Tag: dogs

How Much Exercise Does Your Dog Really Need?

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.

Protect Your Dog from Cold Weather

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.

  1. 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.

  1. 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.

  1. 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.

The Best Names For Your Siberian Husky

Known for their striking blue eyes and playful, chatty demeanor, Siberian Huskies make amazing family companions. And as with any dog, coming up with a name is no walk in the park – after all, they’ll have this name for life! If you’re struggling with what to name your Siberian Husky, we’ve rounded up some of the best – from well-known ones to quirky ones.

Akira

Akira means intelligent and also refers to the Japanese manga series created by Katsuhiro Otomo – which inspired the film “The Matrix.”

Alpine

Alpine means snow-covered – just like the Husky’s fur.

Balto

One of the most famous Siberian Husky’s, Balto led a team carrying diphtheria serum from Anchorage all the way to Nome, Alaska in 1925. He helped prevent an outbreak of the disease and his famous run is now commemorated by the annual Iditarod dog race.

Cherokee

Cherokee is a popular Native American dog name and refers to the Iroquoian language, which has had its own script since 1820.

Chinook

A warm wind found on the Pacific Northwest coast of the United States.

Dakota

Dakota refers to a member of the North American Indian people in the upper Mississippi valley and the surrounding area.

Eskobar

An interesting name, Eskobar means “spoiled” and refers to those who always get what they want.

Glacier

A glacier is a large ice mass that moves slowly.

Juno

Juno, or “Juneau” is the capital of Alaska but makes a great name for a Siberian Husky.

Kazu

Kazu is short for “Kazuki,” meaning peaceful.

Kremlin

A Turkish word, Kremlin means “fortress” and refers to a dog that is trough and strong.

Laika

Laika was the name of a mixed-breed Siberian Husky known to be the first dog in space.

Lonestar

Lonestar refers to someone with superior skills but bad luck.

Maverick

A maverick is someone who rebels from a group.

Nikita

Nikita is a great name for a Siberian Husky and means “little child.”

Nova

A nova is a star that suddenly becomes brighter.

River

River can refer to a free-spirited pup.

Sierra

The sierra is a rugged range of mountains.

Teeko

Teeko is a strategy game that was invented in the late 1930s but can be a cute name for a Husky.

Tundra

A widely popular name for Huskies, a tundra is a flat, treeless Arctic region.

Willow

Willow refers to a deciduous tree with small, narrow leaves.

Winter

Winter is a great name for a Siberian Husky with mostly white or all white fur.

Zaria

Zaria means “sweet, shy, and behaved.” This is a great name for a dog who prefers to lounge around.

Zorro

Zorro means fox in Spanish and is a great name for a sly, clever Husky.

VETSTREET.COM

Ultimately what you name your pup is up to you – but if you’re stumped, consider one of these fun names for your Husky pup.

How to Train Your Dog The Most Important Command

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!

Study Confirms, Your Dog Understands What You’re Saying.

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.

Training Your New Puppy or Dog

Training your dog is great for your dog and the owner. It will shape their future, and vets will tell dog lovers that a well trained dog is a happy and healthy dog. Sufficient training will shape your dog’s personality and if you want your dog or puppy to be set for life, you should begin training early. Here we list our key behavioral and training tips to get your dog started.

A caveat on our training methods, we believe in positive reinforcement and are providing recommendations using treats as a reward.

Basic Training Commands

There are 4 life-saving commands – sit, stay, come, leave. “Sit and Stay” will teach your dog how to be patient. These commands are required to calm your dog and control their enthusiasm. “Come” is the command to get your dog’s attention and summon them to you. This is very important to stimulate their mind and help them be submissive. “Leave” is the command to temper their bad behavior and is for when they lock on one item. If your dog is able to focus on multiple objects at once then they will develop more cognitive functions.

Learning Their Space Within Your Home

It is essential that every dog has their own chill zone. They should have a space they can maintain and adore. This is usually their bed. Having a place in your home that they can “lair” allows your dog to have consistency. Most dogs will take to this like a duck to water, but some dogs will need to be persuaded. This will occur often when they get a new bed or crate. We recommend that you do a reward for your dog, every time you can coax them to their new spot. Dogs will then naturally develop an affinity for this place.

