We all know that dogs need time off the lead to play and be dogs rather than pets. Playing off the lead is good for their health, and allows them to burn off plenty of energy. But when can you be confident that your new dog will stay where you are and not run off?

The way we decided to do this with Lula was to introduce her to other dogs who want to play, and let her off the lead gradually.  First we let her meet the other dogs on an extending lead, then we left a normal light lead attached so that we could catch the lead if she decided to run away! After a few more days, with our hearts in our mouths, we took the big step of leaving her to run free with the others.  She is such a playful dog, she initiates games of chase with any dogs who will join in, and she usually leads her pack.  This photo is not the best – it shows her challenging two Labradors to a game – she’s not actually sitting. Lula will play happily with dogs of all sizes and enoys the rough and tumble, barking loudly to keep the other dogs involved.

At this time I make sure to keep plenty of really tasty treats in my pocket and reward her every time she comes back to me.  Of course the other dogs worked out that luxury treats were on offer, and tried to raid my pocket for them – and they were much bigger than Lula.

people in all the developed countries are getting steadily fatter, and it seems as if the public health campaigns can do nothing to reverse this trend. Unfortunately dog owners are now visiting this modern epidemic on their pets, with catastrophic effects on their dogs’ health. They are literally killing their best friends with kindness, as an overweight dog gets similar health complications to humans. Diabetes, heart attacks, strokes and arthritis are just some of the ailmenst associated with excess weight in dogs. Next time you visit the vet, pop your dog on the scales and check his weight. If you can’t do that, then feel along your dog’s tum. You should be able to feel the ribs easily. If not, then it is time to cut out some treats and pump up the exercise routine.

Your New Puppy – prevention and treatment for a constipated puppy

Is your puppy having difficulty pooping? Are his stools hard or dry? Does he strain or cry when having a bowel movement?

If you answered “yes” to one or more of these questions, you may have a constipated puppy on your hands.

Although true constipation in puppies isn’t very common, tiny and toy breeds seem to experience more than their fair share of discomfort in this area.

As with many health issues, it’s easier and better to prevent constipation from happening, than it is to treat it. However, as many people reading this are looking for help with a puppy who is already constipated, I’ll start with the remedies!

Remedies for a constipated puppy

The first thing to do when your puppy is having difficulty with constipation is to increase his fluid intake and his exercise level. Both of these help to keep his digestive system moving along.

If he’s already straining unsuccessfully or is passing dry, hard stools, you may well need to try some other options as well. There are several different things you can add to his diet (don’t add them all at once though, pick one and try that first!), that will help clear the ‘log jam’ inside him. These include:

CANNED PUMPKIN – this should be plain pumpkin, not the pie-filling variety. Add 1 tsp to 1 tbsp, depending on the size of your puppy.

BRAN – you can use regular bran, or Metamucil, oat bran, Grape Nuts and so on. Add 1/2 tsp to 1 tsp (depending on size of pup) to his food.

OIL – extra oil in his food can help to soften your pups’ stools. 1/2 tsp of Olive Oil added to his meals is simple and safe. You can try 1 – 2 tsp of Mineral Oil for more stubborn constipation, but you need to be very careful about his. Never use Mineral Oil for more than a day or two as it can be harmful if used to excess.

MILK – dogs don’t digest cows milk properly, and it would normally cause diarrhea or loose stools in a puppy. However, if your pup is constipated, a little cows milk (1/4 to 1/2 cup depending on the size of your pup) added to his food or water, may help get his bowels moving again. Read more »

Happy Howl-O-Ween for Pets

Pets have become more than just companions; they are a part of the family. In fact more and more pet owners are taking the love for their pet to the next level and dressing them up for Halloween. This practice is fun and adorable but it’s also important to think about your pet’s safety to protect them from things that go bump in the night. Read more »

Stopping the Barking Habit in Your Dog

All dogs will inevitably succumb to annoying habits. Most of these habits are habits which affect you, the dog’s owner, and not everyone else. However, if you have a dog who continuously barks, day in and day out, this is definitely a habit that will affect many more than just yourself. This is a habit that may come to such an out-of-control point in which your neighbors may become quite perturbed, and this habit may even lead to some run-ins with your local police force, which is definitely not something you want to have to deal with. Read more »

Healthy Dog Food for a Longer Life

There are so many different choices available for us today when it comes to feeding our dogs. More and more people are looking for a safer, healthier and better nutrition for their extended “family member.”

The easy and convenient grocery store kibble has become less attractive as the way to feed our dogs as we learn more information about what has gone into the cheaper commercial dog food. These foods were the status quo for so long until their unsafe and dangerous production processes were brought to our attention during the massive recalls recently.

Dog food has gone through several stages starting with the pre commercial days when dogs were feed whatever we ate. Dogs ate what we ate at the time before store bought kibble was available, as in leftovers and scraps. People didn’t worry about dog nutrition, or even consider it as something that could increase the pet’s life. Read more »