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Treatment of high blood pressure in dogs. Dogs can have high blood pressure, and it is often caused by underlying health conditions, such as diabetes or kidney disease. Certain breeds of dogs are more likely to develop health conditions that increase the risk of having high blood pressure. High blood pressure in dogs can cause serious complications, but there are ways to control your dog's blood pressure. When it comes to human health, high blood pressure is a well-known concern. But did you know that your dog can have the same problem? Diagnosing high blood pressure in dogs is tricky, especially since we can't ask dogs how they're feeling. As a result, veterinarians evaluate dogs based on their symptoms. High blood pressure is a serious condition for dogs, and dogs diagnosed with this problem will need treatment and close monitoring. Here's what dog owners should know. High blood pressure, also called systemic hypertension , is when a dog's blood pressure gets too high. The condition is serious and needs to be evaluated, monitored and treated by a veterinarian. Dr. Jamie Whittenburg, DVM, is director of Kingsgate Animal Hospital in Texas and is a veterinary specialist at Senior Tail Waggers . She explains that systemic hypertension refers to high blood pressure that affects a dog's entire body. Measuring a dog's blood pressure identifies the pressure of the blood against the arteries when the heart contracts and relaxes. When the pressure is too high, it can cause complications for dogs. Dogs can have two types of hypertension . Primary hypertension is common in humans, but it is rare for dogs to have this form of the disease. Primary hypertension has no known cause. Secondary hypertension is much more common in dogs and is caused by an underlying disease. According to Dr. Whittenburg, "Secondary hypertension accounts for almost all cases of hypertension in dogs." The underlying diseases most commonly associated with canine hypertension include:Kidney disease, Cushing's disease, Diabetes, An adrenal gland tumor (pheochromocytoma), Obesity, and Chronic kidney disease. Some dog breeds may be more prone to have high blood pressure. This is usually because they are more likely to have conditions that cause high blood pressure. Dog breeds at higher risk of developing Cushing's disease are also at higher risk of developing hypertension. These breeds include: Dachshunds, Poodles, Terriers. Other dog breeds have an increased risk of diabetes. Dog breeds more prone to diabetes and high blood pressure include:Schnauzer,Spitz,Frisés de Bichon,Australian terrier. According to Dr. Whittenburg, common symptoms of high blood pressure in dogs include:Uncoordinated movements,Nosebleeds,Blood in urine,Persistent dilated pupils,Depression,Sudden blindness,A head tilt,Appearing disoriented,Seizures . In the early stages of hypertension, a dog may not show any symptoms. It is also possible to interpret some symptoms - such as vomiting and lack of appetite - as part of a dog's aging process . A veterinarian will place an inflatable cuff on your dog's ankle and inflate the cuff. The vet will then deflate the cuff and use a stethoscope to listen to and measure the sound of your dog's pulsing blood. Checking blood pressure in dogs can be tricky, as many dogs become anxious and stressed in the veterinarian's office. A veterinarian will usually check a dog's blood pressure several times. Taking an average of all the tests can help give a more accurate reading. How a veterinarian treats hypertension in dogs often depends on the condition that is causing it, explains Dr. Whittenburg. "Many cases of hypertension resolve completely when the dog's primary disease is controlled," she says. "For dogs with persistent hypertension, medications may be indicated." Some veterinarians may recommend restricting the amount of salt in a dog's diet to help control hypertension. There is limited data available on this practice, so it is not known how helpful salt restriction is. But if a dog's kidney disease is causing hypertension, it may be helpful to put the dog on a diet prescribed specifically for kidney disease. Once a dog's high blood pressure is under control, the dog's blood pressure needs to be checked again every 2 to 4 months. These checks help ensure that the dog's blood pressure stays within a healthy range. "Most diseases that result in hypertension in dogs are chronic diseases that must be treated and managed for a lifetime," says Dr. Whittenburg. "The goal is to alleviate the clinical signs and allow the dog to live a normal, comfortable life." "There is no way to estimate how long a dog affected with hypertension will live," says Dr. Whittenburg.

Your dog is a good boy, but this is not necessarily because of his breed. Labrador retrievers fetch, border collies herd, huskies howl: it is conventional wisdom that many dog breeds act in certain ways because they have been bred to do so over many generations. But a new study to be published in the journal Science has found that while some dog behaviors are indeed associated with specific breeds, breed plays a smaller role than conventional wisdom holds. "We found that things like short-haired German pointers were a little more likely to point, or golden retrievers were a little more likely to retrieve, or huskies more likely to howl, than the general population of dogs," says Kathryn Lord, a researcher at UMass Chan Medical. School and author of the study. The researchers interviewed the owners of more than 18,000 dogs and analyzed the DNA of about 2,100 animals to see if physical characteristics and behaviors can be correlated with dog breeds. Overall, the study found that about 9 percent of the variation in an individual dog's behavior can be explained by its breed. Border collies, for example, were more likely to respond to human direction, a trait called "obedience." Owners of beagles, bloodhounds, coonhounds, and Siberian huskies will not be surprised to learn that these breeds had a tendency to howl. The same was true of mixed-breed dogs, the researchers found - the higher the percentage of border collie in a mutt, the more responsive it was to human commands. "From a genetic point of view, that's fantastic. It means that there are real behavioral differences that are linked to the breeds that we can study," says Elinor Karlsson, professor at UMass Chan School of Medicine and another author of the study. In individual dogs of the same breed, the researchers found huge variations in behavior. For example, although golden retrievers are generally more likely to fetch than many other dogs, there are many lazy golden retrievers who sit and watch their owners throw tennis balls uselessly. And no behavior is unique to a single breed, the researchers said. Short-haired German pointers are not the only dogs that point. The most likely explanation for the relatively low correlation between behavior and breed, the paper's authors said, is that many modern dog breeds are relatively new, in the evolutionary scope of things. Organized dog breeding, with kennel clubs and other groups that regulate physical characteristics and track lineage, has existed in its current form only since the mid-19th century. On the other hand, humans have been helping shape dog behavior for thousands of years , the researchers said - first by giving dogs useful food and shelter, allowing them to have puppies more easily, and then by intentionally breeding. "The thing about complex traits is that selecting for them takes time," Karlsson says. "And so the idea that they were bred in the last 160 years, when these breeds emerged, didn't make sense." To create their data set, the researchers created a website called Darwin's Ark, which allows dog owners to submit data about their dogs and answer questions, both about physical characteristics-how tall the dog is, how long the coat is-and about their dogs ' behavior: do they shake toys? Do they avoid getting wet? Do they howl? The researchers say they hope the article can help aspiring dog owners change their mindsets about how to choose a dog. "I don't think we should really decide that breeds are the things that will tell us whether we'll be happy with a dog or whether a dog will be happy with us," says Marjie Alonso, another of the study's authors and executive director of the IAABC Foundation, an animal training organization. Instead, she suggests that potential owners make a list of what they would like to do with a dog and try to find a dog that meets those needs. "We have to accept that our dogs are individuals.

