Does your dog exhibit repetitive and quirky behaviour such as chasing its tail, biting the air, or licking parts of it’s body constantly? If the answer is yes, then your dogs behaviour may be a result of an anxiety condition known as Canine Compulsive Disorder. This article looks at the condition known as Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD) in relation to dogs, how to detect it and, how best to help your dog overcome this potentially debilitating behaviour.

It is estimated that around 2% of the dog population is living with Canine Compulsive Disorder. The root cause for this condition will vary with each individual dog, however, boredom, stress and anxiety are the usual factors associated with OCD. Dogs that have developed phobias, or who experience separation anxiety for example, can often divert their stressful feelings by behaving in ways that can become repetitive. If left unchecked, these repetitive behaviours can become more deep rooted and could eventually lead to the dog developing a ‘true’ obsessive compulsive condition.

Not all dogs develop OCD due to boredom or stress however, it has been found that some breeds are more predisposed to developing compulsive behaviours due to their genetic make up; in fact, many researches suggest that irresponsible breeding is a primary cause of the condition in some pure bred dogs. Dobermanns, German Shepherds, Dalmations, and some Bull Terrier breeds are a few examples. Obsessive behaviours which seem to be common within each of these breeds are tail chasing or spinning in German Shepherds and Bull Terriers, and obsessive licking in Dobermans.

Obsessive behaviours that are typical of this condition in dogs include the following:

Spinning in circles, Tail chasing, Snapping at the air, Constant licking of various parts of the body, Obsessively mouthing toys, Incessant or rhythmic barking, Self mutilation

Not all obsessive behaviours are easy to detect – for example, a dog harmlessly chewing a toy for long peiods of time may seem normal enough and no cause for concern, however, the behaviour may have an underlying stress related cause.

Treatment for this condition should begin with a thorough examination of the dog, so as to rule out any possible medical cause. This type of examination is best carried out by a veternarian who specialises in diagnosing and treating this kind of behavioural problem, if possible. Once it has been established that OCD is the cause of the dogs obsessive behaviour, appropriate treatment can begin.

The usual method of treatment involves combining drug and behavioural therapy. The types of drugs used to treat Canine Compulsive Disorder, are similar to those used in the treatment of OCD in humans. Behavioural therapies include reward based training used to reinforce more desirable behaviours, desensitisation techniques designed to gradually decrease the the dogs state of arousal in stressful situations, and techniques that involve creating an alternative and stimulating routine for the dog to follow.

As with all behavioural problems it is important to treat causes rather than symptoms, therefore, understanding and patience will be called for, as you learn more about your pets problem and it’s cause. It is important to understand that punishment is not only an inappropriate way to deal with a dog who has little or no control over its behaviour, moreover, punishment in many cases will have the effect of making the problem worse.

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I have had a keen interest in barcode scanners, canine behaviour and training since the late 1980’s. I have studied successfully for several qualifications relating to canine psychology, care and behaviour, up to degree level. I now live in France with my French Bulldog Hilton. Please visit my blog for more free information. http://www.toptrainingtips.com

The best way to decide when to wash the dog is to take a big whiff of air.

My research indicates the frequency of bathing a dog can be left very nicely to your olfactory organs — i.e. you can smell when it is time.

You bathe him when he smells like he needs it. Consensus among the ‘experts’ seems to be any where from four times a month to six times a year and any other time when he has been down rolling in ‘the you what’.

In the absence of any other measure that works for all instances I will suggest YOU LET YOUR NOSE DO THE WALKING

I have never come in contact with a strong, damaging dog shampoo. There may be some on the market. If you have personal experience and a product name that you can send me I’d love to hear it.

If you are using a commercial dog shampoo, let’s assume the shampoo is okay. So the strength of the shampoo is not a consideration in how often we need to bathe the dogs.

I know that there are some soaps and shampoos out there that do not require water. When I can spare the time I will try them on both dogs and then report back to you about the results. Our dogs really worry about being bathed in water so if we could ’sneak’ up on them with a dry shampoo it would really reduce the stress on everyone.

If you smoke you will have to make adjustments because your sense of smell may not be as acute as someone who does not.

This does not apply to my wife. She quit smoking her electric cigarette but she amazes me because even though she just quit she smells better than I do.

Now we both know that didn’t come out right.

When she was a smoker her sense of smell was better than mine and I haven’t smoked in thirty five years.

