Mini Dachshund Owner

Dog Food Allergies – Is Your Dog Suffering?

admin — Wed, 31 Mar 2010 16:18:48 +0000

Dog food allergies can cause all kinds of symptoms in a dog. That is why the allergy may be hard to diagnose – allergies can affect many different systems and cause different symptoms. A dog food allergy can present one set of symptoms in one dog, and a completely different set of symptoms in another dog.

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.

If left untreated, dog food allergies can lead to secondary complications like infected skin rashes, dehydration from diarrhea, or infections in areas where the dog scratches and chews. Don’t wait for the problem to go away, see your veterinarian as soon as possible to have the condition diagnosed and treated.

Dog Bite Insurance on Homeowners Policy

admin — Sun, 28 Mar 2010 15:41:26 +0000

As a dog owner and a homeowner, are you liable if your dog bites and injures someone on your property? The answer may be yes. In most cases, the the owner of the dog is responsible for physical injury or damage caused by their dog. The statutes vary from state to state, but dog bite insurance will be found on a homeowner’s insurance policy.

According to the Humane Society of the US, 2/5 of all households have at least one dog.Many homeowners are taking advantage of dog bite insurance to cover medial or property damage caused by their dogs. But, depending on the type of dog you own, dog bite insurance may not be easy to get. Some breeds are blacklisted because they are vicious or aggressive. The blacklisted breeds include but are not limited to:

Pit Bulls
Chows
Rottweilers
Huskies and Malamutes
German Shepherds
Dobermans
Great Danes
Akitas
Boxers
(Dachshunds aren’t on the list! We may be little ankle-biters, but we aren’t vicious.)

Some insurance companies charge higher premiums for the blacklisted breeds and some companies won’t offer dog bite insurance on them at all. Statutes differ from state to state so the best strategy is to contact your insurance company and find out if your dog qualifies for this type of coverage under your homeowner’s policy.

The best way to avoid having to worry about dog bite insurance is to prevent your dog from biting anyone. Fence in your yard. Don’t leave your dog outside unattended. Spay or neuter your dog to prevent aggression and the urge to wander the neighborhood searching for a mate. Put up “beware of the dog” signs to discourage anyone from coming near your dog. Don’t leave your dog in a situation where he can be aggravated or teased by children. An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure, and may prevent some serious injuries.

Dachshund Checks for Your Checkbook

admin — Thu, 25 Mar 2010 16:44:21 +0000

Every Dachshund lover needs customized Dachshund checks to pay bills, buy groceries, and pay the pet sitter! You have the Doxie t-shirts, necklace, earrings, bumper sticker, now you need the Dachshund checks. Some companies let you customize your checks with your own photo of your dog. Just pick the check design and upload your own photo, place the order, and your checks will be in the mail in a few days.

If you really want to go all the way with Dachshund checks, look on Etsy, the website for everything homemade. You will find some really cool checkbook covers crafted from fabric with little Doxies. They are just adorable and not too expensive.

So if you are a true Dachshund fanatic and simply must have everything Doxie, order some Dachshund checks and watch the reaction of the grocery clerk, your hair dresser, or who ever you write checks to. Life with wiener dogs is just more fun!

Neighbor Dog Barking?

admin — Mon, 22 Mar 2010 14:30:07 +0000

One thing that drives my Dachshunds crazy is the neighbor dog barking all afternoon. The neighbors leave their Dalmatians outside every afternoon and those two dogs bark non-stop for three hours. My Doxies get all stirred up and have to bark back and it is quite annoying because I work at home and I can’t escape the chaos. But there are things you can do.

First, call or visit the local police station and file a complaint for the noise. Be very matter of fact and explain that the noise, not the neighbor, is the problem. You can also write to your homeowner’s association and explain the problem. They may get involved and help you.

Keep good records of the days and times of when the barking occurs. You can even document the situation with home video. If you want the neighbor dog barking to stop, it is up to you to prove your case and provide evidence of the problem.

If you don’t get the help you need, you can take matters into your own hands. Purchase and install an ultrasonic anti-bark device on your own property. Aim the device in the direction of the neighbor’s dog. Whenever the dog starts to bark, the anti-bark device will emit a tone that the dog will hear and will not like.

Dog Bite Injury – Treatments for Dog Bites

admin — Fri, 19 Mar 2010 14:23:01 +0000

Unfortunately, dogs can sometimes attack, nip, or bite with no warning. This usually happens when a person gets too close to a dog they don’t know and the dog feels threatened and strikes. This is also common when children get to close to a dog they don’t know. Children are especially susceptible to a dog bite injury because they are small, short, react slowly, and are easily within a dog’s reach.