Books about dogs. Love to snuggle on the couch with a cup of tea (or maybe a glass of wine!), your dog, and a good book? Well, I have just the selection for you! These books about dogs are perfect for any dog lover. From fictional stories to readings based on true stories, be prepared for lots of laughs, maybe some tears, and lots of fun! The Purpose of a Dog :By: W. Bruce Cameron. Bruce Cameron, is about a dedicated dog's journey in search of the popular question: Why are we here? Written from the perspective of a puppy, the main character is reborn several times throughout the book. In each life, he experiences a different start in life, develops unique connections with the humans around him, learns new things, makes great achievements, and finds yet another key to unlocking his life's true purpose. Craig and Fred: a Marine, a street dog, and how they saved themselves. By: Craig Grossi :This is the incredible true story of a U.S. Marine named Craig Grossi and a street dog named Fred. The two met on a remote battlefield in Afghanistan. Fred quickly won Craig's heart, and Craig risked prison (and his life) to keep him. Once the unlikely pair returned home to the United States, it is Fred who ends up rescuing Craig. The story is definitely a must read. Bring Jade Home:By: Michelle Caffrey. This is a true story of a 15-month-old Australian shepherd girl named Jade, who was lost in the wilderness of Yellowstone National Park after a terrible collision. The car Jade was traveling in was hit head-on by a pickup truck after she drove into the roadway. While her human family was injured and transported to the hospital, Jade managed to escape the vehicle and fled into the rugged, desolate wilderness of the 2.2 million-acre park. Her owners, David and Laura, were devastated. They left the hospital against medical advice in search of their pup. Join David and Laura through the ups and downs of the agonizing search. Days turn into weeks of harrowing effort as they and countless others come together to find Jade. Dedicated: 38 Extraordinary Tales of Love, Loyalty, and Life with Dogs:By: Rebecca Ascher-Walsh. Devoted is a compilation of 38 inspiring stories about real-life experiences with dogs and the bond that is formed by living with them. There are stories of rescue, fulfillment, comfort, courage, heroism and more. With this exciting gift book from National Geographic, you can take a journey with these 38 dogs and their humans to witness the true meaning of devotion, love, and loyalty. Dog walk: By: David Rosenfelt. This is an adventure you won't want to miss. Find out how and why Rosenfelt and his wife began their journey with adopters and rescues. Read about the thriving rescue organization they founded - Tara Foundation - and the success they've had in placing thousands of dogs in forever homes. Enjoy the journey! Chicken Soup for the Soul: Dog's Life Lessons: 101 Tales of Family, Friendship, and Fun :By: Amy Newmark. As always, Chicken Soup books offer exactly what we love (and need) - they inspire and teach. This book is filled with 101 stories about the wonderful experience of sharing life with a dog. Some of the stories inside will make you laugh, others may make you cry. Throughout the book, you will read some scenarios that seem so familiar that you will think they were based on your life with your dog. If you are a dog lover, this book will not disappoint. Creative Gorgeous Dogs Coloring Book: By: Marjorie Sarnat. Okay, this one is a little different from the rest, but if you are a dog lover and enjoy de-stressing by coloring, the Creative Haven Dazzling Dogs Coloring Book may be just what you are looking for. There are 31 individual dog drawings. The pages are perforated and easily removed if you want to frame or mount them. Hundreds of Amazon reviewers have given this book a 5-star rating.

This blood test detects cancer in dogs. A startup has just shown that its OncoK9 test accurately sounds the alarm for aggressive, advanced cancers. The catch? These often have no cure. Cancer is the leading cause of death among dogs, especially the elderly. About half of all dogs 10 years and older die of cancer. Some types are particularly aggressive: lymphoma, in the white blood cells; hemangiosarcoma, in the blood vessels; and osteosarcoma, in the bone. Routine tests, such as CBC and urinalysis, often don't detect the disease before symptoms appear, so veterinarians often can't diagnose it until it's too late. Even if they suspect a tumor, surgical tests to confirm it can be invasive, expensive, and dangerous to vital organs. Flory and Grosu began developing the first multi-cancer liquid biopsy for dogs, which they called OncoK9. The product was launched in 2021 and is available at about 400 veterinary clinics by prescription only. PetDx markets the test as a routine tool for older dogs and high-risk breeds, and to confirm suspected cancer when other evidence exists. Today, in a paper published in PLOS ONE , they detail the performance of their liquid biopsy in a trial that began in 2019. For about a year and a half, 1,100 dogs had their blood collected by veterinarians who partnered with PetDx. Some dogs already had cancer diagnoses. The rest were presumably cancer-free. Then the PetDx lab examined this blood using an in-house genomic analysis that looked for mutations or other cancer biomarkers in the DNA floating around in the bloodstream. They concluded that when analyzing the blood of dogs known to have the three most aggressive canine cancers, their algorithm correctly sounded the alarm 85% of the time. It was more modestly effective overall, catching about 55% of all cases. The prospect of blood-based cancer screening for dogs provokes both enthusiasm and caution by experts and veterinary ethicists. "It could really help a lot of patients and could be very exciting," says Lisa Moses, a veterinarian who has specialized in palliative care for 30 years and is currently a bioethicist at Harvard Medical School, "but it really has to be used carefully." Because blood tests are non-invasive, they are safer and cheaper than surgery to confirm that a pet has cancer, especially for hard-to-reach tumors in the spleen or liver. But in cases where an early diagnosis still doesn't offer much hope for treatment, is knowing earlier worth the stress? For an OncoK9 test, once the vet collects blood, they send it to the PetDx lab, where the team centrifuges it to separate the plasma, then mixes the plasma with special beads that adhere to the cfDNA and isolate it. They then sequence the genetic material and run the sequencing through an algorithm that looks for changes previously associated with human and canine cancers, including mutations and extra or missing segments of chromosomes - known as copy number variations. This algorithm was designed to detect these genetic indicators in many breeds of dogs with different forms of cancer: say, a bloodhound with lymphoma or a golden retriever with hemangiosarcoma. When the PetDx team began their study, they used blood from 224 of the dogs - those known to have cancer or not - to refine their algorithm. This "training set" helped PetDx determine a threshold for each genomic variation, defining what they should call a signal rather than just noise. Next, they ran the algorithm on data from the other 876 dogs. For each one, it would yield a binary answer: yes cancer or no cancer. (For most cancers, it wouldn't identify what form it was.) Pet owners and veterinarians already knew if their dogs had a cancer diagnosis, but the PetDx researchers didn't, so as not to influence their analysis. The team then compared their results with the veterinarians' previous diagnoses. While canine cancer experts worry about the ethics of using the test too broadly, PetDx recommends it for only a few use cases: for high-risk dogs and as a diagnostic aid when veterinarians suspect cancer. PetDx hopes to expand use to monitor cfDNA during cancer treatment, to track how the treatment is helping. For her part, Moses, the veterinarian and bioethicist, thinks that having a diagnosis is better than not having one, even if a dog's cancer is incurable. "I think for most people it's really helpful and comforting," she says. "I've rarely heard people say, 'I wish I didn't know.'"

