Monday, September 5, 2011

Beautiful Miniature Dachshund Puppies - Classified Ad

Beautiful Miniature Dachshund Puppies - Classified Ad

These beautiful Mini-Dachshund puppies were born August 9, 2011, and will be ready for their new homes by October 4, 2011 when they are 8 weeks old. Potty training will have begun,and they will be started on their shots and worming schedule. They are: one wild boar male and one wild boar female; one chocolate dapple male, and one red dapple female; one black/tan female. In another litter, one red male who will be ready October 15 2011. AKC papers are in hand and ready for you. Just call or email if you have questions or want to come see these babies. I'm northwest of Houston right off Hwy 290.
832-741-8848 www.dogwooddachshunds.com

Wednesday, August 31, 2011

Beware the Pooped Out Pup!

     We  love our dogs and want them to feel their best.  But sometimes they do get sick, just as we all do.
     One of the best things you can do for your dog is to simply pay attention and be observant of his behaviour as it relates to his overall health.  Several things can give you clues and indication of a problem.  A dog usually runs a normal temperature of around 101 degrees.  You can check this yourself with a rectal thermometer--not as in the photoshopped picture below.  ;)

     First, simply notice how he is acting.  If he is especially lethargic, and is not of very advanced age and is of a healthy weight, you might consider some possibilities of what could be ailing him. In general, lethargy can be considered a reduction in activity. A lethargic dog might get tired more easily, sleep a lot, have decreased interest in activities that he used to enjoy doing, and not eat or use the bathroom as often. You might even notice that your dog is having more accidents as a result of his reluctance to be taken out for walks.  Some possible causes might be infectious diseases such as parvovirus, distemper, diabetes, anemia, nutritional deficiencies, as well as pain.  If it hurts to get up and down, the dog is going to avoid unnecessary movement. While lethargy in itself isn’t always serious, it could be a sign of something more serious. If you notice that your dog has trouble breathing, has a decrease in appetite, is avoiding contact with people, has tremors, appears weak, has a fever, or is listless then you should definitely pay a visit to your vet to rule out any other medical condition.
     Another very easy way to discern a possible problem with your dog's health is to, uh, "know your poop".  Your dog's poop, that is.  Normal dog poop is going to be a bit smelly, can be small or large, sometimes depending on the type of food he is consuming.  Especially horrible smelling poop can be a signal of either a bit of a health problem, or simply that he has eaten something different than normal.  A yearly "poop exam" should be done at your veterinarian to be sure he doesn't have parasites.  However some, like tapeworms which appear in the poop as small grains of rice, must be actually seen.  So follow your dog around sometimes, and check it out.  Generally a dog's stool will be brown. In the course of a month, the color may vary slightly from brown to variations of yellow, mostly depending on what the dog ingested. Causes for concern are:
         ** Tarry black poop which could indicate the presence of blood being digested, for instance from a bleeding ulcer or other malady.
        **  Red blood in the stool could indicate undigested bone, fissures, intestinal bleeding and even cancer.
        **  Yellow stools may indicate giardia, tiny parasites that have invaded the intestine, usually through something the dog ate or drank such as water from a puddle in the woods, or horse poop, bunny poop or other excrement. It results in not only a yellow stool, but yellow diarrhea and is contagious, a cause for immediate attention from a veterinarian.
        **Diarrhea in colors from mustard yellow to green to dark brown indicates something wrong in the dog's system. It could be as simple as eating something nasty to the start of severe health problems.


        So, to keep your dog as healthy and alert as Popeye, here, be watchful of both your pet's general behaviour as well as his poop.  These are some very important tools to keeping your dog healthy.  If you see some of the above described conditions, you should take your dog to the veterinarian as soon as possible.
     Thank you all for stopping by today.  If you have any questions or comments, please leave them here, and I will answer as best I can.  If I don't know the answer, I'll get it for you.  If you're not already a "follower" of my blog, please go to the top of the page and click on the follow tab.  And, as always,
                                      Happy Tails, Everyone!!!!!!!

    

Sunday, July 17, 2011

Don't forget the Dental!

