K9 Magazine's blog site (MyDogMagazine.com) has recently published a short, to the point article on the topic of specialist diet requirements for dogs suffering with chronic kidney failure.
In the article (Dog diet for chronic kidney failure), they go on to say:
Kidney problems in dogs tend to manifest in older dogs and the advice generally offered by vets and animal nutrition experts tends to suggest that older dogs / dogs with kidney problems should have less total protein but a higher quality protein in their diet.
The advice on protein, specifically, adds:
Excess protein produces more nitrogenous wastes, which means more work for the kidneys. Dogs with kidney problems could be put on prescription dog food, or small amounts of high-quality protein, such as in eggs, yogurt, tofu, ricotta, farmer cheese, cottage cheese, and hard mild cheeses, together with a lot of raw, grated vegetables. Kidney problems require low protein. Heart problems require low salt. Very often the two maladies go hand in hand.
Read the article in full – Dog Diet For Chronic Kidney Failure http://bit.ly/GGpPi0
You might have thought you had a good dog, but you could have ended up with a bad one. However, there’s still hope! A bit of training goes a long way in reducing bad dog behavior.
The key to effective training is to ensure that your dog’s activity level remains consistently high. Dogs are not meant to lie around all day and do nothing. They need to run and work in order to be healthy and happy. Take your dog on regular walks to burn off extra energy. Dogs also make superb workout partners and can be trained to run alongside you as you jog or bike. A dog that doesn’t run gets bored and lethargic. Your dog needs to get exercise.
A helpful bit of training advice is to be aware of your dog’s taste preferences. By giving your dog this food, they will want to follow whatever you teach them. Watch how your dog responds when receiving their reward to ensure it is still the best choice.
When you are in the initial stages of training your puppy, teach him his name first to help create a bond. Call him using his name and teach him how to respond when called. This is the first set of commands you should teach your new puppy. Be sure to spend lots of quality time with your puppy, so that he will learn to know and trust you. When you set this trust early on, the puppy will be more open to the next steps in training.
Keep count of the number of treats you feed your dog because you do not want him or her to get fat. A lot of pet owners don’t think about how much weight their dogs can put on with treats.
Ensure that your dog gets enough activity. Don’t let your dog sit around with nothing to do. They won’t get any exercise that way and if they’re too bored, they might sniff around and get into some trouble. Dogs with no enthusiasm will be harder to train than active dogs. A dog that is happy, and gets the attention that they crave, will be a better behaved and attentive dog. Take your dog on long walks or runs.
Training should be fun for your dog. Keep your training sessions to a period of time that is less than 15 minutes. Reward your dog generously, when warranted. Praise your dog often when he does well and show a lot of love. Training your dog can be an enjoyable experience for both of you.
Although there are many benefits to using a harness, you will have less control over your dog than if he is wearing a cinch collar. When you use both a collar and a harness, and only tug the collar when you need to, the dog will learn that he or she must behave while they are in the harness, too.
A lot of pet owners are pleasantly surprised how canine behavior training can fit seamlessly into their lives and just how soon they can see positive effects. Try out these tips if you are having problems with your dog.
Underestimating your dog’s intelligence and abilities will leave you frustrated and disappointed. Our dogs are smart, clever creatures and we need to respect their mental capacity.
If you are training more than one dog, remember that some breeds of dogs can be trained together, but some breeds cannot. If your dogs fight or goof off instead of paying attention, it may be wise to do a bit of one-on-one training before training them together.
Making your dog feel secure enhances his loyalty, which will make for a better trained dog who will want to please you. If dogs don’t feel safe, they will probably lash out with some kind of behavior that is bad. So this doesn’t happen, make sure your dog is always safe.
If you are irritated or annoyed about something else, do not start a training session. You need to set an example of patience for your dog. Otherwise, your dog will become impatient and training will be unsuccessful.
Use a steady and commanding tone when speaking to your dog. Dogs pick up on subtle changes in their owner’s voices. An adequate stern tone can help reinforce their discipline.
Give your puppy something it can chew to help it lessen teething pains, like a toy or a piece of rope. Keep any items you treasure out of reach of your puppy while it is teething. Replace the item immediately with one of the dog’s own chew toys. Teething pain can be soothed by a washcloth that has been soaked in water and frozen.
Make sure food and outside time are scheduled to help break your dog into being an inside dog. Then you will be aware when your dog needs to go outside to use the bathroom. Using this schedule can teach your dog how to hold their piddle until the upcoming potty break.
