Achondroplasia in Dogs

Achondroplasiais in dogs is variously referred by orthopedic specialists as ACH, Achondroplastic dwarfism, Chondrodystrophia fetalis, Chondrodystrophy syndrome, Congenital osteosclerosis, Dwarf, achondroplastic, and Osteosclerosis congenita. These various definitions mean the same abnormal development of bone from cartilage. 1

Offspring can look normal at birth and weaning, but at the age of 2.5 to 4 months the longitudinal growth of the spine and leg bones can retard in the dwarfs compared with the normal littermates. Most dwarfs perform well, even in the field.5 In dogs, achondroplasia can be a mild condition, with slightly bowing or simply short legs, causing no discomfort to the animal, or severe, in which case extensive orthopedic surgery may be needed to both alleviate pain and allow the dog to function normally. This surgery, most frequently an ulna, or radius/ulna surgery, is generally performed at one year of age, when bone growth is nearly complete. Surgical success is variabl

Acanthosis Nigricans in Dogs

This is a rare disease of melanosis type with seen exclusively in Dachshunds. It begins with subtle symmetrical hyperpigmentation in the armpits. The early lesions then progress slowly to hair loss. Greasy, smelly debris accumulate in more severely affected dogs. The abdomen, groin, chest, anal area, forelimbs and hock may all be involved.

The term "acanthosis nigricans" also has been used generically to describe clinical skin reaction pattern which is characterized by visually similar lesions and is seen in a variety of breeds. Acanthosis nigricans is similar to chronic hyperplastic dermatitis, particularly due to allergy, but may be less inflamed.

Diagnosis of Acanthosis Nigricans

A careful history and physical examination is performed to identify an underlying cause. Skin scrapings are performed to rule out demodicosis, especially in young dogs. Impression smears are useful to identify bacterial and Malassezia infections.

Affected animals should not be bred in order to avoid possible propagation of the defect, in the event that there is an inheritable basis.

Treatment of Acanthosis Nigricans

Primary acanthosis nigricans in Dachshunds is not curable. Early cases may respond to shampoo therapy and local topical glucocorticoids, for example, betamethasone valerate ointment. As lesions progress, more aggressive systemic therapy may be useful. In secondary acanthosis nigricans, the lesions will spontaneously resolve after identification and correction of the underlying cause. However, this will not occur if secondary bacterial and yeast pyodermas are not treated appropriately.

Vitamin E has been successfully used in the treatment of a variety of skin diseases including discoid and systemic lupus erythematosus, dermatomyositis, and epidermolysis bullosa simplex. Vitamin E is rarely successful alone in the management of these conditions, but offers a relatively nontoxic aid to therapy.

Chronic Hyperplastic Dermatitis

Chronic hyperplastic dermatitis, sometimes referred to as "dermatitis reaction", is seen primarily in the dog. The main signs of this condition is intense itch and self-trauma. Crusting is another common feature. Chronic allergy is the most common cause. It may look like other chronic skin diseases such as pyoderma or cornification disorders.

Use of Betamethasone

Betamethasone is an anti-inflammatory (corticosteroid) drug which depresses the formation, release, and activity of elements involved in inflammation, such as prostaglandins, kinins, and histamine. This drug may cause immune suppression. Prolonged use of steroids may promote the development of cataracts and glaucomas.

the Signs of Dog Disease

Following is a list of most common diseases and in a dog and signs that characterize them. However, this list is not intended to be used to diagnose and treat your dog, but rather as a tool to tell when your dog is ill. Communicating with your veterinarian is a key part of ensuring good health care for your dog.