     One thing that we always need keep an eye on for our canine friends is the condition of their teeth.  There are many products on the market to help accomplish dental health in dogs.  But not all may be the best for your own little one.  The one good way to know if it is working is to have his teeth examined each year when he's in the vet's office for his boosters or regular checkups.  If the teeth are deteriorating, maybe you should change or add something to your routine.  Just as in people, healthy teeth are vital to a healthy body.  All kinds of ills can stem from an unhealthy mouth.  Another thing to consider is that if your dog has a really bad tooth, he can't actually "tell" you he's in pain from it.  So yearly exams are important.
     There are special treats at the Pet Stores that are designed to help clean teeth, as well as specially designed tooth brushes and canine toothpaste.  One of the most effective tools is something that is like a rubber finger tip with small nubs or "bristles" which you fit over your finger and you actually rub your dog's teeth and gums with it along with some yummy dog toothpaste.  Most dogs tolerate it pretty well.  I will say that Chihuahuas don't much like you messing with their mouths, so maybe this will be a good method of care if that's your canine of choice. 
     If you are lucky enough to have your dog to live to a nice old age, it is important to keep up with his dental care.  Otherwise, he may have suddenly have several teeth pulled at once, which can greatly affect his diet and ability to eat.
     I haven't been on here for a while because of some "extreme busy-ness".  But I'm glad to be back with you.  I'm inserting here a picture from a current litter of puppies.  His name is Oz, and he is about to travel to New Jersey to begin a new life with his forever family.  Oz is large and in charge, and feels very important among his three sisters.  I feel certain he is going to enjoy his life from here on.
     Thanks for stopping by.  Feel free to leave comments or ask questions; I'll get right back to you.  If I don't know the answer, I will definitely get it for you.  If you're not a regular follower, please go to the top of the page and click on "follow", then continue with the steps .  (I'm a secret "Follower hoarder".)  Seriously, I'd love for you to be an official follower of the blog, and suggest it to your friends and other dog lovers everywhere.  Have a great day, and as always, Happy Tails, Everyone!

Saturday, July 2, 2011

Welcome the new baby with Puppy Shower!

     A few years ago I sold a puppy to a young woman who works in New York City.  I never did find out exactly what her job was, but it was in one of those big tall New York type buildings.  She had looked at my website, www.dogwooddachshunds.com, then called to see if I had any puppies.  I emailed pictures of the puppies I had available, and she chose a beautiful black/tan female who would not be ready to travel for a few weeks.
     This extra wait time proved to heighten the excitement for this new owner, as well as her co-workers.  She called about once a week to see how her puppy was doing, and asked questions about her care.   It seems that by the time her puppy arrived from Houston, Texas to New York, New York, much preparation had been made.  A huge celebration took place a few days after the puppy arrived, complete with gifts, food, and lots of friends with well-wishes and admiration.  She had told me her co-workers were planning a "Puppy Shower" for her, and I thought it was the cutest idea ever.  Since that time, I have heard of other people being given showers for their new pet.
     Of course, etiquette would probably require that your friends actually sponsor and give the shower for you, if you're getting a new puppy.  But nothing would prevent you from simply inviting some friends over to meet your new family member.  Simple food and fellowship, some oooos and ahhhhhhs over the new puppy, and it's a great party.
     You could have your party with or without canine guests.  One would want to be sure that any dogs invited are "dog friendly".  In other words, they should be able to socialize and get along with other dogs.  It could turn into a stressful situation, otherwise.  If you have a large yard for running and playing, that is all the better.  You could have some toys and games for everyone, and of course special treats for both canine and human guests!  If you don't have a yard large enough to play in, or live in an apartment, you probably would want to limit the number of invited guests, or simply not include the "canine escort".
     A few little hints for a successful and safe party would be:
          **In the interest of safety--no balloons.  Dogs love to pop them, and can swallow bits.  Also, other dangerous edibles, such as chocolate and grapes.
          **Have lots of water bowls handy, as excited dogs who are running and playing will most certainly need a drink of water.
          **Be sure to have a camera handy.  There are bound to be some adorable scenes and situations that you will want to record.  If you have a friend who wouldn't mind helping out, let her take lots of candid shots of all the guests, especially including YOU and your NEW BEST FRIEND!!!  
          **If you're giving your party outside in the summer heat, be sure to watch for overheating.  A great way to prevent that is to have a kiddie pool filled with nice cool water where the pooches can cool off.  Of course, you'll need to provide plenty of towels.  Or you would advise your guests in the invitation that it's a "pool party" and they should bring their own doggie beach towel.
     If you have a party for your dog or attend one for someone else, I'd love to hear about it, and any new ideas you may have.  Please post a comment here on the blog.  And take a minute to go to the top of the page, click on FOLLOW, and become a follower of my blog, and please, share it with your friends.
     If you have a comment, or a question regarding about caring for your dog I will answer as soon as I can.  If I don't know the answer, I'll find it for you!  And, as always,
                             Happy Tails, Everyone!!!!!!!!