Teaching Your Dog Boundaries

Dogs react nicely to boundaries, so long as they’ve been clearly outlined. The key to this training method is using your voice. You must be firm. If your dog keeps chewing on your couch, you must be firm with your “NO.” Do not fall for their puppy dog eyes. If your dog climbs on the sofa, then you should firmly get them down but reward them with a treat when they are down so they know being off the sofa is good. The hard part for most owners is that you must be consistent. It is very easy to confuse your dog if you don’t set clear and defined boundaries.

Go Potty

Dogs that are adopted when they are older are generally house broken however that does not mean that they will not have accidents while they try and get used to their new surroundings. The tried and true method of teaching your dog where to go to the bathroom is to walk to the place you desire them to go. When they “go potty” there, you should reward them and compliment them. This is a good time for them to get a treat and if you continually reinforce the behavior, this will provide your dog with structure and create a desired routine.

How to Be Home Alone

Home should not be overly hard if you have managed to train your pup to enjoy their crate or bed. Usually, as you gear up to leave, your dog will approach their crate or bed and will lay down. This isn’t them feeling sad, this is them making themselves feel safe. Puppies are the hardest age to train. They are very needy and look to you as their parent. The best way to train a puppy is to leave for a short time and reward them before you leave and after you return. They must know that you will come back, that is their fear. This a wonderful means to establish trust between your dog and you. They will be more at ease once they start to trust you completely.

How To Care For Your Golden Retriever

Golden Retrievers are one of America’s most popular breeds, in fact the third most popular currently. They are incredible social and have a wonderful temperament for all kinds of dog lovers. They typically weigh between 60 and 90 pounds. They have a wonderful disposition and temperament and are among the easiest of breeds to train. To keep a golden healthy you should give them plenty of exercise and feed them a balanced and stable diet.

Get Him Settled In

We recommend the first thing you should do is acclimatize your Golden to their new home. Puppies will always acclimatize quicker than adult dogs and the best way to speed this process up is to start them in a single room and slowly allow them more and more space within the house. As you move them in, you should keep them on the same diet as any stability will help them adjust. If you want to switch food brands, do it by slowly mixing the new brand with the old, increasing the portion of new food each day.

Learn His Behavior

It is important that you track your dog’s behavior for the first weeks after you welcome your Golden Retriever to your family. Consult with a veterinarian if you detect questionable or unusual behavior. You should also always exercise your golden retriever daily. They have incredible energy and playfulness, and some strenuous action to get the energy out of their system is the best way to handle a Golden Retriever. My go to exercise technique is to throw a ball and play fetch for at least 30 minutes each day. Keep a Golden Retriever retrieving and he will be happy and healthy.

Get Him Proper Exercise

Exercise is an essential part of your dog’s lifestyle, although this might seem like a big time investment. Golden retrievers that do not get enough exercise time are the most likely to pester, damage items inside the home, or become unhappy. Goldens are also vulnerable to shared dysplasia in both their front and hind legs. This is why you should do a vet check-up once a year. It’s a great opportunity to check your dogs heart as heart disease and cancer are the leading causes of deaths in Golden Retrievers.

One thing that all Golden Retrievers love is a good grooming session. Brush your dog’s whole body numerous times a week , to avoid matting or tangling of his fur. Cleaning more frequently helps keep your dog’s hair from shedding throughout the house, especially in the summer, and keeps your dog cozy in the warm temperatures.

You may also cut your dog’s hair with scissors to neaten and to thin his coat. I also recommend brushing your dog’s teeth regularly, I brush once to twice a week to keep him fresh. There are great chicken toothpastes, that dogs love. When you brush your dog’s teeth, you should always wash your hands completely before contacting your dog’s mouth or wear disposable gloves. Consult with your veterinarian if his teeth start to discolor, or if your dog has very poor breath for a drawn-out period of time. It’s possible for you to brush your dog’s teeth or you can take him to an expert for cleanings several times annually. When it comes to feeding your dog, you should feed your dog treats rather than ones that are soft to reduce bad breath and tartar build-up.

30 Of The Cutest Irish Dog Names

Picking a name for your pup can be tough. There’s a lot of pressure to pick the perfect name. After all, you’ll be calling your dog this for the rest of their lives! So why not pick an unexpected yet cute Irish name? Whether you’re Irish or not, you can still celebrate the spirit of Ireland. Here are 30 of the cutest Irish dog names.

Patrick

In reference to St. Patrick, the patron saint of Ireland.

Guinness

A staple among the Irish, Guinness is a black-gold stout.