DISEASES	SIGNS
Abscesses (according to site)	difficulty moving, fever, loss of appetite, pus
Arthritis	painful to touch
Burns	rapid breathing, shedding coat, ulceration
Cystitis (inflammation of the bladder)	abdominal pain, blood in the urine, difficult or no urination, painful urination, urinary incontinence
Dermatitis (skin inflammation)	shedding coat, skin irritation, ulceration
Diabetes Insipidus	intense thirst, urinary incontinence, urinary incontinence, voracious appetite
Diabetes Mellitus	bad breath, coma, frequent urination, intense thirst, urinary incontinence, voracious appetite
Distemper	abdominal pain, convulsions, cough, diarrhea (normal), loss of appetite, fever, low spirits, poor appetite, rapid breathing, trembling, vomiting, voracious appetite
Eclampsia	changes in behavior, convulsions, bedsores, fever, lethargy, loss of appetite, loss of balance, painful breathing, trembling
Eczema	shedding coat, skin irritation
Enteritis (inflammation of the intestines)	abdominal pain, diarrhea (normal), loss of appetite, vomiting, weight loss
External Parasites	scratches the ears, shedding coat, skin irritation
Foreign Bodies	abdominal pain, constipation, cough, cyanosis, diarrhea (normal), difficulty swallowing, intense thirst, loss of appetite, painful to touch, scratches the ears, swelling of the abdomen, vomiting
Gastritis	abdominal pain, bad breath, loss of appetite, swelling of the abdomen, vomiting
Hemorrhage	conspicuous inner eyelid, painful breathing, rapid breathing, shock
Heart Disease	abdominal distension, convulsions, cough, lethargy, mucous tissues pale, painful breathing
Heat Stroke	changes in behavior, coma, bedsores, fever, intense thirst, loss of appetite, loss of balance, low spirits, painful breathing, painful to touch, rapid breathing, shock, ulceration
Infectious Hepatitis	abdominal pain, diarrhea (with blood), fever, intense thirst, jaundice, lethargy, loss of appetite, painful breathing, rapid breathing, vomiting
Internal Parasites	cough, diarrhea (with blood), diarrhea (normal), mucous tissues pale, swelling of the abdomen, vomiting, voracious appetite, weight loss
Intestinal Blockage	abdominal pain, constipation, convulsions, lethargy, loss of appetite, poor appetite, vomiting
Leptospirosis	abdominal pain, blood in the urine, cyanosis, diarrhea (normal), difficult or no urination, fever, jaundice, lethargy, loss of appetite, painful urination, poor appetite, rapid breathing, vomiting
Leukemia	lethargy, loss of appetite, low spirits, mucous tissues pale, conspicuous inner eyelid painful breathing, rapid breathing, vomiting
Metritis (inflammation of the uterus)	abdominal pain, convulsions, cyanosis (low blood oxygen), lethargy, loss of appetite, conspicuous inner eyelid, pus, swelling of the abdomen, vomiting
Nephritis	abdominal distension, abdominal pain, bad breath, cyanosis (low blood oxygen), difficult or no urination, fever, frequent urination, lethargy, low spirits, painful urination, swelling of the abdomen
Otitis	convulsions, loss of balance, pus, scratches the ears, skin irritation
Para-Influenza	cough, painful breathing
Parvovirus	convulsions, diarrhea with blood, diarrhea (normal), fever, lethargy, loss of appetite, low spirits, conspicuous inner eyelid, poor appetite, rapid breathing, vomiting, weight loss
Poisoning	changes in behavior, convulsions, cyanosis (low blood oxygen), diarrhea (with blood), diarrhea (normal), poor appetite, rapid breathing, shedding coat, shock, trembling, vomiting
Rabies	changes in behavior, convulsions, fever, intense thirst, loss of balance, low spirits, mucous tissues pale, conspicuous inner eyelid, poor appetite, trembling, weight loss
Ringworm	shedding coat
Stones	abdominal pain, blood in the urine, difficult or no urination, painful urination, urinary incontinence
Tartar	bad breath
Tonsillitis	cough, difficulty swallowing, fever, loss of appetite, vomiting
Toothache	bad breath, difficulty swallowing, intense thirst, loss of appetite
Torsion of the Stomach	abdominal pain, changes in behavior, coma, convulsions, difficulty swallowing, intense thirst, loss of appetite, conspicuous inner eyelid, mucous tissues pale, painful breathing, painful to touch, poor appetite, rapid breathing, swelling of the abdomen, vomiting
Tuberculosis	cough, loss of appetite, low spirits, conspicuous inner eyelid, painful breathing, rapid breathing, trembling, weight loss
Tumors	abdominal distension, loss of appetite, mucous tissues pale, conspicuous inner eyelid, painful to touch, weight loss

