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Pets Need to Brush Regularly Too
Bo, the impeccable kitty: Jessie, I have been meaning to tell you this for quite sometime, but just never had the courage to do so, but, in light of our growing popularity, I felt it was my duty to let you know that I think you need to become more aware of proper oral hygiene. There! I said it!
Jessie, the adorable canine: What on earth do you mean? I have the most glamorous of smiles. After all, my pearly canines are my trademark.
Bo: Perhaps, but I just have never seen you actually brushing your teeth. Did you know that dogs are at risk for developing plaque and tartar, just like our humans, as a result of dental hygiene that has been neglected? Tartar can lead to gingivitis, which can become an irreversible periodontal disease, leaking bacteria into the bloodstream potentially causing great damage to internal organs. (Putting paw to forehead in desperation) It just pains me to even think about it.
Jessie: I thought you hated me. Why all the fuss?
Bo: Purely for educational purposes, my friend. I pick on you to inform our audience. Work with me now. I do have good news for you, however! All it takes is some home oral care so plaque build-up can be controlled and reduced before it becomes a major problem. For starters, use toothpaste sold just for dogs. As we all know, dogs cannot spit, and we certainly do not want them to ingest this stuff. Your human can clean your teeth by using a regular human toothbrush, a finger brush, or simply a piece of gauze that is wrapped around the finger. Be sure you allow your human to get into a comfortable position wherein he or she can grasp your muzzle and lift your lips away from the teeth. Then, let them gently get to work. It is important to brush along the gum line, as this is the area where bacteria tends to collect. Make sure your human brushes your teeth in a circular motion, cleaning each tooth with several such motions. Make sure they get the back teeth, too! When done a couple of times a week, this should be effective in maintaining a clean and healthy mouth for your dog!
Jessie: I can’t stand you right now, Bo. You are the plaque in my life.
Bo: Great! Now your mouth is dirty again! I told you not to say such filth! (Running down the hallway, screaming for his human) Karen! I have a job for you!
Karen Harrison is the proud owner of two pets with healthy teeth and gums, and she can help you understand proper oral care for YOUR pet. Contact Karen at the Joy of Living Pet Sitting Services in Kansas City.
Information for this blog was found at http://www.pawnation.com/2010/01/26/how-to-clean-your-dogs-teeth/?icid=main|htmlws-main-w|dl1|link7|http%3A%2F%2Fwww.pawnation.com%2F2010%2F01%2F26%2Fhow-to-clean-your-dogs-teeth%2F
Beggars Can’t Be Choosers: How to Deal with a Dog that Begs
Jessie: I am posting this entry today because the human to my good friend Bolt, an adorable, yet precocious Yorkie-Poo, has expressed concern about Bolt’s annoying begging habits during the human’s meal times. It seems that Bolt’s human cannot begin a meal without Bolt begging, whining, jumping up and down, employing whatever tactic he can think of in order to get just one tiny morsel of food from the human’s plate. We even highly suspect that Bolt has engaged in some form of counter-surfing behind his human’s back, jumping up on the larger dog’s back at his home and scouring the counter for goodies that way. It is a group effort, so they bigger dog is at fault, too.
As for me, I never beg for food. The only one who begs in this household is that stinky cat, Bo. He has to beg for mercy, that is, if he ever wants any care and consideration from me!
Begging is one of the most learned behaviors in dogs that one can see as endearing or annoying. At best, begging is actually a form of communication. Some pet owners even train their dogs to beg in order to get a piece of food or a treat.
However, on the other end of the spectrum, we have dogs that simply will not leave their humans alone during meal times. Like Bolt, he may jump on the owner’s leg, paw the owner, or bark incessantly. The dog realizes this has worked in the past, so he continues to engage in this behavior. Dogs do not only beg for food, either. They may beg for toys or for attention.
Because it is a learned behavior, the obvious solution is to not teach it to the dog in the first place. Pet owners who do not have to contend with a begging dog have simply raised the dog by not feeding it table scraps or by simply not encouraging such behavior in the dog in the first place. The dog receives his meals at the same time each day, in the same place, each and every day.
For dogs who beg, they are merely thinking, “It works, so therefore I beg.”
Here are a few tips to discourage the begging dog in your household:
1.) Have a set feeding regimen for your dog, and do not vary this at all.
2.) Crate train your dog during your meal times so he is not able to beg. Be sure to give him a toy or something to occupy him during this time, however.
3.) Realize that your dog will soon stop trying to do something that no longer works.
4.) Do not use punishment as a form of control here. It confuses the dog, and the only thing he learns to avoid is the punisher.
As the owner, you have to be in charge and take control. Your dog, the faithful friend and follower, will appreciate your lead! Just don’t leave a trail of bread crumbs as he follows behind you!
(Information for this post was found at http://www.petplace.com/dogs/delaing-with-dogs-that-beg/page1.aspx)
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