by Wayne Booth, the Dog Training Blogger on September 26, 2012
Dogs can suffer from some health problems that humans would never consider. One of these issues is skin problems and some forms of skin disease can become a serious problem if they are not handled early and correctly.
Dogs are affected by many different kinds of skin disease. Basic allergies are one of the simplest problems. Inhalant allergies, flea allergies, and food allergies can create skin problems that result in dryness, hot spots, and biting and chewing, or loss of hair. In these cases you need to go to your vet for diagnosis and treatment.
There are also skin diseases in dogs that require immediate, serious veterinary medical attention. Here are some of the major skin diseases your dog can experience.
Hot Spots
Hot spots are red patches, sometimes swollen, that can result from an infection or other causes, on the dog’s skin. The actual cause of a hot spot can vary but they are often related to moisture on the skin and veterinary term for hot spots is acute moist dermatitis. They can also be due to allergies or result from your dog licking or biting himself.
Once a hot spot develops you need to treat it quickly. Your vet can prescribe antibiotics for the problem. You can usually treat a hot spot at home, if it’s not too severe, by getting your dog to stop licking the spot. You can do this by applying a good antiseptic to the site, such as original Listerine mouthwash. You can then dust the site with a medicated powder. This will usually help the spot dry up and heal and prevent the dog from licking it.
You can also use a cram that will reduce any swelling or itching your dog may have and keep the dog from making the spot worse. If the spot doesn’t heal quickly you should take your dog to the vet and get some antibiotics for it. Your vet may also put an E-collar on your dog so he can’t bite or lick at the spot.
Skin Cancer
Dogs can also get melanomas and skin cancers. These cancers can be caused by excessive exposure to the sun, among other causes. The spots can be difficult to find on your dog beneath his fur, especially if he has dark fur or long hair. In some cases these spots will develop into tumors. Dogs with light skin and fur are more prone to these spots.
If your dog does develop a tumor it will become noticeable and your dog may try to scratch at it or bite at it. If you see or feel any masses or lumps on your dog’s skin, you should take your dog to the vet immediately.
Dry Skin
You may think that dry skin is a simple problem but it can lead to other health problems for your dog. Dry skin can result in loss of hair, damaged skin, and pain for your dog in sensitive areas.
Dry skin can also result in sores and hot spots, infections, and other skin problems that require medication.
If your dog does have dry skin you should use a good moisturizing shampoo and conditioner that will restore healthy oil to the dog’s coat. Don’t bathe the dog more often than necessary as excessive bathing will strip natural oils from the skin. In winter, dry humidity in the home can also dry out a dog’s skin so you may wish to add a humidifier to the home.
Your dog’s skin can be as sensitive and prone to skin problems as yours. Unfortunately, your dog can’t tell you when his skin itches or feels bad. You must pay attention to whether your dog seems to be comfortable or not, and take steps to fix any problems.
Remember, if your dog shows any signs of hot spots, cancer, or infections, take your dog to the vet for treatment. In many cases quick treatment can mean the difference between life and death.
Until next time…….
About the Author: Wayne Booth is owner of Canine Behavior Specialists in Nashville, TN. Wayne has been teaching people how to become Professional Dog Trainers since 1990 and he is the Training Director of Canine Behavior Specialists Network, www.K9-University.com
Wayne Booth created this blog site to give you information on dog training, behavior and health. This blog was started for his dog training clients and has grown to a blog for dog owners and trainers all over the world. Read More…
Make Dog Training Fun, Not A Chore!
in Uncategorized/by Wayne BoothI always tell my clients that dog training is something you should enjoy doing with your dog not something that you dread. I have always found that training with my dog was so exciting when the light bulb goes off and the dog grasps the new exercise. I know it is just as exciting for the dog as it is for the trainer.
One thing that you can do to add a little excitement to your training sessions is to change things around. Don’t get into the habit of always making your training sessions the same. Change the order that you do the exercises in so your dog does not get bored.
After the initial training it is a good idea to change up your training locations. You can start inside then move to the backyard and then to the front yard. Once your dog is doing the exercises well in the front yard then start doing them while you go for a walk around the neighborhood.
When your dog has started doing the exercises well start using them in your everyday life. For example start requiring your dog to do a down stay while you eat dinner or a sit stay while you wash the dishes. Get the dog used to the fact that these exercises aren’t only for when we are training, they are required all the time.
I want you to keep in mind that training should not only be fun for you but it should also be fun for your dog. Make sure you give your dog a ton of praise when it does a good job. Praise is something that people always seem to be stingy with, especially men. Women are usually much better with their praise than men.
I always suggest that you do something that your dog enjoys after a training session. If your dog likes to retrieve a ball then throw it. If it enjoys a walk then walk it. You get the idea. This simply gives your dog something to look forward to after each training session.
Remember that training your dog not only gives you a trained dog but it also establishes you as the master and develops that great master dog relationship. There is just nothing better than a well trained dog that you can enjoy and are able to take with you and be assured that your dog will not be a problem. So go out there and enjoy the training!
Do you still need help training your dog? If so visit us at Canine Behavior Specialists and give us a call, or for our out of town readers .
