breeding

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Bathing a Dog

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Bathing a dog needs to be given more emphasis. This is because of the fact that if you are careless in bathing, the animal may end up having some infections.  For example, if you don’t close the ears with large cotton ball, the water may enter into ear canals and may cause some ear infections with signs like constant discharge from the ears and shaking of head.

Frequency of bathing actually depends on the breed of the dog. If the dog is of a hairy type like the cocker spaniel, then the bathing is to be carried out once in six to eight weeks. If these breeds are bathed too frequently, then the skin and coat loose the protective characters.  However, when the dog has defecated on the skin due to the frequent digestive upsets leading to diarrhea, to avoid the bad smell, the dog may be subjected to frequent bathing some times by the owners.

Take more care in avoiding some irritant soaps or human soaps. The soap materials used for human beings are not suitable for dogs.  Similarly, many human shampoo products are having some ingredients that are not suitable in the proportions that are to be used in case of dogs. Hence, always try to use the shampoo products that are mentioned mainly for use in dogs. Take more care in using any new product.

Always have good time and patience for products required for bathing in one place with availability of water source.  Dogs love the sprinkling of water, river, and oceans.  Even when you are using bathtub have everything in one place and then start bathing of the dog. Try to have a leash, conditioner, towel, and shampoo in the bath place.

Conditioner is of helpful to make the combing activity easier later. Bathing should be a convenient activity to both the dog and the owner. This should not be a burden.

Bathing a Dog courtesy of Dog Articles.

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Pregnancy In Dogs

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What are the signs of canine pregnancy and what special considerations should be made for pregnant dogs? Here are a few things to consider when caring for your pregnant dog.

The early signs of pregnancy in a dog are vague and non-specific, and include a change in normal behavior, a loss in appetite, weight gain, possibly some vomiting, and perhaps a noticeable increase in the size of her nipples. Your dog may also become more clingy and affectionate. These changes take place during the first few weeks of pregnancy.

If you want to know for sure, you’ll need to visit your veterinarian. A pregnancy test can be performed as early as twenty-six days after a bitch (female dog) has been bred. Your vet will perform a simple blood test to look for a hormone called relaxin, which remains in the bloodstream of pregnant dogs throughout pregnancy and up to two weeks after whelping.

Your vet can often feel puppies in your bitch’s abdomen after five weeks, and an ultrasound can determine whether your dog is pregnant after only three weeks. After seven weeks, the doctor will be able to see how many puppies are there and check their size, to make sure you’re both prepared for any potential delivery complications.

A dog’s pregnancy lasts between sixty-three and sixty-five days. During this time, she may prefer smaller, more frequent meals, since the puppies will be taking up space in her abdomen and there’s less room for her stomach. A balanced diet is important for pregnant dogs, and calcium supplements should be avoided to eliminate the risk of eclampsia while she’s feeding her babies. If you supplement calcium during pregnancy,you switch off her body’s natural calcium regulation system. So, when she needs extra calcium to produce milk, her body can’t meet the demand straight away. This results in trembling and seizures, and can be fatal.

The size of the litter and the size of your bitch will determine how firm or distended her abdomen looks and feels. As the weeks go by, she will gain weight and her abdomen can become quite pendulous. You can often feel the puppies moving during the last couple of weeks of her pregnancy. Her nipples may leak a little milk as she gets closer to her delivery date.

Exercise is important during pregnancy, but it should be gentle and not too strenuous, similar to that for human mothers approaching the final stages of their pregnancy. If any bleeding or vaginal discharge develops, or if your dog stops eating or becomes very lethargic, it may be time to call a veterinarian for advice.

In the final days before delivery, your bitch will become restless and begin her nesting behavior. That’s an indication that it’s time to provide her with a proper whelping box for the birthing process. Towards the end of her pregnancy, your dog’s temperature will drop from a normal 101 to 102 degrees Fahrenheit to between 97 and 99 degrees. This is a sure sign that she will deliver her pups within 24 hours.