Children reading to dogs a systematic review of the literature. Despite growing interest in the value of human-animal interactions (HAI) for human mental and physical health, the quality of the evidence on which the postulated benefits of animals for human psychological health are based is generally unclear. To date, there are no systematic reviews on the effects of HAI in educational settings, focusing specifically on the perceived benefits to children of reading to dogs. With the growing popularity and implementation of these programs in schools, it is essential that the evidence base exploring the pedagogical value of these initiatives be well documented. Literacy skills have significant consequences for global health and the economy. More than 796 million people worldwide cannot read (approximately 15% of the population), resulting in worldwide costs of more than $1 trillion per year, with the effects of illiteracy being very similar in developing and developed countries . Poor literacy skills have substantial health and welfare implications for society, and have been associated with reduced: health outcomes, economic growth, social participation, self-esteem, and hygiene, as well as increased accidents and absenteeism from work . Clearly, reading skills have far-reaching implications. Similarly, in the educational environment, the effects of literacy are not only relevant to performance in English classes, but also have wider implications, determining successful academic learning across subjects and are associated with overall enjoyment of school . In the last decade, there has been a troubling decline in children's enjoyment of, and thus frequency of, reading . Given that reading frequency is directly related to reading achievement it is essential that there are evidence-based interventions that increase children's motivation, enjoyment and frequency of reading. Despite growing government awareness of the need to improve student motivation to read for pleasure there is still no legitimized program to support this. The first high profile program to advocate children reading to dogs was established in 1999 by Intermountain Therapy Animals, which announced Reading Education Assistance Dogs (READ). The growing interest in reading programs for dogs, such as READ, is seen in frequent media reports and is reflected in the subsequent development of several initiatives around the world, including (but not limited to), The Bark and Read Foundation (Kennel Club, UK) , Caring Canines, Dogs Helping Kids, Read2Dogs, Classroom Canines (Delta Society, Australia), SitStayRead, Library Dogs, Tail Waggin' Tutors (Therapy Dogs International), Reading with Rover and All Ears Reading. Advocates of READ postulate that reading to dogs helps motivate children to read by increasing relaxation and confidence, reducing blood pressure, and providing a safe, non-judgmental environment to practice reading . Note that READ (and similar organizations) does not provide evidence through control group comparisons to support these claims. However, in the broader literature, there is evidence to suggest that improving motivation for reading improves reading performance indicating that if children are more motivated to read with a dog, this may improve their reading skills. This may be especially important for students who struggle to read, because poor reading skills are also associated with low reading motivation . In addition, below-average readers often demonstrate increased reading anxiety; in fact, reading anxiety is a well-observed form of 'classical conditioning' in the classroom environment . For example, an initially neutral stimulus (p. intense emotions). Reading anxiety is common in children and is associated with physical symptoms such as redness of the face, rapid breathing, and tension headaches . Evidence suggests that positive experiences can help children overcome negative associations and be more open to learning experiences . READ and similar programs posit that reading to a dog helps overcome these obstacles (anxiety/motivation) to developing reading skills in the classroom. The silent companionship of a dog as a reading partner may allow the child to work at his or her own pace through reading challenges without fear of being judged. However, it is unclear what evidence exists to directly support the principles of READING (i.e., enhanced reading skills through increased reading motivation and reduced reading anxiety). This article presents the first systematic review exploring the value of IRAS in educational practice in reading to dogs.

Do dogs like kissing? Every guardian likes to give affection and kisses to their four-legged friends, right? It's hard to resist the cuteness of furry animals, so many people like to show their love for their pets with physical gestures of affection. But do dogs like kissing? The answer to the question "do dogs like kissing?" may not be as simple as it seems. The truth is that it can vary greatly according to the personality of each animal. This is because dogs don't have the semantic repertoire of humans and don't associate right away that kisses are forms of affection. Still, dogs are extremely intelligent and observant animals. Therefore, they can understand with time that human kisses are a way to show affection in everyday life. For some pets, receiving kisses can even work as a form of reward. For dogs that have a more shy or distant personality, for example, human kisses may not be so pleasant. Therefore, to know if dogs like kisses, the ideal is to observe how each animal reacts to this demonstration of affection. In addition, the little animals that are not yet used to human kisses may feel threatened. This is because when we kiss our four-legged friends, we bring our face closer to their muzzle, which is considered a very invasive behavior in canine language. If you notice that your four-legged friend keeps trying to dodge, run away or even growl when you approach to kiss him, this may be an indication that the animal is not so appreciative of this behavior. If this is the case, it is best to respect his wants and needs and not try to force this type of interaction. This does not mean, however, that he does not love his owner! Dogs show affection in many different ways: wagging their tails, giving the typical licks on their guardian's face, wanting to be held by their guardians when they get scared, and staying close when they notice that their guardian is sad, among several other attitudes. When it is a more docile and affectionate dog, he may start liking kisses much faster. Animals with this characteristic are very sociable, like to live with humans and show a lot of affection to their guardians on a daily basis. Besides knowing if dogs like kisses, another question that can generate doubt among the guardians is if kissing dogs or being licked by their four-legged friends can be dangerous for humans. In general, the risks of catching some disease when kissing a dog are very small thanks to our powerful immune system, which can fight most bacteria. However, for those who have low immunity at the moment, either because they are sick or going through some kind of treatment, it is better to avoid this contact so as not to run any unnecessary risk. Now you have already found out that dogs like kisses, but this depends a lot on the animal, is there another more universal way that all dogs like to receive affection? In general, pets like to be petted on the abdomen, chest, neck and the area below the ears. If they turn on their stomach to be petted, you can bet that this is a great show of trust! This kind of caressing works like a massage that leaves puppies calm and relaxed. There are some breeds of dogs that are known for being very affectionate. This is the case with the Labrador, the Golden Retriever, the German Shepherd and the Dalmatian, for example. These dogs like to give affection to their owners and expect to receive a lot of attention and love in return. In these cases it may be easier to teach them to like kisses. The dogs' body language can also tell a lot about their tastes. Even docile, intelligent dogs may dislike cuddles that limit their movement or leave them feeling trapped or smothered in some way. The most valuable tip for not making a mistake when stroking your furry ones is to understand where your pet likes to be stroked the most and at what time. Many times, our furry friends may hate to be woken up during their sleep, for example, even if it is to be petted. Therefore, the most important thing when petting is to observe his body expression. If he likes it, he will probably remain relaxed, but if he doesn't like it, he will make it evident by trying to dodge or run away. Respect his wishes and you will certainly create a bond of much love and trust. I

Service dogs and independence as a path to accessibility. The range of functions and abilities of dogs trained to make people's lives easier goes beyond the fluffy labradors trained to guide visually impaired people. Thinking about facilitating and improving the quality of life of people with disabilities - physical, mental or psychological disorders - many dogs are trained, nowadays, for the most diverse functions! To give you a better idea of how these animals act and, mainly, generate autonomy to people with disabilities, here is a list of some types of service dogs with their main functions: Guide dog (for people with visual impairment) , Hearing dog (for people with hearing impairment - they are trained to alert about important sounds of everyday life such as fire alarms, bells, oven alarm, telephone rings, among others) , Alert dog for diabetics (trained - by nose - to alert the guardian when the level of glucose in the blood is low, besides fetching medicines and objects and helping the person to get up after a fall) , Seizure Alert Dog (for people with epilepsy - these dogs are trained - also by smell - to identify and alert when a seizure is about to happen) , Seizure Response Dog (also for people with epilepsy - they are trained to react in a certain way when witnessing a seizure, (also for people with epilepsy - they are trained to react in a certain way when they witness a seizure, such as fetching medicine, standing next to the person, or calling for help), therapy dogs (working in nursing homes, hospitals, and institutions for people with intellectual disabilities and autistic spectrum - they help in socialization and inclusion) , Mobility Service Dogs (trained to help people with organic or motor deficiencies in the most varied day-to-day activities). And it is precisely this last group of dogs, the mobility service dogs, that we will talk about today! Some of the most common questions when the subject is this one are: How does this whole process work for a dog to become a service dog? What functions is it capable of? Let's go in parts: there are associations that specialize in the whole process of training and delivering these animals, and the journey begins much earlier than we think! The preparation begins even before the birth of the puppies, when the genetic selection is made and the best dogs (especially in behavioral issues) are chosen for reproduction. The puppies are born in the institutions and, soon after the first vaccines, they start living with the so-called socializing families. The puppy raisers are people who volunteer to help in this work. This socialization period is an essential part of the animal's development, since it is when the animals learn basic commands and are desensitized to any and all types of environment. This stage lasts between one and two years and is fundamental, for the animals must become accustomed to different places and stimuli, since when they are delivered to their respective owners they will be exposed to the most varied situations. After the time with the socializing families, the puppies are returned to the institutions. In order to learn the daily tasks that they will perform with their future owners, the animals are directed to a more specific training, lasting from six months to one year. It is important to say that, unfortunately, not all doguinhos make it to this stage of training! After socialization, they undergo a behavioral and health test, and if they show inappropriate reactions, unsafe or aggressive behavior, or health problems, they are dismissed from service dog training. In these cases, it is up to the institution to decide if the dog will be directed to another type of work more suited to its personality (a therapy dog, for example) or if it will be put up for adoption - it may be adopted by the socializing family. In this way, dogs that are approved and go for training learn functions such as: Picking up and delivering dropped items, Opening and closing doors and drawers, Pulling laundry baskets, as well as helping with socks, shoes, and coats, Pushing a manual wheelchair a short distance, Turning lights on and off, Taking clothes out and putting them in the washing machine. Finally, after a long journey, the doguinhos are delivered to their new owners who, in turn, also need to go through a selection process for analysis of suitability to have a service dog. Now you know how man's best friend can generate independence and thus facilitate accessibility, on a daily basis, for thousands of people limited by society in some way.