A Comprehensive List Of Dog Diseases

A list of dog diseases is worth having for any animal lover as it will indicate what can be wrong with a dog. The following is a fully compiled list of dog diseases which will be extremely helpful in determining certain conditions in a dog which may otherwise be inexplicable. Otherwise healthy dogs and puppys can contract certain mentioned sickness, infections even with being cared for well. Gastrointestinal illness can be prevented with proper feeding, although muscular, skeletal, cardiovascular, cancers and many others mentioned below are often found in birth or in ageing of animals.

Some of the most important, and sometimes deadly, and treatable syndromes, and infections found in dogs are following.

1. Infectious diseases
2. Bacterial infections
3. Viral infections
4. Protozoal infections
5. Fungal infections
6. Other infections

-Muscular and skeletal syndromes-Parasites-Circulatory and cardiovascular diseases-Eyes-Ears-Nervous system-Cancers-Skin-Environmental-Behavioral-Gastrointestinal ailments-Endocrine illness-Reproductive and urinary system-Overdoses and poisons

A closer look at the different viruses and infections and symptoms there of which can be found on a list of dog diseases, some which are treatable, where as others are deadly.

Bacterial infections such as Lime illness, which starts from spreading of ticks and symptoms, are anorexia, lethargy and arthritis. Brucellosis, which is sexually transmitted and Kennel cough results in respiratory problems, which usually occurs when dogs are in close confinement. Clostridium causes diarrhea and Leptospirosis which cause kidney and liver failure.

A viral infection includes Canine parvovirus, a gastrointestinal problem which usually occurs in puppies. Canine distemper is often fatal with neurological and respiratory signs. Canine corona virus is a gastrointestinal illness which is normally asymptomatic with mild clinical signs. Hepatitis which is often fatal in the liver of dogs.

Protozoal infections such as Giardiasis is an intestinal disease with common symptoms, diarrhea. Coccidiosis has no specific known symptoms although weight loss and diarrhea can occur. Leishmaniasis which is commonly caused by the sand fly. Babesiosis is caused by hard ticks which causes hemolytic anemia in dogs.

Not unlike humans there can be found on a list of dog diseases muscular and skeletal ailments commonly found in humans.

Osteoarthritis, Hip dysplasia which usually occurs in large breed dogs, Elbow dysplasia, also in large breeds. Luxating patella is usually inherited and is found in smaller breed dogs.

There are a very large variety of parasites found in dogs, which can be prevented and must be treated as soon as possible to prevent great discomfort and worse sickness is dogs.

Parasites such as intestinal parasites include hookworms, roundworms and tapeworms which cause diarrhea, vomiting and weight-loss in dogs. Fleas and ticks are a common parasite in dogs and heartworm causes coughing, difficulty breathing and often death. Mites cause itching, burning and crusting.

Again much like humans, included on the list of dog diseases dogs are commonly dogs either born with a defect heart or can develop heart problems over the years which can result in the death of the animal. Circulatory and Cardiovascular diseases include the following:

Von Willebrand disease is inherited found in dogs as well as humans which is caused by protein deficiency and signs are spontaneous bleeding as well as excessive bleeding following injury or surgery. Thrombocytopenia is caused by a low platelet count as oppose to Thrombocytosis which is caused by an excess of platelets.

All animals should be properly nourished and cared for either to prevent them from disease or cure them. Most infections and contagions found on a list of dog diseases are curable and owners of animals should realize that prevention is often possible which will result in a healthy and happy animal.

Why Do Dogs Lick People?