Tuesday, June 28, 2011

Do you have a 'ruff' time giving your dog a pill?

     Some dogs will gulp down anything you hold out in your hand that they think is even remotely something to eat.  Others have to sniff it, maybe lick it, and then if they're lucky, they can turn and walk away to their hidey place.
     Most of us have to give our dogs medicine in the form of a pill sometimes.  In the summer months, most veterinarians will recommend a heart worm preventative pill be taken once a month.  Heart worms go through several stages of development, and are spread by mosquitoes that bite an infected animal, then bite your precious pet, thereby spreading the worms where they grow inside your dog.  Here in Texas, it is best to simply plan keeping your dog on heart worm preventative all year.  All we need is a warm spell in December with a rain, and mosquitoes come out in full force.  But unfortunately not all dogs enjoy taking their pills.
     As I've said before, I have a kennel with a number of Miniature Dachshunds (I'll save the shameless plug for later).  Most of them think I've brought them a piece of candy when I offer their tiny little heart worm pill.  Others, however, look at me like I have just called them a bad name.
     There are a few different ways to administer the pill if you meet resistance, and it needn't be traumatic for either of you.  My dogs know what to expect, and don't resist at all.  But this is my technique for them:   Place your hand over the top of his muzzle and with your thumb on one side, fingers on the other side, push his lips against his teeth until he opens his mouth wide.  Drop the pill as far back into his mouth as possible; if it lands closer out on his tongue, you may need to push it a little further to the back of his throat.  Then allow him to close his mouth, but hold it shut and blow into his face and nostrils to make him swallow.  I also rub their throat to encourage swallowing.  This may sound complicated, but it is really very easy.  And for the dog who can discover a pill inside any kind of treat you may try to hide it in, it is good to know.
     Speaking of treats.  Many people have good luck giving their dog a pill by burying it inside a dab of peanut butter.  Peanut butter is sticky, but they love it, and will work it all around in their mouth, trying to get every tiny taste.  This is usually better than wrapping inside a piece of bread or cheese; my experience with that is that they roll it around in their mouth, and spit out the pill, wag their tail and look at you for another piece of cheese!
     If your dog is talented enough to catch treats that are tossed to him, and he usually just gulps them down, you might be able to wrap the pill in a treat and toss it to him with no problem.  I would toss a couple of treats first, then toss the loaded one. 
     Many types of pills, vitamins, Canine aspirin and these sorts of things are made with tasty ingredients that dogs usually are happy to take, and want more.  However, for those hard cases, I hope I've bee able to give you a few ideas here to help next time you have Ole Blue pinned down on the floor, with a plunger, trying to get a pill down his throat!
     The picture shown here are just a few things I keep on hand; Canine Aspirin is nice to have if you have an old dog like Sissy.  She's a 9 year old Lab mix who is pretty stiff in her joints, and sometimes she's in pain if she has walked a lot or tried to run. 
     If you have questions or comments, please leave them and I'll get back to you very soon.  If I don't know the answer, I know a good old Texas A&M Vet who does, and I will find out and let you know.  Please go up to the top of the page, and click to "follow" my blog.  And pass it on to others dog lovers you might know.  And now for the shameless plug:  www.dogwooddachshunds.com.  As always, thanks for stopping by, and . . . .
                                  Happy Tails, Everyone!!!!!!!!

Monday, June 27, 2011

Thinking of traveling with your dog? Or is boarding an option?

