Pug Dog Health Problems

Pug Dog Health Problems

Taking care of a Pug requires special attention that other dog breeds do not, and if you want to adopt one, you have to become familiar with the extra steps required for Pug dog health. The Pug became an officially recognized AKC Toy group breed in 1885, but has been known to man for thousands of years. Although bugs come with a thick body and decent sized flat, wrinkly face, they have a proportionately tiny curly tail. The breed is also distinguishable by its height and weight, around 13 to 20 pounds and 10 to 14 inches. This is one of the cutest dog breeds but some of the very things which make it so cute and adorable are also the very things that require a little bit of extra care in order to avoid some of the health problems specific to the breed.

One of the most common health problems for the breed is infection between the many folds of skin, and this is one that should be looked after by a veterinarian if it develops. You should bathe and clean your pet regularly - particularly making sure you clean in between the wrinkles, removing any dirt or debris because that can cause bacteria build up (which could lead to infection).

For owners, Pug dog health problems frequently manifest in the eyes. The design of the Pug's face means that the eyes are not protected as well as they could be, and are therefore prone to injury, among other problems. Any infection should immediately be detected through regular eye exams, and any inflammation is a reason to take your dog to the vet immediately.

If their owner permits it, Pugs will eat excessively. Watching your Pug's food intake is a good idea, because keeping them at a healthy weight is as important as keeping a humans health regulated. Pugs do not handle heat well, and should never be left in a locked car or left in the sun outside without shade. An overheated pug can have a hard time breathing, so make sure that you don't leave him anywhere where he might be subjected to high heat for any length of time.

Like with any dog, proper care and vet visits are the keys to pug dog health. Take care of your pet responsibly and you'll have your companion healthy and happy for many years to come.

Pug Dog Health Problems

Dog Training Tips

by jdanf39
The dog is a mammal in the order Carnivora. Dogs were first domesticated from wolves at least 17,000 years ago, but perhaps as early as 150,000 years ago based upon recent genetic fossil and DNA evidence though there is doubt about the accuracy of this mitochondrial DNA evidence. In this time, the dog has developed into hundreds of breeds with a great degree of variation.

For example, heights at the withers range from just a few inches (such as the Chihuahua) to roughly three feet (such as the Irish Wolfhound), and colors range from white to black, with reds, grays (usually called blue), and browns occurring in a tremendous variation of patterns.

Dogs, like humans, are highly social animals and this similarity in their overall behavioral pattern accounts for their trainability, playfulness, and ability to fit into human households and social situations. Dogs fill a variety of roles in human society and are often trained as working dogs. For dogs that do not have traditional jobs, a wide range of dog sports provide the opportunity to exhibit their natural skills. In many countries, the most common and perhaps most important role of dogs is as companions. Dogs have lived with and worked with humans in so many roles that their loyalty has earned them the unique sobriquet "man 's best friend." Conversely, some cultures consider dogs to be unclean. In other cultures, some dogs are used as food.

A well trained dog is a joy to be around. Beyond being well socialized, trained dogs are less likely to jump up on people, and are less at risk of biting someone. They also tend to stay calm in distracting environments.

Also, well trained dogs are more likely to stay with the same owner, as opposed to being abandoned to the pound. One research report from the Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association found that 96% of shelter dogs had never had any training.

Training your dog helps to teach them boundaries, thus making them more comfortable around humans. There are many different dog training programs and many professional dog trainers. However, just because someone has a business card doesn't mean they are a qualified trainer.

To find a good trainer, ask your friends and family if they know a good trainer. Also, while walking your dog at the dog park, ask other dog owners who they recommend. Once you have found a trainer, ask them what method of training they teach. There have been dozens of different training methods for dogs that have been in and out of fashion over the years. Ask the trainer what method they use, why they use it, and what the benefits of it are. Also ask for references.

Whether you train your dog yourself or find a professional, teaching your dog commands and socializing it is important. Areas to cover in training include:

1. Socializing to strangers: This is easy to accomplish while out walking your dog around the neighborhood and introducing them to people.

2. Socializing with other dogs: You can do this at dog parks, or even better in a dog training class.

3. Leash walking at a steady pace: You can start this training as soon as you get your new dog.

4. Create training: This is important, especially to build up a tolerance to stay in a kennel environment for several hours.

5. The sit command: This is usually the first command new owners teach their dog.

6. The down/stand command: These commands help develop boundaries for the dog.

7. The stay command: This command is important for your dog to master, especially in an environment with a lot of distractions.

There are many benefits to having a well trained dog. But it doesn't necessarily mean the dog will not develop behavioral problems down the road, like separation anxiety. Simply put a well trained dog is a joy to be around and strengthens the human-animal bond.

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Great Tips For Dog Agility Training

by Ethan Edison
Dog Agility Training actually began in Great Britain, and came to the United States in 1977. The sport of dog agility was created from equestrian agility sports. Dog agility training also includes handler control and confidence with a set up of various obstacles for the dogs. In the sport of dog agility there are jumps, tunnels, seesaws or teeters, an A frame, and weave poles. Weave poles are the most difficult dog agility training to teach and for dogs to learn. The dogs who are competing in a dog agility competition must follow a particular path through the obstacles, complete the obstacles, and even have what are called yellow zones – places where the dog must touch in order to qualify for the obstacle and the competition.

The Seesaw: This obstacle is a lot like that you would see in a children’s playground, but this one has no handles on either end and has yellow zones on each end. The yellow is put there so the dogs must climb up the seesaw from the beginning, make it tip, and then successfully go to the bottom. In dog agility training you can help by having a seesaw and walking your dog up and down the seesaw without letting them get off until they have completed the obstacle. When they do this trick successfully you can give them a treat or pet them and praise them.

The Pipe Tunnel: The pipe tunnel is very narrow at the beginning revealing a small hole and opens up gradually where the end is an open tube. This obstacle can be scary for dogs so it is important to train with something similar. You can get a tunnel like the ones they have at dog agility competitions and squeeze it almost closed at the beginning to create the small hole and allow it to get wider and wider as it gets closer to the end. In dog agility training you can help by assuring your dog to go through the tunnel and calling her from the end.

The Double Jump: This one, obviously, will test your dog’s jumping abilities. Sometimes there are single jumps and double jumps in dog agility competitions. This is where poles are set up at a certain height (much like those in equestrian competitions), and the dog must jump over them without knocking them off or touching them. In dog agility training you can help your dog by having something similar at home to help them work on jumping.

The A Frame: The A frame is a simple obstacle that makes your dog walk up the wood and then back down without jumping off of the sides. This obstacle also has yellow zones at the bottom ends. In dog agility training this would be an easier one to practice at home, because you just need to create an A form for your dog to walk up and down.

The Dogwalk: This one looks similar to a large balance beam with ramps on either end.

The Weave Poles: You have probably seen these in automobile commercials. The poles are entered in the ground at specific intervals and your dog must run side to side through the weave poles. There are usually six to twelve poles in competitions, and is usually the most difficult obstacle of any dog agility training competition.

For more great tips, advice, resources, and information visit http://www.dogkindercare.com

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