Blog

Just like people, pups can experience weight issues which can result in health issues. Although each dog’s weight will increase or decrease over time, every breed has an average weight. Although some medical issues can cause weight increase, one of the main culprits is more calories going into your pup than going out. Over the course of a few months this can lead to your pup being overweight. Obesity in dogs is a real issue and can be detrimental to their health and well-being.

Studies show that more than one half of dogs living in the United States are overweight. A few extra pounds on a dog are not the end of the world, but pups that are grossly overweight do have a diminished quality of life and face a wide range of health issues. Dogs that are very heavy tend to have a hard time getting around, lack energy and may end up suffering from health issues such as arthritis, hypertension, and diabetes. Helping your dog maintain a healthy weight can improve and extend your pup’s life and overall happiness.

Tips On Helping to Lower a Dog’s Weight

Reduce daily calories: Begin measuring the quantity of food your dog is receiving at meal time. Instead of just pouring his food into a bowl and eyeing it out, take the time to measure it. Dogs like to eat and will normally eat whatever is in front of them.

Switch to a lower carb, higher protein diet: Shop around for higher protein dog food which will not bog your pup down. Although carbs are important, meats and other proteins are very much needed. This will help your pup look and feel his best.

Keep feeding times the same: Many dog owners provide their pup with two meals every day in twelve-hour intervals. A morning and evening feeding will help disperse the energy they need to function.

Add fiber to your dog’s diet: Fiber supplements will help your pup feel fuller quicker and are good for his overall health.

Provide plenty of fresh drinking water: Making sure that your dog is well hydrated is key in weight control and for his overall health and well-being.

Reward with fun, words, and petting, not food: When your pup does something good, he will enjoy a pet or “good boy” as much as he would enjoy a snack. Snacks are a good reward at times, but when you are trying to help your pup drop a few pounds they will only add to the struggle.

Amp up your pup’s daily exercise time: This is more than throwing a ball in the living room. Dedicate thirty minutes twice a day and take your pup outside and go for a brisk walk. Other activities such as playing outdoor fetch where your pup needs to run and retrieve a ball work well too.

Always be patient: Weight loss takes time to accomplish and being patient with your dog throughout this process is very important. Your pup can detect when you are stressed so try and be calm and relaxed. Always consult with your veterinarian: Before doing anything, give your veterinarian a call and discuss your concerns and see what he / she says.

Slow And Steady

While working with your pup in this weight loss journey, slow and steady wins the race. Set reasonable expectations and work towards the goal together. This is a day-by-day process which will take time. Over the course of this, your pup will begin to fall into this healthier routine. The key is to allow your pup to gradually accept this new routine which will eventually be second nature to him. It is more of a way of life than a diet because even after your pup reaches the desired weight, he will still need to be active and eat healthy to prevent the unwanted weight from returning.

Big news in the dog world! The American Kennel Club announced that they are recognizing two new breeds of dogs. The Mudi and the Russian Toy. This was first announced a few months ago and we have some information about it. With this status, both of these breeds of dogs will now be able to compete in AKC-sanctioned events, such as the Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show. Although these pups are new to the AKC, they have been around for a longtime and have a proven record of being great dogs. Both have very good personalities and warm and approachable demeanors.

The Mudi (pronounced “moody”) will compete in the herding group at confirmation shows while the Russian Toy will compete in the toy group. This is surely is an accomplishment for these breeds as the American Kennel Club (AKC) only recognizes 199 dog breeds.

Let’s learn about the Mudi. This small- to medium-sized pup has curly hair and is an active, energetic, and fun pup to be around. They do well in K9 sports and also have the abilities to engage in search and rescue missions as well as herding livestock. They are a smart and alert breed of dog that share roots with two Hungarian dogs, the Puli and the Pumi. Mudis are “tough little dogs,” the breed club says. They do well with families that have children and other pets. They enjoy outdoor activity time and tend to be very social. They enjoy the attention of their family and other pets in the home.

Mudi Basic Breed Information

• Mudi Height: 15–19 inches tall at maturity
• Mudi Weight: 17–30 pounds at maturity
• Mudi Colors: Black, white, brown, gray, and yellow. Will also exhibit a merle pattern among those colors.
• Mudi Lifespan: 12–14 years

The Russian Toy is a much smaller breed of dog. They are known to be very loyal and loving to their family. They admire their owners and tend to crave a lot of one-on-one attention from them. Unlike most dog breeds who are either active or relaxed, the Russian Toy is a 50/50 mix. Some of these pups are energetic and always on the move while some are much more laidback and relaxed. This breed has roots that date back to the 18th century. They were originally known as Russian Toy Terriers and were bred to be companion dogs for the upper-class. In the early 1900’s they nearly went extinct but have since been saved after great efforts by Russian breeders were made. Russian Toys come in smooth-coated and long-coated varieties.