Why dogs and humans love each other more than anyone else. You speak dog better than you think. You may not be fluent; that would require actually being a dog. But if you were to live in a world of only dogs, you would be very good at understanding what they are saying. You can distinguish a nervous bark from a threatening growl, a bark that says hello from a bark that says get lost . You can read body language that says happy, that says sad, that says tired, that says scared, that says Please, please, please play with me now! You think that's no big deal? Then answer: What does a happy bird look like? A sad lion? You don't know, but dog talk you can. And as with your first human language, you didn't even have to try to learn it. You grew up in a world where dogs are everywhere, and you just understood them. That in itself says something about the bond that humans and dogs share. We live with cats, work with horses, hire cows for their milk and chickens for their eggs, and pay them with food - unless we kill them and eat them. Our lives are entangled with those of other species, but we could untangle ourselves if we wanted to. With dogs, things are different. Our world and their world spun together long ago like two different shades of paint. Once you have reached a mixed orange, you will never go back to red and yellow. But why is that? It is not enough to say that the relationship is symbiotic - that dogs hunt for us and herd for us and we keep them warm and fed in return. Sharks and remora fish made a similar symbiotic arrangement, with the remora cleaning parasites from the shark's skin and getting to help itself to the remains of the shark's kills as payment. This underwater agreement is entirely transactional; love plays no role. Humans and dogs, by contrast, adore each other. The relationship began - well, no one knows exactly when it began. The earliest remains of humans and dogs buried together date back 14,000 years, but there are some unconfirmed finds that claim to be more than twice that age. The larger point is the significance of the findings: we lived with dogs and then chose to be buried with them. Imagine that. It was only by a small genetic chance that our inter-species union was forged. Dogs and wolves share 99.9 percent of their mitochondrial DNA - the DNA that is passed on only through the mother - which makes the two species almost indistinguishable. But in other parts of the genome, there are a few genetic fragments that make a powerful difference. On chromosome six in particular, the researchers discovered three genes that encode hyper-sociability - and they are in the same place as similar genes linked to similar sweetness in humans. Our ancestors didn't know what the genes were many millennia ago, but they did know that every once in a while one or two of the medium-sized scavengers with long snouts that came sniffing around their campfires would look at them with a certain attention, a certain loving neediness, and that it was terribly hard to resist them. So they took in those few from the cold and eventually began to call them dogs, while the close relatives of the animals that didn't pull the good genes - those we would call wolves or jackals or coyotes or dingoes - would be left to make their way in the state of nature in which they were born. When humans themselves left the state of nature, our alliance with dogs might as well have been dissolved. If you didn't need a working dog - and fewer and fewer people did - the ledger became out of balance. We continued to pay the dogs their wages for food and shelter, but received little that was tangible in return. No matter, though; by then we were in love. Our language reflected how drunk we were on love: the word "puppy" is believed to have been adapted from the French poupée , or doll - an object in which we lavished irrational affection. Our folk stories were populated by dogs: the Africans spoke of Rukuba, the dog who brought us fire; the Welsh told the story of the faithful dog Gelert, who saved a prince's baby from a wolf. Aristocrats began to include the family dog in family portraits. Wealthy eccentrics began to include dogs in their wills. Today, at least in areas inhabited by humans, dogs are the most abundant land carnivore on the planet. There are about 900 million of them worldwide, of which only 80 million live in the USA. The single species that is the domestic dog - Canis lupus familiaris - has been subdivided into hundreds of breeds, selected for size, temperament, color, or cuteness. What began as a contract of mutual services between two very different species has become something much more akin to love.

dogs on death row. August 2021 marks the 30th anniversary of Breed Specific Legislation (BSL) in the UK. That's 30 years of dogs being judged as "dangerous" based on their appearance. That's thousands of innocent dogs sentenced to unnecessary death. While this is a grim reality and injustice to animals, BSL also fails to protect public safety. Hospital admissions due to dog bites continue to increase year after year and tragic deaths as a result of dog incidents continue. In fact, over the past 20 years (1999-2019), the number of hospital admissions for treatment of dog bites has increased 154%, despite the ban on certain types of dogs. Although introduced as an automatic solution for several high profile dog bites, the legislation has not achieved what it set out to do. Simply put, BSL is not working. While some people assume that "dangerous types" are judged by genetics, behavior, or parentage, unfortunately it is their appearance that puts these dogs on death row. Despite an investigation in 2018, the UK government has not committed to EFRA's recommendation to look at whether the four types of dogs pose a more significant risk to human safety than any other type of dog. We want change and we are not alone. We have aligned forces with Battersea Dogs and Cats Home, Dogs Trust, Blue Cross, British Veterinary Association and The Kennel Club to make our voices stronger and louder than ever. In the UK, BSL bans the ownership of four different types of dogs traditionally bred for fighting: pit bull terrier, Japanese Tosa, Dogo Argentino and Fila Braziliero. Breed Specific Legislation was introduced 30 years ago as part of the Dangerous Dogs Act 1991 to restrict the ownership of certain types of dogs considered dangerous to people. Dogs suspected of being a prohibited type are usually seized by the police who unfortunately have no choice but to implement the law. These dogs may spend significant time in kennels away from their owners, during which time they are evaluated to determine whether or not the dog is a prohibited type. Although some dogs are returned home to be kept under strict conditions, unfortunately, some need to be put down - because of their appearance. Dogs taken to rehoming organizations and deemed a prohibited type cannot legally be rehomed to members of the general public, and so the only option is euthanasia. Since 2016, the RSPCA has had to sacrifice 310 dogs because of their appearance and despite many having the potential to be great family pets. Whether or not a dog is aggressive can be influenced by factors such as how they are bred and raised and experiences throughout their lives. Breed is not a good predictor of aggression risk. And despite legislation, dog bites in the UK continue to increase. Breed-specific legislation not only fails to protect public safety, but has also resulted in the suffering and destruction of hundreds of dogs, who are deemed "dangerous" simply because of their appearance. We want to see Section 1 of the Dangerous Dogs Act repealed and the policy changed. Our petition gained great public support with over 95,000 signatures, which led to the inquiry into BSL. There is still a long way to go before we can achieve this, but we are committed to continuing our campaign until the policy is changed.