During your training program, keep your dog interested by using many different types of treats. Rewarding your dog with special treats during training will encourage him to obey the commands you give him. He will begin to look forward to your training sessions.
You dog needs to have a lot of attention and mental stimulation in order to stay happy and healthy. Some great activities to provide this mental stimulation could be a long outside walk, a favorite bone, or even a peanut butter-filled toy! If your dog gets bored, chances are he will find a way to stay busy, and you probably won’t like what he chooses.
When someone enters your house, do not be afraid to tell them the best way to interact with your dog. This can get your dog overly excited and confused. He may start to jump on the guest or assert his dominance.
After learning some helpful hints on how to get through to your dog and train it to behave to your expectations you simply need to follow what you have learned. After changing your dogs behavior to fit with the tips suggested you can properly train your dog.
Puppy chewing can be a problem, but it is only a problem if you do not give your dog an alternative. There are many ways to prevent your furry friend from chewing up the things that matter to you. This article will advise you on alternative methods to help curb your puppy's chewing.
Every dog needs a calm and confident leader to feel secure. Any dog owner can show that he is a strong leader by encouraging and rewarding good behavior. Proving to your pet that you're a strong leader makes training easier and establishes a bond between pet and owner.
Create a bridge between the dog's response to a command and the reward for success. By saying a bridge word such as "yes" or "good", you will reinforce that the behavior is acceptable and the reward will follow. Keep using this bridge word even after training is complete to be consistent with your pet.
To teach your dog to lie down, have him start in a sit position. Take a treat, and place your hand on the ground. Slowly drag it away from your dog. Your dog should initially lower his nose to the ground, and then lie down as he tries to follow the treat further away. If he stands up instead of lying down, have him restart from the sit position. Make sure to praise him once he lies down.
When training a troublesome dog there are many different techniques that one can use. However a key factor is establishing that one is dominant over the dog they are trying to train. By ensuring that the dog knows who is in charge it will guarantee that the dog is listening to the person trying to train it.
Is your dog barking constantly? Excessive barking can often be related to too little exercise – try upping your walks or runs by thirty to sixty minutes each day, and you'll likely notice a huge reduction in barking almost immediately. Giving your dog plenty of appropriate things to chew on can also make a big difference.
If you are getting a new dog, and you intend to train it, look for a younger dog. The old adage "You can't teach an old dog new tricks" is somewhat appropriate here. Younger dogs are more receptive to dominance from a pack leader and will learn quickly in an effort to please. Another plus to this is that young dogs really enjoy learning new things, much like children do.
Dogs usually respond well to physical rewards when being trained. Almost all dogs have an extremely large capacity for love. That makes them respond very well to rewards like belly scratching, back petting and brushing. Your dog wants to be loved and greatly appreciates you giving him affection. Show your happiness with his success this way.
As was discussed in the beginning of this article, puppy chewing is a problem only if you do not give him something else to focus on. Apply the advice from this article on the proper way to train your puppy not to chew up your home, and soon you will see your dog finding non-destructive ways to occupy his or her time.
Promotion: Stop puppy biting and chewing.
Moving abroad with your dog is a big decision for several reasons. For some, the need to move abroad is exactly that, a need, not a choice. For others it’s a lifestyle choice. K9 Magazine will show you what you need to know about moving abroad with dogs.
See more on our YouTube Channel: http://www.youtube.com/user/K9Magazine
Actress Adele Silva is a huge dog lover.
So much so, she agreed to speak to K9 Magazine about her passion for pooches in an engaging interview that covers her love of dogs as well as some interesting points about work, life and being a star of a long running British soap.
Adele Silva's K9 Magazine Photo ShootRead Adele Silva in K9 Magazine….
So many people end up with unruly pets because of a fear of dog training that has stricken so many people. Why? Well, being uneducated in dog training is an easy way to remain ineffective in your attempts. You should be more proactive in learning more so you can help your dog to learn more. Try these tips and move forward in learning new tricks.
Dog owners can find great value in being affectionate toward their pets. Positive reinforcement has been proven to work better in a training situation than negativity. Dogs are social beings and love praise. Your efforts will go a long way toward improving future training sessions as well.
K9 Magazine's Ryan O'Meara says that focussing on timing can pay huge dividends. Your timing and the expected timing of your dog's actions are essential. This is important because this is one learning aspect that is common to all dogs. While different dogs require different teaching methods, timing is a communication method that will help you find success no matter what you try.
