The Importance of Dog Training

By: Steve Searls

Well trained dogs are amazing creatures. Apart from being sociable, trained dogs are quiet, disciplined, do not bark unnecessarily and most of all pose a very low risk of biting anyone. They can also exhibit this composure in a distracting environment.

Well trained dogs show great affection and are likely to live their entire lives with the same owner, unlike the abandoned dogs. Some recent research work conducted by the Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association pointed out that 96% of the shelter dogs never had any sort of training in their life.

Training helps teach the dogs boundaries and also makes it easier for them to live comfortably with humans. You will find plenty of dog trainers and training programs all across the city. However, always find a trainer and training program that best suits the needs of your dog.

When it comes to finding a dog trainer, your first choice should be getting references from your friends or someone in the family. Other dog owners in the neighborhood can also give you valuable suggestions. When you finally find one, make sure you ask him all the questions which you may feel necessary to ask. In fact, a professional and experienced trainer would always ask you a lot of questions about your dog and take notes. If they do not, you may consider finding another one. The method of training is also very important, so make sure you ask the trainer which method he would be using on your dog.

Regardless of whether you hire a trainer or train your dog by yourself it is important that your dog learns to socialize and understand your commands. There are many things that have to be covered in the training. Let us look at some of the areas of training.

- Socializing with humans. Quite simple! You can introduce your dog to the people in your neighborhood when you go for a walk with your dog.

- Socializing with other dogs. You can reduce the aggressiveness of your dog by introducing him to others of its kind. Dog parks or dog training classes are the ideal places to let them get to know each other.

- Leash walking at a steady pace. You can use this as the first step in your training which should begin when you buy the dog as a little puppy.

- The 'sit' command. Most owners and even trainers use this as the first command to teach the dog.

- The 'down/stand' command. These commands help develop boundaries for the dog.

- The 'stay' command. As a dog owner you may find it necessary for your dog to learn this command as it is useful in environments full of noise and distractions.

It is indeed necessary to train the dog in order to have a strong bonding between the dog and its master. The same way it is important for us to become educated in order to become civilized, the dogs too need training so that they know which habits are to be developed and what are the things that should be avoided.

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Tips on How to Select Your Dog

By: Jimmy Cox

The right dog can be a source of fun and companionship for many years. But the wrong dog may well turn out to be a nuisance and cause of family dissension. So, give some serious thought to the matter of picking your dog.

Purebred, Crossbreed, or Mongrel

To paraphrase Gertrude Stein: "A dog is a dog is a dog." No one breed or mixture is better than another. It all depends on why you want a dog and what kind of a dog your particular situation will maintain. There's only one species of dog, Canis familiaris, with 116 breeds registered in the American Kennel Club. As to the crossbreeds and mongrels, their numbers and combinations are best left to the mathematicians. You may be sure, though, the crossbreeds and mongrels far outnumber the purebreds.

The purebreds, crossbreeds and mongrels are much alike in their general behavior and instincts. Any one of them will offer friendship, loyalty and companionship. And with reasonable care, a dog from any of these groups will turn into a fine pet.

Purebred dogs

A purebred dog is one whose parents and ancestors are of a single breed. It is a dog with a traceable pedigree. In America, purebred dogs are registered with the American Kennel Club. Foreign purebred dogs are registered in the official kennel club of the specific country. The American Kennel Club now registers 116 breeds, divided into six groups.

Crossbreeds and mongrels

You may have decided that you just want a dog, nothing fancy - animal or price. If so, you have a wide range of choice from among the many combinations of crossbreeds and mongrels. They have little monetary value, but they'll give every bit as much loyalty and companionship as the purebreds.

Don't think that because crossbreeds and mongrels are purchased cheaply or obtained gratis, they are not highly prized by their owners. Of the 26 million dogs in the United States, more than two-thirds are crossbreeds and mongrels. And, along with the purebreds, these "cheap" dogs are the best-fed and best-cared for dogs in the world.

There are some disadvantages in getting a crossbreed or mongrel dog. To be sure, the crossbreed will grow up to look somewhat like his sire or dam. But not the mongrel; what he will look like is anybody's guess. Neither the crossbreed nor the mongrel can be entered in dog shows or field trials. So take this fact into consideration if you want to take part in the competitive areas of the dog world.

