The basics of puppy potty training

Who can resist the adorable gaze of an eight week old little puppy? They can give you such a cute stare with their little neck tilted to the side and tiny eyebrows looking at you with an excited gaze. But they also use your house as a huge permanent bathroom.

Training your puppy increases your joy of having a dog, and makes the relationship with your dog much stronger. An untrained dog is an invitation for disaster. It doesn’t matter if its a four pound Toy Poodle or a 100 pound German Shepard, a dog who doesn’t listen is always in danger.

Here is what to expect each day:
6 to 14 weeks old: 8 to 10 bathroom breaks
14 to 20 weeks old:6 to 8 bathroom breaks
20 to 30 weeks old: 4 to 6 bathroom breaks
30 weeks to a year: 3 to 4 bathroom breaks

CRATE TRAINING

Crate training works on the principle that puppies are instinctively clean animals. I recommend a crate large enough to shelter your full-size dog, and simply partition it off, moving the divider as the pup grows.At all times, the crate should be just large enough to allow the puppy to stand comfortably, turn around. and lie down. Otherwise, he just might go to the rear of the crate and do his business there.

A DAILY ROUTINE

You must make a schedule and stick to it . It doesn’t matter what your schedule is, your puppy will adapt to it as long as it is the same time EVERY day. For example: 9 to 9:30 A.M. take the puppy from the crate and immediatly outside, always to the same spot. Bring him in and feed him.Twenty to thirty minutes later, take him back outside.

Make sure to give your puppy both quality time and crate time before you rush off to work. By noon you will want to repeat this routine of food, outside time, and crate time, then again at 5 or 6 P.M.

And of course let your little friend outside before 11 P.M. and you retire for the evening. And don’t forget to get up at 3:00 A.M., thats right - three o’clock . This is important only for the first few weeks due to a tiny blatter.

A CATCHPHRASE

Each time you take your puppy out of the crate , repeat a catchphrase such as “Want go poddy?” Use the same door everytime you take your puppy outside. After just a few weeks stop carring your little dog and say “Want to go poddy?” He will make the connection, and run out the door.

SIX STEPS TO REMEMBER

1. Outside toilet time is no fun. Keep this very serious business (distiguish playing time with toilet time).
2. Don’t blame your dog. Remember they are only animals.
3. Use only one command. Then reinforce. (NO! SIT?)
4. A training collar will help you guide your dog and “check” your dog if needed.
5. Teach “STAY” ( for his protection).
6. Understanding your puppy and knowing what he needs both physically and emotionally will help a great deal.

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Dogs have a tendency to get involved in many situations where they might get hurt, cut, or even break bones. They are sometimes very impetuous animals, so you are going to have to help guide your dog and keep him out of harm’s way. After all, it is easier to prevent problems than to have to administer first aid after the dog is injured.

Keep the dog on a leash when you are outside to avoid having him get hit by a car or a bus. If this were to happen, there is very little chance of the dog surviving such a terrible accident. Keeping your dog on a leash will also prevent him from fighting with another dog and getting nasty bites and cuts.

Even the home can be a dangerous place for a dog to be in. Kitchens should be closed off whenever you are cooking. Just imagine how much damage to a dog’s face can occur if they reach their paws up to a pot of water boiling on the stove and the water spills on them. Large dogs are not the only ones to find danger in the kitchen. Small pets can also get seriously hurt but running through your legs and causing you to trip over them or drop something on them.

What if your dog gets hurt or sick? Is there any first aid information available? Yes, there is. First let’s talk about heatstroke. Dogs quickly overheat in hot weather because they are so active. If your dog does get heatstroke, do not immediately dowse the dog with cold water. This could shock your pet. Lower the dog’s body temperature slowly with cool water and ice packs to the back of the neck and to the head. Also, get immediate vet assistance.

If your dog receives a burn on its body from a fire, cooking oil, or by boiling water, you should immediately cool the burn with cold water. Apply a cold compress and call the vet as soon as possible.

Although there are many more types of injuries that can happen to your dog, we will end today’s article by helping you treat a dog that is choking. Since dogs are always biting things and using their mouths to play with toys, then it is easy to see that choking could be a problem

Symptoms of choking that the dog might display are violent head shaking, gagging, or even foaming at the mouth. The dog’s gums may turn gray or even blue due to a lack of oxygen before he collapses. Try to remove the object if you can see it, but be very careful that your dog does not bite you in the process. A small choking dog can be picked up and shaken carefully as well to further help dislodge the object that is choking him. If you have a large dog, then it is possible to give him sharp taps on the back of the neck between the shoulders. If this all fails to remove anything from his mouth or throat, then call the vet immediately!