Participating in a group class can be a very effective way to train your dog. Group classes are almost always less expensive than individual training sessions. They also offer your dog the opportunity to socialize with other pets. Look for a smaller group though, so that you still have plenty of one on one interaction with the trainer.
Does your dog jump up on you? Simply turn your back to your dog for a few seconds when she jumps up. Most dogs will quickly learn that jumping up makes you ignore them, but when they have all four feet on the floor, then you pay attention to them.
If you are trying to prevent your dog from begging, the best thing to do is ignore the begging completely. Don't respond either positively, with a treat or petting, or negatively, by shouting. Your dog will learn quickly and remember for a long time that the begging ended up with you paying attention to the dog.
Using a different tone of voice for different purposes, is a great teaching tool in training your dog. Commands, corrections and praise should all have their own tone in order to help your dog distinguish cause and effect with his and your behavior. Be firm and sharp with commands, use a louder tone for corrections, and your natural voice for praise.
Your rewards should suit your dog's personality. You wouldn't work for free, so why would your dog? Make rewards match the difficulty of the task. Regular treats are great for behaviors your dog already knows, but don't be afraid to pull out something truly stinky and tempting to teach new challenges.
Although a well trained dog can be taught to put up with just about anything, there will be times and situations where they are truly uncomfortable with a person, another animal, or a place. Don't force your dog to suffer through more of this discomfort than is absolutely necessary. There is a reason that they are uncomfortable and you need to determine that reason.
Never punish a dog for a house-training accident unless you actually witness it happening. Nobody likes coming home to a smelly surprise, but one of the biggest mistakes you can make when house training a dog is punishing or scolding a dog for an earlier mistake. Dogs do not have a good concept of cause and effect, so scolding a dog for a mess will only serve to make them fear the actual mess or you, and not the act of making the mess. They do not understand why they are being punished and in some cases it can cause the dog to start eating their waste, because they know its presence makes you angry. If you catch them in the act, simply firmly tell them "no" and immediately take them outside. Remember, if you have a male dog who likes to cock their leg against fire hydrants or bollards, this is normal dog behaviour but those things are someone else's property and have to be cleaned. It's better to take the dog somewhere where they won't do this or at least teach them not to.
If you want to tackle dog training head on, the best way to go is through the best learning possible. Get the research that you need to learn the strategies that are highly effective even for professionals. You should begin with the tips in this article and get smarter about teaching your dog better.
The 28 US schools and colleges of veterinary medicine (CVMs) are feeling the painful effects of $104 million worth of state appropriation cuts over the past two years. At the same time, CVMs have managed to stay on course through a combination of belt tightening and tuition increases that only partially make up for the cuts. These findings are the result of a recent economic study by the Association of American Veterinary Medical Colleges (AAVMC), which — along with the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) — is examining the economic issues that affect veterinary medical education and veterinary medicine as a whole.
In his recent State of the Union speech and subsequently, President Obama warned colleges that schools can't just "jack up tuition every single year" and simply expect people to pay it, adding that, "If you can't stop tuition from going up, the funding you get from taxpayers every year will go down." Obama is targeting Perkins loans, work-study jobs, and Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grants.
In response, CVM deans say that they agree with the need to do something about escalating tuition in higher education, which burdens graduates across all professions with often-hefty payments at a time when they are trying to get their careers off the ground. Deans often have only limited, shared decision-making power over tuition rates. For example, in the public sphere, states approve the tuition increases that universities propose and governing boards implement. In simplest terms, students are paying more because the state is paying far less.
The AAVMC is working to publicize and increase loan forgiveness or loan restructuring payment options. Deans point out that they are working hard to reduce the overall cost to educate students through improved campus efficiencies and that, despite state cuts, their tuition increases are less than the national average. For example, according to the College Board, average undergraduate tuition at state colleges rose 8.3 percent this year, and, according to the Association of American Medical Colleges, resident medical school tuition rose 7.7 percent, while the average tuition at state CVMs rose 6.6 percent.
According to a recent AAVMC survey, the belt tightening comes at a cost. Of the 28 deans, 71.4 percent reported that state cuts are reducing their schools' ability to hire and maintain faculty; 53.5 percent reported that the cuts are affecting their ability to maintain some academic course offerings for students; and 50 percent reported that cuts are interfering with efforts to provide extension and outreach services.
