Dogs, like people, need exercise. They crave movement. They need to get out of the house and explore the world.

Unfortunately, most dogs are under-exercised, and are suffering mentally and physically for it.

Lack Of Exercise Leads To Mental Strain

The old school of thinking believed that dogs were playful as puppies, then around a year old, they got lazy and boring. This lead to a lot of unhappy, destructive dogs. And, more sadly, it has led to many adult dogs being dumped in kill-shelters because they weren’t playing like a puppy anymore.

The truth is that dogs are pretty active at all ages. If they’re not sick or injured, a dog wants to move. Sitting in the house every day leads to boredom. Bored dogs become destructive. Or, depressed. They become lethargic.

Again, old school thinking about dogs led to the belief that they’re nothing more than dumb animals. But, the truth is that dogs are intelligent, emotional beings. They need mental stimulation.

Exercise As Mental And Physical Stimulation

Even seen a high energy breed like a German Shepard or a Husky destroy a house or yard? They’re under stimulated. These dogs are working breeds.

Keep a hound from exploring with its nose and you’ll have a sad, destructive dog.

Every breed, even mixed breeds, have things they crave. Exercise helps them satisfy this need.

Movement helps them physically, just as it does for humans. It controls weight, helps with metabolic rate, keeps disease at bay.

Walking Is Key

Waling is the best exercise for most dogs.

Daily walks of 20-minutes is minimal.

Two walks are better.

Know your dog – if you have a high energy dog, you’ll need to either walk more or run with them to use up their considerable energy.

What about dog parks and the back yard?

There are many experts that believe that running around a dog park or your yard is good for exercise but doesn’t provide the same primal mental stimulation that a long walk does. While this is debatable, the best option is to always include a walk whenever possible.

There seems to be something about moving forward, walking, that stimulates your dog’s brain, and helps them release a lot of mental stress. Walking could be tied into the act of searching for food and shelter that is embedded in your pup’s genetic coding.

If you can walk with them, and give them access to a yard or dog park, they’ll get the best of both worlds.

Bad Weather and Older Dogs

What if your dog is older and can’t handle long walks?

What About When It Snows Or Rains?

Do your best to get your dog out walking, even if it is for several short (as little as 5-minute) walks. Finding ways for them to exercise their minds with toys, bones, chew toys is important in these cases as well. If they’re up for it, play games with them. This will get them moving and thinking.

In bad weather, short walks can help. Some experts contend that a walk to the mailbox can help relieve mental stress and boredom. A short ride in the car can help. If you are confined to the house, turn to games using toys, treats, and simply being playful with your puppy can help them burn off mental and physical energy.

A Special Note For Puppies

In general, puppies are like toddlers – they have a seemingly inexhaustible energy supply.

Walking them multiple times per day, letting them run, and playing games with them are all necessary. If that energy is not put to positive use, it will turn negative. If you’d like to keep your couch, curtains, carpet, and shoes intact, get your new baby exercised.

The old adage that “a tired puppy is a good puppy,” holds true.

Orla O'Keefe

Most of my day is spent playing with dogs. When they nap, I’m here working on my blog. You’re welcome to reach out and connect with me.

hellonuzzle.com

Every year, thousands of dogs and cats die from exposure to the extreme cold weather. In the North East, where wind chills can dip well below zero at night, protecting your pet from cold weather is vital for their safety. Nuzzle lays out our tips to keep your pet safe in the cold weather.

4 Ways To Protect Your Pet From The Cold Weather

1. Bring Them Inside

This seems obvious, but there is still an old-school mentality that dogs are ok outside in freezing temperatures because they have fur.

The reality is, while fur does insulate them a bit, it’s no different from you going outside in a light jacket, then trying to sleep on the frozen ground.

Dogs can go for walks, and play, in the snow and cold weather. But, sleeping outside is dangerous. Short term exposure during exercise or play is fine because your dogs are moving around, which raises their body temperature slightly. Plus, when things get too cold (and wet, if they’re playing in the snow), they can come inside to a warm home to dry off.

A sleeping dog generates little body heat. The ground, cement, and wooden decks offer almost no insulation. Even if they have a dog house to protect them from the wind, the overall temperature can be deadly.

Never leave your dog outside for long period of time if the temperature is below 45-degrees.

