Humans take their dogs to dog parks so the dogs can play and have fun, and so can the humans. Some humans also like dog parks because they think dog parks mean they do not have to take us dogs on walks. If this is what you think, you’re wrong.

For one thing, dog parks are not a substitute for walks. When I run around a dog park, I’m not going anywhere, just round and round, smelling the same old smells. It’s fun sometimes, but it’s not enough for us dogs. But a walk, now that is going someplace! We have a destination and a goal to achieve, and when we get there, we turn around and come home and have a treat and a drink of water. I get exercise so I can keep my body strong and healthy – so I can go back to work.

Secondly, dog parks are not just for play. I like to play as much as the next dog, but the ideal play is where I get to practice my Beagle skills, like smelling and tracking and howling. That’s my real work in the world. My ancestors were rabbit hunters when rabbits were an important part of humans’ food supply. Just because you humans do not eat as many rabbits as you used to doesn’t mean that I should be out of a job. Now beagles work as explosive and bomb sniffers, and drug detectives, and even as medical researchers. Our noses are so keen they can detect sickness way before any of your human machines do. So if you want a Beagle to have fun, let us smell and track things. We’ll be happier, and so will you.

But not all dogs are beagles. (Which is too bad for them.) Other dogs have different skills. Take Labrador Retrievers, for instance. Their ancestors worked with fishermen in the icy cold waters off Canada. Because of the rocky coastline, the fishing boats could not come close enough to shore, so the dogs swam to the boats and then back to shore, dragging nets full of fish behind them. It was hard work, but the Labradors loved it. So now, if you take a Lab to the dog park, try to find a dog park that has water – and I don’t mean a water dish, I mean a place to swim. Labradors think that swimming is life itself. And if you really want to make them happy, throw something into the water and let them bring it back to you. This is Labrador heaven.

For another example, take a look at the Terrier clan – any kind of terrier. What makes a terrier happy? Aopportunity to dig, and dig, and then dig some more – especially if there’s something in the hole that they can grab hold of and kill – or at least shake around. Terriers’ ancestors were mighty hunters, bred to find any kind of small game or pest that hid in holes. And once they found it, they grabbed it and shook it hard enough to break its neck. This may sound brutal to you, but terriers are proud of their skill, and they should be. Think how many more humans would have died of plague if it hadn’t been for terriers hunting and killing rats! So if you live with a terrier, give them something to chase into a hole. Or play their favorite game with them – tug. This gives them a chance tograb on, shake, and never let go until the other player gives up.

Remember: to a dog, play is not as much fun as work. Water dogs such as Spaniels and Labradors need water to swim in. Hound dogs like Beagles and Bloodhounds need plenty of smell time. Herding dogs like Border Collies or Australian Shepherds are only happy when they are telling others where to go. Give guard dogs like Dobermans something to protect. Give pack dogs like Huskies and Saint Bernards something to carry or pull. I could go on and on, but you get the idea.

This is your job as a dog “owner.” (You do not really own us, you know.) Find out what your dog’s work is, and then let them do it.

In recent years the Iditarod has garnered a lot of attention, not all of it good. Like any sport that involves animals the race has come under intense scrutiny from animal rights groups as well as many sports journalists who view the race as cruel. Those who hold this view cite the race as cruel because of the documented history of dog deaths, illnesses and many injuries.

The total numbers of dogs that have died in the race is 136, with nearly 107 dying in 1997 alone. These deaths are often the result of accidents that occur during the race, including strangulation from the towline, injuries from being hit with the sled, liver and heart failure and pneumonia. In more recent years “Sudden Death”, a situation in which the dogs organs and muscles deteriorate rapidly to the point of death during extreme exercise, has also been blamed. Other injuries faced by the dogs during the race include bone fractures and breaks, spinal injuries, tendon and ligament damage, muscles tears, dehydration, and in some cases infections from contaminated foods.

The criticism of the Iditarod does not end with the race but continues on to look deeper into the way the dogs are treated both before and after the race. As the race has increased in popularity so has the number of dog kennels that populate both Alaska and the lower 48. Many of these kennels have an astounding 100 dogs to look after and some even have a reported 200 dogs. The fact that none of these kennels are inspected by Stateofficials has led to concern for the dogs well-being outside of the racing season.

The reasons kennels are now being criticized stems from the fact that many of the dogs are kept tethered to a dog house with only a small area to move around in. This creates many problems for the dogs, including the fact that they’re forced to go to the restroom in the same area they eat and sleep in, the dogs risk strangulation, they can’t escape stinging and biting insects which can leave permanent sores, and being constantly confined to such a small place can make the dog aggressive and psychology damage them. These dogs are also forced to live outside, and those in Alaska can have to endure very cold temperatures. Although that may not be a problem for young huskies, bred for colder weather, older dogs or those with injuries can suffer a lot more from being left in the cold.

Many dogs suffer through this life, according to activist groups such as the Sled Dog Action Coalition, but some are not even allowed to live at all. Mushers who haveBig kennels breed for the ideal possible sled dogs, killing off those who won’t be able to make the cut.