You’re taking a moment to relax in front of the television. The family dog wanders over to you and plops down at your feet. Your furry canine friend begins to lick the exposed skin on your leg and continues until you’re all slobbered up. The licking continues until you feel that your skin has been cleaned to the point where it may disappear. Have you ever wondered just what your dog gets out of licking you?
Most dogs are so intent on the licking process that you know there has to be a good reason for doing it.

Some people say the dog’s licks are canine kisses that prove the dog likes or loves you. Fido is showing you that he cares about you. While this may be one reason that dogs lick people, it is clearly not the only reason why they perform this act.
Another theory is that dogs lick you because they were taught to do so by their mother from birth. Female dogs that give birth lick the new puppies to stimulate them to start breathing and to clean them up. Licking is important to the survival of puppies. The licking process is a natural instinct that they quickly learn from their mothers.
Licking is also a submissive gesture. In the wild, the more subordinate dogs will lick the more dominant ones. This helps to maintain harmony among the members of the pack. By licking you, the dog is showing you that you are the dominant being and you are in charge.
Another reason that dogs lick humans is to gather information about them. Dogs use the scent receptors located in their nose and mouth to process information about a person. A person who is secreting sweat from his or her body is actually unknowingly sending information about him or herself to the dog. This is one reason why a human’s feet are so attractive to a dog. Human feet contain many sweat glands. Eccrine glands release moisture that contains salts, water and waste products. Some dogs love the taste of salt.
Sebaceous glands, which are found near hair follicles, release sebum. The combination of the sweat and sebaceous gland secretions provide a lot of detail about you to an inquisitive dog that can tell if you are afraid, stressed or happy.
Dogs also enjoy licking because the act releases endorphins that allow the dog to feel pleasure and a sense of security and comfort.
In some cases, a dog will go all out to lick his or her owner’s face, hands or legs when strangers are around. Experts believe that this could be the dog’s way of showing that you are important to them and that they care more about you than they do the stranger.
While dogs do have good reasons for licking people, some folks don’t understand nor do they care to try to grasp why they are being slobbered on. It is important to train your dog in a manner that he or she does not get carried away with the tendency to lick people.

Why do dogs lick their feet

Dogs lick their feet for a variety of reasons. A dog will spend time cleaning its feet with its tongue especially if it is active outside. Dirt, stones and pieces of wood and other material can become lodged under a dog's nail and between the pads of its feet.

A splinter or cut can easily become infected if it is not kept clean. A dog must spend time licking its feet to keep them clean. Dogs that spend much time outdoors will have to clean its feet often. Reasons that may cause a dog to lick its feet include stress, boredom and hygiene. Regular exercise and quality time spent with the dog will improve a dogs stress and boredom. Other causes that can make a dog lick its feet include injury to the toenail, foot pad and between the foot pads.

Splinters, cuts, insect bites and burns can cause a dog to lick its feet. Medical conditions that cause irritation to the skin and foot area cause licking. Unless the injury or condition is effectively treated, a dog may lick its foot so that the area to develop a condition called lick granuloma. Lick granuloma may also develop if a dog is bored from either not enough socialization with its family or exercise. Red and raw sores are the symptoms of lick granuloma.

Allergies can cause a dog to lick its feet. Allergic reactions may be caused from plants, foods and substances. Injury including broken bones and infections may also cause a dog to lick its feet. If a nail is broken or becomes ingrown, the dog may lick at the area. Arthritis may cause a dog to lick its feet.

When a dog licks its foot or limps, it is important that you determine the cause of the activity. Your dog's feet are important to its health and if your dog suddenly begins licking its foot, you must find the cause for the licking.

Your dog's travels on its feet so it is important that a dog's feet are well maintained and healthy. You can help your dog by watching for any signs of unusual licking that may indicate a problem. You can keep the skin on the pads of a dog's feet by providing enough water and a healthy diet. You should take your pet to the veterinarian if you suspect that the dog has a problem underlying any foot licking activity.

do bull terriers get along with other dog

Bull Terrier Advice? Getting Along With Other Dogs?