2. Avoid Salt

In the city, it can be tough to avoid rocksalt scattered on the sidewalks and on the street. In the suburbs, you’ll find salt on driveways, and on sidewalks in commercial centers. This salt can burn your dog’s paws.

The best practice is to avoid areas that are heavily salted during snow storms. But, this isn’t always possible. So, bring a towel with you to wipe your dog’s paws anytime you are walking in a salted area. Check for redness, swelling, and cracks in their paw pads, and between their toes.

Wiping their paws with a damp towel can also save them from licking away the irritants, which cause problems internally as well.

3. Bring a Towel on Walks and to the Dog Park

Bring a bath towel on long walks, or for trips to the dog park. Towels work really well as blankets to warm a cold dog. If you think they’ve been out too long, or their paws and legs are wet and icy from the snow, gently wipe away any moisture, then wrap your dog in the towel. This will bring their core temperature up, and keep them from suffering from hypothermia.

Brining a towel is a good idea in the case of emergency, as well. If you are locked out of your house, need to take a long detour, or become lost, that towel can insulate your pup and save her life.

4. Dump the AntiFreeze

Antifreeze is deadly for dogs (and cats). If you have any in the garage or yard, dump it. The sweet smell attracts pets. It is deadly when ingested. If you see any in your neighborhood, avoid it. It can save your dog’s life.

Orla O'Keefe

Most of my day is spent playing with dogs. When they nap, I’m here working on my blog. You’re welcome to reach out and connect with me.

hellonuzzle.com

Why is it that no matter how much dogs eat they are always hungry? While some dogs just love to eat, others may not be getting be the proper amount of food. But how do you know how much food you should feed your dog? We’ve got your answers.

While there is no fixed amount dogs should be fed, there are certain guidelines you can follow to determine how much your dog should be eating.

Most dog food labels have feeding guides but the size of their meal depends on the type of food, how many times they are fed per day, their size, metabolic rate, how much exercise they get, and more.

As a general guide for how much you should feed your dog based on their weight, here is a table based off PetMD:

The amounts are based on a 24-hour period. The majority of adult dogs should eat two meals per day whereas puppies often need three or more. So, you can divide the total amount recommended into two. When raw feeding dogs, a mature dog can be fed approximately 2-3% of their body weight daily

Another factor to take into account is lifestyle. If you have a particularly active dog, you may need to feed them a little more. But, if you have a more sedentary dog, the total amount should be a little less.

To get a general sense of how your feeding schedule is going, you can use visual cues (or a scale) every two to four weeks to see if your dog is losing or gaining weight.

Dogs who are a healthy weight will show signs of an “hourglass” figure. This means that when you look down on your dog from above, their abdomen should be narrower than their chest and hips.

They will also have their ribs not visibly seen but easily felt with light pressure. And, their chest should be closer to the ground than their stomach when standing.

Feeding your dog too little can cause them to suffer from nutritional deficiencies and feeding them too much can cause obesity and health problems such as congestive heart failure, musculoskeletal problems (osteoarthritis, intervertebral disk disease), and Cushing’s disease.

Though it can be confusing, use these tips to make sure you feed your dog the right amount of food to keep them happy and healthy!

Orla O'Keefe

Most of my day is spent playing with dogs. When they nap, I’m here working on my blog. You’re welcome to reach out and connect with me.

hellonuzzle.com

When it comes to training dogs, there are tons of commands and tricks to teach him or her, but there is one command in particular that can end up saving your pup’s life:  COME.

Let’s say you’re on a walk or in the park with your furry best friend by your side, then he gets distracted by something that gets tossed out a passerby car window; he goes to run for the object amidst heavy traffic. This is one of many times when ‘COME’ will be crucial for your dog to know.

If you want to take the extra step to make sure your dog is safe and stays out of harm’s way, ‘COME’ is a good place to start.

Here’s how to get started:

1. Make sure your dog is on a leash.

2. Hold onto your end of the leash and tell your dog “come” once, and walk backwards. You should walk fairly quickly.

3. Continue to move in that direction until your dog finally reaches you.

4. Once your dog gets to you, you excitedly praise your dog for correctly coming.

5. Give him a treat for correctly coming.

6. Repeat, and eventually lose the leash once the action is naturally done, and you’re confident in his understanding of the command.