Until next time,
P.S. Do you need some advice from a Canine Behavior Specialist? If so CLICK HERE now!
About the Author: Wayne Booth is owner of Canine Behavior Specialistsin Nashville, TN. Wayne has been teaching people how to become Professional Dog Trainers since 1990 and he is the Training Director ofCanine Behavior Specialists Network.
Get Healthy With Your Dogs Help
in Uncategorized/by Wayne BoothYou’re probably asking how can my dog help make me healthy. Simply put he can get you off the couch and outside for a long walk or an afternoon of throwing a ball or a toy for retrieval games.
I think that everybody knows that it is a proven well documented fact that people who own dogs live longer. That isn’t just because you own a dog it is because it gives you something to care for and be active with.
In fact another well documented fact is that people with dogs have better mental health as well. Of course I think we have all known at least 1 wacko in our lives that had a dog so there are exceptions to that rule.
So let’s talk about some things you can do to get healthier with your dog.
As you can see there are a bunch of different things you can do with your dog to get you healthier and to keep you that way. A dog can make you happier and one thing to remember is that a nice dog can be a great way to meet the opposite sex. That’s right your next partner may just be that person that approaches and asks about your dog. Good luck!
Do some training, that will help you and your dog? Visit us at Canine Behavior Specialists and give us a call, or for our out of town readers .
Until next time,
P.S. Do you need some advice from a Canine Behavior Specialist? If so CLICK HERE now!
About the Author: Wayne Booth is owner of Canine Behavior Specialists in Nashville, TN. Wayne has been teaching people how to become Professional Dog Trainers since 1990 and he is the Training Director ofCanine Behavior Specialists Network.
Why Do Dogs Turn Around Before Lying Down?
in Uncategorized/by Wayne BoothIt seems that you can take the dog out of the wild but you can’t take the wolf out of the dog. Modern, domesticated dogs frequently engage in behaviors that are left over from their ancient wolf ancestors. One of these behaviors is turning around, usually three times, before lying down. No one is really certain why dogs follow this behavior but there are some theories.
According to one theory, dogs originally circled before lying down in order to tamp grass, sticks and leaves down and make a space more comfortable. Dogs who circle today, even when they have a comfortable, expensive dog bed, still seem to be trying to make their spot more comfortable before lying down. Even if your dog is sleeping on sheepskin or something soft and comfy, your dog will circle and perhaps paw at the material to make it to his liking.
Another theory suggests that dogs originally circled so they could claim their “territory” before sleeping. This would let other dogs know that this was their space and they shouldn’t bother them while sleeping.
Per another theory, dogs circled so they could rid the spot of any snakes or biting creatures before they laid down. This would make the behavior one of self-protection.
Others suggest that the behavior was done so dogs could look all around before lying down to make sure there were no predators or intruders nearby. Circling before lying down would allow the dog to take a good look around for safety reasons.
Still others suggest that while dogs circled they could test the wind both to find any potential intruders and so they could turn their noses to it so they could remain alert while they slept.
Circling and making a bed in high grass is similar to nesting behavior for other animals so dogs could also simply be following instincts to nest while they sleep.
Many dogs will also do some digging when they are circling, especially in hot weather. In the outdoors this helps keep a dog cooler. So circling and sleeping behavior may be related to ways that a dog keeps himself warm or cool.
Most modern, domestic dogs do seem to follow the instinct to turn around before lying down. Not all dogs do it, but most dogs will do it some of the time. If you watch your own dog’s behavior when he gets ready to sleep you will probably observe him turning around before lying down at least some of the time. Try to discover how often he does this and under what circumstances. Your dog may not circle if he’s taking a short nap but when he’s getting ready to sleep for the night he will probably circle and make himself comfortable for a long sleep.
If you could ask your dog why he’s turning around before sleeping he probably couldn’t tell you. But his wolf ancestors would probably know.
Does your dog need training? If so visit us at Canine Behavior Specialists and give us a call, or for our out of town readers .
Until next time,
P.S. Do you need some advice from a Canine Behavior Specialist? If so CLICK HERE now!
About the Author: Wayne Booth is owner of Canine Behavior Specialists in Nashville, TN. Wayne has been teaching people how to become Professional Dog Trainers since 1990 and he is the Training Director ofCanine Behavior Specialists Network.
Why The Dog Park Is Not The Right Place To Socialize A Dog?
in Uncategorized/by Wayne BoothFor some people dog parks are an excellent way to exercise their dog and allow it to play with other dogs. For other people dog parks are a nightmare because things happen to people and to the dogs usually because of owners that can’t follow the rules or that will not show common courtesy.
At least once a month I get a call from a dog owner that would like to know if I can help their dog that is showing aggression. When I inquire about the aggression where it happened, how it happened and so on quite often the owner will respond by telling me that their dog has attacked several dogs at the dog park.
Usually the next thing out of my mouth is what do you mean several dogs was this all in one incident? The answer is always the same, no, my dog is aggressive with dogs so I’ve been taking it to the dog park to try to socialize it.
So then I go into my speech about how dog parks are not the proper place to socialize an aggressive dog. I always explain to the dog owner how the period of socialization was from birth to 20 weeks old and if their dog did not get socialized with other dogs during that period it may never be socialized. They never like that answer.