You will not experience much difficulty in finding a crossbreed or mongrel. And often they are yours for the asking. Consult the classified ads in your newspaper, visit a humane society, or reputable pet shop, and check with any neighbors who have puppies they cannot keep.

Male Vs. Female

The choice between a male or female should be based on facts, not prejudice. There are pros and cons for both sexes. The usual objection to the female is her estrus cycle or heat periods. She has a discharge during her periods, wants to go out and roam, and attracts a horde of canine Romeos. Add to this the excellent chance of unwanted puppies and you have the case against the female.

It's really not a very strong case. Let's consider some of the pros for the female. You'll find she is cleaner around the house, with better control of her bladder than the male. This is an important factor if you live in an apartment. You will recall that the male dog has an instinct for lifting his leg and urinating against trees, poles and fireplugs. He won't hesitate to use table and chair legs, doorjambs or floor lamps as substitutes.

The female has a strong maternal and protective instinct. She will guard children (especially if raised with them) as closely as she will guard her puppies. Some dog trainers consider the female to be more tractable, more willing to learn and with a longer attention span than the male.

You now should be in a stronger position to find a dog which will really suit you.

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What to Feed a Sick Dog

Everyone gets sick at one time or another and having someone to look after you, look after you, and guide you in the correct direction in this time of need can make all the difference in getting you back to your normal health and strength. Dogs are no exception to this rule and looking after and caring for your dog can make all the difference to their recovery.

But what happens if your dog has lost their appetite and you know they need some sort of food inside them before they run into more illness? Well this is a very common situation to be in with an ill dog so there are a few ideas that you might want to try and they might shorten your dogs suffering and help keep it bearable for the time being.

Give your dog bland food (food with little or no strong flavours, smells, and tastes) to start with, bland food will help them keep their food down with not too much in it to upset the stomach and cause more illness. Anything that makes it easier for your dog to eat without too much strain is best; if they have to put a lot of effort into eating when ill they will probably not bother in fear of causing more illness and sick feeling, try blending food up finely so they can lick it up instead of chewing and swallowing, as this often works well for a lot of pets.

If this works then you should build the tastes up slowly from bland food to normal stronger tasting foods but always keeping to what your dog is comfortable with, if you do too much too soon then your dog will become ill again so take it slowly.

If this doesn't work then try to feed them sufficient amounts of water if nothing else. When a dog is unwell they may have other symptoms like diarrhea which will cause them to become dehydrated easily and set them up for more misery so try to maintain good hydration levels, which in turn will maintain your dog's happiness.

If all else fails and nothing seems to be working then you should contact your vet and seek advice there, if you do not then you risk your dogs health and bodyweight deteriorating and there may be other difficulties to overcome before your dog will start to become better.

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Dog Training - Teaching an Old Dog New Tricks

By: Jonathon Hardcastle

Whoever came up with the saying that you can't teach an old dog new tricks simply didn't know how to do it properly. Dogs of any age can be taught tricks and obedience by following the same, standard procedure. Regardless of the age of your dog, a patient and above all consistent approach to training will pay off very quickly.

The first step to training any dog is to establish a rewards system. The rewards system should comprise of some tangible treat, as well as a show of love and affection. Applying the reward system consistently will eventually create a recognition of what's right and wrong, and allow quicker results overall.

One of the most effective ways to train your dog to behave in a certain manner is by teaching it one word commands. Traditional one word commands, like 'sit' and 'stay' are vital in ensuring your dog is obedient whenever required. The first step is to reward the behavior, for example, sitting, whenever the dog happens to naturally sit. You will notice fairly quickly a recurrence in this type of behavior, if you take care to reward. Next, introduce the word, and only reward activity occurring after the announcement of the word. It is imperative that you say the word only once, and reward your dog for obeying, and withhold the reward otherwise. This should again help to establish a pattern of positive behavior in response to the requests of the owner. Although these techniques are most useful for basic obedience, they can also benefit dogs with behavioral problems, as well as allow effective training of more complicated tasks.

Additionally, working with older dogs to try and learn new tricks and techniques will help keep them mentally fresh. This means that, like humans, the dogs will remain more alert for longer, and really benefit from spending extra time on intellectual stimulation, and of course spending time with its owner. Take the time to dedicate to your dog, whatever its age, to help increase its happiness and maintain its mental capacity for longer.

Working with your dogs is an essential element of owner-pet bonding, and also helps ensure the respect necessary to ensure good behavior. By using some of these simple tried and tested techniques, you can teach any dog of any age how to behave acceptably in a variety of situations, and even teach them party tricks at the same time.