While these actions are not going to be true of every musher and kennel, or even most of them, it is true of some and should be looked at closer to ensure that the dogs can live a happy life.

1. Install a sprinkler system and turn it on each time the dog starts digging. Making sure that the dog associates the digging with being splashed with water may prevent further digging. However, less effective if your dog enjoys water, but then at least you found a new game that’ll keep the garden safe (and well-watered) at least temporary. If a sprinkler is not doable, a water pistol can fill the same function.

2. Make sure your dog has plenty of alternatives of activities to enjoy. Digging might be a sign of boredom or anxiety, so plenty of toys, playtime and attention will make for a happy dog and may prevent further digging. It might even be worth considering adopting a playmate in form of another dog. The animal shelters would love to aid you in finding a good match.

3. Give your dog a designated space to dig. This might be very useful to prevent more drastic measures such as fencing off part of your garden or confinement of your dog to a run. (Something I personally wouldn’t recommend)

4. Make sure that your dog gets plenty of exercise. Digging is a way to release energy, so daily walks or runs will greatly reduce your dog’s desire to dig, leaving your garden looking lovely and you and your pup in happy and fit!

Living in South Florida, I have come to dread the sound of a dog barking as I walk through a parking lot because I’ve come to acquaint it with some moron driving around with their “best animal buddy” and then deciding they need to go shopping and leave the dog in the car.

Most recently I was with my boyfriend on an extremely hot day, 93 degrees according to his car’s external temperature gauge. We were walking back to the vehicle after a Littleshopping excursion when we heard a dog barking like mad. The ignorant part of me kicked in and I thought it might be best to avoid getting involved. The rational side took over and I found the car. A gray Pontiac with the windows cracked about three inches each. There was aTiny golden dog barking furiously, and I could not blame it. I was sweating standing outside the car.

There were a few stores in which I could have begun to search for the owner, and I got it right on the first tryVerizon. I opened the door and asked if someone had left their dog in the car. A Largegirl said “It’s mine” and my animal protection rage blinded me from logic. I told her she was a complete idiot despite the fact that she was almost three times my size. I really do not care when an animal is at risk. Who the hell does that kind of thing? Would you leave your child in the car on a 93 degree day? I think not! I hope not!

She was with her boyfriend, making it even more frustrating because one of the two could have sat in the car with the air conditioner cranked, but they both needed to spend God knows how much time in a cell phone store while thatTiny dog was going ballistic. The girl started threatening me with violence and I called the police. What else can you do? We now have shows on Animal Planet increasing awareness of how people should not treat animals. No one should sit by and grant this kind of thing to occur.

While we sat in our vehicle waiting for the police, the couple thought it best to get the dog out of the automobile and walk around, possibly to get away from police activity. The unfortunate part of THAT is that the ground is fire hot. I have seen people walking their dogs and actually hit their dogs because they won’t stand still on hot pavement. Some people do not realize that their dogs’ paw pads aren’t gonna cut it. My own foam flip-flops melt on the hottest days, leaving warped edges. When I found my kitten in a bush her Littlepaw pads were black and singed from whatever she went through. Animals are incredibly fragile,

Infections of the outer ear canal are common among dogs. Dog ear infections, or Otitis Externa, occur frequently in dogs because of the way their ears are designed. The horizontal and vertical components of a dog’s ear make it difficult for particles such as water or debris to drain out.

Signs that Your Dog Has an Ear Infection:

* Your dog is constantly and excessively shaking its head.
* There is yellow to brown discharge in your dog’s ears.
* Your dog’s ears have a yeast-like smell.
* There is redness and swelling on your dog’s infected ear.

Possible Causes of Dog Ear Infection:

Dog ear infections are caused by a variety of things. However, allergies are the typical cause of dog ear infections. If your dog has allergies or is highly susceptible to allergies, your dog is likely tohave ear infections.

Water getting into the ears is another common cause of ear infections among dogs. So if your dog likes to swim, it islikely to ear infections. This is because of the way your dog’s ears are designed. When water gets inside your dog’s ears, the water can’t properly drain out. Thus, your dog’s ears become the perfect breeding ground for bacteria and yeast. This doesn’t mean, however, that you shouldn’t grant your dog to swim or play in the water anymore. It just means that you should thoroughly dry your dog’s ears after to prevent ear infections.

Cleaning Your Dog’s Infected Ear:

Regardless of how much you take care of your dog’s well being, your dog will most likely eventually have ear infections. When this happens, you need to know the correct way of cleaning your dog’s ear before putting medication.

1. Put a few drops of ear cleanser into your dog’s infected ear.
2. Next, gently rub or massage the ear to loosen any debris that is stuck in there.
3. Using a soft cloth, gauze or cotton ball, gently scrape and wipe the dirt out of the infected ear.

Medicating Your Dog’s Infected Ear:

After thoroughly cleaning your dog’s infected ear, apply medication according to the veterinarian’s instructions or the instructions found on the label.

