Dogs Afraid of Storms thunder and Lightning

Puppy will more than likely have a fear of thunder and lightning. Sometimes this fear can turn into a phobia. Dogs feel trapped during thunder storms. Your pet can do alot of damage to themselves and your home when they are in fear. Dogs have broken teeth, obtained fractures, caused cuts and bruises to themselves. Pets get knocked down and killed on the road from frantic running. There are also cases of pups going missing due to running off in fear. A pet that normally never strays can run off in fear and get lost. Here are some signs of storm phobia digging, jumping through windows, going through walls, running away, hiding, pacing, chewing, urinating, defecating, howling, dilated pupils, drooling, wanting owner, not eating, and shaking. Keep your pet indoors during the storm. This reduces the risk of getting lost or  knocked down etc. You should keep calm during the storm.

The pup will be able to read your anxiety. The fear of the thunder storm gets worse with each exposure if you do not try and calm the situation. A pet that is afraid of thunder may become afraid of rain, wind and dark clouds as they precede the thunder. Dogs may become anxious with the reducing barometric pressure. The smells that come with a storm also. Certain dogs are more prone to the phobia of storms such as collies, basset hounds, golden retrievers german shepard's. These are working, sporting dogs that spend alot of time out in open fields so this could compound their fear. 

• Create a safe haven. Some dogs feel safe in the bathroom during the storm. Under the bed. In their create. In the wardrobe.
• More exercise on the day the storm is coming. Dogs produce serotonin during exercise which makes them feel better.
• Reduce the noise level. Play the radio, some music or turn on the tv. Earplug for dogs. 

• Be calm. Dogs can sense your fear and it will add on to theirs.
• Desensitisation. Play a tape of the thunderstorm to your dog at low volume. The dog will not be afraid usually at the low volume but he will be aware of it, do some obedience training with them. Reward the pet. Increase the volume at the next session. Do some obedience training again and reward. At the next session increase the volume do obedience training and reward. If the dog shows fear reduce the volume. Sessions should be around 20 minutes. Continue until the tape can be played loud. Play the tape when you are not around also. When the thunderstorm occurs use the same activities that you did with the tape. 
• Counter the effects of electromagnetism. Done by rubbing your dogs fur to rid of static.
• If it is really strong phobia and nothing is working contact a dog behaviourist.
• You can purchase herbal remedies.
• A storm blanket for your dog. There is one called the Storm Defender. The special lining in the cape brings relief.

Puppys and Dogs have Jealous Emotions

Dogs are more similar to humans than once thought. They suffer from the pangs of jealousy just like us. They do not like to share the affections of their owners. When they see their owners giving attention to another dog it brings out strong emotion in them. It was once believed that dogs were only capable of having primary emotions such as anger and anxiety now research has shown that they have secondary emotions such as  guilt, jealousy, embarrassment and shame. Dogs show a strong dislike to unequal treatment. They do not like to see another dog getting preferential treatment over them. Dogs understand fairness. Dogs have the hormone oxytocin like us humans which has shown to bring out love and jealousy in humans.

Dr Range from the University of Vienna headed a series of experiments with dogs who knew how to give their paw. The dogs gave their paw weather they got a treat or not. All changed when one dog was given a treat for giving the paw and the other not. The dog who did not get the treat would not give the paw eventually and would not look at the researcher. You should treat all your dogs with equal care and attention. Even if you get a cute fluffy new pup make sure you give as much attention to your old dog. Experiments have shown that dogs are more sensitive to fairness rather than equity.

("The surest route to breeding jealousy is to compare. Since jealousy comes from feeling less than another, comparisons only fan the fires." Dorothy Corkville Briggs)

Puppy Yawn's

Dogs are in the group of a small number of animals that yawn. A study done by Porto University discovered that dogs can catch yawns from their owners. Dogs that have a strong bond with their owners catch more yawns from their owners. This research gives us proof that dogs empathise with their owners and can feel for them. The research showed that when the dogs heard their owners yawn they were far more likely to yawn than in any other circumstance. Half of all dogs yawned when played a tape of humans yawning. Dogs are five times more likely to yawn if the yawn comes from their owner.

Puppy Hiccups

Puppy hiccups are usually harmless. Some pups even hiccup when they are in the womb. Many puppies under 6 months hiccup a few times during the day. The hiccuping bouts usually last 2 to 3 minutes. The hiccups are usually brought on when the puppy eats or drinks too quickly. Medications, stress and excitement can also bring them on. You should bring your pup to the vet if the puppy vomits/regurgitates his/her food when hiccuping. Also contact your vet if the hiccups last longer than 30 minutes or if it happens more than a few times a day. 

You can massage your puppy while he/she hiccups to relax them.

You can also change the way you feed the puppy. Reduce the speed with which he/she eats. There is a slow feed bowl that is available in pet shops. Its great for slowing the puppy's speed eating down.

Dangerous Foods For Puppies and Dogs

Some foods that humans enjoy can cause serious illness even death to your beloved pet.

