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It’s a fact: Dogs make people happy. Check out what new research reveals about the health benefits of having a dog.
“Parker just makes everything better,” said my pal Mere, about her Yorkie.
Yes, most dog owners would agree that life is better with a furry best friend. Dogs can seem like good buds even if they’re not your own. One friend told me that, during a recent breakup, the guy she’d been dating seemed more upset about not seeing her dog anymore than not seeing her. Mike, another buddy, swears that all of his friends enjoy spending time with his two white German shepherds almost as much — or even more than — as with him! I think he may be right. I give the dogs so much love when I see them that my clothes get covered with swaths of white fur. Doesn’t bother me a bit — always puts me in a good mood, in fact.
That’s why I wasn’t surprised to read that research suggests many pet owners are happier and healthier because of the critters they share a home with. One fairly recent study done in a Midwest college town surveyed a large group of university students and adults in the community. Pet owners reported several common physical and emotional health perks that come with having a dog or a cat. Here are a few:
- Providing companionship: The biggest benefit, many felt, was that their furry friends fended off feelings of loneliness.
- Staying active: Many liked how having a pet kept them physically active. Although we tend to think of only dogs needing regular walks and cats being more self-sufficient, even cat owners kept moving because of their feline friends.
- Coping with stress: Several study participants said they felt their pets made it easier to get through difficult times.
Maybe you’ve noticed similar changes in yourself and your life since becoming a dog owner. Take a moment from time to time and appreciate all the wonderful things your pet and pup brings to your life, even if it means having to forgive him for any shoes or favorite personal belongings he’s destroyed!
By DogAge Staff
Lost my temper the other day when someone cut me off on the freeway. My 3-year-old promptly repeated the expletive that she’d just heard me use. Yep, kids are always listening, even when you think they’re not. Turns out that they aren’t the only creatures wired to watch and repeat. Research suggests our dogs seem to instinctively take cues from us, too. Some research I was reading the other day seems to back this up.
We all know that yawning can be contagious, especially in late afternoon meetings. Even when I’m not tired, I find myself stretching and yawning because someone else around me just did. Same thing seems to happen to dogs, according to one study. In it, dogs were paired with a person they’d never met before and placed sitting face to face. Researchers found when people yawned, the majority of pups yawned back, which suggests a certain level of empathy in the dogs.
Another study found dogs actually may be more interested in doing what their owners do than in getting food rewards. Seems hard to believe, but in the study, dogs were trained by their owners to open a sliding glass door using either their head or paw. Half of the dogs received treats when they opened the door the same way their owners did. The other half were rewarded only when they opened it the opposite way their owners did. Researchers found that the dogs seemed to be more motivated to open the door exactly as their owners had than to open it differently and get a treat.
You’ve probably noticed that your pooch follows your lead on some things but not others, which is normal. Otherwise, we’d have dogs washing dishes and changing the oil for us. But if you tune in to some of your dog’s subtle behaviors, you’ll probably notice other human-like qualities. Heck, he may even remind you of yourself!
Dog Afraid of Vet Visits?
“That’s it, I’m never taking Astro to the vet again!” a friend of mine recently vowed. She went on to explain why. “First, he was all excited for our adventure together. He even bounded out of the car when we got to the vet’s office and was prancing along. But as soon as he caught a whiff of the other animals, he came to a grinding halt and wouldn’t budge. I had no shot at getting my 97 pound beast in the door.”
Sound familiar? Don’t give up. Getting your pet used to having routine check-ups from an early age is important to his long-term health. Here are some techniques that I shared with my friend on how to make her pooch’s healthcare less stressful.
Pay a Social Visit
Swing by the vet’s office, say hi, and spend a little time. The staff understands that dogs aren’t always thrilled about vet’s visits and may need extra help getting comfortable with the surroundings. Plus, everyone prefers treating calm, well-adjusted dogs to ones that need to be forcefully restrained. By making the social visits fun, your dog will begin to realize that trips to the vet don’t always involve poking and prodding.
Look Him Over
Ask your vet to show you a few basic handling techniques that you can practice on your pooch at home, minus the medical props. Then, about once a week, gently check him over as your vet instructed. Be sure to praise him along the way for his cooperation, and give him treats once you’re done. You can also try doing this during your social stops at the vet if the office doesn’t mind and there’s an empty room you can practice in.