My wife began wiping bottoms each time the dogs eliminate. She does it with a non-scented commercial wipe. So at our present rate of concern about the dog’s bathing there should not be a problem with either odor or debris.

More frequent bathing will undoubtedly result in an extended time between bathing.

Dogs don’t have to be wet to smell unpleasant. In our case both of our Schnauzers are able methane producers and it is the smelly kind.

I’ve never smelled any odor from residue of feces.

However their flatulence equals that of humans and I am really surprised to smell that much offensive ‘wind’ coming from such small packages. However that is the topic of another article. Look for ‘The Passing of the Wind’ `

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With 3 novels on Amazon & 10 shorts on Kindle, Rus Morgan brings a writer’s perspective 2 raising 2 miniature schnauzers simultaneously. Order ‘Dogsx2′, his latest novel & discover the 3 questions you must answer B4 you buy a registered puppy. Get your free copy of ‘Truthful Teddy’, and other pet bargains as they become available plus the doggie newsletter. See U at our website at http://www.dogsx2.com or email us at minischnauzers@bellsouth.net

Planning

The first thing we learned was that no one can move themselves, let alone pets, without a well organized plan. The best place to start is by looking at the options that are open. Moving options include hiring professionals, renting a truck rental, or using a portable crate. Dog owners know that strange smells are something that dogs really do not like. For this reason, the least intrusive method to use is a self service method such as a rental from a truck rental place. Doing this will put you in control of the speed of the move as well as the new smells that end up in your home.

Packing

Many moving companies will come into your home to pack, but they may not know what things you will need to keep out for you and your pets. They will also bring different smells into the home, so avoiding this should be at the top of your list. You will be able to spend lots of time with your pet by packing – including your Acer Aspire – at your own speed, yet you will still be able to stay on schedule. You will often find that this small step will help avoid behavior problems that could come up at a later time due to the chaos.

Moving Day

Moving day is going to be hectic, especially if you have lots of people involved helping you move. Moving yourself will allow you to keep this to a minimum. It will also give you the knowledge of which room to keep your animals in while the doors to the home are open to the outside. If you and your family are packing and loading on moving day, there is no way for a stranger to accidentally open the room that you have your dogs in. As you can tell, this can help avoid long searches for pets that have suddenly found themselves in the freedom of the outside world.

No matter where you are moving, it is important to keep these very important tips in mind. You should also consider the safety of your pet in the process, and avoid letting them ride in the rear of the truck rental. Temperatures in the rear of the truck can reach extremes, and it can quickly become fatal to your pets.

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Get a free guide to moving with a truck rental from http://www.truckrental.com , an authority on moving truck rental information. Find out how to load your truck, as well as how to get the lowest price on a Colorado truck rental or other moving truck. Visit today to get your free quotes from the best companies in the industry.

Dogs truly are man’s (and woman’s) best friend. They are an integral part of the family and a huge part of our lives.

So, if you are a bit of a fashion diva yourself you’ll almost certainly want your dog to be dressed likewise. This means one thing for your dog – Designer Dog Clothes!

Some dogs may be a little reluctant the first time you attempt to turn him or her into a fashion diva. If your dog is one of these then you have to exercise a little patience and a little nous.

If you want to start them on the road to becoming a fashion icon here are a few pointers to guide you on your way:

1) Start with a one piece loose fitting outfit that your dog can slip in and out of easily.

2) Don’t rush; Talk gently and soothingly to them whilst slowly putting the garment on them. Stay relaxed and this will be transmitted to your pooch. If you try to rush and are rough the dog will resist and only think of the experience as a bad one, making it very difficult to persuade him to try again.

3) Dress your dog daily or as often as you can to begin with. This will then become routine. If you dress your dog before taking him for a walk he will start to look forward to it as it means he’s going out with you.

4) Praise your dog and cuddle him when dressed (this part is easy as he’ll look so adorable)

5) Once you have got you pup happily wearing a one-piece outfit it is time, if you wish, to move on to multi piece ensembles. Using the same techniques your doggy will look forward to dressing up as much as any small child.

6) You and your dog must make the whole process enjoyable. If they start to chew at a garment just offer them a treat as a distraction – but maybe not cigars.

They will soon realize that when wearing their latest fashion statement they get lots of attention not only from you but from everyone they come into contact with. It won’t be long before they will gladly strut their stuff in order to receive the plaudits and “how cute” comments from every passer-by.

So, in conclusion have patience when introducing your little pal to the wonderful world of designer dog clothes and have fun.