Russian Toy Basic Breed Information

• Russian Toy Height: 7–11 inches tall at maturity
• Russian Toy Weight: 5-8 pounds at maturity
• Russian Toy Colors: Black and tan; brown and tan; blue and tan; red; sable; and brown sable
• Russian Toy Lifespan: 10–12 years

Both of these breeds of dogs are very well-liked and are expected to be become even more popular in the years to come. With the recognition of the American Kennel Club, the world will begin seeing these pups as first-class dogs. Both dog breeds offer many great qualities and make great family pets. They are both also very good-looking pups!

Many of the cancers that affect humans can also affect their dogs. Our pups can develop tumors internally or can develop them on their skin and in their mouths. One such cancer, Melanoma, can occur on the skin or inside of your dog’s mouth. While the skin version of Melanoma can be relatively benign, the oral form is much more serious.

What is Melanoma in dogs?

Cells called melanocytes are designed to produce pigment colors of the skin. As diseased melanocytes grow, they form tumors. This is caused by a combination of environmental and hereditary factors. Skin that is overexposed to sunlight has an increased risk of developing Melanoma. Certain breeds, like Golden Retrievers, Cocker Spaniels, Chow Chows, and Schnauzers, have a higher risk of developing melanomas.

Oral Melanoma is the most common type of malignant tumor that can develop inside your dog’s mouth. It can appear pigmented or can have a non-pigmented appearance, which is referred to as amelanotic Melanoma. What makes it so serious is that it is capable of invading underlying bone and spreading to other parts of the body. This can lead to facial swelling and eventually make it difficult and painful for your dog to chew.

Medical Diagnosis

For those of us that have dogs who allow us to brush their teeth, this is a good time to check the inside of his mouth. At times it can look like a round tumor or just extra tissue growth coming from the gingiva or on the inside of the lips and cheeks. Tumors can also grow on the roof of your dog’s mouth or even under the tongue. Should you discover a new bump or lump inside your pup’s mouth, advise your veterinarian. If your pup experiences oral pain or bleeding from his mouth, this should be treated as a medical emergency.

A fine needle aspirate can be performed on the skin bumps by your veterinarian. This process involves the use of a needle and syringe to collect cell samples from the bump for further testing. This process generally requires sedation due to the sensitivity of the procedure.

Standard Medical Treatment

Biopsies can sometimes remove all the visible tumors, but with Melanoma, there is a good chance that microscopic portions of the disease are left behind. Further treatment will require additional surgery to remove the underlying disease. Procedures such as a CT scan will be able to provide even more detailed information. Should the tumor invade bone, then surgical procedures may need to include bone. For tumors that are inoperable, radiation therapy can help with treatment, especially with very small melanomas.

Road to Recovery

Dogs who go through surgery may need a special collar or cone to prevent scratching around their faces. Soft and moist foods or liquid diets are recommended for at least two weeks while the dog’s mouth heals. Dogs who need radiation therapy may appear tired and or have some nausea, but if the radiation is focused only on your dog’s mouth, the dog may show fewer negative signs from the treatment. Your dog will also require frequent follow-up visits with his veterinarian to monitor the condition. A repeat CT scan may also be suggested afterward to make sure that the cancer does not return.

Dogs who are not provided with care may eventually stop eating due to the pain associated with this. This generally takes place between three and six months after the initial diagnosis, which is why it is important to seek early care, which is also more effective. General well visits at your veterinarian are also a good way to make sure your pup remains healthy and catches medical issues before they transition into a more complicated issue.

Are you looking for a puppy? Trying to decide which is the right breed for you can be challenging. There are several things to consider before making a final selection. How big will the puppy get? How much daily care will this breed require? Is the breed of dog kid friendly? Or how well does the breed train? Some dog breeds tend to pickup on training much easier than others. Some actually thrive off of the interaction during training where other breeds may be a tad more stubborn. In either instance, training for puppies is crucial because as the saying goes, “you can’t teach an old dog new tricks.”  Training a dog while he is still a puppy allows for an easier transition into his adulthood. It also prevents your pup from having to break old habits which can be tricky to overcome. 

When a dog is still a puppy their minds are quickly developing which is the best time to teach them the rights and wrongs and rules of the house. If you are looking for a puppy that trains with ease, check out our list below, as we have compiled a list of puppies that you may want to consider.

LABRADOR RETRIEVER

Labradors are amazing dogs for dozens of reasons. Training with ease is one of them. The Labrador Retriever is a very social and interactive pup that is certainly mom approved! This breed is friendly and outgoing and enjoys the attention of his family. They are known to not only learn the basics well, but are capable and willing to learn some pretty nifty dog tricks. This breed of dog has been a favorite for generations and makes one of the best family dogs in town!