Mobile technology has an eye on pets. Is your dog getting enough exercise? Who will change your cat's litter during the vacations? Don't worry: Mobile technology entrepreneurs are launching smartphone-enabled products that can take care of pets' well-being. These devices allow owners to track their pets, as well as know, for example, how much they have run, played or slept, thanks to an app on the smartphone. Some devices allow the app to define a safe area of the house for the pet, and send an alert when the pet leaves this area. Vodafone, the second largest mobile operator in the world, exhibited its Kippy tracker, already available in Europe. The water-resistant device is made of steel and runs on a rechargeable battery that can last up to ten days. It operates with a SIM card and has a monthly subscription. For those who feel sad about being separated from their pet, several companies have launched Wi-Fi enabled cameras that allow you to monitor your pet on your smartphone. One of the most popular is Furbo, which keeps dog treats in a container and allows the owner to throw the treats to their pet with just the push of a button on the smartphone. The device sends a message if the dog barks a lot and takes a 60-second video of the pet's activities during the day. South Korean startup PurrSong has unveiled LavvieBot, a cat litter box that is automatically cleaned and recharged. After the cat has done its business, the machine rakes and dumps clean sand into the box. It even sends text messages when the litter box should be emptied. And it keeps track of the cat's weight and the number of times it uses the box, to detect possible health problems. "Any abnormalities will be reported on your smartphone." Spanish startup Dinbeat has introduced a dog collar called DinbeatPRO, which uses sensors to monitor the animals' breathing, body temperature, barking and position. While not the first device to monitor the activity of pets, this collar was designed specifically for use by veterinarians treating dogs. The proliferation of mobile devices for pets coincides with a drop in smartphone sales - down 4.1% in 2018, standing at 1.4 billion units, the second consecutive year of decline "Assuming that almost every human in Europe already has a phone, Vodafone has been smart to look at connecting pets now," explained Ben Wood, analyst at technology consultancy CCS Insight. "The pet market is an incredibly lucrative segment that is growing steadily year after year." The market for "wearable" apps for pets will be over $8 billion in 2024, compared to $1.85 billion in 2017, according to Global Market Insights. "Almost anything that moves can wear a 'wearable'. Wearables for people are very popular, so it was logical for companies to target 'wearables' for pets as well," explains Neil Mawston, managing director of Strategy Analytics.

SoftBank invests in startup that seeks to extend life of dogs. Do you wish your dog could live longer? An American startup focused on increasing the life span of dogs by at least three years has just received US$75 million in funding to further its studies in this area. The company, called Embark Veterinary, offers DNA tests that can help prevent canine diseases. Currently, it serves dog owners in the United States and Canada, but plans to expand its services. The million-dollar investment came from a fund belonging to the Japanese group SoftBank, whose founder, Masayoshi Son, is using Embark's services to help his dog live longer. Embark's chief executive, Ryan Boyko, took advantage of the attention given to his business to explain how it works in a recent interview with the US website "TechCrunch". "We give pet owners and breeders tools to create the best future for their dogs," Boyko said, "Because of the pandemic, the mortality issue has made families realize that they want their dogs living as long as they can." There are two packages sold by the company: one, aimed at ordinary pet owners, costs US$129. The other, more complete, for professional breeders, costs US$ 149. Through them, according to Embark, it is possible to test dogs for more than 200 health risks, besides knowing more about their origins using DNA. There are some examples used by Embark to demonstrate the usefulness of its services. One of them is to detect in healthy dogs, for example, a gene that shows predisposition to herniated discs. Another common genetic risk is an excess of uric acid in the dog's urine, which can lead to the development of bladder stones, due to the way dogs process minerals. A simple change in diet can reduce the risk of this, as these stones are painful and expensive to treat, according to Boyko. Furthermore, just by avoiding inbreeding, i.e. between dogs that are related, Embark guarantees that the animal gains two extra years in life expectancy. Ryan Boyko calls himself a dog lover, but also an evolution enthusiast. He studied computer science and biology at Harvard University. "You can cross breed them, so genetics has as much potential to cause problems as it does to improve quality of life." The executive hopes that in the next few months the company will reach a database of 1 million dogs, which would provide plenty of material for more advanced studies.

Dogs that have made history. They helped medicine cure diseases, became millionaire stars, and even went into space. Meet the most famous dogs of all time. He has been to the ruins of Machu Picchu, been to the Great Wall of China, sailed down the Amazon River, flown hang-gliders in Rio de Janeiro, and enjoyed the waters of the Trevi Fountain in Rome. During eight months in 2009, the mutt Oscar and his tutor, Joanne Lefson, traveled through 42 countries and visited more than 60 animal protection organizations. The journey, recorded on social networks, intended to draw attention to the abandoned dogs around the world - a number that borders the 500 million. Oscar, by the way, was one of them. He was living in a shelter in Cape Town, South Africa, when Joanne adopted him. By becoming the most traveled dog on the planet, Oscar also earned a reputation as an international ambassador for homeless dogs. In 2013, he died when he was hit by a car, but his story became a book: Ahound the World: My Travels with Oscar. A former golfer and nature lover, Joanne leads animal defense projects. In one of them, she took Rupee, a Labrador that used to scavenge dumps in Ladakh, India, to venture to the Everest base camp - located 5 thousand meters above sea level. The press reported the fact as if they had climbed the almost 9,000 meters of the highest mountain in the world - something improbable for a dog. But this does not take away the value of Joanne's struggle. Several dogs were already notable for their feats long before the Internet came along. One of them was Smoky. The little yorkshire saved the lives of 250 American soldiers in World War II. Her mission was relatively simple - but only she could do it: to carry telephone cables through cramped pipes to connect groups of soldiers surrounded by Nazis. In 1957, Soviet Premier Nikita Khrushchev wanted to celebrate the 40th anniversary of the communist revolution with an impressive feat: send a dog into Earth orbit to test how a living thing would tolerate zero gravity. The selection included more than 20 abandoned dogs - the purebreds were considered incapable of withstanding extreme situations. Laika weighed 6 kg and had to be accommodated in a capsule the size of a washing machine. Inside, there was an automatic feeder that released feed to the puppy. Laika had sensors on her body to measure her vital signs. Sputnik 2 was launched on November 3. In the following days, Soviet newspapers carried reports about the mission and the health of Laika, who seemed to be doing well. A week later, however, her death was reported, causing outrage worldwide. Another US hero of the war was Chips. A mix of collie, German shepherd, and husky, the dog single-handedly surrendered four Italian army snipers. They had set up a camouflaged bunker on a beach in Sicily, Italy. When they emerged from the ground and began firing at an American platoon, Chips broke away from his guardian and jumped into the fake bunker. He was grazed in the head, but then ran into the soldiers. He even attacked the throat of one of them. The four Italians left the guardhouse with their hands up. Among the soccer shoes and shirts worn by stars like Maradona and Pelé is a dog's collar. The red leather piece, with two little medals on the end, is an attraction in the biggest soccer museum on the planet - the National Football Museum, in Manchester, England. The item belonged to border collie Pickles, who found the Jules Rimet Cup - the trophy given to the winner of the World Cup until 1970. In March 1966, the cup had been stolen from an exhibition. Pickles found it a week later, wrapped in a newspaper, while walking with its owner through a London park. Brazil got the Jules Rimet permanently when they won the World Cup for the third time in 1970. Today, however, the country only has a replica of the cup. The original was stolen again in 1983. And then, no dog could find it.