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Choosing the right dog supplies to raise your new puppy is actually pretty simple. First just imagine what your dog’s life will be like. The dog needs to be properly fed with highly nutritional food. Your dog should also be securely housed and safely controlled. He also needs to be kept physically and mentally active, highly entertained, and should be properly identified

All of the above needs must be met be buying supplies for your dog. One of the most important dog supplies you will need are a collar and a training leash. A solid strong leash is important, since it will last for a long time. The first few collars may be outgrown rapidly, so you may not want to spring for the most expensive model until your puppy matures.

Be sure to shop for a leash that matches your dog’s strength, its weight, and its level of activity. As your puppy grows and matures to an adult dog, these stats will change and you will have to adjust some items appropriately.

In some cases, a body harness or head halter is recommended. Head and body harnesses are designed to help train the dog not to pull on the leash. Because its head is directly connected to the end of this product, your dog will be less likely to tug and pull when being walked. This can prove to be an enormous benefit to you if you have a puppy that will be of significant size, like a Great Dane or a Saint Bernard.

I’m sure you have heard of or even may have seen some dog owners use spiked collars. This is not something that you need to buy and the use of spiked collars is really not recommended. Although some people like to use these products to train the dog they are actually banned in some countries. The idea is that when the dog is pulling the leash uncontrollably, its head will roll to the site and tap on the spike, causing pain and discomfort when it pulls on the leash. Remember, not only is this form of training negative for the dog, but it is also illegal.

Your dog will also need its own bed. This will be its own personal space to have, provided that he has been trained to use it from the beginning. Also, be sure to offer your dog a sturdy and clean food and water dishes. You will need to provide several well made toys for your dog’s entertainment, whether he is playing on his own or with you.

Last but not least, another primary piece of dog equipment is an ID tag with your contact number in case it gets loose from the house and wanders around.

In closing, remember that when taking care of your dog’s immediate needs, you just might want to consider investing in high quality dog supplies. Of course, it is a bit more expensive, but worth it in the long run.

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Every dog has what is called a ‘guardian instinct’ which means that they have a built in instinct to bark at strangers both in and outside of the house, bark at a mailman passing its territory, or bark at anybody when protecting their toys or their dish of food. So do not panic if your puppy does this occasionally. It’s totally normal for a puppy. With proper training these behavioral problems can become controlled.

Extreme cases of aggression are dogs that bite. And even those dogs that have bitten before can be rehabilitated through proper training. A dog may bite someone or something because of several reasons. A dog’s aggression may be related to its need to dominate or its desire to guard people or objects. It could also be as simple as fear which causes a dog to bite.

Today we are going to talk about three types of dog aggression that you just might have to deal with; dominance, fear, and territorial. All of these actions are normal in puppies to some degree. However, they need to be controlled before your puppy grows into a truly aggressive dog.

First let’s talk about dominant dog aggression. If you have a puppy that likes to steal your stuff for fun (like clothing), or barks just to get your attention, then you have no choice but to deal with this aggression and take control of this behavior long before she becomes an adult.

To train your dog to fix its dominant aggression you can do several things. One is to have ’stare down’ competitions with your dog (only if you initiate them) until your puppy breaks the stare first. Also, regulate it’s feeding to only twice per day and do not practice giving your dog treats or rewards until these aggression problems are gone.

Dog aggression can also happen when a dog is afraid and feels cornered. If your puppy hides under the table when you have company or leans against you in a new environment out of fear, you need to begin socializing him immediately. Take him to the park, attend puppy obedience classes, and go for daily walks to get your puppy used to strange things or you may end up with a dog that attacks anyone who approaches him out of fear.

Next we have what is called ‘territorial dog aggression’. A dog displays territorial aggression by barking at strangers whom approach the home in which the live in. If you have people constantly coming in and out then a puppy thinks that she has driven them away, which reinforces aggression. And ironically enough, if you yell at the dog for barking when someone is visiting your house then they take this yelling not as a bad thing, but a good thing. The dog actually perceives this yelling as support or backup for their own aggression towards another person leaving the house.