And don’t forget–practice makes perfect!

Orla O'Keefe

Most of my day is spent playing with dogs. When they nap, I’m here working on my blog. You’re welcome to reach out and connect with me.

hellonuzzle.com

A recent study published in Science, by a team of Hungarian journalists finds that your dog understands both emotion and the lexicon of our word

What does this mean for you?

The next time someone gives you trouble for those conversations with your dog you can tell them that science is on your side. It looks like those of us that spend hours talking with our pets aren’t so crazy after all. The bad news,  next time you try and trick Fido by telling him it’s time to go to the vet in a happy voice, he’s not going to be falling for it.

To conduct the study, the team lead by Attila Andics trained 13 different dogs, mostly golden retrievers, and border collies to sit completely still for a 7 minute MRI.

Atilla then played a recording of phrases such as good boy, clever, and that’s it. They were all played in a praising tone, a neutral word in a neutral tone, a praising word in a neutral tone, and a neutral word in a praising tone.

Amazingly, the dog’s reward center only responded positively to both a praising word in a praising tone. This proves that our pets not only understand our expressions and vocal tone but also what we tell them.

So next time you spend some one-on-one time with your pet,  watch what you say. Your dog understands you.

Orla O'Keefe

Most of my day is spent playing with dogs. When they nap, I’m here working on my blog. You’re welcome to reach out and connect with me.

hellonuzzle.com

Like humans, dogs can develop annoying and painful infections. One infection dogs can suffer from is a yeast infection. But unlike humans, this type of infection mainly affect the ears. Here is your complete guide on how to recognize a yeast infection in your dog.

Causes

Dogs that are frequently scratching their ears or tilting their head may be suffering from an ear infection due to a yeast overgrowth. A dogs ear canal is actually shaped like a “L”, plunging downward and away from their ear opening – giving a yeast a favorable opportunity to grow. Dogs that swim or are bathed frequently tend to get water or debris trapped in their ear canal – ultimately leading to a yeast infection.

Allergens such as pollen, dust, mold, feathers, cleaning products, cigarette smoke, and specific foods can also cause this type of infection.

And while an outer ear infection is fairly easy to spot and treat, once the infection spreads to the middle or inner ear it can cause the dog to lose their sense of balance.

Yeast infections can also grow on other areas of your dog and can cause the skin to become reddened, scabby, or crusty.

Furthermore, these infections tend to be more prevalent in dogs with floppy ears such as Cocker Spaniels, Basset Hounds, Golden Retrievers, and Poodles.

Symptoms

The main symptom of a yeast infection includes excessive ear scratching – either by their paws or by rubbing it on the floor or furniture. Other symptoms include yellow, brown, or bloody discharge, an odor, crusted skin on their ear flap, swelling or redness, hair loss around the ear, and head tilting or shaking.

More serious symptoms include loss of balance or hearing as well as walking in circles and unusual eye movement.

Treatment

To treat a yeast infection, a veterinarian will look at the dogs ear canal with an otoscope to determine the severity of it. And, they may also take a sample of the discharge or material in or around the ear to examine it.

If the infection is in the outer area of the ear canal, topical antifungal cream or ointment may be prescribed.

A middle ear infection is treated with injections or tablets. With this type of infection and treatment, it may take up to six weeks to see results and further tests or surgery may be needed.

Unfortunately, some dogs suffer from chronic ear yeast infections. However, there are special cleansers and solutions that can be used as an at-home treatment.

Prevention

To help prevent yeast infections, regularly check for any odor, discharge or swelling around the ears. After your dog enjoys a swim or gets a bath, gently pat the outer part of the ears dry to avoid any built up moisture. Never insert anything into your dog’s ear canal, though, as that can severely damage the ear drum and cause problems.

If your dog is showing any of these signs or symptoms, make sure to contact your veterinarian immediately.

Orla O'Keefe

Most of my day is spent playing with dogs. When they nap, I’m here working on my blog. You’re welcome to reach out and connect with me.

hellonuzzle.com

You just got a new puppy – congratulations! Get ready for endless fun, lots of love, and a lifelong companion. You may know puppies require more vaccinations than adult dogs but do you know which ones they need and when? Here is an easy-to-follow guide and schedule for puppy vaccinations.

