Pets.ca » dogs

58 – Wolf Mixes and Wolves are Dangerous Pets – Interview with Dr. Stanley Coren

Marko — Fri, 04 Nov 2011 17:17:25 +0000

Pet podcast #58 features an fascinating interview with psychologist and dog expert Dr. Stanley Coren. They key question of the podcast is whether wolves or wolf hybrids make good pets. Lately it seems like we are seeing more wolves and wolf hybrids (wolves mixed with dogs) for sale. But just because something is for sale, it doesn’t mean it’s safe for you and your children and it doesn’t mean that the seller has your best interests at heart. So as the title suggests, the answer to this question is a BIG FAT NO.
We divulge the answer right away just in case people only have time for the headline.

Why are wolves and wolf hybrids dangerous pets?
Are wolves and dogs from the same line?
How come we were able to domesticate dogs so easily?

For those answers, take a listen to the podcast as Dr. Coren takes us on a brief history tour of wolves, wolf mixes, dogs and dog domestication.

Shownotes and links of interest:
Dr. Coren’s website
Dr. Coren’s blog
Dr. Coren’s books on Amazon
Dr. Adam Miklosi
Wolves as pets and working animals – Wikipedia article that mentions the researcher Erik Zimen
German Wikipedia Entry for Erik Ziman
Dr. John Fentress

You can download this pet podcast directly by clicking the first link in this post link or listen to it almost immediately, with the embedded player below. This podcast is 00:28:30 in length.

Pet podcast 58 – Wolves and wolf mixes as pets

Perfect Dog – Except for…

Pets.ca — Thu, 04 Feb 2010 19:18:54 +0000

Your dog is your pride and joy. And you get so much positive feedback about his demeanor from friends, neighbors, and even your vet. He’s been called ‘the perfect dog’. One catch though. Spot, the dog around the corner, makes your ‘perfect pooch’ furious. How can this be? Seems like Spot is the only thing setting your dog back from winning the ‘perfect dog’ prize.

Having the most well behaved dog on the block doesn’t mean that your pet will be well behaved to everyone or everything. After all, you don’t necessarily like everyone you meet do you? So why should your dog love all other dogs? They are after all entitled to ‘some’ of their own decisions.

Other factors can certainly play a part in your dog’s aversion to Spot though – such as your dog’s history if adopted from a shelter, if your dog was well socialized, the dominance of the other dog, or even a situation that you may have missed before you got to the scene. If properly identified, you can try to rectify this situation by doing your own research or by getting the help of a professional trainer.

For more information on the reasoning behind these aggressions, follow this link to our pet forum.

Water Consumption – What’s Normal?

Pets.ca — Fri, 09 Oct 2009 17:37:56 +0000

Have you ever paid close attention to your dog’s water drinking habits? Probably not, since it’s such a normal part of his/her everyday routine. What is the norm though, and why do some dogs drink more than others?

Weather obviously plays a huge factor in water consumption; on warmer days, your dog will certainly drink more. Larger dogs will drink more than their smaller counterparts. If your dog is on medication, you may notice him/her drinking more. It is often a side effect of certain medications. These are normal reasons.

BUT if you notice that your dog is drinking more than its normal habits, contact your vet immediately. There is a limit to how much water dogs can safely drink and drinking more than this amount can lead to water intoxication which is serious. There are several diseases that will also cause dogs to drink more than normal. These diseases include diabetes, Cushing’s disease and kidney failure.

So take the time to pay attention to these habits. It may save the life of your pup! For more information on this topic, visit this thread in our pet forum. Dr. Lee also contributed another excellent thread on cats and dogs drinking too much water in our forum.

The right breed of dog for you is…

Pets.ca — Fri, 28 Aug 2009 20:10:19 +0000

Didn’t think the answer to that question was that easy, did you? The right breed of dog really depends on each individual’s needs and preferences. There are several criteria that you can look at when deciding on a breed, which include (but not limited to) size, color, amount of shedding, amount of grooming required, temperament, energy level, exercise requirements, playfulness, affection level, friendliness towards other pets, ease of training, and protection ability. Lots to think about, huh? But isn’t it great that you actually have all these great choices before selecting your future family member? Imagine the possibilities!

There are various sites out there that can assist you with your breed selection, offering you quizzes and such to help you narrow your search. Our pet forum also serves a wealth of information to find that perfect fit for you. Take a look!

Scared of the tub

Pets.ca — Tue, 18 Aug 2009 17:57:22 +0000

For some reason, bathing a dog is one of the most unpleasant tasks that comes along with owning a dog (for most owners anyhow). Some dogs will bark incessantly, shiver, whine, claw at the side of the tub, and even do their business in the tub – generally acting as if the world is ending.

