Winter Safety Tips for Your Dog

Be aware of exactly how cold it is, including the wind chill factor. A doghouse is good to have but may not protect them from frostbite on their extremities. Be sure to bring your pet in out of the cold. Put down a warm blanket for them to sleep on, since tiles can be cold. You can also purchase beds made for dogs at your local pet store

Another misconception is that snow is a substitute for fresh water. Make sure that your pet always has fresh water available to drink, regardless of the weather conditions.
Fur can provide a measure of warmth for your pet, but fur that is long can also pick up clumps of snow and ice, making it uncomfortable for them. Trim the areas around the paws to keep this from happening. Dogs with short hair don’t get the same level of warmth as dogs with long hair. Buy them doggie sweaters or knit one yourself. They will keep your dog warm and make them look even more adorable.

Many areas salt icy streets to provide traction. This salt or deicer can be painful to dogs, if they get into cracks in their paws. By rubbing a thin film of petroleum jelly on the bottom of their paws, it will lessen the amount of salt that sticks to them. When you get back home, be sure to clean their feet so that they will always be able to walk comfortably.

Damp fur can be uncomfortable for your pet. When coming back from a walk in rainy or snowy conditions, be sure to dry them off, preferably with a blow dryer.
The cold of winter can be just as dangerous to your dog as the summer heat. Use common sense and keep him safe and warm.

Why Your Dog Barks

Dogs bark because we humans want our dogs to bark. For years our domestication process and selective breeding has allowed our dogs to develop their barking abilities. Wolves don’t bark Barking was further developed in dogs in order to scare intruders or to help the master out (i.e. on farms to assist in gathering the sheep).

Most dogs simply bark to communicate, to get attention, or simply to show their excitement. Training and lifestyle are important factors in teaching the dog how to communicate with its master. If you reward your dog for barking, he will continue to do so. The best thing is to figure out what your dog is trying to tell you and go from there.

If you have a dog that barks excessively, try to figure out what he is trying to tell you. If it is out of need for attention, the way to break the cycle is to wait for him to be quiet and then give him the attention he needs. By acknowledging the barking, you reinforce it. Waiting until he quiets will teach him that he gets attention when he is not barking.

Some dogs are extremely territorial. They will bark at not only a person approaching, but someone they see walking across the street or on the next block. The best way to stop this is to distract him when he starts to bark. Catch his attention with a treat or by playing. Every time the bark cycle is broken, it sends the message that quiet will get the most reward.

Taking the time to discover what your dog is communicating will result in less stress for both you and him. He will get much needed attention and you will get quiet. It’s a situation you both win.

When You Don’t Want to Medicate Your Dog

Sometimes you want to avoid medicating your dog if possible. There are some easy home remedies you can safely use. If a solution you hear does not sound safe it is better to consult a vet first. The following can all be used safely on your dog.

Ticks or fleas
Make a paste of orange rinds and apply it evenly on the fur of the dog. Let it remain there for five hours and then wash it gently. This is one easy and safe home remedy for helping your dogs get rid of ticks and fleas.

Dry, cracked paws
Take Vaseline or petroleum jelly and apply it to the paws for four to five days. You will find the expected improvement and the paw will heal.

Odor problem
Add a few drops of vinegar in the dog’s bath water. If you have trouble getting your dog in the bath, using baking soda as a dry shampoo will work. Sprinkle it on your dog’s coat and leave set for a few minutes and then brush out.

Insects and bites
Insect stings and bites are another common problem with dogs. As soon as you notice this, put adequate solution of baking soda and water on the stung area. Apply ice for any swelling. If you notice any difficulty breathing after a sting, however, take your dog to the vet immediately as he may be allergic to the sting.

A word of caution is in order here. Never give your dog anything involving onions or garlic, as these are toxic to a dog. If your dog is experiencing vomiting, diarrhea or seems to be in pain, do not try any home remedies. Call your vet immediately. It is better to be safe than to lose your beloved friend.

Keeping Your Dog From Jumping

Dogs want to see and interact with people face to face. This leads to many dogs jumping in order to have that face-to-face contact. When your dog is small, this may not be a problem, but large dogs can be intimidating when they jump, not to mention it can be painful.

The first thing you can do to prevent jumping is to kneel down to the dog’s level. This will allow him to see your face and eliminates the main reason he jumps in the first place.
Getting down on his level will let him know you see him.

Another method you can use if the above doesn’t work is to turn your back on your dog. Look up toward the ceiling and refuse to acknowledge him until he settles and sits. Dogs hate to be ignored, especially if that is the reason for their jumping in the first place. For this method to work, you must be steadfast in not making any eye contact until he has calmed. The slightest acknowledgment will get him excited all over again.

A third method that seems to work well with larger dogs is to wait until they jump and gently grab hold of their front legs. Slowly walk the dog backwards a couple of feet then gently set his front paws on the floor, saying “down” firmly. Dogs hate to walk backwards, and doing so will make him start to associate the unpleasantness with jumping. Saying the word “down” as you place his paws on the floor will get him to associate it with keeping his feet on the floor.

It doesn’t take long to train a dog not to jump as long as you are consistent with whichever method you choose. It also helps if you can enlist the cooperation of other family members so everyone is using the same method. This creates less confusion and more success.

Human Food Could Kill Your Dog

Let’s face it-dogs are not known for being fussy eaters. Some dogs will eat anything and everything they can get into their mouth. This isn’t a big problem with many human foods, but there are a few that could be potentially fatal to your dog.

We are all aware that many dogs cannot eat chocolate. While a tiny bite here and there may not hurt most dogs, it could kill others. Dark chocolate and baking chocolate are especially hazardous.

Onions are another no-no for your dog. There are chemicals in onions that turn to poison within the dog’s digestive system. This is true of some strains of mushrooms as well. Rather than take the chance, it is important to keep both these substances out of your dog’s reach. Garlic is another culprit. The toxic effect of this spice is quick.

Any kind of seed could cause problems in your dog. While most will only cause discomfort and possible vomiting, seeds such as apple seeds can be fatal. If you have a dog that likes to investigate the garbage, it is important to make sure he can’t get to these.

Chicken bones are another hazard to dogs, as are those of turkey and duck. These bones tend to shatter and the sharp pieces can poke a hole in your dog’s stomach or intestine.

Dogs are known for eating many things a human stomach cannot handle. This, however, does not mean they can eat all a human can. To be safe, make sure foods are not left where your dog can discover them. The most innocent looking item could be the one that kills your dog. A few minutes of caution can save a lifetime of sadness should you lose your dog.

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