To prevent this type of behavioral problem here are a few tips for you. You should assert yourself by keeping the puppy clear from furniture. Also, make the dog’s associations with visitors to your house positive by giving them a treat. Peanut butter is great for this. When you have guests arrive at your house then have the guests offer the puppy a treat as well. But make sure that the puppy is settled down first. Last but not least, try to put a halt to all yelling and do not do any physical corrections. All it does is add even more negative energy to their tense situations.

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Hot spots, also known as Summer Sores or Moist Eczema, can
make a dog and its owner miserable. The wet, skin lesions
appear and grow larger by the hour.

Dogs most susceptible to hot spots are those with heavy
coats and histories of allergies, ear infections, flea
infestations, irritated anal sacs, matted hair and tangles,
but any dog can be afflicted.

Most dogs that suffer from hot spots usually have allergies
or have been bitten by insects, such as ticks, mosquitoes,
and especially fleas.

The most common locations for hot spots are the legs and
feet, flanks, and rum, but these localized infections can
also appear on ears, neck, and chest.

To help prevent these infections:

Keep dogs free of fleas.

Comb often to keep hair loose and tangle free.

Rinse out all shampoo after bathing. Dried shampoo residue
can cause itching and irritation.

Sometimes adding an Omega Fatty Acid supplement to the dog’s
diet can help with many dermatological problems.

If a hot spot has started:

Hot spots require immediate veterinary attention as they can
double their size overnight and make pets miserable. They
require professional treatment of hair clipping or shaving,
cleansing, cortisone and antibiotics.

To keep hotspots more bearable before getting to a vet here
are some tips that dog owners have found helpful:

First wash the area in a mild water-based astringent or
antiseptic and dry.

Apply a very warm compress with a wash cloth with as hot of
water as can be used without burning.

Apply regular Listerine with a clean cotton ball.

Gold bond powder. Shake into hand and then apply to itchy
spot. Works immediately.

Soak hot spot with Epsom or sea salt solution.

Dry and dust with corn starch if irritated.

Aloe Vera gel, freshly squeezed from the plant, helps to
calm and heal.

Saturate a cotton ball with witch hazel and apply on hot
spots.

Apply a mixture of baking soda and water to the affected
areas

In severe cases, a veterinarian may suggest the use of an
Elizabethan collar to prevent the dog from scratching and
give the spot a chance to heal.

For more information on preventing and treating hotspots
visit:

http://www.apluswriting.net/petcare/doghotspots.htm

*****************************************
Author: Marilyn Pokorney
Freelance writer of science, nature, animals and the
environment.
Also loves crafts, gardening, and reading.
Website: http://www.apluswriting.net
*****************************************

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Your dog is part of your family and absolutely thrives on human companionship. Many dogs enjoy going out on trips and vacations with their owners just as much as we do. Of course, if you choose to take your dog on a vacation, then proper preparation is in order, unless you are taking your own living preparations (tents, trailer, etc).

If you are staying at a hotel then be sure to call in advance and make sure that they allow dogs to stay as guests. Some hotels and motels will not accept dogs, but many are pet friendly.

Look at your vacation plan – do you plan on spending long evenings out away from the dog? If so, then it would be beneficial to have someone that can sit with him to avoid loneness and boredom in such a strange and new environment.

There are certain times, however, when you need to consider both the pros and cons of taking your dog on vacation with you. Some questions that you may want to ask yourself are: Does your dog get sick from traveling in the vehicle? Are you flying and do you feel ok with your dog being put into a crate during the flight? Are you planning on staying out for long periods of time where you cannot take the dog? If you answered yes to these questions then you may want to consider having your dog stay with a friend or at a decent kennel while you vacation.

If, after weighing the pros and cons, you do decide to take your dog with you, then make sure you are prepared for the type of traveling that you are going to put the dog through. For example when traveling by automobile, it is important that your dog is properly restrained. You can use a seat belt that is specifically designed for dogs if you wish, or you can simply get a dog travel crate.

Are you traveling by air instead? Please keep in mind that this is a severely traumatic experience for your dog and this arrangement should be undertaken only if absolutely necessary. If you have a small dog, then some airlines will allow the dog to be placed in a crate underneath your seat, but most airlines will have the dog placed in the hold of the plane. Be sure to book non-stop flights and travel when it is cooler. It can get very hot in the hold for the dog.