Hachiko the true story of a loyal dog. The true story of Hachiko begins with the enduring bond between Hachiko and his owner, Hidesaburo Ueno. Although Hachiko lived in the 20th century, his story continues to inspire people around the world to this day. The telling of the Hachiko story has resulted in several Hachiko memorials and even a Hachiko movie that documents the story of the incredible bond that formed between Hachiko and Ueno. Hachiko was an Akita Inu dog born on a farm in 1923 and later adopted by Hidesaburo Ueno, an agriculture professor at the University of Tokyo. The two fell into a daily routine: Ueno and Hachiko would walk together to Shibuya train station, where Ueno would say goodbye to Hachiko before boarding the train for work. Hachiko, who also became known as Hachi, would spend the day waiting for Ueno to return. Meanwhile, local shopkeepers and station employees would keep an eye on him and often give him treats while he kept his vigil for Ueno. This routine continued for several years until one day, tragedy struck. Ueno never returned from work, as he suffered a brain hemorrhage and died. Of course, Hati had no idea about this, so the loyal dog continued to wait for his master's return. Every day like clockwork, when the train appeared, so did Hachi, looking for Ueno. Hachi's loyalty earned him the nickname "the faithful dog". Hachi never gave up hope and continued to wait for more than nine years for his master's return. Finally, one morning on March 8, 1935, Hachiko was found dead. It is believed that he died of natural causes. His body was taken to the baggage room at the train station, a place that had been one of his favorite meeting places. He was then photographed, surrounded by Ueno's wife Yaeko, as well as station employees. Yoshizo Osawa, one of the staff members, presented the photo to one of his daughters, who recalled that her father loved dogs and used to tell her about how Hachi went to the station every day, where the staff happily shared their lunches with him. Although Hachiko's life ended decades ago, his story lives on. After Hachiko's death, his body was preserved and placed in the Japan National Science Museum in Tokyo. In addition, a monument of Hachiko was placed next to his owner's grave in Tokyo's Aoyama Cemetery. Because Hachi remained loyal to his master until Hachi's death, a bronze statue of Hachiko was erected outside Shibuya Station as a tribute to the dog. Unfortunately, this statue was destroyed during World War II. Although the original Hachiko dog statue could not be restored, a new one replaced it in the same exact spot at the end of the war in 1948. The site has become a popular and beloved neighborhood park where tourists can honor and admire the unconditional love of this loyal dog. This Hachiko statue is not the only memorial that honors this amazing dog. The entrance to the station closest to the statue has been renamed "Hachikō-guchi" or "Hachikō's entrance/exit" in Japanese. In addition, one of the train lines has also been named the Hachiko Line. In honor of the 80th year of Hachiko's death and the 90th anniversary of the death of Hachiko's owner, Ueno, a bronze statue of Hachiko meeting with Ueno was unveiled on March 8, 2015. The statue was placed outside the agriculture department at the University of Tokyo, where Ueno was a professor. In 2009, a movie called Hachi: A Dog's Tale was released. This is a movie based on the true story of Hachiko's unconditional love for his master. While the dog film Hachiko might be considered touching, those who have seen it agree that it perfectly captures the extraordinary devotion of a dog to its master. The story of the loyal Hachiko continues to be remembered and loved by people all over the world. It truly shows the love and care that a dog shares with its human.

Why did God create the dog? According to the Book of Genesis, the first of the Old Testament, God created the heavens, the earth and everything in it in six days. On the last day, animals were created, and finally man. After all, "man's best friend" was created with all the care. He is capable of defending a house and playing with a child, driving a blind man and spending hours by his master's side in those sad moments, just to lift his spirits. The dog is a perfect example of dedication: he loves, even when he risks being thrown out by the family's bad mood. He is faithful, even if they betray his trust or treat him unfairly: how many dogs are abandoned on the streets and roads, right? Still according to Jewish tradition, the divine creation happened in the following order: the light; the firmament (the sky); the waters separated from the dry element, which started to provide plants; the sun, the moon and the stars; the fish and birds; the other living creatures (including man). The dog, however, is a separate being. And, since God rested on the seventh day (as narrated in the biblical text), the creation of our companion must have been later. There are people who like dogs (the majority). Others do not. They consider it too servile. Certainly, there are "bad" dogs and some of them sometimes cross our path. But are these dogs really bad? If a human child - a rational being, as we like to classify ourselves - who receives an inadequate education can become a wicked adult, what can we say about an animal, who only asks for water, food and affection? Some legislators want to ban some breeds because they are extremely violent (and I want to believe that they are well-intentioned in their actions). However, just look back a bit: the friendly English bulldog was developed to fight bulls! After this came dobermanns, bull terriers, pitbulls. Is it the fault of the dogs or of the breeders? Actually, dog breeds bred to be violent had two paths: extinction or "conversion to docility". Even if we want to turn them into real killing machines (and some dogs have even been summoned to fight wars), faithfulness and constancy - in a word: love - always speak louder. This must be why God created the dog: to serve unconditionally (without expecting rewards), to play, to keep us company, to be sad when we are sad. Of course, a pet and a treat at the right moments don't hurt anyone. Sometimes a dog uses its teeth - after all, these are its weapons of attack and defense. Some dogs even bite their owner. But what would be the motivation for this "wild act"? A well-trained dog doesn't hurt anyone - except, perhaps, some cushions and table legs. Sometimes a dog steals food, but this is not evil, it is instinct. Sometimes he kills a little bird, but again, this is instinct. With all our rationality, we still allow ourselves to be led by the tools with which nature has endowed us, what can one reproach in the conduct of a puppy (or dog)? Sometimes a dog is annoying: he pees on the rug, growls at the cat, chases the mailman. However, the stimulus for such attitudes (physiological needs aside) was given by ourselves. From dogs, we demand vigilance, defense, work - besides serving as eyes for the blind, they drive sledges, act in police operations, work as therapists in hospitals, rescue accident victims, and much more (the list is long, it would not fit here). Besides this, they love to be around us. They like to run in the park after a ball or even a stick, feel the wind when they stick their heads out of the window of a moving car, sleep at our feet (or snuggle, it all depends on the owners' predilections), play with a butterfly, howl at the moon... And, after this, they turn their necks in our direction, as if they were asking us to approve all these attitudes. It has already been scientifically proven, with examinations, tests and observations of behavior: dogs love humans. Animals are angels in disguise sent to earth by GOD to show men what happiness is.

