Basset Hound Training - Teaching Your Dog About Noise

By: Richard Cussons
Basset Hound training is extremely important to your Basset Hound. Training period is the time for him to learn lots of things, from potty training to kennel training and can even progress as far as obedience training and training for shows and hunting. Teaching your dog about noise is an important training for dogs but is often taken for granted by some dog owners.

I can very well remember my own pet every time he hears a loud noise. He would hurriedly run like crazy looking for a safe place to hide. Seeing him in that situation bothers me somehow because I know aside from the disturbance it can cause to me and other family members, his fear of loud noise my lead to much serious problems such as phobias.

There is no known reason why some pets are afraid of noises. But, dog owners must be aware that this problem should be addressed immediately because as what I have mentioned, fear may lead to phobia, an irrational, intense, persistent fear of certain situations, objects, activities or persons.

Basset Hounds, same with Collies, German Shepherds and Beagles are at greater risk compared to other breeds. So it is important that getting used to noise should be included in your Basset Hound training. Once you notice that your dog is trying to fearfully escape upon hearing a loud noise, don't wait any further. Make a move to help him overcome that fear. Other signs to watch out include panting, pacing, trembling or shaking and barking.

What should I do to help my dog alleviate his fear? That is certainly one of the many questions a dog owner would ask. It is best when you start training your dog when he is still a puppy. Start training by making loud noises such as clapping your hands or playing loud music next to him. (The noise should be loud enough to startle your dog.) Then follow it up with lots of love and attention to make him realize that noise is not something to be scared of. You may also want to take him outside to expose him to various sounds. When your dog is afraid of thunderstorms, you can calm him by leaving the radio on for him, even best to stroke him and soothe him. You can also record noise through a tape recording and play it at a very low level at first. Then gradually increase the volume until the volume is very loud.

Whatever causes the noise, it is important that you as dog owner should project a calm attitude. Do not add your pet's fear by being afraid or nervous.

Richard Cussons trains different breeds of dogs. Learn more about Basset Hound training and other information pertaining to Basset Hound dog breed.

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Canine Liver Disease, a little knowledge could save your dogs life

By: John Deeprose
Canine liver disease is the 5th leading cause of non-accidental death amongst man’s best friend. Just having a little knowledge of this common, but little written about condition, could save the life of your family pet

When my West Highland Terrier Joe was diagnosed with a liver condition, I found to my angst that much of his suffering could have been avoided had I known the signs to look for and steps that I could have taken early on to aid his full recovery. Fortunately Joe is now, thanks to a few simple changes in his lifestyle, back on track to being the bouncy little scamp he was prior to his diagnosis.

Simply put, liver disease is a general term used to describe any medical disorder of the liver. The liver is responsible for removing toxins from your dog’s bloodstream and can amazingly still perform this function with up to 75-80% of it affected by disease. The downside of this incredible statistic is that damage is consequently well advanced by the time many diagnoses are made.

Common Causes of liver disease in dogs include:

· Exposure to high levels of toxic chemicals such as insecticides, lead, phosphorus and iron · Infections such as chronic ear and skin infections and other infections elsewhere in the body. · Hepatitis · Common Dental infections · Inherent liver disease is commonly more genetically inherent in certain breeds such as American and English cocker spaniels and West Highland terriers · Inbreeding · Prolonged use of some drugs such as cortisone, steroids, anti-convulsants, parasite control drugs and some antibiotics.

Common symptoms of liver disease in dogs include:

· Jaundice – Eyes, Gums and skin turn a yellowy color · Vomiting, this may or may not be accompanied by blood · Diarreah, again this may or may not be accompanied by blood · Urinary changes may occur such as frequent urination and increased thirst. Urine may turn orange · Stools may be pale grey, orange or even yellow in color · Depression or lethargy – your dog may seem withdrawn and apathetic · Other behavioural changes such as aimless pacing around and circling · Swollen belly

Diet plays a major part in allowing your dogs liver to regenerate itself, as it is the liver that processes your pet’s food and drink intake.

Foods to be avoided to keep your dogs liver healthy include sugar, chocolate, fried or grilled meat and bones, onion, red and green peppers and tomatoes.

Fresh distilled water is preferable to tap water.

It is also a good tip to use stainless steel food and drinking bowls instead of plastic ones.

It is of course your local Veterinary expert that should carry out the necessary tests and diagnose liver disease in your dog, but by being aware of the common symptoms and actively checking your pet you can play a part in making sure that treatment can begin a soon as possible

If you would like further information on Canine liver disease then please visit www.jayrecommends.com

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A Holistic View of Diabetes in Dogs2

By: Alison Grimston
Other considerations: A diabetic dog will need your time and will not be cheap over the years, but will reward you with years of companionship and love - as we all know from our pets.

Complementary Therapies: Stress reduction will help with glucose control and can be helped by spiritual healing, Reiki, crystal healing with crystals such as amethyst, massage, and the T-touch technique.

Herbal remedies may also help: Stinging nettles - for fatigue, poor appetite; Garlic - for digestive problems; Fenugreek - for fatigue and weight loss; and olive leaves - for blood pressure and glucose control.

Aromatics/ aromatherapy: A combination of kinesiology and self-selection can lead a dog to choose the aromatic oils that are most helpful to it at any given time.