Set a Calm Example
Anticipating a dog having a major meltdown at the vet’s can shake up even the calmest dog owners. And your pooch can sense your emotions. So take a few deep breaths to steady yourself so you can talk to your pet in a relaxed, reassuring tone. If possible, go into the examining room with him. With you rather than a vet staffer restraining him, your pup might relax more and resist less.
Seek Help
If your dog gets seriously panicky or becomes aggressive with the vet staff, you may need professional help. This ASPCA article outlines different types of canine health and behavioral specialists. Some owners find that giving their dog a sedative before appointments makes the whole experience easier for everyone. In any case, you’ll need to discuss your dog’s struggles with your vet to help determine the best approach for easing his fear
One thing all dogs have in common is this: They can’t tell the veterinarian what’s wrong. That’s when pet owners have to step up and ask the right questions.
“If you are coming in for your annual wellness visit or a sick visit, write down your questions ahead of time, just like I do when I go to my doctor,” says Dr. Elizabeth A. Dole, who practices at Stack Veterinary Hospital in Syracuse, N.Y. “When I get there, I typically can’t remember everything.”
Questions to Ask
Most veterinarians start your dog’s exam by asking you questions to rule out any serious canine diseases. They may ask whether your dog has been losing hair, had diarrhea or shown any change in thirst, urination or appetite.
After fielding those queries, it’s your turn to do the questioning. Here is a list of the top 10 questions to ask.
1. Is my dog at the appropriate weight?
Obesity is a growing concern in pets, as it is in people. One extra pound for a 25-pound dog is the equivalent of about 6 or 7 pounds for an adult human. “It has all sorts of health implications for the heart, joints, liver and kidneys,” says Dr. Bonnie Beaver, former president of the American Veterinary Medical Association and a veterinary professor at Texas A&M University.
2. How are my dog’s teeth and gums?
Tooth deterioration, tartar buildup and gum disease get worse as an animal gets older. “Infections of the gums can spread to other areas of the body,” explains Beaver. It’s important that puppies get used to having their mouths cleaned to allow you to brush their teeth and remove tartar buildup.
3. When should my dog have blood work done?
Blood tests can pick up certain congenital ailments, such as kidney disease or hormonal imbalances. Some vets take a baseline screening on a pet’s first visit, but it’s a good idea to have a screening done for a large dog after age 6 and for smaller dogs after age 8.
4. What should I feed my dog and/or puppy?
Feed your dog food that carries the Association of American Feed Control Officials (AAFCO) seal for complete and balanced nutrition. You should also have conversations with your vet on the types of foods to feed your pet.
5. Does my dog need exercise?
Dogs need regular walks and exercise to keep them fit. Ask your veterinarian if there are certain places you should not go to — such as local dog parks where there may have been a disease outbreak, advises Beaver.
6. How often should I bring my dog in?
Pet owners usually get in the habit of bringing dogs in for an annual checkup, although sometimes that stretches to 16 months between visits. Senior dogs require biannual visits. “It’s best if we can catch things early so we can intervene and help prolong and improve the quality of a pet’s life,” says Dole.
7. What are the latest recommendations on vaccines?
The latest recommendation is that the last round of dog vaccines should be administered after a puppy is 16 weeks old, according to Dole. It’s also critical to have your pet get any follow-up booster shots.
8. How can I administer my dog’s medication properly?
“You should always ask for clarification on the directions,” says Beaver. “If you give your pet medication the wrong way, it doesn’t help and can potentially have serious consequences.”
9. Is generic medication available?
Prescription medications for dogs can be as expensive as those for humans. Ask your vet if generics are available. If they are, find out the difference — if any — compared to brand-name products.
10. How much does it cost?
Don’t be afraid to question your veterinarian’s recommendation, particularly if it calls for an expensive surgical procedure. “You should also ask whether there are alternatives,” says Dole. And don’t be afraid to ask for a second opinion.
Elizabeth Wasserman a Washington, D.C., area-based freelancer, has been writing about pets, among other topics, for more than 15 years. Her love of dogs, in particular, was handed down through the generations from her great-grandfather, Eric Knight, who wrote the book Lassie Come Home in the 1930s.
Start your dog on a healthy dental regimen with step-by-step procedure
Eve Adamson
You know you should. You mean to do it. But maybe the reason you haven’t been brushing your dog’s teeth is because you just aren’t sure how. Well, break out your brushes and liver-flavored doggie toothpaste. It’s time to stop procrastinating and start brushing!
