Posted on 28 December 2009. Tags: age, Breeds & Hybrid/Mixed Breeds, dog, dog breed, dog breeding, Dog Care, Dog Health, doggy, dogs, good dog, health, Health Issues for Dogs, Health Issues for Dogs Over "A Certain Age", issues, owner, Senior Dogs, tips, Tips and Advice
Senior dogs can require specialized dog care routines and additional attention to dog health issues. Some breeds of dogs will stay very healthy, youthful and spry into their mid teens, while other start acting more sedate and older even before they reach the age of ten. A good generalization with regards to this type of behavior is that an active young dog tends to stay an active senior dog, while a relaxed and laid back young dog will only get more so as he or she matures.
Senior Dogs and Dog Care
Like people, senior dogs are more at risk for joint and muscle pains, stiffness, and conditions such as arthritis. While there are not always cures for these conditions, good nutrition, appropriate routine exercise and lots of love and attention for your elderly canine are all important aspects of senior dog health. Since getting up and down and moving after being sedate are often the biggest problems, make sure your senior dog is always in an area where he or she has solid, non-slip footing. Don't use dog mats and area carpets that will bunch and slide as the dog tries to stand up or sit down. Use mats and carpets with rubberized backs that will stick to the floor, giving maximum support and traction. Avoid having your senior dog sleep, eat or walk around on tiles, hardwood or other slippery surfaces whenever possible.
Sleeping on Furniture
If your dog has always slept on the couch, your bed or sat on your lap while you read the paper it is not fair to expect that they won't still want to the same even when they are not physically fit enough to jump up and down. Senior dogs often don't realize that they will hurt themselves by jumping up and down, so either build or buy a pet ramp or a set of doggy stairs they can use, or start teaching your dog to stay off the furniture at a young age.
Exercise
Many senior dogs simply don't self-exercise, so planning moderate levels of appropriate exercise for your dog is part of good senior dog care. Dog health does depend on regular movement so a good walk in the morning at one in the evening has to be a must. If your senior dog has other dogs in the house that are younger, monitor the level of play and don't allow the older dog to overtax himself or herself physically, this will increase stiffness and muscle problems.
Dental Care
A very important part of senior dog care and dog health management is to monitor their teeth and gums. Tooth loss can lead to problems in chewing and eating, in turn causing digestive problems and poor nutrition. Always check your dog's teeth in grooming routines and keep brushing to remove tartar and keep gums healthy. If you are concerned about the dog not eating due to dental issues, talk to your vet and consider moistening dry kibble slightly with beef or chicken broth to make it easier to chew.
Senior dogs can lead very full, happy and healthy lives. Taking a bit of time and effort to consider dog health issues and how you can help with senior dog care in the home makes a big difference to your pet.
Posted in Dog Health
Posted on 27 December 2009. Tags: border collie, Breeds/Hybrids/Mixed Breeds, dog, dog breed, doggy, dogs, good dog, issues, Issues with rescued dogs, owner, Ownership Advice, Psychology & Training, tips, Tips and Advice
With more and more unwanted dogs entering the world today, it stands to reason that most of them will enter a new world called “the rescued world” as compared to the safe haven of their original home of love and stability. Border Collie dogs are one of the most rescued breeds, which is a tragedy given their intelligence and willingness to please a family. By the time most of these dogs get to the point of needing rescuing, they have left home after home of abuse, neglect, and ignorance of care. I have over thirty dogs I have rescued and I can tell you exactly what they lack and their history, as they all have the same look in their eyes and the same needs.
Most of these dogs lack love and faith in their owner or owners, depending on how many homes they have been in or how long they have been on the streets. They don’t know what a pat on the head is, and it takes me anywhere from two weeks to a year to get them to respond to it. The desire and need is there, but the fear holds them at bay. They appear head shy, fearing retribution, and defend if they can. But once they overcome these hurdles, they are the most loyal and lovable dogs I have ever seen. They are much more needy for love than the ones I have raised myself, as my dogs have never done without.
Another thing I recognized was the need for all the water and food they could handle, as most have not had enough over the years. And if they had, it was not of high quality to maintain their health and hunger. One female I rescued would fight over water, continuously drinking pan after pan until it was gone. I could never fill her up, as she obviously spent many days without water. Another one would fall asleep around her feed pan, as if to ensure herself that it would be there when she woke up.
This is a world of plenty, and pets are selling by the thousands of dollars. But their care is sincerely lacking, and most end up on the streets, pregnant, abused, or in the pound. And what do the original owners do…go purchase another dog. My advice before purchasing a dog is to make sure that you can handle the dog in your lifestyle: if not, DON”T get it! And if you do want one, make sure it is the one you want.
Make a list of what you want: a large dog or a small one; one you need to exercise or one who requires little; one that requires maintenance or one that requires little brushing; one that barks and it doesn’t bother you as you live in the country, or one that is barkless, as you live in a small apartment in town. Don’t get a Labrador only two years later give it away as it is too big; don't get a Border Collie then complain it needs a lot of exercise and attention; where was the research?
Know what a dog is about before you get one…they shed, they bark, they love human companionship even if you have just got home from work and don’t want them near you, and they need fed and exercised every day to several times a day. They go to the toilet in your home while babies, and with the right training, will become pleasures in your life for many years. But, with little or bad training from ignorant and uncaring owners, they will become miserable and unhappy statistics in our society.
Posted in Psychology & Training
US $94.99
