Plenty of exercise and a balanced diet will go a long way toward keeping your dog healthy. But dogs do get sick, just like we do. Following are some tips to help recognize problems.

» Training Your Puppy
» Taking Care of Your Dog's Teeth
» Doggie Dental Care
» Doggie Bedtime
» Weight Management
» Cancer Warning Signs

Young dogs have short attention spans and are easily distracted – two facts that can make training very frustrating. Get your puppy’s attention by making eye contact with them just before you give a command. Decide what you’re going to do to make them look up. You might want to say their name in a firm, clear tone; use a clicker or give a quick whistle. Consistency is key, so once you find a method that works, stick with it.

Yep! Dogs need to brush their teeth just like people do, but they need your help. Get your dog used to this new experience by squeezing some canine tooth paste on your finger and putting it between their cheek and gum. Canine toothpaste has a special food flavoring to make it more appealing to your pet. As they lick the paste, praise them calmly. Keep initial brushing sessions very short – just a few seconds! If your dog isn’t comfortable with a toothbrush, try wrapping some gauze around your finger or purchasing a fingertip brush. Be gentle and stop before your new buddy tries to put a stop to it for you. Once your dog is used to having his teeth brushed, do so for about a minute every day. And just like your own dentist tells you, try to reach the inside of the teeth as well as the back upper molars.

We brush our teeth everyday, unfortunately dogs can’t brush their teeth.  We also go to the dentist.  Your dog’s dental health is just as important to his/her overall health as your dental health is to your overall health.  You can help your veterinarian by providing proper dental care to your dog throughout his/her life.

Did you know that 80% of dogs show signs of oral disease by the age of three?  Oral disease begins with a buildup of bacteria in the pet’s mouth which when combined with saliva and food debris between the tooth and gum will cause plaque formulations.  As bacteria grow in the plaque and as calcium salts are deposited, plaque turns to tartar.  Without proper treatment, plaque and tartar buildup may cause periodontal disease.  Dental disease affects more than just your pet’s mouth.  It can lead to more serious health problems including heart, lung and kidney disease.

The American Animal Hospital Association (AAHA) has developed dental care guidelines for veterinarians, which includes dental examinations, cleaning and surgical procedures. The AAHA recommends regular oral examinations and dental cleanings, under general anesthesia, for all adult dogs. Your pet relies on you to help the vet with his/her dental care.

So what can you do?  To ensure your pet’s dental health, you should brush your dog’s teeth.  This can be a daunting task, but half the challenge is just getting started and developing a routine.  Just like you brush your teeth everyday, you should also aim to brush your dog’s teeth everyday.  There are many other items that can help you with your dog’s daily dental care such as dental chews, rawhides and toys.  These objects promote chewing which will mechanically remove plaque.  Also feeding your dog hard kibbles instead of soft and moist food is slightly better at keeping plaque from accumulating on the teeth.

So keep Fido healthy and happy by starting a dental care program.

So you bought a crate, or kennel, but now you don’t know how to get your puppy inside. It’s really not that difficult. Simply bribe your dog, er, uh, train your dog with food at mealtime. Before you put the food bowl down, take a small handful of dog food and toss one piece at a time into the kennel, then as your puppy goes in to eat the food say, "kennel up!" (Or whatever phrase you want him to learn. But keep it short and make sure it’s not a commonly used phrase your dog will hear others saying at random.) If dog food isn’t enticing enough, try using his or her favorite treat. Soon your new pal will be running inside whenever you give the command.

Half of all dogs in the United States are overweight, which can contribute to many other health diseases. Since you control what your dog eats the solution seems simple: Feed them less and your pet will lose weight.

As with humans, exercise is also a very important step to weight management for your pet. Taking your dog for a walk benefits both you and your dog. Exercise helps maintain muscle mass as well as ease of movement. Many dogs with degenerative bone disease are also overweight. Dogs with diabetes have become more prevalent and weight management is a critical component of managing this disease. A healthy diet and exercise will give your dog more energy and improve his or her quality of life.

Managing your dog’s weight and exercise may be the most important thing you can do for your pet.

The Veterinary Cancer Society has developed a list of the top ten warning signs.

1. Abnormal swelling that persists or continues to grow
2. Sores that do not heal
3. Weight loss
4. Loss of appetite
5. Bleeding or discharge from any body opening
6. Offensive odor
7. Difficulty eating or swallowing
8. Loss of stamina
9. Persistent lameness or stiffness
10. Difficulty breathing, urinating, or defecating

The three common cancer treatments for pets are the same as those you may be familiar with for humans. They are 1) surgery, 2) chemotherapy and 3) radiation therapy. Surgery attempts to remove existing cancer cells from the body, but surgery is often not enough. Chemotherapy delivers powerful drugs to the body that kill cancer cells while leaving normal cells alone. Radiation therapy is applied to the tumor via a beam from a machine or by radioactive implants. When tumors are sensitive to radiation, they can sometimes be cured.

If your dog is diagnosed with cancer, talk with your veterinarian and cancer specialists to determine the best treatment or combination of treatments for your pet.