Thursday, May 8, 2014

Health Tips For Your Furry Friend

Health Tips For Your Furry Friend

By Garrett McMahan


Dogs provide us with plenty of love, and in turn, we do our best to ensure that they are happy, healthy and safe. Of course, this means providing them with plenty of great nutritious food and fresh water. But there are many other important aspects of pet care that you probably need to consider.

While we don't hesitate to take our pets to the vet when they are hurt or ill, it's just as important to schedule that yearly check-up. Your veterinarian will do a thorough exam and run some routine tests to ensure that your dog is in tip-top shape. It's often during these annual visits that the doctor can find problems early on before they are really causing your pet discomfort.

During this yearly visit, you also can make sure that all of your dog's vaccinations are up to date, such as the all-important rabies vaccine and the vaccine that prevents Bordetella. This is often simply called kennel cough and it is from the same genus of bacteria that causes whopping cough (Pertussis) in human beings. Both are upper respiratory diseases, both are miserable and both are extremely contagious. There is also an important vaccine that prevents canine distemper that you might need as well as a vaccine to prevent Lyme disease. It's also wise to make sure that your dog is taking heartworm medicine.

Many dogs don't really enjoy their bath time, and the good news is a bath once or twice per month is probably enough for them. However, dogs do need to be brushed, and many dogs should be brushed daily. Obviously, longer-haired dogs will need to be trimmed as well, but all dogs need to have their toenails clipped from time to time. Owners also need to make sure that their dog's ears are clean and for some breeds, hair will need to be trimmed by the ears.

One pet care element that often gets pushed by the wayside is dog training. However, this is crucial for several reasons. First of all, if your dog does not obey commands, it can put them in serious danger. They might run out into the street or run toward an aggressive dog or wild animals. In addition, thousands of dogs end up in shelters every year simply because of behavior issues. With proper training, these dogs can be taught how to behave and families can avoid issues such as scratching, barking, running away, jumping and many other irksome behaviors.

One easy way to get the most out of the relationship between you and your dog is by using a DVD dog training program such as The Dog's Way. With 12 easy-to-follow, step-by-step DVD lessons, it takes just a few weeks of patient instruction to transform your dog or puppy into an amazing companion you will enjoy for many years. In addition to the lesson, there is a helpful workbook and reminder cards that you can tote along with you as you go on walks to help reinforce skills. Your dog will soon learn many crucial skills such as sitting, staying, walking on a loose leash, understanding boundaries and many other common issues.




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