I currently have two dogs. One is a 3 year old male Miniature Schnauzer. We've had him since he was a puppy. About 2 years after we got the Schnauzer, we adopted a female Shar-Pei/Lab mix. They both get along really well. The female is spayed, but the male is not neutered. We were recently offered the opportunity to adopt a male Bull Terrier (Spud/Frankenweenie). The bull terrier isn't neutered, but it's still a pup. Does anyone have any experience with Bull Terriers and other dogs? Would the fact that both of the males aren't neutered be a problem? Any thought or advice would be appreciated.

Thanks!

bull terriers are very hard to handle, even though they aren't the biggest things. they will try to be top dog, especially males. unless you plan to breed, i would not recommend keeping him unneutered.

another issue that you might find absurd (i assure you, i'm being serious) is that male bulls like to hump everything. this can be frightening to kids and smaller dogs, and it might start fights with bigger dogs. i was at a show once and i was walking my dog around when a bull terrier jumped out from under a judging table and latched onto my leg. they are strong. they can bruise you.

on the british show… i can't remember the name… they help people train their dogs. one episode was with a hyperactive, obsessive humping bull terrier. it took neutering and tons of training before anybody felt safe around him. so clearly this breed has a reputation.

of all the breeds i've dealt with, this is THE most difficult to handle. if he's still young you hopefully have a chance at instilling some manners and self control. if you do, he will be an awesome dog. if you don't, he might be a nightmare

how to Reviews Dog Food

Choosing the best dog food can be extremely intimidating. There are hundreds of different dog food formulas available for purchase, all of which claim to be a superior source of nutrition for your dog. Navigating the world of dog food can be difficult, though can also be made much easier if you have access to the right information. By keeping up-to-date with the latest dog food reviews, you can gain a better understanding of which dog food formulas are best for your dog.

Where to Find Dog Food Reviews

The best place to begin searching for dog food reviews is online. There are many sites which are devoted to collecting customer responses to specific dog food brands and formulas. However, it's important to be careful when navigating these sites, since some of them are funded by certain dog food companies. In order to ensure that you obtain a generally unbiased dog food review, try to compare customer responses to a product on several websites. This will allow you to obtain a better understanding of benefits/problems that people associate with a specific dog food formula.
You can also find out about the best dog food by simply asking fellow dog owners. Chances are, a few of your friends or neighbors also own a dog. Don't be afraid to ask them about their experiences with different dog food formulas, as well as any brands that they recommend.

Best Dog Food Formulas

In general, it's possible to figure out the quality of a dog food formula simply by reading its ingredients. For most dry dog food, reading the first five ingredients will give you a better understanding of the formula. This is also true of canned dog food formulas, though canned dog food has a higher water content. At least two of the first five ingredients should be based off of a high quality protein source. Avoid any dog food formulas that include corn in their first five ingredients. Corn can cause digestive upset in many dogs, as you may be able to tell from dog food reviews of some low quality formulas. Corn is often used as a filler ingredient, in order to cut the cost of manufacturing a dog food formula.

Dry Dog Food Reviews

Dry dog food is generally more popular than canned dog food, so it is a bit easier to find dry dog food reviews. Dry dog food is generally well received due to its ability to keep a dog's teeth clean, as well as promote healthy growth of jaw muscles during early development. However, since dry dog food needs to maintain a "kibble" shape, it sometimes contains more carbohydrates than your dog's digestive system can handle. Be wary of any dry dog food reviews that cite a formula as being full of starchy ingredients, or causing indigestion in dogs.

Canned Dog Food Reviews

Since canned dog food formulas are more expensive, they tend to be less popular than dry dog food formulas. However, they are also sometimes much higher in nutritional value, since they don't need to add filler ingredients in order to maintain their shape. To find canned dog food reviews, you can do a quick search on the internet for the specific formula that you're looking for. Try to obtain dog food reviews from several different sites, and not only from sites that are directly selling the product.

