Biters

As my little dog is growing up, she is starting to take on new habits. More barking, more whining when we eat infront of her, and more biting. She doesn't "bite" down, she simply puts her teeth around your skin and presses lightly. Considering I play with her a lot, there are times when I worry she might go all the way and tear off my whole face. Thankfully, I think she loves me way to much to even consider that. But, as in anything, there are exceptions, and some dogs really do bite. Whether an accident or a defense mechanism, when dogs bite, they are automatically labeled as dangerous. 

To reduce the chances of your dog biting someone

• Spay and Neuter them. Why? This will eliminate the desire for them to fight with other dogs. 
• Introduce your dog to different types of people so that they will become accustomed to these situations
• Train the dog with your family so that everyone knows how to control him when needed. When training, teach your dog what they can run after, chase, and set limits for what is and what isn't right. 
• Know your dog. If your dog is one to become nervous around groups of people, don't take him to crowded areas. Spend time with them. Dogs who are left in a backyard are more likely to become dangerous in comparison to dogs that are with people often.

To reduce your chance of getting bitten by a dog

Respect It. Dogs are like humans, they don't like strangers that much. At least not without first seeing and smelling you. Don't try to mess with it while it's eating, chewing on a toy, or feeding puppies. Know body language signs. A dog who is angry will have or be:

tensed body

stiff tail

pulled back head and/or ears

furrowed brow

eyes rolled so the whites are visible

flicking tongue

intense stare

backing away

When you feel like you might get attacked, do not run and scream; the dog will chase you. Try to not make eye contact and wait calmly. The dog will lose interest in you and then you can slowly walk away. If that doesn't work, grab something that the dog can bite onto, like a jacket or a skateboard. 

I remember as a child, I was terrified of dogs, and while I rode my bike, there always happened to be a dog on the loose that would chase after me. I thought it wanted to bite me, but it probably just wanted to chase something. I wish I would've known then to just stop and calm down! Would've saved me a ton of anxiety. 

Make sure to update your pet tags! 

Courtesy of the Humane Society

New Food!

So maybe I should've written this blog a little sooner, considering I did exactly the opposite of what it teaches me. I changed my puppy's food last week, and it was only after I fed her that I was told I should gradually introduce the new brand into her diet. Wooops :( She, of course, had an upset tummy and diarrhea for a few hours. It's easy to love your pet like they are another human in the family, so it's hard to remember that there are actually many differences between their tummy and yours. 

Why can't my pets food be changed suddenly? 

The answer falls where digestion begins : in the intestines! There are many different types of bacteria that break down the food we eat. In pets, they often eat the same thing, so the number and kinds of bacteria are the same day to day. When you change the type of food, the bacteria will need a few days to adjust to these new settings, which can upset the tummy.

Soooo... How do I make the transistion?

Slowwwwwwly. Always remember that. It is key to have some leftover food of the old brand left. Don't wait till the bag is empty before buying a new brand. 

During the first three days, mix in about 25% of the new food with the old food. 

On days 4 through 6, mix in about 50% of the new food.

On days 7 through 9, mix in .... yep 75% of the new food.

And on day 10, you can fully switch her to the new diet. 

If you see that this transition is simply not gradual enough, reduce the amount of new food by 10 to 15% and drag out the procedure to a few weeks.

In certain special cases, as in food allergies, heart failure, kidney disease or gastroenteritis, it is essential that the food be switched immediately.  

Make sure to keep your pet tags updated !

Courtesy of Dr Foster Smith &PetMd