Thought-provoking quotes about dogs. "Dogs have given us their all. We are the center of their universe. We are the focus of their love, faith, and trust. They serve us in exchange for leftovers. It is without a doubt the best deal man has ever made. " - Roger A. Caras, author of A Dog Is Listening: The Way Some of Our Closest Friends View Us. "Everyone thinks they have the best dog. And none of them are wrong." - WR Purchase. "No one can fully understand the meaning of love unless they have a dog. A dog can show you more honest affection with a flick of its tail than a man can muster through a lifetime of handshakes." - Gene Hill, author of A Hunter's Fireside Book and Hill Country. "If a man aspires to a righteous life, his first act of abstinence is from hurting animals." - Albert Einstein, theoretical physicist "Intelligent dogs rarely want to please people they don't respect." - WR Koehler, author of The Koehler Method of Dog Training. "A dog is a bond between strangers." - John Steinbeck, author of Travels with Charley: In Search of America. "Dogs' lives are very short. Their only fault, really." - Agnes Turnbull, author of The Wedding Bargain. "The greatest fear dogs know is the fear that you won't come back when you walk out the door without them." - Stanley Coren, psychologist and author of The Intelligence of Dogs "Dogs are what people would be like if the important things were all that mattered to us." - Ashly Lorenzana, author. "We can judge a man's heart by his treatment of animals." - Immanuel Kant, German philosopher. "A dog will teach you unconditional love. If you can have that in your life, things won't be so bad." - Robert Wagner, actor from The Longest Day. "Dogs die. But dogs also live. Until they die, they live. They live brave and beautiful lives. They protect their families. And they love us, and they make our lives a little brighter, and they don't waste time. being afraid of tomorrow." - Dan Gemeinhart, author of The Honest Truth. "The only absolutely unselfish friend that man can have in this selfish world, the one who never abandons him, the one who never proves ungrateful or treacherous, is his dog." - George Graham Vest, US Senator for Missouri. "Everything I know I learned from dogs." - Nora Roberts, author of The Search. "Animals have come to mean so much in our lives. We live in a fragmented and disconnected culture. Politics is ugly, religion is struggling, technology is stressful, and the economy is miserable. can you depend? A dog or a cat loving us unconditionally, every day, with great fidelity." - Jon Katz, American journalist, author and photographer. "When the dog looks at you, the dog is not thinking what kind of person you are. The dog is not judging you." - Eckhart Tolle, author of The Power of Now and A New Earth: Awakening to Your Life's Purpose. "The dog is the perfect portrait subject. He doesn't pose. He is not aware of the camera." - Patrick Demarchelier, French photographer. "It is not the size of the dog in the fight, it is the size of the fight in the dog." - Mark Twain, author of Adventures of Huckleberry Finn. "A dog's love is a pure thing. He gives you complete confidence. You must not betray him." - Michel Houellebecq, French author. "If you have a dog, you will probably outlive it; to have a dog is to open yourself to deep joy and, prospectively, to equally deep sadness." - Marjorie Garber, author of Shakespeare After All. "Dogs talk, but only to those who can hear." - Orhan Pamuk, author of My Name is Red. "You can usually tell a man is good if he has a dog who loves him." - W. Bruce Cameron, author of A Dog's Journey. "Everyone should have a shelter dog. It's good for the soul." - Paul Shaffer, Canadian musician, songwriter, actor, author and comedian. "The poor dog, in life the firmest friend. The first to welcome, the first to defend." - Lord Byron, poet from Epitaph to a Dog. "Stroking, scratching and petting a dog can be as comforting to the mind and heart as deep meditation and almost as good for the soul as prayer." - Dean Koontz, author of False Memory. "Puppy life is short, very short, but you know it. You know the pain is coming, you are going to lose a dog, and there is going to be great anguish, so you live fully in the moment with it. You never fail to share your joy or delight in your innocence, because you can't bear the illusion that a dog can be your companion for life. There is so much beauty in the hard honesty of it, in accepting and giving love, always aware that it comes with an unbearable price." - Dean Koontz, author of False Memory. "All dogs go to heaven because dogs are naturally good, loyal, and kind." - Melba Moore as Whippet Angel in All Dogs Go To Heaven. "Dogs are better than human beings because they know, but they don't tell." - Emily Dick

My dog is afraid of other dogs. None of us, humans, dogs, cats, hedgehogs, elephants, or others, are completely free from fear. Fear is our brain's way of keeping us safe, making us hyper-alert and preparing us to fight potential threats or escape from them. But what if the dog is afraid of other dogs? Dogs are everywhere! That being the case, outside the house, it is impossible to prevent your dog from at least coming, if not occasionally, to interact with what he fears most. It sounds scary, I know, but it is possible to help your dog feel more confident and less afraid of other dogs. Sometimes it can be difficult to identify fear, especially if your dog reacts to the presence of other puppies barking and attacking. Behaviors that seem "aggressive" are often rooted in the fight or flight response. When your dog is on a leash, for example, they may not run away from an approaching dog. When "escape" is not an option, the next course of action is to "fight". These behaviors can mean that your dog is afraid of other dogs : Your dog barks, attacks and/or grabs other dogs , Your dog yawns or licks its lips in an exaggerated manner when other dogs approach , Your dog tries to move away from approaching dogs , Your dog hides when another dog is present , Your dog creeps or complains about other dogs , Your dog refuses to receive treats or play with other dogs. Before anything else, if you suspect your dog is afraid of other dogs, the first step is to prevent them from having negative experiences that may build on the fear they already have. But remember that dogs are unpredictable animals. So to avoid unpleasant surprises, follow these rules at the beginning: Don't take your dog to a dog park or a crowded space, Give your dog a safe walking safety zone. Cross the street, wait at the top of a driveway while another dog passes, or place a parked car between your puppy and the approaching dog , Never yell at your puppy or force him to interact with other dogs. Comfort your dog instead, be an advocate for your dog's needs. We humans feel that dogs should play with other dogs. But really, what your dog probably wants more than anything in life is to be close to you and your family. For many dogs, playing with others of their kind is not that interesting.

How to help a frightened puppy. Learning how to help a scared puppy is one of the most important things that all guardians should understand. After all, our best friends can have a very difficult time on some occasions in their daily lives. And because of this, a little help from the guardian will always be welcome. However, in order to help a frightened dog, we cannot simply interfere in the situation in a very invasive way. It is necessary to be careful about some things in order not to make the dog even more frightened. Remember that during a big scare, the dog is also acting instinctively, because he thinks that the noises will hurt him. This type of situation is very common, because dogs have extremely sensitive hearing. Therefore, at any different noise in the environment, they may consider that something bad is coming. And not for nothing. After all, this was a clear sign of danger many years ago, when dogs were not yet domesticated. Here are some tips on how to help a scared dog: Prepare the environment even before a possible scare, offer a treat to keep him calmer, the house must always be in sight and available, respect the dog's fear and do not force him to leave, do not try to hold the pet in your lap - he is not a child, ear plugs to help a scared dog. Giving tranquilizers to the dog is very harmful and can have serious consequences for the animal. Never give any type of m

Music to calm down the dog really works. You may not realize it, but your pet loves to listen to music just as much as you do. Music for dogs works super well, since the songs don't have any bad effects on the animals. Especially for sad, agitated, nervous or anxious little dogs, dog music can be a relief and act as a natural calming agent for them. A study published by the journal Physiology and Behavior compared the heart rate of a group of dogs in quiet moments and exposed to classical music. The result was a decreased heart rate in the periods when they were listening to music. In addition, when putting on the dog music, the animals spent more time sitting and calm than in the moments without the sound. This shows how well music for calming puppies works! The benefits of music for dogs are numerous: Improves the pet's mood, leaving it more relaxed, decreases stress, because the heart rate decreases, relieves the homesickness of the guardian, especially if he is a long time alone at home, reduces levels of anxiety and agitation, especially in dogs naturally hyperactive and agitated, helps in fearful situations, such as fireworks or storm, helps to sleep better and more peaceful, because it is more relaxed. Although very beneficial, music for dogs should be carefully controlled. The ideal is that it is classical music, suitable for meditation or relaxation, so as not to make the dog even more agitated. But be aware of the volume of the music for the dog. The sound should be very low, because although it seems almost inaudible to us, the canine hearing is powerful and the dog listening to music can pick up from the lowest noises (which are around 16 and 20 Hz) to much higher volumes (reaching from 70,000 to 100,000 Hz), while humans can only hear up to about 20,000 Hz. So don't put your dog's music on the latest volume, okay?