Reading Dog Food Reviews

When reading dog food reviews, it's important to keep a few things in mind. First, people are much more inclined to write a review of a product to say something negative. Watch out for reviews that don't state a particular reason for giving a dog food formula a low rating. By contrast, be wary of positive dog food reviews that are suspicious. Sometimes, a dog food company will hire people to write fake positive reviews, in order to artificially boost their rating on a specific site. This is the main reason why it's extremely important to thoroughly research a dog food formula before deciding if it's the right type of food for your dog.

Grain Free Dog Food

Many dog owners aren't familiar with the concept of grain-free dog food. Due to the increase in dogs developing diabetes and other disorders, some dog food companies have decided to produce formulas that are completely free of all grains. Most grain free dog food formulas are subject to positive dog food reviews, due to the higher nutritional content and lower amount of filler ingredients. However, switching your dog to a grain-free dog food formula can result in digestive issues at first, if the switch is not done gradually. This is why it's important that some of the digestive problems that are present in grain-free dog food reviews may be due to a sudden change to the formula.

Train a Dog with all people

When understanding how to train a dog, you need to understand the reasons behind your dog’s specific behavioral traits. Dogs are not like humans, and may exhibit behavior that is “bad” when not properly trained. In order to avoid this, it’s important that you know how to train your dog correctly and efficiently. Here is a general guide to help familiarize you with the process of dog training, and the methods you can use to understand how to train a dog.

Socialization

Many people fail to realize that an important part of understanding how to train a dog involves socialization. Socialization is just as much a part of dog training as obedience-related commands. The concept of socialization is fairly simple: expose your dog to as many situations, events and environments as possible. Dogs that are not properly socialized at a young age will tend to be fearful of new situations, which may cause aggressive or defensive behavior. This is also one of the most important concepts to understand about how to train a puppy, since puppies will be the most open to a socialization dog training program.

How to Socialize a Dog

To socialize your dog, begin by first making it a point to bring them outside of the house each day. Take them for walks in areas with a lot of people, such as a park or crowded street. Make sure your dog is well-behaved enough so that they can interact in these environments without getting excited. You can even take your dog to designated “play-dates” with friends or family. Simply explain to them how to train a dog, and how socialization is a very important part of that training. It’s best to do this when your dog is still a puppy, since they are more prone to being open to new experiences. The concept of “how to train a dog” involves the willingness to expose your dog to new activities.

Puppy Training

Aside from socializing a puppy with the outside world, it’s also very important to start a home puppy training program as soon as your puppy becomes a member of your household. Puppies are open to learning new things, and will respond best if you begin establishing their role at an early age. When understanding how to train a puppy, it’s important that you are extremely patient. Not all puppies are able to understand commands right away, and may require some time to become acquainted with their new home.

How to Train a Puppy

Spend at least 4 hours with your puppy each day, though this time should not be dedicated entirely to training. Take your puppy out into the yard, engaging in healthy outdoor playtime. You can also help expend some of their seemingly limitless energy by taking a quick jog around the yard, while having them harnessed on a leash. When understanding how to train a dog, it’s important that you are first familiar with how to train a puppy.

Potty Training

Potty training is one of the most important parts of understanding how to train a dog. Proper dog training also involves potty training, since it involves the teaching of desired behavior. How to train a dog (correctly) to be potty trained involves patience, timing and a willingness to ignore accidents. Though it’s natural to be upset when your new puppy decides to go to the bathroom on the carpet, knowing how to train a dog also involves knowing when to let small accidents go.

How to Potty Train a Dog

The best way to understand how to train a dog to go to the bathroom outdoors is through crate training. Most dogs will respond well to crate training, and will be able to be potty trained in a few weeks. This is also dependent on your dog’s rate of learning. A lot of knowing how to train a dog involves being patient with your dog’s ability to understand new concepts, such as potty training. Use the crate to confine your dog when you aren’t able to watch them, which will prevent early accidents.

