Author Archives: Leema

03/11/12

Puppyhood: The time to rescue shelter dogs

This post is part of the series in response to Dunbar’s 2012 Australian seminars. See index.

Welcome to the first post in my Ian Dunbar seminar series. This, as well as many other posts, will be updated as I make more posts. So let’s start!

Ian Dunbar very seriously believes that puppyhood is one of the most vital periods of a puppy’s life. He believes that appropriate training and socialisation will mean that common behaviour problems can be prevented and, ultimately, the dog will not end up in a shelter facility. (In the handout, he called common and precitable behaviour problems “the #1 terminal illness for adolescent/adult dogs.”)

Labrador puppy

Photo © Ruthless Photos

With puppies, training should focus on:
• Stopping behaviour problems from occurring,
• Teaching bite inhibition,
• Socialising puppies to people and therefore reducing the likelihood of bites (from fear or aggression).

In terms of behaviour problems that should be prevented in puppyhood, this includes:
• House soiling,
• Inappropriate chewing,
• Biting,
• Barking,
• “Temperament problems”
These behaviours are easily predictable, and easily preventable during puppyhood.

Dunbar made some pretty firm statements. He says that puppies with insufficient socialisation suffer “massive permanent damage”. He thinks that puppies are pretty much ‘made’ by 3 months of age, though socialisation does continue. It is only at 2-3 years that you can finished your puppy a finished product – you can relax and enjoy your dog and not worry about further socialisation.

Making the most of puppyhood is a dual effort between breeders and puppy buyers. Breeders have duties, as do puppy buyers. One of puppy buyers duties is puppy classes, and we’ll look at puppy classes in our next post.

03/6/12

How to Reduce Your Dog’s Weight

A dog in ideal condition will have a thin layer of fat on their ribs. Dogs that are a healthy weight should have their ribs easily felt with minimal pressure on their sides, but not seen. When viewed from the side, these dogs have a ‘tuck up’, and when viewed from above, they have an obvious waist.

Staffordshire Bull Terrier crossbreed on scales

Photos © Ruthless Photos

Overweight dogs will have a thicker layer of fat over their ribs. To feel an overweight dog’s ribs, the dog’s sides must be pressed. When viewed from the side and above, these dogs look more like a ‘block’, with no tuck or waist.

Some breeds may have characteristics that make it difficult to judge the condition of the dog, but these general guidelines are applicable for most breeds. For purebreds, there are specifications for the correct weight, but these too are only guidelines, and some individuals dogs may be small or large for the breed, and so may have different ideal weights.

Canine obesity is a serious health concern. Overweight dogs, in general, die earlier than dogs of appropriate weights. This is because being overweight puts more stress on an animal’s internal systems and organs (such as their heart, lungs, liver and kidneys). This leaves overweight animals more likely to develop cardiac disease, congestive heart failure, lung disease, and respiratory problems.

Obese animals are also at a greater risk of cancer, anal gland problems, constipation, diabetes, intestinal gas, stroke, skin problems, and an impaired immune system in general. Additional weight can cause and exacerbate health problems, such as arthritis and joint problems, including spinal disc issues. Overweight animals generally tolerate the heat less, have difficulty exercising, and are more likely to injure themselves when they do exercise.

If you believe your dog is overweight, it is important to check with your vet before making considerable changes to your dog’s diet or exercise regime.  There are some medical problems that may cause your dog to be overweight.

If you want to reduce your dog’s weight, there are a number of strategies that could be utilised. Continue reading →