The Vaccinations Puppies Need

Bordetella Bronchiseptica

Bordetella is primary cause of kennel cough. It is a highly contagious bacterial disease that causes coughing, vomiting, and even death. Injections and nasal spray vaccines are available.

Canine Distemper

Distemper is an extremely serious disease that attacks the respiratory, gastrointestinal (GI), and nervous system. It causes watery eyes and noses, fever, coughing, diarrhea, vomiting, seizures, twitching, paralysis, and even death. There is no cure but the symptoms can be alleviated. One vaccine given between the ages of 12-16 weeks typically protects a dog for life from developing distemper.

Canine Hepatitis

Different from human hepatitis, canine hepatitis is a liver disease. It causes slight fever and congestion. It also causes vomiting and bloat. There is no cure for this disease, but dogs can overcome mild cases. Severe cases may result in death.

Canine Parainfluenza

Parainfluenza is another virus that contributes to kennel cough.

Corona Virus

Affecting the gastrointestinal (GI) system, this is a nasty virus that can also cause respiratory infections. Symptoms include lack of appetite, diarrhea and vomiting. And while there is no cure, vet’s can help lessen the symptoms.

Heartworm

Heartworm prevention is extremely important for puppies. It is not a vaccine, but a monthly pill that will protect your puppy from contracting the disease through infected mosquitos. Dogs in early stages of heartworm disease show little to no symptoms but more a more severe case will result in coughing and trouble breathing. It can be deadly if left untreated.

Kennel Cough

Kennel cough is caused by bacterial, viral, or other infections such canine parainfluenza or Bordetella. It is an inflammation of the upper respiratory area. Mild cases cause dry, harsh coughing but severe cases can cause gagging and retching. Only rare cases end in death but it is highly contagious and spreads quickly.

Leptospirosis

This disease is caused by bacteria and dogs often show little to no symptoms. If they do appear, expect vomiting, fever, diarrhea, loss of appetite and weakness. Antibiotics are most effective at treating leptospirosis.

Lyme Disease

Transmitted via ticks, Lyme disease in dogs causes swollen lymph nodes, fever, and loss of appetite and affect their heart, kidney, and joints. If left untreated, it can lead to neurological disorders. Antibiotics can treat it if diagnosed quickly, though relapses can happen.

Parvovirus

A GI disease, parvo causes vomiting, loss of appetite, fever, and severe diarrhea. Extreme dehydration happens quickly and can often lead to death within 48 to 72 hours. Immediate veterinary attention is required. There is no cure, but keeping the dog hydrated and the symptoms under control will help them build up their immune system.

Rabies

Rabies can cause death rather quickly if treatment isn’t given within hours. It invades the central nervous system and causes anxiety, headaches, excessive drooling, hallucinations, and paralysis. Almost every state requires a rabies vaccination.

Schedule

Here is a schedule to help you determine when to bring your puppy in for their vaccinations:

(Table adapted from akc.org)

Cost

Puppy vaccinations will cost an average of $75-$100, depending on where you live. This will include the “core” vaccines of DHLPP (distemper, hepatitis, leptospirosis, parvo, and parainfluenza) given at 6-, 12-, and 16 weeks of age.

Shelters often charge less for vaccines. Most charge around $20 but some are even free. If you adopted your puppy from a shelter, they most likely received the necessary age-appropriate vaccinations.

The first year of vaccinations is the most important one. They help prevent nasty diseases and parasites that dogs can easily contract. After your puppy finishes their core vaccinations, work out a schedule with your veterinarian for annual exams and vaccinations to ensure your dog remains healthy through his adolescence into adulthood!

Orla O'Keefe

Most of my day is spent playing with dogs. When they nap, I’m here working on my blog. You’re welcome to reach out and connect with me.

hellonuzzle.com

There are few things more annoying than a skin problem – the constant itching, the rashes, and the overall discomfort. And when dogs suffer from them, we feel even worse since they can’t tell us what’s wrong! So, we’ve rounded up 11 common skin problems to keep an eye out for with your pup.

Demodectic Mange

Demodectic mange, also known as Red Mange, Follicular Mange, or Demodex, is common in puppies and dogs with weak immune systems. It’s a surplus of the Demodectic mite and causes hair loss, sores, and inflamed, thickened skin.