How to Train a Dog – Playtime

Another important part of understanding how to train a dog involves being willing to engage in playtime. Just like humans, dogs need some time to play and relax. In order to make obedience training more effective, you need to understand that knowing how to train a dog will also require you to designate a period of time each day to playing with your dog. Having this time to relax with your dog will not only teach you how to train your dog more effectively, it can help you to de-stress as well.

the way to take care of a dog

How to take care of a dog

It is best if you do a bit of research about how to take care of a dog before deciding to accept a dog as a member of your household. Caring for a dog involves a lot of responsibility, since you will be the sole provider for your dog’s social, dietary and health-related needs. You will also need to be prepared to train your dog, since this is also a very important part of understanding how to take care of a dog. Here is a general guide that will familiarize you with how to take care of a dog, as well as provide tips to help you keep your dog healthy.

Puppy Care

Being aware of how to take care of a puppy requires a bit of a different approach than knowing how to take care of a dog. Puppies require special attention, since they are still in their “learning” stage. Encourage your puppy to interact with the world around them, and be open to new situations or environments. This is also known as “socialization”, and involves exposing your puppy to as many new things as possible. Socialization is a very important part of how to train a puppy, since it sets the foundation for future dog training. Most well-socialized puppies will be much easier to care for, since they tend to exhibit better behavior. It’s also important that you feed your puppy a special puppy-food diet for at least their first year. Growing puppies have different nutritional needs than adult dogs, and need to be fed accordingly. Just like knowing how to take care of a dog, knowing how to take care of a puppy requires that you do some research beforehand.

Feeding

Knowing how to take care of a dog involves proper attention to your dog’s diet. Though it may be tempting to purchase a low-quality dog food formula that is inexpensive, this can negatively affect your dog’s health. Understanding how to take care of a dog means that you are accepting the responsibilities associated with proper dog care. It’s recommended that you feed your dog a high-quality, nutrient-rich dog food formula that is balanced enough to ensure proper digestion. Checking dog food reviews is an excellent way of picking a high quality dog food.
In general, the first five listed ingredients in a dog food formula will make up the “bulk” of the food. Be sure that at least two of the first five ingredients are derived from high-quality protein sources. It’s also best to avoid dog food that contains artificial preservatives, colors or chemical flavoring.

Training

Part of knowing how to take care of a dog involves knowing how to train a dog. Dogs that are properly trained are much easier to manage, and can adapt more easily to new training programs. Proper dog training should ideally be started as soon as you bring a dog into your home. Understanding how to take care of a dog means that you will have to be sensitive to how quickly your dog can learn new commands. Different breeds of dogs have different levels of intelligence, and will learn at different speeds. The best way to be aware of how to take care of a dog in relation to training involves a lot of patience. Potty training in particular can be difficult, as some dogs need a bit of time to adapt to going to the bathroom outdoors.

Exercise

Knowing how to take care of a dog also involves an adequate level of exercise. Each year, thousands of dogs experience obesity-related health problems. If you truly care about how to take care of a dog, it’s important that you incorporate exercise into your dog’s daily routine. Exercise can be a brisk 30 minute walk, or an extended session of playtime.

Grooming

Another essential part of knowing how to take care of a dog involves attention to your dog’s grooming. Most dogs will need to be groomed at least twice per week, though some long-haired dogs may require more frequent grooming. Be sure to check your dog’s eyes, ears teeth and nails during the grooming process. In some cases, early identification of a health problem can save your dog from a serious medical condition. Decent grooming equipment can be found at any discount pet supplies store.

Veterinary Care

Proper veterinary care is extremely important when understanding how to take care of a dog. It’s best if you bring your dog in for veterinary checkups at least once per month. If you’re worried about costs, you may want to invest in pet insurance for your dog. Pet insurance can cover some or all of your veterinary bills, and will usually also cover emergency procedures. Many dog owners often underestimate how important veterinary care is for knowing how to take care of a dog.