First, evaluate the situation. Is the skin broken? Is the victim bleeding? Do you know the dog or is it a strange dog that could have rabies? If the skin is broken or if the victim has been bitten by an unknown dog, a trip to the doctor’s office or emergency room is a good idea. If the wound is bleeding badly or the skin is gaping open, call 911 and get instructions on what to do.

If it is not an emergency situation, you will need to clean the area of the dog bite injury. Use regular soap and water and cover the area with a bandage or gauze. Call your family doctor and ask if you need to come in and have the dog bite injury checked.

Use common sense to prevent a dog bite. Stay away from dogs you don’t know. And especially keep children away from unknown dogs or from very large dogs. When meeting a new dog for the first time, put out your had in a fisted position and let the dog sniff you – never stick your fingers out as the dog could easily bite them.

Dog Skin Allergies

admin — Tue, 16 Mar 2010 22:24:25 +0000

Dog skin allergies are more common than you might think. When your dog is scratching, it may not be from fleas but from allergies. These allergies can be difficult to handle, so here are some tips that will help you.

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.

Insects can also cause allergies. Many dogs are allergic to fleas, so not only do they scratch the flea bites, but then the bites get infected and become red and irritated. The dog scratches even more and keeps the cycle going. Sometimes a medical condition is causing the allergy. In this case, you need to take your dog to the vet and she may prescribe an oral medication or cream to put on your dog. Sometimes all that is needed is adding a supplement to the dog’s diet or giving him a daily pill.

Obedience Training for Dogs Online

admin — Sat, 13 Mar 2010 12:18:05 +0000

No, this doesn’t mean that your dog is going to be sitting at the computer taking a course. This means that there are programs that offer obedience training for dogs online – the human takes the course and then teaches the dog. This has become a very convenient way to obedience train your dog without having to attend a class in public. Classes with lots of doggy students can be distracting for your dog. Some dogs (like mine) freak out when they have to leave home so going to a class just upsets them. Why not do it at home where your dog is comfortable and you can work on things in a familiar place?

One excellent online course is Dogploma. This course can be downloaded as an ebook, video, i pod video, or all three. Dogploma contains lessons from several different dog trainers, not just one. No matter what problem you and your dog are facing, this course can help. Need help housebreaking your puppy? Does your dog chase everything or bark non-stop? These issues are addressed.

Obedience training for dogs can often cost hundreds of dollars and take several weeks. This online course costs only $35 and the best part is that you can work at home, at your own pace. You also get private email consultations with the trainers in the videos so if you have questions or problems, you can get help.

Obedience training for dogs is one of the best things you can do for your dog or puppy. Get your new pet off to a great start! Click here to check out the best online course for training your dog at home.

Dog Ate Chocolate – Now What?

admin — Wed, 10 Mar 2010 14:32:32 +0000

You just discovered candy wrappers on the floor and think that your dog ate chocolate. What should you do? First off, don’t panic. Your dog won’t fall over dead in 30 seconds. You have time to take action. Call your veterinarian right away.

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.

The moral of this story: Keep chocolate away from dogs and never give it as a treat or reward. If you have small children, teach them never to share chocolate or candy with the family dog. Chocolate is not good for dogs, they don’t need it, and it can harm them.

Pet Sitting Rates – How Much Should You Pay?

admin — Sun, 07 Mar 2010 16:04:55 +0000

I don’t like leaving my dogs in the kennel when I go out of town. One of my Dachshunds, Bailey, has seizures and being in scary situations makes them worse. I would rather hire a pet sitter to come to my house so my dogs can be in a familiar environment and feel more comfortable. And I also feel better about having to leave my dogs when I know they are safe in their own home.

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

The Professional Pet Sitter

Dog Vomiting Foam – What Does it Mean?

admin — Thu, 04 Mar 2010 09:41:11 +0000

When we first got Bailey from Dachshund Rescue, we noticed that occasionally she would foam at the mouth or throw up this yucky yellow foam. I had never seen a dog vomiting foam and wasn’t sure what it was, or if it was serious.

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.

We found out that our dog vomiting foam issue was caused by seizures. She would throw up this yellow foam and then go into convulsions. (See the post on dogs and seizures.) So it wasn’t a digestive or lung issue at all. Just something that we have to live with.