Dogs can make some noise and just when you got the barking under control the howling starts.  While the sound may drive you nuts there is a reason that your dog is howling and no it is not because they think they are a wolf.  Howling is one of the ways that they communicate, along with barking and body language.  Here are some of the reasons why your dog is making so much noise.

It’s an Instinct

Howling comes naturally to dogs, it is behavior that they have been doing since they have evolved.  It is how they communicate across long distances.  When dogs used to travel in packs they would howl to let their pack mates know where they were or to call family members to come home.

They Were Startled

Dogs have better hearing than people so while you think it might be silent they are getting startled by noises that you just can’t hear.  Sirens, traffic and everyday noises can also cause them to howl and try and let pack members know where they are, even if that pack is just you.

Separation Anxiety

Dogs are very social creatures and before they were domesticated they traveled in packs and now they look at you and your family as a pack.  They don’t like being left of their own.  If they are left at home all day while you are at work be prepared for your neighbors to complain about the noise.  Separation anxiety is a very real issue and not only will they howl they can tear your house apart.

They Want Your Attention

Dogs need lots and lots of attention, that is one of the reasons that dogs are such a big commitment.  If they aren’t getting the attention that they want they are going to start making noise and that can include barking, howling and even whining.  You will have to train your dog to behave properly and don’t tolerate this kind of behavior.

Your Dog has been Hurt

Dogs can’t scream when they are in pain instead they howl.  They can also start making noise if they feel scared or feel they are in danger.  If your dog won’t stop howling and you can’t find the problem then you might want to call the vet.  It is always better to be safe than sorry.

No matter the cause of the howling, barking or other noisy behaviour you need to pay attention to your dog and deal with the issue or train them not to make so much noise.

If you live in the northern part of the world then you have to deal with winter.  Winter can be hard on people and animals alike if the temperatures plummet.  As a pet owner you have a responsibility to look after your pet and make sure that they stay warm.  Here are some tips for protecting your pup in winter.

The Cold

The temperatures in winter can vary from just above freezing to well below it over the course of the winter.  Smaller pups like Chihuahuas or Yorkies really can’t handle the cold and you may only have to let them out to do their business but save the walks until the weather gets warmer.  You can also get them coats and booties to keep them warm.  Other breeds like Huskies or Retrievers handle the cold very well and you can take them out for walks.

Icy Sidewalks

Icy sidewalks are more a danger to you than your dog but don’t let your dog off the leash while you walk them.  You aren’t sure footed enough to catch your dog if something goes wrong.  At the same time if your sidewalks are salted then the rock salt can hurt the pads on your dog’s paws.  You can get your pup some little booties that will protect them from the salt.

Dry Skin

Winter leaves your pup with dry skin caused by the cold and staying in the house with the heat on.  There are a couple of things that you can do about it.  First make sure that your dog is getting good food with lots of healthy fats.  Next you want to make sure that you are brushing your dog regularly to take away the dander.  Don’t bathe them too often and never shave the dog in the winter, aside from being cold it will make the skin even drier.

Be Wary of Antifreeze

Antifreeze is used in heaters in your car and sometimes even in the home.  It is extremely toxic to your pets. If you take them for walks or you have it on your driveway you need to wipe their paws and belly off after the walk.  Look for cracked or dry skin and always be aware of where they walk. Keep them away from heaters so they don’t get burned.

Winter can be just as hard on your dog as it is on you so take extra care so that they are warm and healthy throughout the winter.

Pet owners want to keep their pets healthy and happy, they feed them good food and make sure they see the vet regularly.  Your pup only gets the best toys and treats because you want to make sure they don’t come in contact with anything that could harm them.   In addition to all of that your pet needs to make sure they don’t get fleas or ticks.  There is a wide variety of preventatives one the market but you definitely want to find a flea and tick care treatment that is going to keep your dog healthy.

Talk to Your Vet

The first step in your search for a good treatment is with your vet.  They have insight and into some of the most effective treatments, and can recommend Nexgard or one of the other more popular treatments.  You want a product that does two things, kill any parasites that your dog may currently have and prevents future infestations.  Here are some things to look for in a product if you aren’t getting a recommendation from your vet.

• You want a product that has been approved by the FDA as safe for your pooch
• It can be given to dogs of any breed to keep them safe
• It is fast acting and protection lasts for several weeks
• Because cautious about giving it to puppies, check with the manufacturer to make sure it is safe
• Your dog should be at least 8 weeks old before you give them treatment

How do they Work

These products work in two ways.  To get rid of fleas or ticks that are already on your dog the ingredients attack the nervous systems of fleas and ticks eventually causing death.  They die and fall off of your dog.  The second thing that they do is act as “birth control” and stop the production of flea eggs, that way no new colonies of fleas develop on your dog’s fur.  Most applications will start working within a day, some of them within hours.  You should give your dog a good brushing or a bath after treatment to get rid of any dead parasites.

Dosages

Dosages of any medications are based on body weight so you are going to need to know how much your dog weighs.  A Chihuahua can’t handle the same dose as a Rottweiler.  Most of these medications will indicate what size dog they are for and you there will be a couple of different packages for you to choose from.  Don’t use the same product on your cat and dog or one of them is going to end up sick.  Each needs different treatments.  Don’t give this to any pregnant or nursing dogs.

There are plenty of effective treatments you just need to find one that works for your dog.  Talk to your vet, they can help.

Dogs can develop allergies just like people do and one of the most common allergens is to gluten.  Yes, dogs can get Celiac Disease just like humans.  Wheat contains proteins and gluten is about 80% of these proteins and it is common for dogs to react badly to gluten.  Most dog owners aren’t even aware that the gluten found in wheat can cause health problems in their pets.  So the question is, should you choose grain free dog food for your dog?

What’s in Your Dog’s Food

Commercial dog food can contain lots of things that aren’t good for your dog.  There is lots of fillers in there and they can include grain, barley, rye, corn, oats and even ash.  You need to read the list of ingredients just like you would for your own food so you know exactly what is in the package.  In addition to fillers there are also a whole bunch of artificial preservatives and additives, most have names you can’t even pronounce.  Dog food manufacturers will try and hide the ingredients so you don’t know what they are.  You should take the time to learn the names of preservatives so you can avoid them.

Healthy Ingredients

When you read the labels on dog food cans and bags look for things that you recognize like chicken, lamb, beef or fish.  Your dog will have preferences just like you do.  Your dog may prefer salmon over beef, don’t worry that is perfectly normal.  Don’t spend your money on bad food with lots of bad ingredients.  You should also try your dog on more free range meats like venison, bison or turkey.  You can also buy organic dog food.  Your dog also like vegetables and needs them for nutrients you will find most dog food will contain ingredients like sweet potatoes, pumpkin or carrots.  All of them are great for your dog.

Going Grain Free

The question was whether you should feed your dog grain free food or not?  The answer is yes.  Your dog may not even have a reaction to gluten but it doesn’t do them any good either.  Now that you have chosen grain free food you need to wean your dog off of the old food and onto the new food.  You can do that by mixing the two together and gradually reducing the amount of old dog food that you are feeding your dog.  Dogs can be just as picky as humans so you may have to try different flavors of food until you find one that they like.