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Dog care -- Understanding Dog Behavior

Author: D Beart

Dogs are considered the most genuinely happy creatures on earth. Their entire day is filled with you whether you are there or not. They are waiting for you, sleeping on your bed, watching for you out the window, wondering where you are while they are patiently waiting for you in their crate.

Once you come home it’s all about you. Your attention, your love, your food, your commands, and of course, your time. For an animal that revolves his whole life around you, it can be confusing why he does some of the things he does. If he loves you so much, why is he destroying your shoes? If you are the light in his life, why is he ignoring you when you come home?

Dogs have a very unique way of expressing themselves. Most people believe that dogs have and show genuine emotion such as love and fear and even anger. We understand that when they sit at the door and bark they are telling us they need to go outside. We understand that when we have a leash in our hand and they get a little goofy that they are excited about the upcoming walk. Understanding their more subtle or destructive cues takes a little insight into your dog’s world.

Returning Home Behavior

Some dogs get so excited that you are home after a weekend away they completely get beside themselves with joy. They follow you around and may even be uncharacteristically clingy as you wander about the house. Others get so excited when you first walk in the door, and then leave you in complete peace for several hours. People usually say that he is angry with you for leaving in the first place.

Most experts say their behavior is more about security than anything. You are your dog’s entire world and when for some reason you disappear for a long period of time, and there is a sudden change in his routine, his security is thrown a bit. He is very happy to see you but he also needs a little reassurance that everything is getting back to normal. Some dogs do this by following you around the house until they are sure, and others do this from a more observatory stance. Either way your canine family member is just looking for reassurance and his typical routine to return.

The Canine Garbage Disposal

He knows better and he knows that you know he knows better. However, every chance he gets you see him scampering off with something that you just absolutely don’t want him to chew. He eats your best shoes while you’re in the shower, the corner of the bedspread while you’re getting dressed, and the phone cord while you were talking on it. And you haven’t even made it to breakfast yet. As much as you love him you are contemplating the moral issues of drop kicking him right out the door. You’ve tried everything that you can think of and yet he is still eating everything in sight. He is beyond the age where teething causes chewing but yet he still can’t seem to find his own toys to consume.

There are two key factors in a garbage disposal dog. The first and easiest to solve is a health problem relating to his teeth and gums. If his mouth is bothering him, he is going to chew on everything he can. Start with a vet visit to rule out any periodontal issues.

The more likely culprit of his unflattering behavior is stress and anxiety. Yes, your happy go lucky guy can suffer from stress. Has there been a change in the household such as a new baby, dramatically increased arguing or is someone who is supposed to be there suddenly gone?

For starter, confine him when you can’t watch him, although preferably with you. A puppy gate here can go a long way in simple things like keeping an eye on him while you are showering and watching his every move while you are getting dressed. Often the hurried morning is a higher anxiety period for your dog.

Then begin to address the problem. Make sure there’s an appropriate toy available to him at all times and make a big deal about it when he eats the right things. A sharp reprimand and a quick and immediate discipline is in order when you catch him at the wrong chew toys. You don’t want to stress him more by smacking him, although a rolled up newspaper banged on a hard surface is a quick attention getter. Never strike him with it. He will make it his mission to eat it if you do in an effort to eliminate an already stressful period.

Try to identify the stressor and relax him around the problem. If you can get him comfortable enough around the new baby to lie down even when the baby is crying, you have made strides. If there is tension in the house try to tone down the arguing, or take it to an alternative room. If your dog can be comfortably confined to an outdoor yard, that is the best option, but don’t get so wrapped up in your arguing that you leave him out there for extensive periods of time. Whatever the stressor is that is causing the chewing, try to get him comfortable and relaxed around it. This may take some time, but relieving his anxiety will also reduce the tension in your life as well.

Aggression

You know him as your sweet and loveable friend. Your friends and neighbors know him as the terror on your doorstep who wants to eat them. Aggression is not a nice quality in your dog. Aggression comes from the desire to protect, and anything perceived as a threat is going to be treated like one. For some dogs this means anyone and anything that doesn’t belong. He is only trying to defend his home and his human family, but aggression is a serious behavioral problem that needs to be nipped in the bud.

