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Showing Love: When (and when not to) Show Affection to Your Dog
You can buy your dog all material things (food, treats, shampoo, collar, leash, biodegradable pet waste bags, dog poop scooper, flea powder, crate, etc.) but for the dog, the most important thing that matters is the love that you give the dog. Dogs, even the fiercest ones, are naturally affectionate creatures towards their master. The love and affection you can give your dog are priceless.
However, affection should be given at the right time. Think of your dog as your own child. If you shower it too much affection, it might think that it can get affection and approval every time it wants. Affection has to be shown at the right time and in the right amounts if you want your dog to grow up with a healthy disposition.
A perfect example of the need for control in display of affection would be dogs with separation anxiety. At some point, dogs become clingy to their masters when they get used to spending time with them a lot. These dogs suffer from separation anxiety when drastic changes in the schedule occur and they see their masters less. They also tend to get uncontrollably jittery and whiny when they finally see their master. Masters with dogs that have separation anxiety should not show affection to their dogs upon coming home. They should be nonchalant about coming home and wait for their dog to go into a calm state before they play with it.
Most dogs are cuddly and lovable but pet owners should show affection judiciously. There should be no showing of affection right after the dog has committed a boo-boo. That will just send the wrong signals to your dog.
It is also a mistake to coddle your dog when it’s showing signs of aggression or fearfulness. Don’t think that an aggressive or fearful dog will calm down when it receives affection from the master. Instead, it will think that its display of aggression or fear is something that’s worth its master’s approval. Dogs think that way.
Affection should only be shown towards the dog when it is in a calm and obedient state and when it does something that’s worthy praising. Let love and affection be a form of positive reinforcement of good behavior.
Before getting a pet, make sure that you can spend quality time with it. Many pet owners think that they are qualified to have pets just because they can afford it financially. They don’t think of it as an emotional investment. Make sure that you can shower your dog with love and affection. But at the same time, you must have the ability to discipline it. The right amount of discipline is a sign that you truly love your dog. But, too much affection will ruin that discipline. Balance affection and discipline for the sake of your dog’s welfare.
Helping Your Pet Overcome Separation Anxiety
Dogs with separation anxiety tend to get worked up when the owner is about to leave the place. For example, some dogs with separation anxiety bark incessantly when they hear the jingling keys of their master. One of the biggest frustrations of dog owners is when their dogs urinate on an inappropriate place when the dog is left alone, even if it is toilet trained. Some dogs also chew things to bits and pieces. When the owner is home, it follows its master around. It may cry or whimper when it can’t be near the master. Finally, dogs with separation anxiety get overexcited when their master comes home. It may take a while before the dog calms down. Other symptoms of separation anxiety in dogs include appetite loss, destructive chewing, digging, and even vomiting.
All of these problems have to be addressed immediately, especially if the dog’s owner is a busy fellow. It may be cute to see that the dog is attached to the master but overdependence should certainly not be tolerated. The master cannot be there for the dog all the time so the dog has to be rehabilitated of separation anxiety. Canine separation anxiety is a “lose-lose” situation for the dog and the master.
When dealing with canine separation anxiety, always remember that dogs are creatures of habit. Dog owners that have gone on a long vacation and have spent a lot of time with their dog should be ready to deal with separation anxiety when they get back to work. At this point, the dog is already used to having the master around. Any change in the routine is disconcerting for them.
The owner can start addressing separation anxiety by gradually lowering the dog’s anxiety level before the owner’s departure from the room. Before leaving the room, the owner should not mind the dog for about 15-30 minutes. Leaving the room should be as uneventful as possible to avoid triggering anxiety. For instance, you should take your keys quietly so the dog won’t hear the sound that they make. Leave the room quietly and try leaving the dog for an hour or two. Upon coming back, avoid grand greeting gestures. Ignore your dog when it is jumpy and overexcited. Only attend to it when it has finally regained its composure. This training takes away the predictability of your leaving and departure routine, so the dog no longer associates being alone with certain stimuli.
Keep the dog busy to reduce anxiety during the day. Take it out for a walk in the morning to temper its energy levels (with a dog walking bag and dog poop scooper, of course). Leave ample toys in the room so it can keep itself busy while you are away. You can also take the dog to a “Doggie Day Care Center” if your place is small and there is not much room for the dog to run around and play.
Dealing with the Issues of Short-Snouted Dogs
Short-snouted dogs, such as English bulldogs, French bulldogs, Boston terriers, and pugs are incredibly cute. Their facial wrinkles account for their adorable expressions. Of course, most owners love to squish them gently. However, their squished-in, wrinkly faces also contribute a lot to their help problems. Short-snouted or brachycephalic dogs have narrow nostrils and a soft palate that’s a little longer than usual. As a result, they are more prone to respiratory problems.
The following paragraphs below will help you deal with the most common issues of short-snouted dogs. You’ll realize that there’s more to canine care than grooming shampoo, nail clippers, dog poop bag, dog poop scooper, kibbles, and collars.
Overheating/Heatstroke
Short-snouted dogs tend to succumb to heat stroke more than dogs with longer snouts. They can fall victims to overheating even at relatively lower temperatures. All dogs breathe to keep themselves cool and regulate their temperature. Since short-snouted dogs have smaller airways, they have to exert more effort in keeping themselves cool. Watch out for signs of heatstroke, especially during the summer months. Lethargy, difficulty in breathing (panting), increased heart rate, and heavy salivation are the most obvious symptoms of a heatstroke. When this happens, spray your dog with water from a garden hose. You can also dip towels in cold water and press them against his head, neck, chest, and belly. If you can’t keep the temperature down, rush the dog to the nearest veterinarian.
To prevent the occurrence of heatstroke, always keep the dog in a place with regulated temperature during the summer months. Keep fresh water available at all times. Make sure that there are shaded areas where the dog can rest. Finally, groom the coat if it is becoming thick.
Snoring
Snoring is typical among short-snouted dogs. Again, you can blame the pushed-in structure of their faces. The loose tissues just flap when they breathe, which results to snoring. Pet owners think it is adorable but seriously, this problem has to be addressed. Keeping the mindset that it is common among short-snouted breeds may make it difficult to distinguish sleep apnea. As early as possible, consider a soft palate resection to unblock his airways. You can also provide the dog with a round bed so it can curl up and snore less. Also try elevating its head a little with a pillow.
Flying
Short-snouted pets should be given extra care when flying and traveling. The U.S. Department of Transportation reveals that short-snouted dogs accounted for almost half of canine deaths on air. English bulldogs top the list, followed by the pug. French bulldogs are victims of airline deaths as well. The short muzzles of the dogs make it difficult for air to circulate. Therefore, traveling with short-snouted dogs is a big risk. Most veterinarians recommend a procedure for short-snouted dogs prior to flying. The soft palate resection procedure is quick and relatively painless. The veterinarian will clip the muscles and tissues by the nasal passage to make the airways bigger. Since it can get stuffy in the cargo, owners are advised not to travel with their dogs during the summer. Short-snouted dogs may have a difficult time keeping themselves cool. Also, do not put thick blankets in the dog’s crate. Thick blankets can worsen his breathing problems. Finally, lessen layovers for the dog if possible.
