subtle. In addition, understanding a dog's puppyhood plays a key into the temperament of their adult life. If your puppy has not been properly socialized or has a had a rough childhood, these could be factors that put your dog into a higher risk of being aggressive. Dogs act aggressive when they are in an uncomfortable situation with no route of escape. A dog's mouth is the equivalent to a human hand. We human's use our hands to express language: We hug, we tickle, we talk with hand gestures and we even punch. Dog's do the same. If a dog is in an uncomfortable situation and their fear or frustration becomes overwhelming, they will bite if they cannot find or have not been taught an alternative way to soothe themselves. As a dog's human companion, it's our responsibility to recognize our four-legged friend's language when they are telling us they are uncomfort...

Diet: Why a Healthy Weight Matters for Canines

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Pet weight- it's a big deal! Not only will your pet's weight affect your pocket book in the way of veterinarian bills, but it also plays a huge role in the quality of life your pet is living. According to a 2016 survey by The Association for Pet Obesity Prevention, 54% of all dogs in the U.S. are overweight or obese and 93% of pet guardians thought their dog's weight was normal. How I read that statistic is that a lot of humans out there have an overweight dog and think their dog is normal. So how can you tell if your dog is at a healthy weight? Feel your dog's spine and ribs. If you are having difficulty feeling the spine and ribs, Fido is overweight.  From a side view, a dog's stomach should be raised. It should not be sagging. From an upward view, you should be able to see a "waist", an inward curve, between the back of the ribcage and the hips.   Having an overweight dog greatly affect their health: They have a shorter life expectancy, there i...