Sarcoptic Mange

Also known as Scabies, Sarcoptic Mange are highly contagious to both other pets and humans. It causes extreme itching and inflamed, raised rashes on the skin. Topical treatments can kill the mites but to fully get rid of them, a thorough washing of every bit of clothing, carpeting, and furniture in your house is necessary.

Fleas

A common skin problem among dogs, the saliva of a flea bit causes a very itchy reaction on their skin. Fleas can be spread easily and can be difficult to eliminate completely – especially in homes with a lot of carpet. The best flea treatment is prevention!

Ringworm

Ringworm is not, in fact, a parasite. It’s actually a very contagious fungal infection that can be spread easily between both animals and humans. This disease causes scaly, itchy patches of hair loss and swelling that resembles a “bullseye”

Skin Infections

Skin infections can occur when bacteria or yeast enters the body through cuts in the skin. It can be caused by constant itching or a pre-existing skin condition. Skin infections can cause bleedingm itching, and pain and sometimes require antibiotics or steroids to treat.

Allergies

Environmental or food allergies can cause major skin problems for your pup. Although diagnosing allergies in dogs is not always easy, your veterinarian can administer some tests to find out if that’s what is your pup’s skin issue.

Boredom or Stress

Some dogs suffering from anxiety will lick and chew their legs as a response. This is common among dogs with separation anxiety or those who don’t get enough exercise or mental stimulation.

Grooming Products

Some shampoos or other grooming products could cause irritation. Make sure to only use products for dog’s and talk with your veterinarian if your dog has sensitive skin to find the right products for them.

Hormonal Problems

If the reproductive hormones are imbalanced, dogs can suffer from Alopecia, also known as generalized hair loss. Chihuahuas and Miniature Pinschers are more prone to Alopecia thanks to their short-hair. Other skin conditions, like dermatosis, can also be linked to hormonal problems.

Metabolic Diseases

Diseases like Cushing’s and Addison’s have symptoms that affect the adrenal glands. They have diverse symptoms that can include hair coat changes or a change in skin color.

Neurological Disorders

Some brain, spinal cord, or nervous disorders can cause dogs to chew or scratch at their skin. When their brain signals are disturbed on their way to the peripheral nerves, it can cause itching or pain – leading them to damage their skin. Neurological diseases, like Canine Distemper, attacks the skin cells and the brain.

The common symptoms of skin issues include odor, licking or chewing at the skin, dry or flaky skin, inflammation or redness, hair loss, scabs, hot spots, rashes, and swelling.

If you suspect your dog may be suffering from one of these 11 skin problems, contact your veterinarian immediately!

Orla O'Keefe

Most of my day is spent playing with dogs. When they nap, I’m here working on my blog. You’re welcome to reach out and connect with me.

hellonuzzle.com

We Don’t Have Time To Exercise!”

We hear it all the time: “Get up and get moving,” “Just thirty minutes a day is all it takes,” and “Exercise does the body good.”

We’re constantly bombarded by the media with quotes and imagery and reasons for why we need to incorporate exercise into our daily routines. If you’re anything like us, that’s easier said than done.

What about the laundry and bills? They’re not going to handle themselves…and that book you picked up last week. It’ll never get read. You can’t forget the countless friends and family you made plans with.

We come up with countless excuses for why we “just can’t make time for exercising!” in our already busy schedules. But what if there’s a reason that’s fun, furry, and already exists?

Have A Dog? Then You’re Half Way There!

According to Medical Daily, studies show that having a dog not only increases your chances of walking daily, but also increases the likelihood that you’ll get your entire daily amount of recommended exercise.

“We Love Fetch, But What’s The Catch?”

Okay, okay…so owning a dog isn’t exactly the solution. (We only said you’re half way there!) There are all kinds of factors that play into the “reasons to exercise with my dog” equation.

Another study done this year revealed two crucial parts to this equation.

First, dog owners are more likely to walk their dog if the dog himself is enthusiastic about the activity. Translation: Fido’s favorite activities include napping, eating, and more napping? It shouldn’t come as a surprise, then, that you won’t be reeling to get out for his daily walk.