Check your own behavior. How are you reacting to him when he is growling and carrying on at the neighbor as she walks by your house? Make sure the words “good boy” are the last thing your dog hears. “Be a good boy,” or “That’s not a good boy,” are not deterrents. Neither is “Shh.”

Mild mannered people tend to have more aggressive dogs because their tones are not consistent with command. If your dog doesn’t believe you enough to listen to you, he certainly isn’t going to believe you can take care of yourself. I can’t tell you how many times our pups have been accosted on the street with an owner telling their dog that it’s ok. It’s not okay. The words you are looking for are firm and sharp and sound like “Sit” and “No.” One word firm commands are much more effective than reasoning. Aggression is a serious offense and it must be treated as one. We have one dog who got a little out of control. When sitting wasn’t getting him under control on his nightly walk we actually went to making him lie down. Right there on the street or sidewalk we commanded our German Shepard to lie down to get his attention and then added a “Quiet” command to get our point across. His aggression quieted down in a week.

Some dogs do better if they can at least see what’s going on even if they can’t be a part of the process. Aggressive dogs are really protective dogs. The delivery man might not want your growling, snarling beloved pet to join you on the porch, but he might do better if he has a place he can be directed to sit and watch provided he stays quiet. Constantly sequestering him does nothing to solve the problem.

The Overbearing Overgrown Puppy

He is happy to see you. You are his toy and his best friend and he will pummel you over in an attempt to play with you. He has run over the children and covered the cat with his doggie saliva. You love him, but wow does his energy get annoying sometimes. It’s hard to talk to someone one the phone when he’s jumping on you and wrapping his big paws around you and forget leaving the house looking presentable.

He is the puppy who never grew up. His body got big, but he seems intellectually stuck at four months old. Most of the time this behavior is a matter of dominance. When a dog views you as his alpha leader, he gives you respect. When you are his peer, you are his play mate. Alpha leaders are by nature a food related dominance. Of course other factors play into it as well, but to a dog food is leadership. If you are not already the dog’s food source, consider taking on that responsibility.

Establish yourself as a leader. This isn’t all that hard to do and you don’t even have to stop playing with him in order to do it. Start by giving him random commands, especially around feeding time. With his food in your hand tell him to sit. With the food in the bowl and the bowl on the floor tell him to wait, and then make sure he follows through. When he has looked to you for permission, allow him to commence eating.

Slowly add random commands throughout the day and rebuke rough playing immediately. If he wants to play, he has to sit and wait for things rather than tackle you. You can just as easily give him commands with playtime as you can any other time. A few commands before you throw the ball is usually enough to get the right message across as you are establishing dominance.

Interpreting Your Dog

Understanding your dog’s behavior isn’t quite as mystifying as it seems. He really is doing his best to tell you. Watching his communication with other people and animals in the household can really open your eyes to how he expresses himself.

A dog wags his tail to express happiness, yawns when he is content, and growls when he is threatened. With over one hundred facial expressions, he is constantly telling you something. The more you get to know your dog the more you will learn what he is telling you.

Owning a dog is a wonderfully joyous experience. They bring so much into our world which is why so many people have them. They look to us to tend to their needs. We owe it to them to give them at least our very best shot at keeping them safe, healthy, and happy.
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Dog care -- How Long Do Dogs Live

Author: D Beart

From the time we bring them home as wriggling bundles of joy, we all want our puppies to live forever. As they bond with us and grow into full fledged family members, we tend not to think about the end of their life or how many precious years we have with our canine friends.

However, when picking out our new puppy it is rare that we give adequate consideration to the average lifespan of the dog. There are distinct factors that play into whether our puppy will be with us until our children graduate from high school or if they give us a few good years.

Most experts agree that small breeds tend to outlive large breeds. The general rule of thumb is the larger the dog the shorter the life span. Large medium to large breed dog tend to live about ten years, although there are exceptions to every rule. We have a feisty-willed large breed mutt who is determined to see his fifteenth birthday.

Smaller breeds tend to live longer, anywhere from twelve to fifteen years. Occasionally you will run into the nearly twenty year old Scottie, but most don’t make it past their sixteenth year.

Again, every rule has its exceptions. The Irish Wolfhound isn’t expected to make it more than six or seven good years although there really isn’t a conclusive reason as to why this is so. Of course these figures are taking into consideration overall good health and quality care. Genetics play a vital role in longetivity, but those we can’t control. There are a few factors in our favorite little guy’s life we can do to help him get to his ripe old age. Some of them can even combat predisposition to genetic diseases.