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Anthony Staniforth provides designer dog clothes and accessories to the dog owner who loves his or her dog. Want to gain access to fresh doggy related articles and special offers ? Get your free newsletter at:=>
http://www.fififashions.co.uk

Your puppy communicates in more ways than you might think. There is much more to a puppy’s communication skills than just barking or wagging his tail. Your puppy has a variety of ways to express all of his moods. Your puppy can communicate with all parts of his body, and understanding some of what he is trying to say makes for a much happier relationship with your puppy.

The following is a helpful list of guidelines you can follow to determine the mood and body language of your puppy: A dominant dog will have his ears pricked up or leaning more to the front, its mouth usually a bit open, eyes wide and staring, body rigid, tail either rigid or puffed up, and will usually display a very low, aggressive sounding growl or bark.

A friendly dog will have his ears perked up, his eyes wide, a calm mouth, a constantly wagging tail, and will possibly be whining or playfully barking and may also be shuffling around a bit.

A playful dog will more likely than not be wagging its tail and a bit bent over, in a ready-to-pounce position. A submissive dog will have ears folded against its head, and possibly will have his eyes closed. A submissive dog looks mild and timid, and shows that it is not aggressive, and is definitely not playful.

An aggressive dog will have its ears flat against the head, narrowed eyes, a tense body, teeth bared, and a rigid or ruffled tail. An aggressive dog will almost certainly growl or bark.

A worried dog will whimper and bark repeatedly, with ruffled neck hair, and may even seem restless and unable to stop moving or pacing. A scared dog will lower its body, have a tail which is lowered and between the back legs, an arched back, he will not look directly at you but away to the side, and he will whine or bark fearfully.

A dog that is stressed will have his ears back and down against the head, have his mouth agape with fast breathing or panting, a tail between the legs, and will possibly be skittish and even visibly shaking.

Using these guidelines can help you in some basic training of your puppy. Knowing his mood can help you to determine how he is reacting to the training. When beginning your training, if your puppy seems playful and friendly, this is perfectly normal. Your puppy may even try to come off as a bit dominant towards you, and you simply need to be a bit more forceful. A bit of submissiveness is quite alright too. This is showing that your puppy knows who is in charge, which is quite okay. However, if your puppy seems scared, nervous, stressed, or aggressive, you should immediately stop your training and comfort your puppy. You do not want to give a negative feel to the training because this will lead to long-term problems with your puppy’s obedience.

You can also use these guidelines for your puppy’s moods to see how your puppy reacts to things in day-to-day life. You will soon learn what your puppy likes and dislikes, and this will ultimately lead to a happier puppy and a better relationship.

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Patrick Carpen is the designer, writer and owner of the website http://dogtraining.infobay.ws/
Infobay.ws is a content based, consumer oriented website where you can find promotional tote bags as well as professionally researched, and up to the minute expert content on selected subjects.

Since losing Kev I have cared for a number of other dogs, and some of these also needed to take daily tablets. For example. Sadie has to take heart medication every day. The method I have adopted is to push the tablet between the upper and lower teeth, then hold the jaws together while rubbing the throat gently. Even Sadie, who is as bright as a button, then seems to understand that she should actually swallow her tablet.

Does your dog or even worse, your neighbor’s dog bark all the stinkin time? If so it’s pretty easy to reach your whit’s end rather quickly.

After a while you really don’t care one bit why the little nincompoops doing it, you just want to make the barking stop. Does that sound about right to you?

Trust me, I know what you’re feeling all too well. How would I know these feelings of frustration so very intimately?

Simple, my wife got a small Poodle and he would not stay quiet for 10 minutes. I swear, if an ant walked across the driveway outside the pine shutters he would carry on for 20 minutes straight. I was just about out of my mind with the little loudspeaker.

Now, please don’t get me wrong, I love animals and I especially love dogs. I don’t know about you, but personally I love well behaved dogs. So, not really wanting to incur my wife’s wrath for suggesting Fido be relocated several States away just to make the barking stop, I started researching to find a solution or at least find some options and find them fast.

Here are a few of the things to stop a dog barking that I discovered: All the books said “You need to find out why the dog is barking in the first place”. And I’m thinking yeah, right! I don’t care why the little Nimrod’s carrying on, just make it stop.

But I do have to agree with them, there is good barking and bad barking. So when training your dog it is important to teach your dog the difference between nuisance barking and good barking (like if it’s 2 am and I’m snoring keep quiet, but if you see a guy with a mask and a sack, Bark!).

