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| Behavioral Problems With Your New Chow Chow, Shih Tzu or Sheltie Puppy |
Separation Anxiety
Separation anxiety is a common dog behavioral problem. You can define it as extreme distress of a dog when he or she is left alone for even a brief period. Characteristics of a dog with separation anxiety include
• Running agitatedly and constantly from room-to-room
• The dog may stand immobile, like a statue, staring out the window or at a door
• Your pet may urinate
• The dog may destroy the room by chewing up any and everything.
• The dog will go with berserk with joy when you return even if the length of time is brief.
Several factors are perceived as being active in creating the condition. One theory is the abuse, neglect and constant upheaval of moving from home-to-home, is a contributive factor. Another theory on the reason some dogs suffer from separation anxiety focuses on the socialization process. The isolation of a dog may increase the chance of anxiety. If a dog does not receive proper or sufficient socialization, it may manifest separation anxiety. This latter theory does help suggest one of the several means to prevent it.
• Raise your dog in a social environment that is both stimulating and diverse. The more you expose your pet to others, human and animal, the least likely it will see you as the sole source of its emotional existence.
• Accustom your pet at an early age – yes, as a Puppy, to being apart from you. Start with small periods and slowly increase.
• If you plan to travel, start the process of crate training and separation at an early age.
• Never punish your animal for the damage he or she may cause. It may reinforce the behavior. Negative attention is better than no attention at all.
• If you are going away, leave the television, a light and the radio on. The noise and light will provide comfort and act as a soothing factor. Some, people even provide a recording of their voice to add a sense of comfort.
• If it works, crate your dog. It will help him or her feel secure.
• Leave and arrive without a lot of fuss. This will decrease the need to think this is a big deal.
• Limit the access of your dog to the house. This restriction prevents the dog from a major rampage.
• Bribe (yes it is a bribe) your pet with a toy or treat before you go. This works as a distraction. Should I chew this, lick off the peanut butter from my toy, try to work out how to get the food out of a kong or go on a rampage? No contest.
• Exercise is also helpful. A tired dog has little energy for destructive behavior.
• Vary your dog’s routine. Instead of leaving him or her at home, try doggy day care. Another option is a pet sitter or even a visit from a neighbor.
Depending upon your situation and the nature of your dog, implementing one or two of these suggestions may help ease the problem of separation anxiety.
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| Avoiding Problems with your new Chow Chow, Shih Tzu or Sheltie Puppy |
Avoiding Preventable Problems With Your Dog
There are many health issues and difficulties you can avoid if you take the necessary precautions. Some dog problems are avoidable. There is no need for you and your pup to go through them. Some are matters of legal precautions; others are preventive strikes. Look at the following and take action before the matter becomes a serious problem.
1. Spray or neuter your dog. If you are not planning to breed him or her, this is the sensible path to take. It will help you avoid different complications. Spayed and neutered animals are less likely to obtain cancer in their later years. A bitch can die from such pregnancy problems as toxemia.
Spraying may also help control a few behavioral issues. Fixed animals are not so prone to straying. Males do not mark their territory. Males are less likely to fight over female-related issues if they have that small operation. You can avoid the whole problem of coming into heat, if you spay your female.
2. Regular Vet visits are indication of a responsible and caring dog owner. Make sure your dog goes at least annually for a check-up. A regular vet visit ensures your dog is and can remain in the best of health. These visits provide your vet with the defensive measures to fight against common but deadly health problems. These include parvovirus, rabies, Heartworm and similar problems. A vet’s visit provides you with information about the condition of your pet internally and externally. A vet checks the stools of your dog for worms. He or she informs you whether your dog has gained or loss weight and how healthy this may or may not be. The vet may clean the teeth as well as check out the overall health of your dog. All of this is a way of preventing future problems. It can also catch medical issues before they become serious.
3. Grooming and regular handling acts as preventive measures for possible problems. When you comb and brush and fluff your dog, you need to do a basic examination of the condition of your dog. Grooming allows you to locate any scratches, bumps, lumps or growths. You can find out if your dog has any swelling or scars.