One of the fastest ways to shorten a dog’s life is to keep him outside all the time. Dogs that live outside tend to be missing a few key ingredients in their overall care that impact their life span.

Even with a shelter available, dogs do wear down and age quickly when they are dealing with constant element exposure. While some can adjust, most dog bodies find the extremes the environment can dish out at them to be exhausting and threatening.

Dogs who permanently reside outside tend to receive less over all care. Since people spend the majority of their time at home inside, often small health problems go unnoticed until it becomes an overwhelming problem. Even the responsible pet owner can forget to feed or water the dog who is permanently engaged in outdoor activities when the lifestyle inside the home becomes stressed or busy.

Outdoor dogs also lack the essential strong emotional connection with their owners that indoor dogs benefit from. Having their human friends to please and play with goes a long way in their overall happiness and health. Often a sick dog who has no emotional connection will stop eating and caring for themselves long before those who have families who love and care for them. If you want your little guy to live a longer, fuller life, bring him inside and let him be part of the family lifestyle.

Whether you are bringing home a purebred puppy or a distinguished gentleman of questionable descent, their life span can be about the same. Barring any health problems, each should live as long as the other and it really just comes down to personal preference.

From birth to about two years old your puppy is learning and growing. Every day your little guy is reaching new miles stones and his body is very busy. High quality puppy food packed with nutrition can help set him on the foundation for a healthy life. These foods are a little more expensive, but they can be well worth the cost when considering the effects of malnutrition.

If your little guy comes from a family or breed history of hip and back problems such as hip dysplasia, excessive exercise in the first two years can put added stress on the joints in question and actually exacerbate the potential for later problems. Exercise is good, over doing isn’t.

Regular veterinary check ups and of course vaccinations during the first two years can help to catch problems early on, which will increase his overall health. This is the time when your puppy really needs you to watch out for him, whether his body is having health problems or he is ingesting things that can cause long term problems, staying on top of him now reduces health effects in his later years.

From his second year through his fifth we can consider this his basic years of good health and maintenance. Watch for signs of growing obesity and make sure he is receiving ample exercise and fun play time. If he is a healthy dog then these years should be stress free.

Keep at least annual appointments with the vet for check ups and updated shots. His food should be a high quality protein based variety, but if he’s showing signs of to much happy eating either cut back on his portions or switch to a low calorie variety.

Once he gets into his fifth to eighth year we can consider him a middle age to aging dog. These are the years when small but manageable health problems are likely to show up. If he’s a really good eater but hasn’t shown signs of obesity before, these are the years when his activity will slow down some and he may develop a weight problem now. Again, a good low calorie food and a few perhaps coaxed walks should be enough to help him keep his youthful figure.

Other problems such as cataracts, arthritis, or even heart murmurs are most likely to show up during these years. They are not catastrophic events and can typically be handled with a trip to the vet and either simple procedures or medication. Ignoring problems now however, are likely to grow into unmanageable problems quickly. Stay on top of his check ups and vaccinations to ward off any potential disasters looming about. Most dogs that are generally healthy should make it through these years just fine.

Depending on the size, breed, and overall health of your not so little guy, once he reaches eight years old he may be starting to push toward borrowed time. Smaller breeds won’t get there until about ten, but even medium dogs are now starting to wear down.

Just because he’s getting old doesn’t mean you have to start thinking about euthanasia. There is a possibility that he will have health and happiness for a few more years to come. However now is the time when health problems can erupt quickly and strike hard. Eight years old and beyond is when you are most likely going to face making tough decisions about your faithful canine’s quality of life. The care you gave him as a puppy is now doing its part to take care of him as he ages.

Some older dogs need to be encouraged to eat. If your once upon a time eating machine is suddenly losing weight, switch to a higher protein, higher fat content dog food to help him maintain his energy.

Our care for our dogs all the way through their lives can make a huge difference in how long they live a full and happy life. When bringing a new puppy home remember that how you treat his body right now will carry a direct effect to his life span down the road. Many dogs outlive their life span and are happy and energetic the whole way through. A little love and responsibility can go a long, long way. Any dog that has touched your life will certainly live forever.
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Dog Health -- Arthritis In Dogs

Our pets experience many of the same maladies as we do. One of the more prevalent physical ailments in dogs is arthritis. Dogs will experience joint pain, stiffness, and fatigue; these symptoms are also found in humans who have arthritis. Here is some information on arthritis in dogs.