I explain that if their dog wasn’t socialized during that period then there are other ways to exercise their dog without having it interact and hurt somebody else’s dog. I really think that for some of these people the dog park is the lazy man’s way to exercise a dog. I’ve actually seen where some people will drop their dog off, leave and come back 30 minutes to an hour later. At most dog parks this is not allowed but it happens anyway.
Recently at one of our local parks, not a dog park, I ran into a gentleman whose Labrador retrievers head was all bandaged up with vet wrap. I asked him what happened to his dog and he responded by telling me that three days earlier he had taken his dog to a dog park and another dog came up and bit his dogs ear completely off.
Wow!, That’s enough to get your attention about the problems that can happen at dog parks. Incidents like this are also reasons I’ve never taken one of my dogs to a dog park. Even though I’m not a dog park person I have a bunch of clients who love the experience and have never had a difficulty.
If you want your dog to interact with other dogs considering playtime with friends or families trusted dogs. You might also want to consider a doggie daycare where the dogs are carefully screened before being admitted to make sure that they have been socialized well. For a puppy consider attending a puppy training class if for nothing more than the socialization that your puppy will get.
I hope this information helped and will give you some things to think about when it comes to dog parks and socialization.
Do you need help socializing your dog? If so visit us at Canine Behavior Specialists and give us a call, or for our out of town readers .
Until next time,
P.S. Do you need some advice from a Canine Behavior Specialist? If so CLICK HERE now!
About the Author: Wayne Booth is owner of Canine Behavior Specialists in Nashville, TN. Wayne has been teaching people how to become Professional Dog Trainers since 1990 and he is the Training Director ofCanine Behavior Specialists Network.
Dog Training Blog Dog Training Information Dog Training Wayne Booth's Dog Training Blogger
in Uncategorized/by Wayne Boothby Wayne Booth, the Dog Training Blogger on September 26, 2012
Dogs can suffer from some health problems that humans would never consider. One of these issues is skin problems and some forms of skin disease can become a serious problem if they are not handled early and correctly.
Dogs are affected by many different kinds of skin disease. Basic allergies are one of the simplest problems. Inhalant allergies, flea allergies, and food allergies can create skin problems that result in dryness, hot spots, and biting and chewing, or loss of hair. In these cases you need to go to your vet for diagnosis and treatment.
There are also skin diseases in dogs that require immediate, serious veterinary medical attention. Here are some of the major skin diseases your dog can experience.
Hot Spots
Hot spots are red patches, sometimes swollen, that can result from an infection or other causes, on the dog’s skin. The actual cause of a hot spot can vary but they are often related to moisture on the skin and veterinary term for hot spots is acute moist dermatitis. They can also be due to allergies or result from your dog licking or biting himself.
Once a hot spot develops you need to treat it quickly. Your vet can prescribe antibiotics for the problem. You can usually treat a hot spot at home, if it’s not too severe, by getting your dog to stop licking the spot. You can do this by applying a good antiseptic to the site, such as original Listerine mouthwash. You can then dust the site with a medicated powder. This will usually help the spot dry up and heal and prevent the dog from licking it.
You can also use a cram that will reduce any swelling or itching your dog may have and keep the dog from making the spot worse. If the spot doesn’t heal quickly you should take your dog to the vet and get some antibiotics for it. Your vet may also put an E-collar on your dog so he can’t bite or lick at the spot.
Skin Cancer
Dogs can also get melanomas and skin cancers. These cancers can be caused by excessive exposure to the sun, among other causes. The spots can be difficult to find on your dog beneath his fur, especially if he has dark fur or long hair. In some cases these spots will develop into tumors. Dogs with light skin and fur are more prone to these spots.
If your dog does develop a tumor it will become noticeable and your dog may try to scratch at it or bite at it. If you see or feel any masses or lumps on your dog’s skin, you should take your dog to the vet immediately.
Dry Skin
You may think that dry skin is a simple problem but it can lead to other health problems for your dog. Dry skin can result in loss of hair, damaged skin, and pain for your dog in sensitive areas.
Dry skin can also result in sores and hot spots, infections, and other skin problems that require medication.
If your dog does have dry skin you should use a good moisturizing shampoo and conditioner that will restore healthy oil to the dog’s coat. Don’t bathe the dog more often than necessary as excessive bathing will strip natural oils from the skin. In winter, dry humidity in the home can also dry out a dog’s skin so you may wish to add a humidifier to the home.
Your dog’s skin can be as sensitive and prone to skin problems as yours. Unfortunately, your dog can’t tell you when his skin itches or feels bad. You must pay attention to whether your dog seems to be comfortable or not, and take steps to fix any problems.
Remember, if your dog shows any signs of hot spots, cancer, or infections, take your dog to the vet for treatment. In many cases quick treatment can mean the difference between life and death.
Until next time…….
About the Author: Wayne Booth is owner of Canine Behavior Specialists in Nashville, TN. Wayne has been teaching people how to become Professional Dog Trainers since 1990 and he is the Training Director of Canine Behavior Specialists Network, www.K9-University.com