Dogs are known to be very smart animals. They have the habit of testing their owners whether they can get away with something and see what their limitations are. These "tests" come in different forms like bullying, ignoring their owners, and manipulation.
Maybe you're thinking, "wait, manipulation? isn't it the other way around? we are the owners and my dogs should be the one following me! no way can an animal outsmart me!" .....well, actually, there are many instances this things happen without us knowing and it's really common.
Let's focus on one particular instance where our cute innocent pets get's around manipulating us owners with their "I don't like that food, find me another one..or else i'll starve to death" trick.
Believe it or not, that's what's really going on inside your dog's head when they tend to become picky on what they eat.
Usually, once you introduce them something new, they will eat it with much gusto and you'll think that "yes! I finally found what he really wants!" then after some time, you'll notice that his appetite is getting lower and lower again until he doesn't want to eat it at all and you are back in square one.
So what can we do?! there must be something wrong here right? Ok, let's go through some check lists to see what's really causing this problem.
- Is your dog healthy? Make sure that the dog is not sick, loss of appetite is a common symptom when your dog is sick. Check his temperature, stool and activity to be certain that everything is ok. If you suspect your dog is sick then a visit to your vet is advised.
- Does your dog get enough exercise? Dogs come with different energy levels, our Bully Pit Bulls for example is classified as high energy level breed so it's very important that you walk your dog and have some form of play / exercise to vent their energy. Having good physical activities like walking, jogging, running with your dog not only Improves their appetite but also helps in preventing other behavioral problems.
- Do you have a scheduled feeding time? This is very important if you want your dogs to improve on their drive for food. It is not advisable to feed your dog whenever you want or they want. Never encourage your dog to beg for food when it's not feeding time. Set a time when food will be served to them, they may not have a clock and don't even know how to read time but believe me, they know when it's time! If you follow this, your dogs will know when it's time to eat and when will the next meal will be coming. This conditions them to give importance to the food because they know the next one won't be coming too soon.
- Do you give too much food per meal? Another important factor is how much food can your dog really consume. Do not give too much until they loose interest on the food. Make it so that the amount you give is just enough that they still want some more but the next one will be coming in the next feeding time. That way, they will be looking forward on the next meal time. Here's a good trick that works really well. Give your dog enough food that he can finish under 3-5 minutes, after 5 minutes, take out the bowl and DO NOT give it back until the NEXT feeding time. Do this every time you give him his meal. Once he realize that if he doesn't eat it a.s.a.p. you will take it out and he'll again needs to wait for the next feeding time.
So to summarize :
- Make sure the dog is not sick and have an updated shots/deworming records.
- Exercise! Dogs need exercise. Walk or play with your dog. It's not just good for his appetite but also for your bonding and socialization.
- Scheduled feeding. This will teach them to give importance on what is given to them and know the routine of feeding times. Dogs may not know how to read a clock but they know how to tell time!
- Do not over feed your dogs. Make them realize that the food is a treat and they should always take advantage of it. Do not succumb to their drama! Healthy dogs won't let themselves starve to death. It's going to be a tough battle between owners and really persistent dogs but DO NOT GIVE IN! they will eat eventually. Follow the 5 minute rule and your dog will be eating fine again.
Sunday, October 7, 2012
Tuesday, October 2, 2012
Pit Bull Myths and Misconception
Our beloved Pit Bull had been in the "hot spot" for years due to lack of information and false accusations of people who do not understand and knows nothing about them.
Unfortunately, the "media" who's supposed to "inform" people and educate them had been the major contributor to this falsely orchestrated perception on the dog just to get mileage on their reports.
Here are a few of the many misconceptions around.
- Pit bulls are wild and dangerous :
This is by far the most unfair and damaging misconception on the poor dog's reputation. Pit bulls were victims of media hype and bad ownership. In Fact, according to the American Canine Temperament Testing Association, the American Pit Bull Terriers had a passing score of 82.5% compared to a 77% average passing score for all breeds. Pit bulls actually achieved the fourth highest passing rate of all 122 breeds tested.
- Pit bulls have locking jaws :
There was a study done in the University of Georgia that disproves this myth upon careful study of the scientists who performed the research. They have found no special or unique feature on a Pit Bull's jaw that will enable it to lock when they bite on to something.
- Pit Bulls have high tolerance to pain :
A lot of people say that Pit Bulls have high pain tolerance, or simply does not feel pain at all. The misconception that a pit bull does not feel pain comes from the breed’s tendency to under react in physically stressful situations. Pit bulls were originally bred for a high level of “gameness,” meaning they will continue to try and complete a task despite physical discomfort. While many people feel a pit bull not stopping to whine or cry out during stressful training or hunting sessions is a sign of a lack of pain, it is actually a sign of the breed’s desire to complete a task and please their owners.