Symptoms

Dogs will develop the symptoms of arthritis as they age. The most prominent symptoms are joint pain and stiffness. The dog will have difficulty getting up from a lying position or walking for long distances. The dog may limp or hesitate to climb stairs. The joints may be deteriorating with age, or they may be inflamed. The symptoms of arthritis can be alleviated with medication, exercise, and diet.

Medication

Prescription medication can alleviate arthritis in dogs faster than exercise and diet. Veterinarians can prescribe medications that alleviate pain and reduce inflammation. Some of the drugs currently being prescribed are Deramaxx, Metacam, Rimadyl, and Zubrin. These medications are available only through a veterinarian’s prescription, and they have been proven to be safe for long-term use. Medication will not provide a complete cure for a dog’s arthritis; however, it will improve the quality of the dog’s life, replace pain with comfort, and result in a happier, more content animal.

Exercise

When dogs experience arthritis, exercise is recommended to keep the animals’ joints limber and flexible. In addition, exercise provides weight control for older dogs, as they tend to acquire weight with age. Veterinarians recommend that owners who have dogs with arthritis give them light, limited exercise. The animal can withstand brief walks lasting about 15 to 20 minutes on flat surfaces. Walks can occur every two or three days. Energetic, strenuous activity should be avoided, and, if possible, dogs with arthritis should be walked on soft surfaces, such as grass or wet sand.

Diet

Diet is important for animals, regardless of their health. Dogs that experience arthritis should not be overweight because excess pounds can aggravate arthritic symptoms. In addition, a healthy diet can help sustain dental health. Two of the most popular and effective products are Iam’s Weight Control and Science Diet Oral Care. Iam’s products are sold in grocery stores, pet stores, and veterinarian’s offices. Science Diet products are sole in pet stores. In addition, Purina makes a dog food called JM Joint Mobility; this product is produced for dogs with arthritis, and it contains supplements that promote joint health.

An owner of a dog with arthritis can take a proactive approach to helping his or her pet. The owner can provide a comfortable, easily accessible place to sleep. Information on pet beds can be obtained from pet stores and on the internet. If the dog is living in an area with a cold winter climate, a heating source such as a space heater can help alleviate arthritic symptoms. Some dogs like to sleep under blankets, and they will make use of an old bedspread or comforter. Wearing a coat in inclement weather (cold, rain, or snow) will help alleviate the dog’s joint pain.

When an owner suspects that a dog is developing arthritis, it is recommended that they make an appointment with a veterinarian for a diagnostic checkup, medication, and home-care recommendations. A prompt appointment will prevent unnecessary pain and discomfort. Also, it will maintain and prolong the dog’s quality of life.
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dog health tip : What to Feed a Sick Dog

Everyone gets sick at one time or another and having someone to look after you, look after you, and guide you in the correct direction in this time of need can make all the difference in getting you back to your normal health and strength. Dogs are no exception to this rule and looking after and caring for your dog can make all the difference to their recovery.

But what happens if your dog has lost their appetite and you know they need some sort of food inside them before they run into more illness? Well this is a very common situation to be in with an ill dog so there are a few ideas that you might want to try and they might shorten your dogs suffering and help keep it bearable for the time being.

Give your dog bland food (food with little or no strong flavours, smells, and tastes) to start with, bland food will help them keep their food down with not too much in it to upset the stomach and cause more illness. Anything that makes it easier for your dog to eat without too much strain is best; if they have to put a lot of effort into eating when ill they will probably not bother in fear of causing more illness and sick feeling, try blending food up finely so they can lick it up instead of chewing and swallowing, as this often works well for a lot of pets.

If this works then you should build the tastes up slowly from bland food to normal stronger tasting foods but always keeping to what your dog is comfortable with, if you do too much too soon then your dog will become ill again so take it slowly.

If this doesn't work then try to feed them sufficient amounts of water if nothing else. When a dog is unwell they may have other symptoms like diarrhea which will cause them to become dehydrated easily and set them up for more misery so try to maintain good hydration levels, which in turn will maintain your dog's happiness.

If all else fails and nothing seems to be working then you should contact your vet and seek advice there, if you do not then you risk your dogs health and bodyweight deteriorating and there may be other difficulties to overcome before your dog will start to become better.

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