As it turns out (go figure) there is actually a lot of different kinds of barking, there’s reactive, territorial, separation anxiety, fear and warning barking. And without becoming a Sigmund Freud for Animal Planet tm I truthfully couldn’t tell you which was which.

I did find a few things that actually worked really well. What the heck it only took 5 hours of reading & video’s and it cost twice as much as the dog did to buy all those books to find the one that worked.

But here’s one of the tips that it said that worked really good. Every time the dog barks give it a piece of bacon with half a Prozac stuck into it (ok, ok, so that was my solution and not exactly what the book said, but the dog liked it!) Just kidding!

No really, what the book actually said was give the dog an alternate outlet. And you know, because it might actually take me an hour and a half to watch the TV show 60 Minutes, I’m thinking, alternate outlet, WHAT! they want me to plug the little bugger into a wall socket?

Well, turns out I was wrong, they meant every time he starts yapping give him a toy and shake it around for a second so he gets the idea to play with it. This way when the dog starts feeling anxiety, nervousness or separation it will look for the toy and find comfort in it.

Yes, I found more tips, but I sure hope this one helps, it worked for me even better than the Prozac and at a buck a pill that stuff gets kinda spendy after a bit.

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Patrick Shelley is in no way, shape or form a professional dog trainer of any kind. He is simply a guy who had a big problem and needed a solution which he found at=> http://stopdogbark.tripleyourinfo.com/

Are you wandering if breeding Labrador retrievers is really for you? Most Labrador dog owners will, at some point, consider breeding their dogs but there are a number of things to consider before reaching a decision. Generally speaking, there are two main reasons why any owners would want to breed their dogs; either because they want some more lab puppies for themselves or because they want to make breeding a part time, or even full time, business.

Whatever your motivation it should be remembered that not all pregnancies result in a happy, healthy litter. And, if you have the female dog, breeding a litter at home can be a great experience for the first time breeder or it can be an unmitigated disaster. The most fundamental thing to get right when breeding dogs is to find the best possible match between the breeding pair of animals. It is important that both dogs have a suitable temperament, are in good shape and do not have any medical problems. Each animals lineage should be checked to ensure there are no inherited problems such as hip dysplasia.

The temperament of the breeding pair is just as important as their health. Labradors inevitably end up in a family home so it is essential that they are temperamentally suited to sharing a home with children as well as adults.

Another essential point to consider when breeding Labrador Retrievers is to check the pedigrees of each of the breeding pair to ensure the dogs are not too closely related. The implications of using closely related dogs are poor health in the puppies, questionable temperament and a weakening of the bloodline.

Before mating it is advisable to let the dogs get to know each other and, ideally, each dog should be over two years-of-age. By this time any temperamental or health issues should be apparent. Of course, whether to breed Labrador retrievers or not isn’t a decision to rush into and a very pertinent point is that having an ideal pair of dogs to mate is only the start of the breeding procedure. Once the mating has taken place and pregnancy is confirmed the real work begins.

Taking care of the bitch during pregnancy can take a lot of work as can the whelping process. After the mum has produced her litter taking care of the puppies, and finding good homes for the puppies is a time-consuming and potentially expensive undertaking.

The last point is the most relevant. It isn’t always easy to find suitable new owners for your puppies. Rest assured there is no way you will let the puppies go to just anyone. Be prepared to reject potential owners if you are not satisfied that they will offer a caring and loving home to a puppy. For example a couple working long hours to pursue their careers may not have the time a dog needs.

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The Labrador Retriever Guide http://www.labrador-retriever-guide.com/ is the ultimate online resource for Lab owners. The site has a monthly newsletter to stay in touch with the Labrador Retriever Guide is just the place for Lab owners to hang out together http://www.labrador-retriever-guide.com/labradorreview.html

Do you know how to make dogs behave? More importantly, do you have the patience and know how to teach dog owners how to train their dogs appropriately? A dog training business may be the right business for you if you:

- Love dogs and understand how to work with them
- Have worked with dogs and animals before
- Have some experience training dogs
- Enjoy working with people
- Like the idea of helping dog owners manage their pets and treat them better

How to Start a Dog Training Business

Of course, there’s more to starting a pet-based business than simply loving animals. When you decide to make a career of training dogs, you are taking on a responsibility for handling other people’s pets responsibly and ethically. Most professional dog trainers suggest that you need 3-5 years experience working with an experienced professional dog trainer before you can put out your own shingle and take on your own clients.