     In families that include dogs, there is always the question of where do they go while you go on vacation or any other trip that is overnight or even several days?  Many people have very strong feelings, pro and con, about leaving their dog at a boarding kennel.  The problem is, you just can't always take your dog(s) with you on trips.  Either they are not "welcome" where you're going, they don't travel well, you can't find hotels that welcome dogs, etc. 
     If you are considering a boarding kennel for the first time, there are some things you should consider.  There is actually the American Boarding Kennels Association, which sets certain standards.  But don't rule out a kennel if they are not a member. You should contact several kennels and ask lots of questions.  Do they require proof of immunization?  Is it temperature controlled?  Do they have access to outside for walks?  Are they kept on wire? (How would you like to walk on wire for days in your bare feet?  Many puppy mills utilize these wire cages.)  Is there adequate light? 
     Then I would visit the boarding kennel to see the operation.  Does it seem clean enough, is the smell overpowering, is there supervision for the animals? 
     If you dog has never been kennelled before, you might want to do a trial run of an afternoon stay; then an overnight stay.  This will prepare him and let him know he has not been abandoned forever, when you go on a week's vacation and leave him there.  I personally believe in talking to my dogs, and telling them what's going on.  I'm not absolutely SURE they understand me, but I guess it makes ME feel better!
     On the other hand, maybe you want to take your dog with you on your trip.  We actually did that a few weeks ago, and it was certainly an adventure!  A 9 year old Lab mix (who has never enjoyed riding, because it either means going to the vet or the beauty shop), and two miniature dachshunds.  All dogs react differently.  Some absolutely LOVE to ride.  (If you enjoy taking your dog around town with you on errands, etc., I'd suggest you start when he's too small to know what's going on.)  So anyway . . . Sissy, the Lab, took up most of the back seat, and panted for the first two hours.  Popeye was OK, but Missy trembled and shook for the first two hours.  Then we stopped for gas and to let them out (on leashes, of course--oh, and if your dog is not trained to the lease, do that before going on a road trip!  Just sayin'.).  So they got some MAJOR relief out in the grass, if you know what I mean.  They drank some water --  essential when you traveling --  we got back into the truck and they all laid down and went to sleep.  Missy had to be covered up, but they all slept another two hours till we got to our destination.
     If you will be staying in hotels, check ahead of time to see if your dog is welcome.  Surprisingly, several hotels are dog friendly.  Much better than when we first moved to Texas in the 80's, and had to throw a blanket over our Cocker Spaniel's head and carry her in through the hotel lobby,pretending she was a baby.
     Traveling with your dog can be hard, and if yours is nervous in the car, I would suggest you speak with your veterinarian prior to the trip about medications that could help.  We have given Dramamine to our dogs in the past for motion sickness.  There are also special treats you can give your dog for a calming effect. They have natural ingredients that help the dog to stay calm.  I give these to my dogs at times like the 4th of July.  They are very scared of fireworks and their sound effects.  They're also scared of thunderstorms, and the treats seem to help some then as well.  There are a few different brands.  You can get them from pet stores or order from a pet supply.  I have some called Ultra Calm Biscuits that I got through www.DrsFosterSmith.com .
     Bring your dog's regular food and water bowls so he's comfortable at mealtime.  He will also need his own bed or special blanket (Popeye!) and/or toy.
     And if you decide to take your dog on a trip or vacation with you, remember that he's there!  He is on vacation, too, and needs to be played with just as he would at home. 
   
    
    The goal here is to have a successful trip, a relaxing vacation for you AND your pet.  As always, if you have a thought, helpful hint, a question, please leave a comment, and I will get back to you.  And PLEASE  go to the top of the page, click on "Follow", and register to follow my blog.  Once again, thanks for stopping by; Happy Tails, Everyone!!!!!!
 

Saturday, June 25, 2011

Why should I microchip my pet?

      Most of us have a general idea about microchips, but maybe not what they really are, what they do, or how they can be beneficial to you and your pet.  As I've stated here before, I have a kennel and raise Miniature Dachshunds (another shameless plug, www.dogwooddachshunds.com).  I have decided that I will offer microchip service to new parents of my puppies.  So I bought the equipment (whew! not cheap!), and will soon send out a mailing informing everyone on my mailing  list of available service.  I will be doing microchips for my puppy customers and others as well.
      A microchip is a tiny capsule that is actually injected under the skin on the dog's back.  Inside that capsule is encoded information which is registered to the pet owner.  I will be using the AKC Companion Animal Recovery (CAR) system.  When a lost or stolen dog is taken to a shelter or veterinarian, they will be scanned for the presence of a microchip.  The information retained by AKC CAR will trace the dog, not only back to the owners, but to the person who administered the microchip.  Many dogs have found their way back home through the use of microchips, to the extreme joy of both dogs and owners.
      To find someone to microchip your dog or cat, simply call your own veterinarian, as it's quite possible they will provide the service.  The cost varies widely, from as little as $45 to $165.  Some are pre-registered with CAR (probably the more expensive ones), and some will give you paperwork that you will mail in to CAR with a small one-time fee that will keep your pet registered with them for life.
      It is definitely something to think about.  A small cost that could save heartache later.  If you have a comment or question about this subject, or any other we've discussed here, please leave it in the comment section and I will get back to you as quickly as possible.  As always, if I don't know the answer, I'll find out for you. 
      Thanks for stopping by, and as always, Happy Tails, Everyone!!!!