Headaches in dogs

I was curious to know if dogs got headaches so off I went to do an internet search. Headaches are a type of  pain that a dog would have a hard time letting their owner know that they had one. There is a large consensus that dogs do indeed get headaches just like humans do. Their headaches can be caused by allergies, sinus problems and head injuries. I don't know if they suffer from migraines since human symptoms would include nausea and other more severe signs. Even if dogs did suffer from them, what would a migraine treatment for a dog? I could not find the answer to that question.

Puppyhood to full grown dog

It takes about 2 years for a dog to mature. The first few weeks are baby to toddler time. At about 12 weeks old they are about the equivalent of a 5-6 year old human child. They are mentally ready to leave their mom and litter mates. The American Kennel Club does not recommend separating them from their mom and litter mates earlier than 12 weeks. From 12 weeks to 6 months they are in their childhood years when they are learning at a very fast rate. This is the time best suited for basic training but not leash training since the pup should have all its vaccines before being exposed to other dogs and the sidewalk of dog viruses.

From 6 months old to the pup's first birthday is a time of sexual maturity. Male dogs are able to father a litter of puppies and females often go into heat as early as 6 months old. These are their teenage years and be thankful that you don't have to worry about how to get rid of acne fast but just getting that vet appointment for spaying or neutering before an "accident' happens.

The second year of their life is when their bodies and minds mature. They get more muscle tone, become more mellow and you find out their average daily energy level.

Get that pup on the phone for me

I came across that photo above while looking for cell phone accessories. All I can say is "how cute." It is amazing what kind of poses people will come up with for photographing their dogs. This cute little pup can answer my cell phone any time......just as long as he doesn't lick the keys.

Your dog needs more than just a walk

When you take your dog out for a walk, do you do more than just walk? The reason I ask that is the fact that most dogs need to jog or trot to keep their heart, lungs and body in shape. Most dog owners do not walk fast enough to truly give their dogs any meaningful exercise. In order for the larger breeds of dogs to get enough exercise they must be trotted or jogged for at least 20 minutes each day. It is one way to get an abs workout for your dog and you.

If your dog does not get enough proper daily exercise, your dog will suffer the same health problems that you might experience if you did not get daily exercise. Those problems include heart problems, weak lung capacity and obesity.

Protect your dog in the car

I have seen way too many dogs loose in cars while they were in motion. Most of the neglectful owners allow their overly active dogs to sit in their laps while they are driving. What the dog should be doing is just like all the human passengers in the car, they should be strapped into a seat with a harness or a doggy seat. Even if you have auto insurance that covers your dog (you did make sure that you searched for cheap auto insurance quotes that included coverage for your dog...don't you?) you still have to make an effort so your dog does not get injured in an auto accident.

Please protect your dog from being thrown into the windshield should you break suddenly. Your dog doesn't know what could happen in a car accident, but you do.

Greyhound health problem

When you look at the athletic build of the fabulous Greyhound, you would never think that they had a serious health problem. No they don't have hip dysplasia like other dog breeds, nor do they have a problem with needing belly fat removal from being overweight. The problem they have is a loose intestine. Their intestine can become twisted much like a horse's intestine can. It can flip over and cut off the flow of digestion. If not treated right away the dog will die within days. Discomfort is the first signs of the problem followed by lack of poop. Surgery is the only cure for a twisted intestine. Most other dog breeds do not have this problem.

Fun dog movies

So what are your favorite dog movies? Did you cry during the last few scenes of Ol' Yeller or did Hachi: A Dog's Tale, get to you? That does bring up an interesting fact, why are the majority of dog movies have to have a sad ending? Even Marley and Me was sad. The only series of dog movies that have remained light hearted and fun are the Beethoven movies. So next time you are looking for that special dog flick on DVD or blu ray, keep in mind that you may have to get a box of tissues to go with it.

Traveling the dog show circuit

Have you ever been to a dog show? I have been to several in the past 20 years. At first it was to show one of my pups and later just as a spectator. Unless they were local shows I did not attend them. I knew several people that would travel thousands of miles between dog shows just to get those precious points towards their dogs' championship title.

As a spectator at those later dog shows and events, I would wander around the kennel areas to view the dogs being prepared. Most of the time it was out in the parking lot were many of the owners of the dogs were being prepared beside their car. The professional dog handlers had trailers and 5th wheelers that had been adapted to house several dogs, a full grooming station and room for them to eat. sleep and carry on a life on the road. Some of those rigs were extremely elaborate. I would hate to see the cost of the 5th wheel insurance on those puppies (pun intended).

I don't I could ever get use to traveling from dog show to dog show for a full time living. I guess I am too much in love with my home life to exchange it for being on the road all the time. More power to those who choose to do that though.