Alternatively, you can seek out and attend a school that offers a dog training certification course. There are a number of pet training schools across the country. You can expect to pay about $2,000 for the instruction, but it will cut the learning curve for starting your own business considerably.

Starting Your Own Business Training Dogs

There are a number of other considerations you’ll need to take into account when you decide to step out on your own. Among the things you’ll need to get started are:

- a place of business with sufficient room to handle the dogs and their owners

- insurance to cover any damages or injuries that happen at your place of business

- equipment for training dogs, including treats and any other items used in training

Other Skills You Need for a Successful Dog Training Business

The best dog trainer in the world still needs other skills in order to start a successful pet service. Among the other skills that are vital to running a successful business are:

- Record-keeping and accounting skills

You’ll need to be able to keep track of customers, appointments and billing in order to manage your business well. If you’re not good at that kind of organization, you might hire someone who can take care of booking appointments and managing bill collections.

- Advertising and marketing skills

You’ll need to publicize your new company if you want to get any business. Word of mouth only goes so far, especially when you’re new. If you’re not sure about your ability to market your business read some depression treatment reviews or sign up for a course on marketing, or join a professional society of dog trainers to get the benefit of networking and experience.

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http://www.MommyEmpire.com/ is dedicated to helping moms succeed with their work at home business. Be sure to check us out on the Web for more home business ideas and other home business topics!

Mans best friend is the dog, and many pet owners look upon their furry companion as part of the family so it stands to reason we want them to accompany us when we go traveling. If your motorhome is your sanctuary for you to take weekend breaks and the odd summer holiday, then the chances are, your pet is going to be more used to your house than your motorhome compared to someone who spends more time in their RV than they do at a fixed residence.

If you would rather take your pooch with you than leave them cooped in a kennels for the week / weekend then there a few simple steps that will make the trip as enjoyable as possible.

The most obvious one, would be to check your campsite will allow pets, those that do will often group all pet owners together so not to upset the other visitors. The beauty of owning an RV means your don’t have to limit yourself to campsites but they make life easier. Finding one that is geographically convenient and allows pets shouldn’t be too much of a problem.

Before you leave for your trip, plan everything. Make sure pup has his regular food throughout the excursion (subjecting him to strange foods can be rough on his digestive system and your carpets). Just because you’re fuel tank doesn’t need you to stop yet doesn’t mean your dog feels the same. Plan regular stops so your dog can stretch his legs and relieve himself. Get your dog used to traveling before subjecting him to an eight hour drive by taking him for short journeys before hand. Get a list of the nearest vets to where you’ll be staying, hopefully it will never be needed, but in an emergency you could waste precious time finding this information.

Pet carriers or crates are the safest way for your pet to travel in an RV. They can be secured in place so the dog cannot wander about (and explore the area under the pedals), if the worst happens and you’re involved in an accident, your beloved pet will be safer in a carrier than being thrown around the cabin (or through a window). If you do have an accident and your need to get everyone out in a hurry, a pet carrier is a lot easier to grab than a scared and injured pup cowering in an out of reach corner. When traveling make sure it’s not left in direct sunlight for long periods of time.

Never let your pet go anywhere with out his collar and tag securely in place. As loyal and well behaved as you think your dog is, the possibility is always there that he may wander off or get distracted. Make sure the number on the tag isn’t just your home line (unless someone is staying at your house) but your mobile too. Microchips are also a great way to ensure your lost pet will be returned to you, they cause no pain or discomfort to the animal and they cant be pulled of running through trees or washed off in the rain. If the worst comes to the worst and your pet does go missing, you’re going to need clear colour photos to assist with your search, a good quality photo that can be copied should be kept with all his vaccination and vet paper work in the RV.

Before you leave, accept the fact there might be one or two accidents on the trip. Dogs are not designed to be in constant movement and they may well get a little bit travel sick, needing an hgh releaser. The excitement of being somewhere new may also upset their digestive system. If you’re worried about the upholstery of your RV, you may want to limit where your pet can and cant go, and remove any expensive bedspreads or throws. Always keep plenty of kitchen roll and antibacterial spray to hand to help clean up any little accidents.

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Travelworld RV are Europe’s largest retailer of American RV’s, stocking everything from state of the art brand new models through to budget friendly second hand Motorhomes. They also have an extensive RV service center for all your RV parts and accessories and RV windscreen needs.
http://www.travelworldrv.co.uk/index.asp