The worst case scenario if your dog is a poor traveler and needs to be calmed down, is to administer tranquilizers. You must have a vet prescribe them and they are actually a wonderful answer to a dog’s traveling problems. In addition to this, try to get your dog to be extremely active for hours on end before a trip is planned. This will aid the tranquilizers by making them even more tired and physically sleepy.

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The Dreaded Vet Visit: 5 Ways to Comfort Your Dog
By Dina Giolitto

Uh-oh, it’s that time again. The dreaded vet visit, and Barkley will be whimpering all the way. It’s days like this when you wish your dog understood English, so you could tell him, “Hey, even though scary people in white lab coats are sticking needles in you and shaving you in weird places, it’s going to be okay. I’m here for you, buddy.”

But since you can’t offer your dog peace of mind with comforting words on the day of his Hated Trip to the Vet’s Office, you can at least offer him some familiar comforts. Here are five ways to bring back the love in those fearful doggy eyes and keep that stubby tail wagging.

1. Take your fella out for an extra long walk. If a scheduled vet visit means you can’t promise him a nice afternoon, at least give him an enjoyable morning of being out and about in the great outdoors. Fill his doggy mind with happy memories of blue skies, open roads, cool breezes and chipmunk chasing. He’ll soon forget all about those frightening yowls he heard from the cat carrier at the vet’s office!

2. Bring one of his favorite toys along. The vet’s won’t seem nearly as scary if your dog has something familiar to occupy him and put him at ease. Bring along a squeaky hotdog, Kong toy or other favorite toy of his, that he can play with in the car and as you sit together in the waiting room. Just don’t forget to bring the toy back home with you again! You wouldn’t want some schnauzer at the vet’s office getting his paws on it!

3. If he’s going for an overnight stay, don’t forget his blankie. It’s so heartbreaking to see your dog sick, confused and frightened in one of those cages at the vet’s office. You know it’s only temporary, but poor Jake doesn’t know that! If you’ll be leaving him overnight, comfort him with something familiar that smells like home… his doggie blanket, or a tee-shirt of yours that’s been worn already. This way, he’ll have thoughts of home and the scent of you, to help him feel safe and secure as he drifts off to sleep.

4. Don’t forget the doggy treats! Chances are, your dog is probably not used to being around a bunch of unfamiliar dogs… and that visit to the vet’s office is one big pet party that’s sure to get him riled up and barking his head off. Bring along a little bag of doggy snacks, and slip him one every time he obeys your commands. With any luck, he’ll be the best behaved dog of the bunch!

5. Lavish him with love and attention. When you return from your excursion, give him just a half hour more of your full attention. Play tug of war, wrestle on the family room rug, or take a dip together in the pool. When he’s all tuckered out, feed him his dinner and tell him what a good and sweet boy he his. Scratch his belly and behind his ears, give him some big kisses and hugs, and tell him how much you love him. Pretty soon, he’ll forget all about the vet’s office! And so will you… that is, until you get the bill.

Copyright 2005 Dina Giolitto. All rights reserved.

Dina Giolitto is a copywriting consultant and ghostwriter with 10 years of experience writing corporate print materials and web content. Trust her with your next e-book article series or web project, and make a lasting impression on your audience of hungry prospects. Visit http://www.wordfeeder.com for more information.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/

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If you want to find out how to teach a dog to sit, you won’t want to miss this article by Lee Dobbins:

Training Your Dog To Sit

By Lee Dobbins

A poorly trained dog is a nuisance and can even be a danger to himself and others. A properly trained dog, on the other had, is a wonderful and pleasant companion. In addition to helping you bond, it can even protect your pet from being hurt if he listens and will come when called.

When training always remember that dogs respond best to positive reinforcement – yelling at your dog and hitting him will not accomplish the task, instead use rewards such as treats and your approval – this will make the task much more pleasant for both of you!

There is a common “process” to training, no matter what you want the dog to do. They key is to get the dog to perform the action and at that exact moment give the command for the action, then praise the dog and reward him with a treat. After a while, he will catch on and associate the action with the command.

Here’s some steps you can use to train your dog with the most basic command – Sit.

1. The first thing you need to do is to get your puppy or dog to associate the act of sitting with the command. To do this, simply hang around with your dog and when he sits give the “sit” command.

2. Getting down to your dogs level will allow you to present his reward (treats) quicker so grab a handful of bite sized treats and get down on the floor.

