Itching is the first and most common sign. Your dog may scratch a lot, chew on his paws, or his skin may look dry and flaky. He may start to lose his hair in clumps. He may also develop a skin rash and scratch non-stop.

Another common sign of dog food allergies is gastric distress. Your dog may suffer from diarrhea or vomiting. He may have to go to the bathroom more frequently than normal. He may lose his appetite and not want to eat anything at all. Sometimes the food allergy can occur even when your dog has been eating the same food for several years without a problem. Dog food allergies are not always necessarily linked to a new food or treat.

If you think your dog is suffering from dog food allergies, avoid common trigger foods. These foods include soy, eggs, dairy, chicken, beef, wheat, and corn. You should take your dog to the vet to determine if the problem is indeed an allergy. You will probably need to try different foods and watch for improvement until you find one that agrees with your dog.

There can be many sources of dog skin allergies, so your first task is to identify what is causing the itching. What shampoo do you use on your dog? Is it hypo-allergenic? Do you use a flea spray on your dog? If the itching has suddenly started, it may be caused by a product you are applying to your dog. Or, it may be from a product that your dog is being exposed to such as a new laundry detergent or carpet freshening powder. So if you have changed laundry detergents and are washing your dog’s bedding with it, and then the dog lays down on or snuggles under the blanket, this can cause the problem.

Dog skin allergies can also be caused by something the dog is eating or ingesting. Have you changed your dog’s food lately? Are you giving your dog a new kind of treat or putting something in his water, such as a breath freshener? These items can lead to skin problems if the products don’t agree with your dog.

If you think your dog ate chocolate within the last 2 hours, you can get your dog to the vet and he can give him medicine that will make the dog throw up. After two hours, the chocolate will already have been digested and won’t be in the stomach anymore so other measures will need to be taken.

The reaction will depend on what kind and how much chocolate your dog ate. The most toxic chocolate (to a dog) is baker’s chocolate, followed by semi-sweet chocolate, and then by milk chocolate. If only eaten in small amounts, your dog may just vomit or have an upset stomach. Chocolate also contains caffeine, so it may make your dog’s heart race or cause seizures. Or make him act hyper and nervous.

If your dog ate chocolate in large amounts, the veterinarian may want to keep him overnight for observation and further treatment. Chocolate has an ingredient called theobromine. People can digest it just fine, but it makes dogs sick. The vet will wait until all of the theobromine is out of the dog’s system, which may take up to 72 hours.

Pet sitting rates vary depending on your location, the type of pets you have, the number of pets you have, how far the sitter has to drive, and other factors. If your dog or cat has to have medication, requires long walks or lots of play time, or is ill, you will pay more.

Average pet sitting rates can be anywhere between $10 and $25 per visit to your home. Some situations require the sitter to stay at your home overnight and this can cost up to $100 a day. It is always great if you can find someone you know – a friend or family member – to pet and house sit while you are away. They might do it for free or you can work out some sort of trade like babysitting their kids or cleaning their house in exchange.

To find pet sitting rates in your area, so a search for pet sitting websites and check the prices. It is always best to shop around and get references before you hire anyone. Your veterinarian may be able to recommend someone she knows is good with animals and also trustworthy in your home.

A pet sitting business can be a fun and lucrative business and is great for teenagers during the summer. Here are some great resources for starting a pet sitting business:

Pet Sitting for Profit

How to Start a Profitable Pet Sitting Business

We talked with our veterinarian and learned about different things that make dogs vomit. Sometimes dogs drool a alot when they get nervous or anxious. They can drool and lick a lot and this causes them to throw up. This usually happens when the dog is in a new situation, like when company comes over or if you take your dog on a long car trip and he isn’t used to it.

Another cause of a dog vomiting foam can be a change in the dog’s food or diet. For example, if you adopt a dog that has never had table scraps or “human food,” he many not be used to it and it will cause him to throw up – or even worse, have diarrhea.