Second, our beliefs about dogs, along with their genetic makeup, drastically affects the probability of dog-walking. If you don’t feel attached to your pup, or he isn’t known for being an active breed, you’re going to be much less likely to take him out for a stroll. Alternatively, if you feel that he calms down from exercise, or he’s an active and energetic breed, you’ll be much more likely to take him out.

What Are The Take-Aways?

If you already are active with your dog, that’s fantastic! If you’re both more inclined to be couch potatoes, that’s okay too.

Make time to exercise yourself, and your dog. It is extremely important for his health, as well as your own. The way we see it, it’s a win-win.

(Not to mention that’s added bonding time you get to spend with your four-legged friend)

Orla O'Keefe

Most of my day is spent playing with dogs. When they nap, I’m here working on my blog. You’re welcome to reach out and connect with me.

hellonuzzle.com

A healthy dog is a happy dog. But do you really know how healthy they are? Sure they may seem like it, but there is more to a dog’s health than meets the eye. Read on for some tips to make sure your dog is a healthy and happy one.

Nutrition

Nutrition is a huge factor when it comes to your dog’s health. Ensuring they eat the right food, drink enough water, and receive the proper nutrients is the key to a well-balanced dog. For starters, dogs need a complete and balanced diet. They require protein, fats, water, vitamins, minerals, and carbohydrates. Proteins help increase nitrogenous components in their body, fats keep their skin and hair healthy, vitamins are necessary for their body’s chemical reactions, minerals provide structural building and chemical reactions, and carbohydrates give your pup energy.

If you feed your furry friend dog food labeled as “complete” and “balanced”, they are most likely receiving all the necessary nutrients needed to keep them healthy.

One tip is to add garlic powder to your dog food as an added benefit. Garlic powder helps repel fleas and ticks, boosts their immune system and helps with respiratory problems, fatigue, and ear problems/ ear mite infestations.

Some foods your dog should never eat are alcohol, caffeinated drinks, chocolate, avocados, and bread dough.

Exercise

A healthy dog may be a happy dog but do you know what else is true? An exercised dog is a happy dog. If your dog receives at least one to two hours of exercise per day, they’ll be in great shape – both physically and mentally.

Lack of exercise can result in boredom leading to destructive chewing or scratching, raiding the garbage, hyperactivity, rough play/play biting, excessive barking or whining and unruliness.

The benefits of exercise include the elimination of common behavior problems, added agility and limberness, more confidence and trust in timid or fearful dogs, reduced digestive problems and constipation, a healthy weight, and reduced barking and hyperactivity.

Grooming

Not just for the fancy breeds, grooming is a necessity when it comes to your dog’s health. Frequent bathing and brushing will help remove dirt from their coat, distribute skin oils, any flea or tick sightings, and helps you see the condition your dog’s skin.

Dogs with long or thick coats should ideally have a daily brushing while dogs with less hair can be groomed weekly.

A proper grooming session will include brushing your pup’s hair carefully, followed by a bath with a mild dog shampoo. Then, repeat the brushing with a finishing tool (this will remove the loose hair and dirt brought up by the first brush). Finally, check your pups ears. They should be pale in color, cool to touch, and odorless. Ear drops can help keep them clean.

Furthermore, your dog’s nails should be trimmed regularly. Only cut the white part to avoid hitting the “quick”, which will cause the dog to bleed.

Dental Care

Dental care is neglected by many pet owners. Lack of proper dental care results in nearly 80% of dogs having symptoms of oral disease by the age of three!

To avoid dental problems, consider brushing their teeth and gums at least three times per week with special dog tooth paste called Ozoil tooth powder. Also, try feeding them dry kibble as the abrasiveness helps keep their teeth clean. Make sure to schedule regular veterinary checkups and give your dog bones specifically made for teeth cleaning.

Keep an eye on your dogs teeth. If they are generally white with little to no plaque, they are healthy. If you notice any tarter or plaque buildup around their gums, you should contact your veterinarian to come up with a dental plan.

These four categories are the key to keeping your dog healthy. If you find your dog is lacking in any of these areas, talk to your veterinarian to come up with a plan to get your dog back on track. And remember, yearly veterinary checkups are important. Just because your dog seems healthy, doesn’t always mean they are!

Orla O'Keefe

Most of my day is spent playing with dogs. When they nap, I’m here working on my blog. You’re welcome to reach out and connect with me.

hellonuzzle.com