Step one: Gather your supplies. You’ll need a toothbrush (any style) and toothpaste made for dogs.
Step two: For several days in a row, call your dog, praise and pet him. Let him sniff the brush and lick some of the paste off your finger.
Step three: Next, put some paste on the toothbrush and let your dog lick the paste off the brush. As he is licking, touch the brush to his teeth. Do this for at least a week.
Step four: Hold your dog’s muzzle lightly with one hand, lifting up one side of his lips with your fingers near the corner of his mouth. Hold the brush in your other hand.
Step five: Brush the outside surfaces of the back teeth, using an up-and-down or circular motion. Do just one side for a week.
Step six: Repeat on the other side for another seven days.
Step seven: Lift up the lips in the front of your dog’s mouth and brush the outside surfaces of the canine and front teeth. Keep praising and petting your dog as you go.
Step eight: For dogs who strongly resist brushing, or for added protection, try an enzyme mouth spray or rub-on gel product.
Step nine: Finish with a big reward — praise and a dental or fresh-breath treat work well.
Step ten: Repeat daily. Yes, daily! Veterinary dentists say that’s best. Your dog will soon get used to the new brushing routine. And so will you!
By DogAge Staff
Keep the mini dog breeds out of harm’s way.
Ever spent any time with a Pomeranian, shih tzu, Chihuahua, fox terrier, or other toy breed? If so, then you know its size is often disproportionate to its personality. These dogs are small in stature but larger than life. That said, their extreme “petite-ness” means they need a tad more looking out for than bigger breeds in order to help prevent them from getting injured or seriously hurt. In her book, The Safe Dog Handbook, Melanie Monteiro offers a few house rules that can help keep your little one safe and healthy:
- Be careful with collars. Toy breeds have smaller, more delicate necks, so it’s better to use a harness rather than a leash attached directly to the collar when walking them. This will help prevent overjerking and possibly injuring the neck or trachea.
- Be cautious in crowds. Be sure to keep a close eye on your dog when you’re in large groups. People who aren’t used to being around such small dogs may forget your tiny pooch is even there and accidentally step on her. Yikes!
- Be gentle. Toy breeds are much less resilient than bigger dogs, so any roughhousing should be done with a light touch. Make sure your children and other guests understand what gentle play means. Also, always supervise when your mini is playing with other larger pets.
- Be “crateful.” If your little pooch is comfortable and used to being in her crate, it’s a great place to put her when there’s just too much going on around your house for her to be running around. (Things like kids’ birthday parties, holiday dinners, construction, household repairs, etc.) Try these three steps for effective crate training.
- Be afraid of heights. Don’t let your toy pup get up on furniture or other elevated places where she could jump off and hurt herself. Most beds are even too high, so it’s best to find your girl a bed of her own that she likes, so she’s not as interested in getting into yours. If you can’t bear to ban her from your bed, be sure to help her up and down — don’t let her jump down herself. Also, think about getting pet steps — available at pet-supply retailers — to give her a safer way up and down.
- Be aware. Smaller dogs can be seen as prey to wild animals, like coyotes, so always keep a close eye on your pup outside — even if she’s just in your yard. And try to take her along clear paths when on walks; tall grasses and weeds could easily poke her eyes.
- Be prepared. Keep a few light layers of doggie clothes on hand along with a substantial sweater that you can slip over her as needed. Little dogs have less insulating body fat and need extra help keeping warm during chillier months and to avoid hypothermia in especially cold climates.
Learn gentle yet effective ways to deal with matted fur when grooming your dog.
Growing up, I had a collie named Skippy who looked just like Lassie. Collies are beautiful dogs, but maintaining the whole Lassie look means spending a good bit of time with comb in hand. Same is true for many other longhaired dogs; mats and tangles can be a curse. Skippy’s tangle trouble zones were behind his ears and in that clump of dense, crimpy hair around his backside. An unglamorous issue I’m sure even Lassie and her stand-ins had to deal with but just never talked about.
Is Something the Mat-ter?
If your dog doesn’t normally get matted fur but suddenly is, take a look at the skin beneath it. Dry skin could be making him scratch like crazy, which could be tangling his fur. Serious dryness can be triggered by lots of different factors, including lice, ticks, fleas, nutritional deficiencies, or other health conditions, so it’s worth investigating the cause. Pus or discharge in the fur can indicate a skin infection, so be sure to let your vet know if you spot any potential underlying issues.