Some dogs can have real digestive problems that cause regurgitation. Some of these conditions are esophagitis, megaesophagus, or a hiatal hernia. Other dogs might have muscular problems that cause the vomiting. Some respiratory conditions, like Kennel cough or pneumonis, can cause a foamy mucous that is actually coming from the lungs and not the stomach. Chronic vomiting can also be caused by eating too fast, or eating too much at one time.

This 296-page book is filled with great tips from the experts on everything from potty training, obedience, feeding, general care, and grooming. Dachshunds for Dummies also gives good information on how to accept the (annoying?) traits of a Doxie – digging, barking, chasing, and being generally mischievous. These little dogs don’t mean to be such pests, they were bred to chase badgers and wolverines out of holes, so these traits are genetically inbred. Dachshunds for Dummies explains how to choose the ideal Doxie for your family, manage nutrition and health, Dachshund-proof your home, potty train, prevent back problems, and introduce your Doxie to other household pets.

There is one chapter I found especially interesting, “Dachshund Cons.” This is not referring to con jobs by Doxies, although we have seen those, but more the disadvantages of this breed. Some disadvantages include the housebreaking problem (they are very hard to potty train), they require a lot of attention, and many live to be 15 years or older. In fact, the oldest dog in the world, Otto, recently died at the age of 20. He was part Dachshund. Owning a wiener dog is requires a long-term commitment.

Puppies are pretty easy to train. They are so small and uncoordinated that it is hard for them to jump or climb up on to the couch or chair. Give them a good start by putting puppies in a crate at night time. Then she can’t wander around the house exploring and looking for comfy places to sleep – and want to sleep on them during the day. Later, when the puppy is older, you can show her how to sleep on a dog bed in another location.

During the day when your puppy or dog is free to roam, and he tries to get on the furniture, sternly say “off!” or “no!” You may even want to put a leash on the dog and let her sit on the floor next to you. Keep your foot on the leash and give the dog a chewy toy to keep her entertained why you are watching TV, surfing the internet, or reading. If she tries to jump on the couch, just pull the leash and tell her “no” and put her back on the floor with her toy. Repeat this process until she understands.

Repetition is the key to training a dog or puppy. You have to follow through with each dog obedience tip until the dog understands. This takes time and patience and you have to be persistent. Most dogs can learn. It is usually the humans who don’t take the time to work with them.

Foul dog breath can also be caused by an infection or periodontal disease. If your dog has not always had a breath problem, and suddenly develops bad breath, he may have an infection. A visit to the vet can help you understand what is causing the odor and how it can be treated.

Chronic bad breath (halitosis) can be caused by bacteria in the mouth. Some dogs just have more than others. Skippy has had “rotten mouth” since day one that he came to us from rescue. If you are smelling a foul rotten odor, this may be the problem. The cure is to brush your dog’s teeth with a canine toothpaste and toothbrush. But this isn’t as easy as it sounds. Giving your dog breath treats can be easier than the daily wrestling and fighting to brush his teeth.

So, if you are dealing with a chronic bacteria problem, what kind of dog breath treats are the best? My vet recommends Terrabone Fresh Breath Daily Treats. Terrabone is a natural product helps clean the teeth and freshen breath. And it tastes good so there is no struggle to give your dog breath treats – like brushing with a toothbrush.

Good Dachshund care starts in the mouth. You can brush your dog’s teeth and mouth with a special doggie toothbrush and toothpaste. Some Dachshunds have a problem with bacteria buildup in their mouths and need a human’s help to keep their mouth clean. It can be a challenge to brush a dog’s teeth, so you can just use special toothpaste on your finger and rub it in the best you can. You should try to brush your dog’s teeth once a day if he has a plaque, tartar, or bacteria problem.

You can also find special dog biscuits and treats that help clean teeth and freshen breath. This is an easy way to deal with the problem – just give your Doxie a treat instead of wrestling with him to try to brush his teeth.

Another important part of Dachshund care is choosing the right food. Hard and crunchy dog food help clean the teeth better than soft or canned foods. Make sure your Doxie has at least some dry dog food in his diet.