• CHOCOLATE and Coca should never be given to puppies or dogs. Chocolate contains theobromide which is deadly on the kidneys, hearts, lungs and nervous system. You should take your puppy to the vet if he/she has eaten some. Avoid all chocolate products. If your puppy has theobromide poisoning from the chocolate signs are  tremors, diarrhoea, seizures, coma, abnormal heart rate, vomiting.

• GRAPES are toxic to your dog also. Call your vet if your dog eats them. Grapes will cause vomiting, diarrhoea, weakness, belly pain, low urine production, loss of appetite.
• CAFFEINE will cause heart lung kidney and central nervous system problems for your pet.
• RAISINS  similar to grapes very toxic. Call your vet. Vomiting, diarrhoea, weakness, Belly pain low urine, loss of appetite.
• ONIONS lead to kidney damage. Symptoms can show days after ingestion. Signs diarrhoea, discoloured urine, vomiting, loss of appetite.
• GARLIC lead to kidney damage. Symptoms can show days after ingestion. Signs diarrhoea, discoloured urine, vomiting, loss of appetite.
• MACADAMIA NUTS will cause your pet to swell, vomiting, depression, weakness, these symptoms will show a few hours after ingestion.
• AVOCADO  vomiting and diarrhoea.
• FRUIT PITS fruit pits contain cyanide. Cyanide poisoning can kill. Signs coma, vomiting, heavy breathing, rash.
• POTATOES make puppies vomit, puppies can get very dehydrated from vomiting.
• CHEWING GUM gum that contains xylitol which is an artificial sweetener will cause liver failure. Pup will suffer seizures.
• ALCOHOL will cause failure of the respiration and nervous system of your pet
• HOPS cause heavy breathing, increased heat beat, high temperature seizures and death
• MUSHROOMS can lead to  toxic shock and death, multiple organ failure.
• YEAST DOUGH can rupture the pups stomach 
• TOBACCO damages the digestive and nervous system, could lead to death.
• COOKED BONES not easy to digest, can cause obstruction in the dogs digestive system.

Feeding Orphan Puppies From 2 Weeks to 4 Weeks (transitional stage)

At 2.5 weeks you can feed the puppies every 4 hours with  6 hours between feeds at night. Ensure that when you make your puppy formula use it within 24 hours and keep it refrigerated. Be very hygienic with the puppy bottles etc. Puppy milk is still to be served at 98 degrees Fahrenheit. Burp the pup during and after the feed by patting the pups back gently over your shoulder. 

 

Don't feed a puppy on their back. A one week old puppy needs 13ml of milk per 100g of body weight. A 2 week needs 17ml per 100g of body weight. A 3 week needs 20ml  per 100g of  body weight. At 4 weeks needs 22ml per 100g of body weight. The puppies will need to be stimulated to pee and poop until they are 21 days old. You do this by gently massaging the puppies belly and genital area with warm moist cotton wool. Before and after feed. At 3 weeks pup should be able to eliminate on its own.

 

When the Pups are 3 weeks you can start to introduce puppy mush. You will continue bottle feeding the puppies also. Give them some puppy mush 3 times a day. Buy high quality premium puppy nuts. Soak the nuts in some water or milk replacer. One part nuts to 2 parts liquid is best. In your blender blend up the puppy nuts and add some puppy milk replacer. Make sure that the puppy mush is not too thick should be like watery porridge. Use a flat pan to serve the puppy mush  to the pups. Pups will make a mess and get more of the food on themselves than in their mouths at first but they figure it out fairly quickly. I'd serve it warm also. Also  provide a shallow water bowl. The pups should lap it up but don't overfeed.

 

The pups will still need to have their temperature regulated at this stage. You can use a heat lamp, heat pads or hot water bottles. Remember the pups cannot regulate their temperature yet. During the second week 85 degree Fahrenheit, during third week 80 degrees Fahrenheit. At week 5 the pups can be kept at room temperature 70 degrees Fahrenheit. If the pups are lying beside each other they are at a happy temperature  but if they are lying on top of each other and crying they are cold. Weigh the pups once a day. Loss of weight is a sign that there is a health problem.

Brushing Your Puppies Teeth

Puppy will have a longer happier healthier life if you brush pups teeth. Puppies have baby teeth. They do not get their adult teeth until they are 6 months and over.
Dogs like humans need proper dental care. Food gets stuck in their teeth like us resulting in a plaque build up. Plaque results in painful gingivitis. The gingivitis can then lead to tooth loss. Brush the puppies teeth once a day or at least once a week. Start brushing the puppies teeth at 8 weeks. During the socialisation stage. Even though these are baby teeth its best to start at this age, so that the puppy will have no problem with you brushing their adult teeth. Use dog toothpaste not human toothpaste. Human toothpaste can make your puppy sick. Introduce the toothpaste to the puppy by letting him/her lick it of your finger. Then rub it on his/her gums/teeth. When your puppy is happy with this start using the puppy tooth brush. After brushing give puppy a reward like a special treat and lots of praise. You can also give your puppy dental sticks for puppies. Its great for their doggy breath also. You should get your dogs teeth professionally cleaned by your vet once a year. Feeding your puppy dry food is better for his teeth than wet food ie dry kibble. Healthy snacks like apples are good for your pups teeth. Buy your pup some dental toys.