Pregnancy in Dogs courtesy of Dog Articles

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Dog Breeding Tips

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Breeding dogs is very tempting if you’re a dog lover.  You’ll get to spread your passion for the animals and you can even earn an income.  Even so, there is a lot to think about before you get started.

The first thing you need to realize is that your dog might not fit the bill.  You should breed dogs that are from the highest pedigree.  It is also important to make sure they have an even temperament and are without any genetic defects.

For the good of the puppies, never breed a dog that has these problems.  Even if you sense a problem with the uterus you should make sure your pup can cope with the litter and is at least two years old.  If not, it’s not a good idea to breed.

If your bitch meets all the requirements you almost have a green light.  Next, you need to consider the puppies that would come out of the breeding.  It is important to be sure you have enough room for 12 puppies in a space that can handle the noise level.

It can be very stressful being there for the birth of these puppies and the process can take over 12 hours.  Beyond that you need to be there to clean up after the dogs, wean them, and feed them.  This food and other materials can end up costing a lot of money.  Don’t forget about the vet bills either.

Beyond the first weeks of care you need to figure out what you’re going to do with the puppies.  Whether they are mixed breed or pedigree you may want to sell or give them away.  Obviously, a pedigree dog is worth a lot more money to prospective buyers than a mutt.

Make sure you don’t just give the puppies away to anyone that walks into your facility.  You need to make sure they are going to a good home.  If you find that they were taken to an undesirable location you might even need to take them back in.

If you’ve made up your mind that breeding is what you want to do then you can start to look for a stud dog.  If your bitch is pedigree then you want to make sure the stud comes from the same quality background.  You can also examine the female dog’s weaknesses and find a stud that will make up for those weaknesses.  For example, one might not have a beautiful coat but you can make up for it with the other.

Just remember that money is not the ultimate goal here.  Breeding quality animals and making sure they have a wonderful life is.  You can have a very fulfilling time as a dog breeder as long as you follow these guidelines.

Dog Breed Tips courtesy of Dog Articles

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Neutering Or Spaying Your Chesapeake Bay Retriever

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Neutering or Spaying your Chesapeake Bay Retriever is probably on of the most important steps you can take as a responsible pet owner if you’re not planning on breeding. As these dog breeds are more aggressive than most other Retrievers, regular socialization from a young age is quite important.

Male Chessie’s are generally more aggressive than the females but neutering and spaying has calmed this trait or even prevented this problem from developing. Some owners may believe that altering their Chesapeake Bay Retriever and in particular males, that this alters their charm. This is not the case. It actually helps your male Chessie to ignore the urge to wander for a female on heat. Having the urges in check will considerably make your dog much happier to stay by your side.

Spaying your female Chessie before their first heat season has been known to prevent breast cancers and uterine infections, while neutering males at puppy age will prevent testicular cancers as well as continue to maintain a healthy prostate and subdue their aggression.

Neutering and Spaying can reduce or eliminate serious illnesses in your Chessie and are said to live longer and healthier lives which also makes a happier companion for you.

The physical traits of spayed females are that they require less food, although a proper diet and outdoor exercise will prevent them from becoming obese, it also means that they will never come in season which will avoid an accidental breeding or unwanted puppies. While the temperament of spayed Chesapeake Bay Retrievers may become more dominant with other dogs but normally not the case.

Male Chesapeake Bay Retrievers if they are neutered less than 6 months of age tend to become taller with less muscle mass than intact males. They also require less food and a quality diet with regular exercise to avoid obesity. The good thing about neutering a male Chessie is that they are usually less aggressive towards other male dogs as well as their dominance with people is quite reduced. However, this shouldn’t be taken as a cure for dominant behavior, regular training and leadership is still required while still young.

In general you’ll find with these dog breeds that by neutering and spaying your pet there are a lot of benefits for both you and your dog. Training your Chessie is also a lot more civilized as they are usually more consistent and focused than a Cheesie still intact. Look after your Chessie and they’ll reward you with years of love, fun and companionship for you and your family.

Neutering Or Spaying Your Chesapeake Bay Retriever courtesy of Dog Articles

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