Hydrotherapy will improve glucose control as part of an exercise regime.

Conclusion: With Diabetes mellitus it is absolutely imperative that you work closely with your vet in order to get optimum glucose control. The triad of insulin, diet and exercise is pivotal. Other ways to help support your dog's management.

Dr Alison Grimston is a holistic doctor and animal healer specializing in connecting and informing animal therapists. Her natural animal therapy website informs the public about animal therapies while connecting animal therapists worldwide. http://www.TheNaturallyHealthyPet.com

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A Holistic View of Diabetes in Dogs1

By Alison Grimston
Diabetes mellitus is a chronic endocrine (hormone) illness characterised by high levels of glucose in the blood. It is seen in dogs and cats as well as humans, and in each species is commoner in the overweight and obese. Ongoing treatment, which may or may not include insulin injections, can maintain a healthy and active life.

Pathology: Diabetes occurs when the insulin-producing cells of the pancreas, the Islets of Langerhans, stop producing sufficient insulin to cope with the body's glucose load (Type 1 diabetes), or when the peripheral tissues in the body that react to insulin become resistant to its effect (Type 2 diabetes).

Symptoms: These include weight loss (more likely in type 1 diabetes), thirst, excessive drinking (polydipsia), increased urination (polyuria), increased appetite, increased blood glucose (hyperglycaemia), blindness, weakness and depression

Causes include obesity, chronic pancreatitis, and stress (cortisol, one of the stress hormones, makes fat cells less sensitive to insulin). In addition there is a an increased incidence in certain dog breeds.

Diagnosis depends on a urine test followed by a confirmatory blood test for glucose levels.

Effects of Diabetes: There is an increased incidence of cataracts, premature death, problems in pregnancy, infections (especially bladder) and pancreatitis.

Insulin, diet and exercise are the mainstay of current Western Treatment. Spaying of diabetic female dogs is usually recommended to prevent pregnancy complications.

Insulin: The discovery of insulin in 1921 was pivotal in changing diabetes mellitus from a disease that was fatal within weeks to a chronic and not necessarily life-threatening condition. Insulin is essential for dogs with diabetes, and any other treatments used must be complementary to insulin use.

Once your dog has been diagnosed, he or she will be stabilised at the vet practice with an insulin regime of two subcutaneous (under the skin) insulin injections per day. However, the amounts of insulin needed are likely to change once your dog is at home with a change of diet and exercise routine. Your vet practice will support you while you get the regime right. Blood tests will be needed frequently initially, and every 3-6 months once stabilised.

Diet needs to be specific and timed correctly. Treats need to be avoided, as they often contain sugar. Table scraps will generally be too variable to be used in a diabetic dog's diet, as they will lead to variable control. Glucose control is easier if you feed a fixed formula feed, low in fat and high in slowly digested complex carbohydrates.

If your dog is overweight, weight reduction to the normal for his or her size is vital over the first 3-4 months after diagnosis.

Exercise is vital, and for best diabetes control should be as consistent as possible. If a dog is undergoing extremely high levels of exercise, its insulin requirement may be reduced, and it is important to discuss this with your vet in advance.
Dr Alison Grimston is a holistic doctor and animal healer specializing in connecting and informing animal therapists. Her natural animal therapy website informs the public about animal therapies while connecting animal therapists worldwide. http://www.TheNaturallyHealthyPet.com

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Is Potty Training A Dog Difficult?

By Oscar Jones
In this article I will give you details of a very easy and successful way of potty training a dog.

Set A Precedent

Potty training begins by always taking your dog to the area you want it to use. Allow your dog to explore this area but do not pat or play with your dog as this will signal playtime and this area is not for that. When your dog relieves itself in this area be sure to give it loads of praise and use the word you want to associate with going to the toilet i.e. "go toilet" or whatever you are comfortable with. Be sure to be consistent with your words and the tone you use so your dog gets to understand what is required of it. Consistency is one of the basic essentials in any type of dog training.

Crate training is acknowledged as one of the best techniques for potty training a dog. It's a way of controlling the dogs freedom when you are unable to keep a constant eye on it for signs that it needs the toilet.

Crate training works on the basis that a dog has an inbuilt dislike to toilet in the area it sleeps and as you are preventing its freedom of movement you are controlling the temptation to relieve itself in the wrong place. That said your dog will not hold on forever.

The Crate needs to be big enough to accomodate your dog's limited movement but not big enough to allow it to define a separate area as a toilet area. Buy a big enough crate to accomodate the adult dog but cut off part of it with a board. This will keep cost down as you then have the perfect bed area for your adult dog.

Ensure your dog stays in its crate all the time unless it is outside with you going to the toilet, outside playing, asleep or eating.

Your dog may not like going in for the first few times. Persevere and do not react to crying/whining. It won't take long for your dog to accept and come to love its crate as an area it can escape to for peace and quiet.

Make sure you place the crate in a busy, sociable area of your house as your dog prefers to see what's going on and be involved.

Handy Potty Training Facts

1. Always take your dog outside after playing and eating.

2. Watch for sniffing and circling as a sign that relief is imminent.

3. Aim to take your dog outside once every couple of hours unless sleeping.

To find out more on how you can successfully potty train your dog click Potty Training A Dog and listen to what others have to say.

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