- Pit Bulls are bred for fighting :
Originally, Pit Bulls were used mostly for hunting because of their gameness and occasional fighting but that was a long time ago. Yes there are still reports of dog fightings just like in the case of the Laguna Pitbulls where hundreds of dogs were rescued from a south korean dog fighting syndicate and is now in the care of the Philippine Animal Welfare Society (PAWS) and other animal groups in the Philippines. However, the majority of modern breeders choose to breed pit bulls to be family companions and not for fighting.
Unfortunately, the "media" who's supposed to "inform" people and educate them had been the major contributor to this falsely orchestrated perception on the dog just to get mileage on their reports.
Here are a few of the many misconceptions around.
- Pit bulls are wild and dangerous :
This is by far the most unfair and damaging misconception on the poor dog's reputation. Pit bulls were victims of media hype and bad ownership. In Fact, according to the American Canine Temperament Testing Association, the American Pit Bull Terriers had a passing score of 82.5% compared to a 77% average passing score for all breeds. Pit bulls actually achieved the fourth highest passing rate of all 122 breeds tested.
- Pit bulls have locking jaws :
There was a study done in the University of Georgia that disproves this myth upon careful study of the scientists who performed the research. They have found no special or unique feature on a Pit Bull's jaw that will enable it to lock when they bite on to something.
- Pit Bulls have high tolerance to pain :
A lot of people say that Pit Bulls have high pain tolerance, or simply does not feel pain at all. The misconception that a pit bull does not feel pain comes from the breed’s tendency to under react in physically stressful situations. Pit bulls were originally bred for a high level of “gameness,” meaning they will continue to try and complete a task despite physical discomfort. While many people feel a pit bull not stopping to whine or cry out during stressful training or hunting sessions is a sign of a lack of pain, it is actually a sign of the breed’s desire to complete a task and please their owners.
- Pit Bulls are bred for fighting :
Originally, Pit Bulls were used mostly for hunting because of their gameness and occasional fighting but that was a long time ago. Yes there are still reports of dog fightings just like in the case of the Laguna Pitbulls where hundreds of dogs were rescued from a south korean dog fighting syndicate and is now in the care of the Philippine Animal Welfare Society (PAWS) and other animal groups in the Philippines. However, the majority of modern breeders choose to breed pit bulls to be family companions and not for fighting.
Monday, October 1, 2012
Dog heat cycle guide.
There are four stages of the heat cycle, Proestrus, Estrus, Diestrus and Anestrus.
It’s important to know when your dog it coming into heat and going out of heat. There are some clear signs and some subtle clues. Pay attention to your dog and learn her behavior. This will help you understand what’s going on when she 'does' come into heat.
Proestrus Stage
This stage of dog heat can last from 4-20 days. The average is 7-10 days. There are 3 common signs for a dog in heat during this stage:
Swollen Vulva: This is one of the best ways to spot the beginning of a dog heat cycle. The swelling is a significant difference over her “normal” appearance. Her teats may also swell slightly, but this is not a great heat indicator and can be tricky to spot.
Discharge: Your female may suddenly spend a lot of time licking herself. Take a tissue and wipe her vulva. If you notice red discharge, and her vulva is swollen, that’s a pretty good indicator that your dog is definitely coming into heat. It’s important to check this, since timing is everything when it comes to mating (or preventing a mating) your dog. The first day you notice the bloody discharge is called "DAY 1". Mark it on your calendar.
Suitors The third sign of heat is not found on your dog, but in the presence of other dogs. You may notice neighbor dogs hanging out around your house. They can smell your female's heat cycle. You may notice that your dog will tuck her tail often, protecting herself. She is not ready to accept a sire.
Estrus Stage
The Estrus Stage of the Dog Heat Cycle typically last from 5-14 days. The time your dog is fertile (her actual heat). At this stage, the discharge typically changes from red to straw colored. In many dogs it’s still somewhat pink, but you will notice a definite difference in color from the beginning of proestrus. This change usually occurs around day 8 or 9. Your dog will also be willing to accept a sire during this stage. She will switch her tail to the side. She may whimper and try to be outside more often than is normal for her. She is following her instinct to breed. Keep a close eye on her. Even if she is in a kennel, she can still end up pregnant.
Dogs get VERY creative during this stage. If you notice strange males in your yard, stay away from them. Bring your dog inside and wait for them to leave. When males are anxious to breed, they can be much more likely to bite. Don’t take your female to the pet store or the dog park. You can inadvertently cause problems that you really don’t want. It’s best just to keep her secluded to your yard and home. We have even seen a male sire impregnate a bitch through the holes in a chain link fence - so be very protective and cautious. Otherwise, you are going to be ordering DNA testing kits.
Diestrus Stage
The Diestrus Stage of the Dog Heat Cycle usually begins around day 24. This stage can last from 60-90 days. Your dog is no longer fertile at this point. Her discharge will change from straw colored to red and then stop completely. She still has a scent and can still attract unwanted attention, so wait until she has completely stopped bleeding before venturing into public places.
Anestrus Stage
This is the fourth and final stage of the dog heat cycle when your dog is “normal”. This stage last about 60-90 days, at the end of which, the entire heat cycle starts again.
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