Getting Out Mats Yourself
For getting mats out, Jake Tedaldi, DVM, author of What’s Wrong with My Dog? A Pet Owner’s Guide to 150 Symptoms and What to Do About Them, recommends first using a wide-toothed comb to work through the clumps, trying gently to untangle them as much as possible. To help break up dense mats, Tedaldi suggests using small hair-clipping scissors. Don’t actually cut the hair. Instead, take the scissors — making sure they’re closed — and place them between the skin and hair. Open them gently to coax the clumped hairs apart, but be careful not to nick the skin. Once you’ve loosened the mat a bit, you should be able to go back in with your comb and work through it a little easier. It takes some time, but being diligent about grooming will keep your longhaired pooch’s skin and coat looking healthy.
Vets are now advocating dog owners to be an important part of their dogs’ arthritis treatment. An effective dog arthritis treatment plan is no longer only composed of a list of medications and supplements your dog must take – physical therapy is now included.
Unfortunately veterinary bills are usually not included in the monthly budget. Paying for dog medications can be heavy on the pocket, making dog physical therapy sessions unaffordable for many people. That is why more vets are informing their clients that in many cases they do not need expensive equipment or the services of a professional dog physiotherapist; all they need is the time and energy to help their dog cope with dog arthritis.
Exercises for Your Arthritic Dog
One sign that your dog may have arthritis is that he becomes inactive. The pain and inflammation may be too much, so he would rather stay stationary. However, any vet would tell you that physical activity is even more important for dogs that have arthritis than for normal, healthy dogs. Exercise is important for dog arthritis because it strengthens the muscles, improves blood and joint circulation, and helps in the management of weight. Mentioned below are some simple exercises you can use for your dog:
- Sit-Stand. This exercise is most suitable for dogs that can follow sit and stand commands! This exercise promotes weight bearing and strength, especially in the thigh muscles. All the owner needs to do is give the command to sit first. When the dog’s rear almost touches the ground, the owner then gives that stand command. This is repeated several times.
- Assisted Standing. The exercise can be described as dog dancing. Here is the reason: let your dog stand on its hind legs by holding your pet’s front legs. Move from left to right, backwards and forwards. Now, be very careful not be carried away with this exercise. Assisted standing can be very straining on the back legs so be very conscious of this when your dog wants to stop the exercise. It can be performed in a wheelbarrow fashion on the front legs.
- Walking. This is good for you and your dog. It is easy since you don’t need any fancy moves – all you need is leash. Walking is a low impact exercise that is widely recommended by vets. Whether your dog is healthy or arthritic, dogs should be walked two times a day if possible. For dog owners who want to increase the intensity of the exercise, you walk through an obstacle course, uphill, through a series of steps. You can also walk you dog in circular or zigzag patterns. For a weight bearing element to it, you can buy specially designed dog weights. Make sure that when your dog gets tired that you take a break. Also hydration is very important; always provide water access for your dog.
Controlling weight and getting sufficient exercise are important not only for you, but also for your dog. Obesity is one of the most common canine health problems, and according to the U.S. Census Bureau’s Census 2000, nearly two-thirds of U.S. adults weigh too much. If you think both you and your dog could stand to improve your health, work together toward the common goal of getting fit. Try one of the following activities and reap the extra rewards of a closer bond between the two of you!
Take a Hike
Get outdoors in the fresh air, and clear your mind while your dog relishes in the many scents and sights that lay around the bend, such as a brook to wade in or a fallen tree to sniff. You’ll lower your cholesterol, according to the American Hiking Society, and burn calories. The American Heart Association says a person weighing 150 pounds walking at a rate of 2 mph will burn 240 calories an hour. So, you and your dog can shed pounds along the trail.
Get Agile
Dog agility can bring out the athlete in both of you. Your dog jumps over hurdles, runs through tunnels, and weaves through poles on the course while you run alongside, coaching your dog through the various obstacles. Scoring and testing play a huge role in dog agility competitions, but you don’t have to compete to get involved. You can also do it at home on your own terms without any pressure. While providing a fun way to exercise, agility training can help you and your dog manage your weight.
Take a Dip
Swimming provides low impact, easy-on-the-joints exercise for dogs and owners. Swimming works many muscles at the same time, strengthening you and your dog’s physique. If your dog hasn’t been around water much, do assess first whether he likes the water and can safely enjoy it not all dogs are natural swimmers.
Piper Romersa
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Grooming and housebreaking