Running your hands over your dog’s coat can also scare out fleas and other parasites. You may notice the presence of ticks. Brushing the coat may dislodge or indicate what you need to do in this respect. It also decreases the amount of allergy causing dander.
Be sure you check out the dog’s ears and eyes. You need to clean them. You also need to brush your dog’s teeth. These actions help retain the health of your animals’ senses. They also are aids in spotting potential problems.
4. When you have a puppy, you need to make sure your home is puppy proofed. If you have an older dog, you still need to take care all dangerous substances are safely out of harm’s way. Either remove them or raise them out of reach. This includes common toxic or poisonous substances such as anti-freeze, pesticides, herbicides and household cleansers. Some plants are not healthy for your pet. Wires and electrical cords are other considerations. Prevent problems and accidents from occurring by removing the causal factors.
5. Wherever you move, be sure you know the by-laws or ordinances. Some places have laws governing what they term “dangerous” or “vicious” dogs. Some communities, provinces/states or countries do not allow you to possess a certain breed of dog. Pitbulls, for example are prohibited in several areas. Know your rights and the rights of your dog. Understand breed-specific laws as well as those regarding licensing, vaccination and leashing. Ignorance is not an acceptable excuse.
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| Are Chow Chows, Shih Tzu and Shelties Compatible With Cats? |
Dogs and Cats – Compatibility
You have a dog. You are thinking of getting a cat. You have a cat and are thinking of bringing home a puppy. You are wondering if this is a wise decision. You have heard the expression. “They fight like cats and dogs.” You have read the cartoons and absorbed the old folk and urban tales. You saw the movie. You are more than aware of the two camps: dog people and cat people. Yet you still want to try. You are wondering whether dogs and cats are really natural enemies.
The simple answer to this question is no. Dogs and cats are not mortal enemies from birth to death. They may not always get along. Yet, this is true of dogs with dogs and children and dogs and humans with humans. It is always about relationships, nurture and nature.
That said, you must remember some dog breeds and dogs, are predators. They are more inclined to chase after anything smaller that runs from them. They are intent on chasing the object. The cat or squirrel is not a specific animal to them. It is prey. This instinct is strongest in Beagles, Greyhounds, Huskies, Pit Bulls, Rottweilers and Terriers. It may not be a good idea to leave a cat alone with any full-grown member of these and other breeds. On the other hand, socialization and training of young dogs and puppies can mean a truce and even life long friendships between the two species.
Often times, you need to get them young. If you have an old cat and a puppy, you may a match. The same may or may not hold true for a mature dog and a kitten. It is best to start with two virgin slates: a puppy and a kitten. This places the two animals on the same page. While both of them may have predilections, neither of them ahs the wherewithal to follow through and both are more malleable than their seniors.
There are some dos and don’ts with mixing and matching puppies or dogs and kittens and cats. You need to consider and follow these if you want the two to be at least tolerant of the other. If you ignore or forget to take certain precautions, one, the other or both may end up at the vets. It may take more than a licking of wounds to set them right.
Rule 1. When you introduce the cat and dog, do not, I repeat do not, leave them alone together.
Rule 2. Always supervise these initial meetings. Only leave the two together is you are absolutely, positively, sure no bloodshed or mayhem will arise.
Rule 3. If the meeting involves an older cat, trim back the claws. Do not leave the cat defenseless. Do not leave the puppy open to severe scratches to the face. Eye damage is not conducive to friendly negotiations.
Rule 4. If you are introducing the kitten, you may want to leave the dog in its crate. This will allow the kitten to explore the territory and adjust to the new scents and sounds.
Rule 5. When you introduce the dog and kitten, a leash will allow you to have better control over the dog. Place a muzzle on the dog if you really have doubts.
Rule 6. Do not expect instant love. Some animals, dog or cat, do not take to the addition of a new family member. This may be the case with your animal. If so, rethink your master plan.
Whatever means of control you do use, do not let the cat, kitten, puppy or dog, view this as punishment associated with the other. Try to reward the dog or kitten if, and when, they behave sociably. Continued positive reinforcement of good deeds and actions will help you maintain peace in the household. Most of all cross your fingers and hope it will all work out.
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