Shandy

A popular Irish drink, it is a beer mixed with a soda or lemonade.

Brady

Refers to a common Irish surname and means ‘spirited’.

Bridget

Means ‘strong’.

Clover (or Shamrock for a male dog)

Although it is a commonly referred to as a four-leaf clover, it is also known to bring good luck.

Finn / Finnegan

Which means white or fair.

Finley

Refers to a ‘fair-haired hero’.

Conor

A strong-willed or wise ‘hound lover’.

Clancy

Meaning a ‘ruddy warrior’.

Kerry

Which refers to a ‘dark princess’.

And here are some more authentic Irish names:

Neala

Pronounced nee-la, it means ‘female champion’.

Roisin

Pronounced ro-sheen, it means ‘little rose’.

Rogan

A redhead.

Aidan

A ‘little fiery one’.

Maeve

The goddess of song.

Aoife

Pronounced ee-fa, it means ‘radiant or beautiful’.

Dermot

Meaning a ‘free man’.

Lorcan

Or ‘little wild one’.

Fineen

Which means ‘beautiful child’.

Sorley

A summer traveler or viking.

Meara

Which means ‘happy’.

Anlon

Meaning ‘champion’.

Eamon

Or “guardian”.

Elroy

A “red-haired youth”.

Phelan

Meaning joyful.

Mirna

Which means ‘tender’.

Quigley

Meaning unruly hair.

Covey

“Hound of the plains”.

Whether you’re Irish or not, break away from the common dog name and consider naming your pup one of these names native to Ireland instead!

The Easy-To-Follow Schedule For Puppy Vaccinations

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:

AgeRecommended VaccinationsOptional Vaccinations
6-8 weeksDistemper, measles, parainfluenzaBordetella
10-12 weeksDHPP (distemper, hepatitis, parainfluenza, and parvovirus)Coronavirus, Leptospirosis, Bordetella, Lyme disease
12-24 weeksRabiesNone
14-16 weeksDHPPCoronavirus, Leptospirosis, Lyme disease
12-16 monthsRabies, DHPPCoronavirus, Leptospirosis, Bordetella, Lyme disease
Every 1-2 yearsDHPPCoronavirus, Leptospirosis, Bordetella, Lyme disease
Every 1-3 yearsRabiesNone

(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!

Science Explains The Fascinating Reason Why Dogs Range So Dramatically In Size

Ever wonder why there is such a drastic size range among dogs? Science has the answer.

The same species of animals typically have the similar characteristics – like size, features, and markings. This is how people know what species they are based on their appearance. But with dogs, it’s a little different.

Think of all the different breeds – and sizes – of dogs. To someone who has never seen one before, they may be confused if they see a Great Dane sitting next to a Chihuahua. That person may have trouble believing they are from the same species. In fact, dogs have the largest size range among any mammal – but why?

The University of Utah’s research team believes they found the answer.

The research team found a piece of DNA that regulates growth to keep small dogs small.

Researchers tested the DNA of Portuguese Water Dogs because they have the widest size range among dogs – weighing anywhere from 25 and 75 pounds. The study took DNA samples and body-size measurements of the pups. What they found was a piece of genetic material that highly correlated with a dog’s size.

Specifically, it was a regulatory sequence next to a gene that controls a growth-inducing protein hormone. This particular hormone is found in humans as well as other mammals and helps them grow.

So what does this have to do with dogs?

Well, in small dogs, there “are mutations in the sequence that stress the gene’s activity, limiting the amount of growth hormone is produces.” There are no mutations in the sequence in medium and large dogs, though, so they are able to grow to their normal size.

And, to make sure it wasn’t Portuguese Water Dog specific, researchers examined 3,241 dogs spanning 143 different breeds. This included, of course, a wide range of breeds from small dogs to large dogs.

As they suspected, all of the small dogs in the study had the same mutated regulatory sequence as the Portuguese Water Dog. But, like most studies, there was one outlier – the Rottweiler.

Researchers aren’t sure why Rottweilers are the outliers, but they have the same genetic sequence as small dogs. They believe it is due to other genetic factors that allow the breed to grow to full its full size.

No one is sure why the mutation occurs, but researchers think it first showed up when small dogs were domesticated or from a species of small wolves. There is no evidence, however, that wolves have this mutation.

Though strange, we are not complaining about the mutation. Besides – what would life be like without small dogs?

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