3. Bring the treat up over the dogs head. He will smell the food and follow it with his nose. This action will cause him to sit (or backup, but obviously we are hoping for the sitting action).

4. The key to the training is to present the reward at the exact moment the dog sits, but you must also give the command at that moment as well so that he associates command with action. So as the dog sits, say “sit” and then immediately give him the treat.

5. Give the dog praise – show joy in your voice and he will really respond.

6. Repeat three to five times at each session but no more than that. Training should be fun and not a boring chore so don’t overdo it in one sitting. You may have several sessions throughout the day.

When you spend the time to train your dog, you get much more than just a dog that does some tricks. He loves to do things with you. He learns to listen when you say his name. He gets used to being with you and doing things on your initiative. Through good training your position as leader is strengthened. You should plan to spend a couple of minutes every day on practicing his “tricks”. This type of repetitive reinforcement will help him to remember and also create the bond between you.

Get more dog training tips and find out which dogs are easier to train at http://www.train-the-dog.com

This article provided by the Family Content Archives at: http://www.Family-Content.com

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Even if you haven’t had a run-in involving your pet of late, pet
insurance has probably crossed your mind. And if you have, the bill
for any non-routine care may have cost you anywhere from a cool
couple hundred to nearly a grand.

You might have wondered why people have health insurance and most
pets don’t, when the medical costs seem practically the same! And
yet, navigating through the underbrush of fine print involved in pet
insurance may have put you off. Is it worth the money? What do
insurers really cover? And why do some plans cost the moon while
others seem much more affordable? We’ll try to clear a path through
the paper jungle.

Tip #1: Get Them in Young

Ideally, you’ll want to identify right pet insurance plan for you,
and get your pet in young while she’s still quite healthy. The
reason is, should your pet develop a long-term health issue such as
a thyroid problem, she won’t be eligible for many programs, having
a “pre-existing condition.” If you stick with one quality program,
though, you’ll probably be fine.

Tip #2: You Get What You Pay For

This may stick in the craw a bit, when you start looking at
insurance premiums. Some of them cost an awful lot! Be sure to look
ahead too, at estimated increases down the road. The older your pet
grows, the more the premiums will cost. They will get quite stiff
for an older pet, even a healthy one.

So why should you pay out a mint for plan A, when plan B offers
coverage for half the price? The answer is: lack of nasty surprises.

Let’s face it, no one but an insurance adjuster can tell what the
fine print means when it comes to covering your pet. But we do know
this: on the cheaper plans, unhappy things happen. Let’s give an
example — let’s say you have two pugs, both covered by an
inexpensive plan. One sadly breaks his leg and needs several
surgeries, costing two thousand altogether.

You may think your inexpensive plan — which happily, covers 2K of
expenses — will handle it all. But when you submit your claim, you
discover that 2K is the maximum coverage for both dogs, and your pug
is only eligible for half. Even worse, but very common, is a lower
limit per incident. In this case, Low Cost Pet Plan will respond
that it only covers $500 for this “incident,” but if your poor pug
breaks his leg three more times this year, they’ll be happy to help.

Tip #3: You Get What You Pay For

Yes, we know we said that already — but we didn’t say it enough.

Here’s a horror story that can happen on a low-cost plan: you have
an insurer. You pay your premiums. But one day, your aging pet
develops diabetes. That year, when it comes time to renew the plan
and update the premiums, your insurer sticks in an exclusion. As of
that moment, they no longer cover diabetes in your pet. Yes, they
can do that — and you’re out in the cold.

No less common — and no more pleasant — is the limited payout per
condition problem. Your low-cost insurer may cover the first three
years of your diabetic pet’s vet bills, but after that, you’ve run
through her lifetime allowance for diabetes. Now in her golden
years, all her medical costs come straight from your pocket.

What you want is a reputable company that agrees to insure your pet
for life, period. No tricks, no last-minute exclusions, no lifetime
condition limits. But to have these things, you’ll need to pay for
them.

Tip #4: Follow the Wagging Tails

Pet insurance costs too much to be throwing darts in the dark. You
need to know which plans will come through for you down the road
after you’ve paid their premiums for years. So do your research —
look for good word of mouth. You can learn a lot with some smart
surfing and Googling.

Although we haven’t used either, we found many satisfied buyers with
PetPlan and Marks & Spencer. There are other good plans as well, and
plans that are best avoided. The tip we like most is to ask your vet
what she uses. Yes! — many vets insure their beloved animals, and
are scrupulous in who they choose.