Your dog’s veterinarian will prescribe the appropriate treatment based on what has caused your dog’s ear to become infected. For instance, if your dog’s ear infection was caused by a yeast infection, the veterinarian will prescribe an anti-fungal medication. If the infection was caused by a bacteria, your dog will be prescribed antibiotics.

Medications for dog ear infections are typically applied directly into the ears. However, if your dog has a severe ear infection, the veterinarian may prescribe oral treatment. The veterinarian may also clip the hair around your dog’s infected ear to grant more air to circulate in it. Surgery, for reconstructing the ear canal so that it drains betterand easier, is the last recourse when topical and oral treatments have failed.

While all dogs areapt toear infections, those belonging to breeds with Largeears that flap over the outer ear canal as well as those breeds of dogs with very small ear canals are most susceptible. As a dog owner, it’s your responsibility to take care of your dog’s well being. Take proper care of your dog’s ears and learn how to detect the early signs of ear infections.

The size of the nipples is what I look for even a few days after they mate. If I notice that her nipples are getting longer and are beginning to build fat and milk, then she’s definitely pregnant. The female will tend to get lazier as well, not playing as much, and definitely eating a lot more. Two weeks after mating, you will also notice the stomach hardening. When you pick your dog up, you will notice some distension in the stomach area along with longer and sagging nipples. It won’t really be noticeable unless you actually know what to look for. If you want to abort the birth, then you must do so as soon as possible. The longer you wait, the more risk for bleeding during the surgery because the placenta willstart to form. Nine months for humans is a light year compared to the cycle for dogs. There is a good chance that there’s precious new life brewing and ready to join the world two and a half months after the first signs happen.

The gut will not begin to enlarge until at least a month after the initial mating occurred. You will notice it getting harder and some ballooning will occur mostly on the sides of the torso. So you’ll notice the growth happening sideways instead of outwards. So you’ll have a bettershot at noticing the growth if you were viewing the dog from overhead instead of parallel. The dog will also beginto consume a lot more water than usual so keep an extra bowl filled with clean water on the floor whenever you are not home for more than 6 hours.

The nursing female will beginto drink lots of water and even have an increased appetite, just like human females do. Energy will be scarce and you shouldn’t walk your dog as long as you usually do. You should keep your bitch active, but don’t over stress her. Limit walks to 10 minutes at a time.

This is a good time to give your dog an extra egg every week, and even some red meat and chicken along with her dog food because she needs as much protein as possible. After noticing that your dog is pregnant, you might want to prepare a niceTiny spot for your dog where the males won’t bother her as much. She will definitely become cranky after becoming pregnant and will demand privacy during the later stages of pregnancy.

The overall process will nearly require no intervention from you at all and we should just let nature take its course. But as the case is with most toy dogs and Chihuahuas, they might require Cesarian section if they’ve a litter of 4 or more pups. The way to tell if your dog needs a C-section is if your dog drops empty sacs of ambiotic fluid and no babies follow through the birth canal a half hour after that. You will see the water break only and if the pups do not want to come out, then you should get her to a Vet for routine surgery.

Walking my own Labradors is no longer necessary and quite frankly I’m relieved. It’s just too scary out there these days considering the number of uncontrolled roaming dogs spoiling for a fight. Fortunately my six dogs have a few deer-fenced acres to safely explore, a pond to swim in and each other for company and exercise. However, there were times when I had to walk my dogs, mainly when away from home attending dog shows. Early on I swiftly learned from trial and error exactly what dog walking mistakes to avoid.

I remember when the retractable leads first became available. Like many dog owners I rushed out and[ bought one. Actually I purchased quite a few. Consisting of a rigid plastic handle containing a long extension lead it grants the dog more free range whilst still being under direct control of the handler. Supposedly, with the flick of a switch, the lead retracts automatically, bringing the dog back with it. They are clearly designed for walking one dog at a time. Walking two or more dogs each attached to one of these leads is not for the faint hearted nor the uncoordinated as I soon discovered.

My debut using these leads was comical to state the least. My friend and I were away for the weekend attending dog shows. At the end of the first day’s competition we took the eight dogs we had with us for a walk to a park near our motel. I had four Labradors with me, each attached to their own retractable lead. It soon turned into utter mayhem. Not only were the handles bulky and awkward to carry but trying to co-ordinate four control switches was virtually impossible. I spent most of the walk unwinding the leads from around my legs. On arrival at the park I became so entangled I actually fell over. There I was, flat on my back,absolutelyimmobile and trussed up like a turkey. Those leads are strong though, I’ll give them that, now I know what a sled ride without the sled is like.

From then on, I went back to the tried and true, a simple self choke nylon show lead. ForMassivestrong dogs I recommenda chain link choker with attached leather or webbed nylon lead. To ensure affective control and the dog’s comfort, the choker must be put around the dog’s neck correctly. This is most important. Other dog owners swear by the halti, a lead with muzzle control or a chest harness. Trial and error will soon help you decide which you and your dog prefer.

When it comes to walking dogs, less is definitely more. Limiting numbers, particularly withBigdogs makes for