POODLE

Next on our list is the Poodle. These pups are highly intelligent and obedient dogs who year after year rank number one in smarts. They are highly interactive and thrive off of one-on-one attention with their family. They are known to train well and are capable of learning a large variety of tricks. They also make terrific family pets that come in three sizes.

BORDER COLLIE

The Border Collie is considered to be a very intelligent and outgoing breed of dog. This breed is known for its ability to train quickly and with ease. They have a lot of energy which allows them to stay alert long enough to learn a variety of tricks too! If you are looking for a quality pup that will win your heart, the Border Collie should be one to consider.

MINIATURE SCHNAUZER

If a smart, affectionate and loyal dog is what you are looking for that is easy to train, consider a Miniature Schnauzer. This breed of dog has been a family favorite for generations and may be just what you are looking for. They do well in contemporary homes or apartments and enjoy human interaction. Being that they are smart and pose a degree of confidence, training them is generally fairly simple.

GERMAN SHEPHERD

German Shepherds are ready to work and very eager to please. They are a very smart breed of dog who train with ease. Because the German Shepherd trains so well, they have been used for a variety of things over the years. From law enforcement jobs, to military jobs, to service dogs, this breed can do almost anything. They are also very loyal to their family and happy when you are.

BEARDED COLLIE

The Bearded Collie has traditionally been used for herding cattle and sheep in the Highlands of Scotland. This breed of dog is very responsive, alert, and smart. Their success at herding is much thanks to their ability to train well. Their personality and mentality allow them to also be very good family pets. If a loving, smart, and easily trainable pup is what you seek, the Bearded Collie should be on your list of considerations.

As we age, we often find that we sleep less deeply at night which results waking up in the morning not feeling well rested. This causes many of us to try and sneak a nap in sometime during the day to regain some energy. The Sleep Foundation advised that healthy adults should receive between seven to nine hours of sleep every night. If it were only that easy to accomplish!

Most dogs don’t have that issue and generally spend twelve to fourteen hours each day dreaming about their favorite fire hydrant or tree! Dogs need an ample amount of shuteye to look and feel their best. Puppies need even more sleep as their bodies and minds are constantly growing and developing. The average puppy will sleep between fifteen and eighteen hours every day.

Although all dogs have different sleeping patterns, the following may cause them to need more sleep than normal.

●        Age – Puppies and senior dogs tends to need more sleep.

●        Dog breed – Certain dog breeds just enjoy extra sleep.  (List found below.)

●        Stress and anxiety – Separation anxiety, etc.

●        Activity Level – Does the dog spend a lot of time burning off energy VS lounging.

●        Thyroxine deficiency – Hormone related health issue.

●        Diabetes – Health issue.

●        Bacterial infection – Health issue which needs to be treated.

●        Viral infection – Health issue which needs to be treated.

●        Anemia – Health issue which needs to be treated.

●        Poisoning – Emergency care issue which needs to be treated.

Which Dogs Sleep the Most?

• Mastiffs generally sleep eighteen hours a day.
• Greyhounds generally sleep eighteen hours a day.
• Lhasa Apsos generally sleep fourteen hours a day.
• Saint Bernards generally sleep fourteen hours a day.
• Great Danes generally sleep fourteen hours a day.
• Bassett Hounds generally sleep about fourteen hours a day.
• Chow Chows generally sleep thirteen hours a day.
• Shih Tzus generally sleep thirteen hours a day.
• French Bulldogs generally sleep twelve hours a day.
• Pekingese generally sleep thirteen hours a day.

A Dog’s Sleep Stages

Much like their human family members, dogs also go through different sleep cycles each day. The initial stage for a dog is a slow, quiet and peaceful sleep. Your dog’s body temperature will begin to lower as will his heartrate. This stage is the most relaxing stage for your pup. About ten minutes later, he will enter into a REM phase (Rapid Eye Movement). Dog owners may take notice that their pup actually appears to be trying to run or move around at this time. Their entire sleep cycle is fairly quick, lasting just under one hour.

Ways To Improve Your Pup’s Sleep

Here are a few very basic but effective ways to help your fur-legged friend establish a good bedtime routine which may help him achieve the sleep he needs.

Create a Consistent Nighttime Routine

Dogs tend to do best if they have a good and consistent routine. If their schedule is sporadic, getting used to things is more difficult. Try having your pup calm down by a certain time each evening by lowering the TV, not playing with him, and easing the overall activity time inside your home.

Exercise

Keeping your pup active will naturally allow him to burn off extra energy and feel tired at bedtime. A pup that has sat around all day may have trouble getting comfortable at night when everyone else goes to bed.

A Good Feeding Schedule Many dog owners find that keeping their pup’s feeding schedule on set times allows them to not only have healthy pups, but pups that have set potty times. Once a dog forms a good feeding time routine his potty times generally remain consistent. Normally once a pup does his business in the early evening hours, he is safe until the next morning. Feeding your dog later than normal may cause him to have to go outside later than normal which will keep him up.