Tip #5: Do You Even Need Insurance?

There’s an argument — and it’s a good one — that pet insurance
really serves no purpose. You can see the force of this line of
thought when you check out the premiums of quality, reliable plans –
they’re high. So why should you pay out all that cash for what
*might* happen, instead of stashing it each month in your own high-
interest savings account and simply withdrawing what you need?

The answer is simple: discipline. Some people have the discipline to
pay their premiums, but not to establish a separate account they
won’t touch except for emergency pet expenses. Other than
discipline, there’s probably no real reason why you shouldn’t self-
insure.

With one exception — liability. Some plans offer extra coverage if
your dog injures someone and you get sued. These aren’t the kinds of
things you can effectively save up for on your own, so if you think
it might be a problem, pet insurance might truly be the route for
you.

Tip #6: One More For the Road

Is your pet a prize purebred, with a pedigree reaching back before
William of Orange? Expect more vet costs over its lifetime — it’s
just a statistical fact. Perhaps this subtle factor will help you
decide whether you should self-insure or go for a plan.

Peace of Mind: Priceless

We’re animal lovers. And in the back of our minds lurks the fear
that Fido will someday come down with something we can’t afford to
treat — simultaneous renal failure and diabetes, for example (to
cite a sad chapter from my own pet annals). The peace of mind in
knowing you can afford to care for your furry companion, no matter
what the future brings, is profound. That’s why insurance was
developed, and that’s why pet insurance might be the right choice
for you.

About the Author

Blake Kritzberg is proprietor of Poodle-oo: Fashion for Toy Dogs.
Stop by for toy dog couture and home decor, free toy dog postcards
and the Toy Dog Blog.
http://www.poodle-oo.com/

Learn more about pet insurance:
http://www.poodle-oo.com/pet-insurance.htm

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By Blake Kritzberg

Just as humans allergies can show up as a sneeze or rash, your dog’s allergies can manifest as itchiness — or even ear infections. In fact, if your dog’s allergic to his food, it can cause him to scratch himself constantly, even with no obvious parasite problem.

Dog allergies rarely get solved with medicine, so the best we can do for our four-footed friends is focus on prevention. Providing the right type of food is essential to stopping your dog’s scratching habit.

Many people like to share their food with their dogs or let them help “clean up” the kitchen after a meal. Little do they know, their dogs just may not be able to take the tasty food we love so much, and some breeds (like the greyhound) are extremely sensitive. Even common foods like cheese, beef sausage and tuna may cause allergic reactions in some dogs. So it’s best to let dogs enjoy dog food and not human food, even though they clearly adore and want what we’re eating!

Narrowing Down the Problem

To determine the exact ingredients your dog is allergic to, try an elimination diet. Although powerful, it also requires patience. In fact, the elimination diet can call for eliminating specific food for up to 12 weeks before you’ll notice the effects. And if you still haven’t found the right (and wrong) ingredients, you’ll have to repeat the process all over again.

So is there an alternative to the lengthy elimination diet? Yes — give your dog a brand or type of food he’s never eaten before. But simply changing to a new brand of dog food might not be enough to eliminate his food allergies, since many brands contain similar ingredients. Instead, study the existing ingredients your dog is eating to determine which types of protein source he hasn’t been exposed to. Then, hunt for a dog food that doesn’t contain any of the ingredients you saw listed. For example, there are many brands of dog food that contains unusual protein sources such as rabbit or venison — great for testing allergic reactions to other, more common proteins.

Perhaps the best way for you to get control of dog’s allergies is to whip up your own dog food. That way, you’ll know exactly what he’s getting and what he isn’t — something that’s extremely hard to tell from reading the back of a dog food bag. Making your own food is especially helpful in elimination diets. To start, combine a portion of rice with baby food and lamb — so long as your dog isn’t already eating lamb and possibly displaying a reaction to it.

Dog food allergies are a special condition that can be frustrating and take patience to solve. Since allergic reactions don’t disappear overnight, you’ll need lots of time and thoughtfulness to help your dog overcome this problem — but his goofy smile and those scratch-free days ahead will probably make it all worth it.

About the Author

Blake Kritzberg is proprietor of Poodle-oo: Fashion for Toy Dogs. Stop by for toy dog couture and home decor, free dog postcards and the Toy Dog Blog.

http://www.poodle-oo.com/

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/

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