Some dogs actually have allergies and skin sensitivities that water, shampoo, and/or soap will aggravate. They will put on quite the show to avoid this aggravation. Other dogs may simply have a fear of being in an ‘enclosed’ tub space. Others have a fear of water being poured on them. Other dogs are frightened of the surface that they must be in/on, as the surface can get slippery and this causes anxiety in some dogs.

It’s important to identify why your dog is behaving in such a manner, and to help it be more comfortable with bathing; from buying special shampoos, to placing anti-slip grips on the tub floor. To help your pet, understand the source of its fear. Then take the necessary steps to remedy the situation.

For more information and tips on bathing phobias in dogs, follow the link to the thread on our pet forum.

50 – Vaccinating dogs – Interview with Dr. Lee

Marko — Mon, 17 Aug 2009 20:52:24 +0000

Pet podcast #50 features an interview with our podcasting veterinarian Dr. Lee. In this podcast we discuss most of the important topics that surround vaccinating pet dogs. We cover topics like what is a vaccine, why we vaccinate, when to vaccinate, over-vaccination, vaccines that are no longer recommended etc. Thanks to Winston from our pet forum. for suggesting this topic. This is a two part podcast and the next show will be devoted entirely to vaccinating cats.

We LOVE comments so if you want to comment on this podcast you can do so right here in this blog, in the bulletin board, or just email us at pets.ca (a t) gmail dot com but use the correct email formatting. Of course you can also suggest future podcast topics.

Links mentioned in this podcast:
Dr. Lee’s dog vaccine article
AAHA
AAHA vaccine guidelines
Dr. Jean Dodd’s vaccine protocol
Original thread that spawned this podcast
Pets.ca forum

You can download this pet podcast directly by clicking the first link in this post link or listen to it almost immediately, with the embedded player below.

Extreme Leash Pulling

Pets.ca — Fri, 12 Jun 2009 14:02:49 +0000

If you are like most dog owners, your four-legged friend tends to take you for walks on most days. Pull, pull, yank, pull, and fall flat on your face. Sound familiar?

To put your dog at your side instead of 8 feet ahead, here are a few suggestions:

- Obedience training for you and your dog
- Discovering alternate leashes and collars – such as a harness or prong collar
- Reward your dog when he does walk at your side
- Stand completely still when your dog starts to pull and praise when he doesn’t

Most importantly, have patience! It may take some time, but your dog WILL get it.

For more suggestions see the link on our pet forum

Canine hip dysplasia

Pets.ca — Fri, 01 May 2009 20:57:54 +0000

Canine hip dysplasia, more common in larger breeds, is one of the most threatening and frustrating diseases veterinarians study today.

This genetically transmitted disease occurs when an abnormal formation of the hip leads to loosening in the hip joints. This in turn causes cartilage damage. Progressive arthritis often follows and can be crippling for our canine friends. It should be noted that hip dysplasia is not the same thing as arthritis in the hips, but rather it is the most common cause of arthritis in the hips.

Some dogs show more signs of discomfort than others, yet any sign of decreased activity like difficulty moving, reluctance to jump/walk/run/or use the stairs, etc. should be further investigated by your vet.

Treatment options for this unfortunate disease can range from conservative options (pain medication, controlled diet and exercise, and physical therapy), to invasive surgery. Your veterinarian will discuss these options with you and what would best be suited for your pet if he/she is diagnosed with Canine hip dysplasia.

PET FORUM LINK for this topic

46 – Getting your dog to do its business on command – Interview with Tenderfoot Training

Marko — Mon, 16 Feb 2009 18:00:40 +0000

Pet podcast #46 features an interview with Elizabeth Simpson of Tenderfoot Training. Many dog owners have issues with getting their dogs to do their business outdoors during a walk in a timely fashion. A frequent problem is defecation in the house AFTER the dog has just come in from a walk. Don’t worry, your dog is not broken and it’s not trying to upset you in anyway. In this interview we discuss what it takes to get your dog to poop and pee outdoors when you want it to.

We LOVE comments so if you want to comment on this podcast you can do so here in this blog, in the bulletin board, or just email us at pets.ca (a t) gmail dot com but use the correct email formatting. Of course you can also suggest future podcast topics.

Links mentioned in this podcast:
Tenderfoot Training DVD
Pets.ca forum

You can download this pet podcast directly by clicking the first link in this post link or listen to it almost immediately, with the embedded player below.