In 2011, the AAVMC released Roadmap for Veterinary Medical Education in the 21st Century: Responsive, Collaborative, Flexible, a report found at www.aavmc.org/roadmap that was compiled by the North American Veterinary Medical Education Consortium (NAVMEC). As reported in that publication, many CVMs have laid off staff members, reduced the number of faculty members, and eliminated programs.
"What is most worrisome is that CVMs report that they have been unable to fill a significant number of faculty positions," said Dr. Gerhardt Schurig, AAVMC president and dean of the Virginia-Maryland Regional College of Veterinary Medicine. "Some hopefully temporary cost-cutting measures that can help are to hire part-time or adjunct faculty or slightly increase the student-to-faculty ratio, but we don't want to do that to such a degree that we dilute the quality of the veterinary medical education experience, and we particularly need to manage the size of clinical medical rotations in order to provide a hands-on, individualized educational experience."
Many CVMs are part of schools established through passage of the 1862 Morrill Land-Grant Act, which stressed "agriculture and mechanic arts," with most financial support coming from state departments of agriculture. "With time, and the shift of the North American population to urban settings, direct financial support to land-grant universities has declined sharply, in stark contrast to what has been provided to schools of human medicine, dentistry, and nursing," says the NAVMEC report. The last major influx of federal funds to veterinary schools came in the late 1970s and early 1980s.
Today, agriculture and farm animal care is just one of the multiple roles veterinarians play, and a shift toward companion animal practice, the human-animal bond, and a "one health" approach has occurred. "One health" focuses on the intersection of human, animal, and eco-system health. "Veterinarians are the only professionals educated in a comparative, cross-species approach to diagnostics, epidemiology, and preventive medicine, which is important for a comprehensive, global, 'one health' direction. As this new direction grows, the demand for veterinarians will grow. It will only take a major outbreak of a disease common to humans and animals, bioterrorism attack, or a compromise of the food system infrastructure to dramatically spike an immediate need for additional veterinarians," Schurig said.
From a financial perspective, "The focus of CVMs shifted and many traditional federal revenue streams dried up without any major new funding to support the important work that CVMs do," Schurig said. "Now, on top of that, we're coping with a drastic reduction in state financial support."
"In light of recent trends, CVMs, the AAVMC, and the AVMA need to pursue the NAVMEC report's recommended approaches now more than ever," said Dr. Bennie Osburn, interim executive director of the AAVMC. The report recommends that colleges of veterinary medicine provide a cost-effective, quality education with a "one health" approach where CVMs share educational resources and partner with the AVMA and other stakeholders nationally, internationally, and locally, to develop economically viable approaches to veterinary medical education.
The Association of American Veterinary Medical Colleges (AAVMC) is a nonprofit membership organization working to protect and improve the health and welfare of animals, people, and the environment by advancing academic veterinary medicine. Its members include all 33 veterinary medical colleges in the United States and Canada, nine departments of veterinary science, eight departments of comparative medicine, three veterinary medical education institutions, nine international colleges of veterinary medicine, and five affiliate international colleges of veterinary medicine.
How often should I worm my dog?
You probably wouldn't be all too surprised to find out that many dog owners are often left stumped when it comes to the frequency of worming.
In their straight to the point guide (How often should I worm my dog?) K9 Magazine has this to say:
A dog with worms is an unhappy, unfulfilled and potentially very poorly dog. You might be surprised to learn that one of the more common queries we receive is from dog owners who want to know “how often should I worm my dog?”.
The frequency of worming is something that requires some further analysis on the topic of worms in dogs on a more general level. You’ll see why when you read on.
The truth is, a dog with worms really is unhappy and at a potentially very high risk of some seriously unpleasant health problems.
Want to know what are the best dogs for children?
K9 Magazine can help.
The magazine has this to say in their recent article on selecting an ideal dog to live with a child inclusive family:
Picture if you will a young family. 2.4 young kids, a young, lush lawn and a newly furnished semi on the outskirts of town. For the lucky ones reading, this might be reality. Nothing is more rewarding than starting a family, but for those who got down to prolonging the existence of human kind a few years ago, you may notice that your children’s heads are disproportionately large in comparison with their meek, yet flexible bodies. If their heads do look a bit large it could mean that you have toddlers.
Great, everyone loves toddlers. Especially this writer, but what he likes to see more than a happy, healthy young family is a happy, healthy young family talking the dog for a walk.