Dogs fighting among themselves. Two dogs fighting can be very harmful to the dogs and also to the guardian. After all, this is a situation that can easily get out of control and thus bring serious injuries to both animals and the guardian who eventually gets into the fight. But what to do? Is it possible to separate two fighting dogs? And if so, how to do it in the right way and without abruptly interfering in the situation? After a fight between two dogs, the animals can become strangers to each other forever. And this, of course, is something you don't want, since living in harmony between two dogs is very important. So, before you even interfere in the fight or try to separate the two, it is important to understand the reason for the fights. And they can be as different as possible. However, they are all related to the canine instinct. See some of the reasons that make two dogs get strange: Dispute for territory, Defense of food or toys, Dispute for females, Attract the attention of their owners, Dispute for the bed or mat to rest. These situations can happen both with two dogs that are friends and live together, or with two dogs that have just met at the park. All it takes is one look across the face or one more step in the wrong direction, and that's it: the instinct comes out and the fight begins. A dog fight can be truly ugly. Especially if the two dogs are very strong, the aggression can leave them seriously injured. And so the guardian needs to intervene, so that the dogs don't get hurt and stop fighting. However, this is not so simple. Interfering in a dog fight or when they are getting strange, can be quite compromising and can even leave the guardian injured. How to proceed? Here are some tips to put into practice: Do not try to separate them manually, make loud noises in the environment to draw their attention, do not raise your voice or fight with the dogs, spraying water on the dogs can help break the pattern. Ok - so far, we understand why dogs fight and how to separate them in case of a serious fight. However, it is important that the dogs do not fight again. What can be done to solve this problem and make them live together in peace again? Keep two pots of food (one for each), have more than one toy for each, introduce the dogs correctly, create fun situations between the two dogs.

Heart Tumor in Dogs: Find out how the disease affects pets. Talking about diseases is always delicate, but some issues need to be discussed in order to improve the quality of life of our friends. The heart tumor in dogs is one of the topics that still cause doubt and fear in many guardians. After all, this is a serious disease that can affect dogs of different ages and bring several consequences. With a careful look, however, it is possible to identify the problem and help these furry friends more effectively. For this, we invited the veterinarian Dr. Igor Hulewicz Nemtzoff to answer all your questions about tumor in dogs. Are you interested? Read on and learn more about the topic! The heart tumor, also called heart neoplasm, is one of the types of cancer that affects four-legged friends. Dr. Igor explains that, just like humans, the dog tumor can be benign or malignant. This diagnosis depends on the location and progression of the disease. As the heart is an important organ for the functioning of the whole body, this condition needs urgent attention from a specialist. Fortunately, although it is considered a serious disease, the veterinarian says that this is not such a common problem in dogs. As with other neoplasms, the causes of heart tumors are still very uncertain. "If the tumor appears directly in the heart, it is considered a primary disease," says Dr. Igor. But if the tumor already exists in another organ and a focus appears in the heart, the condition is called metastasis and is considered a secondary disease. The veterinarian also says that although research does not indicate for sure which are the main causes of a dog with heart tumor. Some breeds present the problem more frequently. They are: German shepherd, Golden retriever, Labrador, English bulldog, Boston terrier, Afghan greyhound, French bulldog, Yorkshire terrier. Age is also a risk factor. The disease usually appears in dogs from 8 to 15 years old, adds the specialist. However, if your best friend is one of the breeds listed above, do not be alarmed: we are talking about predisposition, which does not mean that all dogs will have the problem. The heart tumor, even in these cases, is considered a rare disease. Because it is a disease that affects an internal organ, noticing a heart tumor in a dog may not be so easy: "The symptoms depend a lot on the size and location of the tumor", explains Dr. Igor. However, if the guardian keeps attention to some cares with his pet, such as behavior, it may suggest that something is going wrong with his health. Dr. Igor lists some symptoms that are usually common in dogs with heart tumors: tiredness, apathy, coughing, shortness of breath, loss of appetite, fainting, and convulsions. If you notice any of the above symptoms, it is recommended to seek a veterinary clinic as soon as possible. This should be done whenever the pet shows changes in behavior, even if the different signs - such as drowsiness, mild fatigue, and lack of interest in playing - do not seem serious. The veterinarian also reminds us that periodic consultations are essential. The ideal is that the pet goes for check-ups every six months. Thus, it is possible to check if there is any change and get an early diagnosis.

Food poisoning in a dog. The dog with food poisoning is a more common situation than you think. Many guardians like to give a little bit of food for the pet during meals thinking that it does no harm. However, it is necessary to be careful with what is being offered. Many of the things we eat are forbidden foods for dogs. Their ingestion can lead to a serious case of food poisoning in dogs. In addition, there are those little dogs that do not miss the opportunity to snack on any food by going soft in the kitchen. The intoxication occurs when the animal ingests some toxic substance. We can see a dog intoxicated by lead or even by medication. However, the most common situation on a daily basis is that of a dog intoxicated after eating something it shouldn't have. Food poisoning in dogs can be caused by foods found in our kitchen. The ingestion of forbidden dog foods primarily affects the organs of the digestive system. These foods have toxic substances that, when absorbed by the dog's body, bring consequences, most of them related to gastrointestinal symptoms. Food poisoning in dogs is dangerous and the best way to prevent this is to take care of the pet's diet. It is very important that the guardian knows what foods you can not give to the dog to prevent consumption. Many of the forbidden foods for dogs are those that are present in our daily lives. Chocolate, besides hemorrhagic gastroenteritis, can cause convulsions in the dog. Carambola can cause kidney failure. Macadamia and nutmeg also cause intoxication. Onions cause hemolysis (death of red blood cells), leading to death with recurrent use. There is no proof, but there are reports that grapes cause renal alteration. Also, be aware of some plants that are toxic to dogs: plants such as St. George's Sword, Anthurium, Hydrangea, Lily, Violets, and Adam's Rib are dangerous. When seeing a dog with food poisoning, what to do? The most important thing is to take him to the vet. Only there the specialist will know how serious it is and what should be done. However, the guardian can follow some recommendations that will help the pet. First of all, if you see the animal with food in its mouth, remove it immediately. Pay attention to the symptoms and, in case of convulsion, move away the furniture nearby to avoid accidents. Try to know which of the forbidden foods for dogs your doguinho ate. By making this identification, it is much easier to understand the animal's symptoms and know what treatment should be followed. Also, try to find out how much food was ingested. The larger the portion, the more severe the condition. Finally, write down how long the food has been ingested. This information will help the specialist to find the ideal treatment. Many people say that offering milk to the intoxicated dog helps detoxification. But this is a myth! Milk is bad for the dog and can worsen the condition. In some cases, it can even lead the pet to death. Another solution often found on the Internet to cure food poisoning in dogs is inducing vomiting. The recommendation of veterinarians is not to try to make the animal expel the food. It is not in all cases of intoxicated dogs that induction should be performed. Only the vet will know if it is necessary and, if it is, he is the one who should perform the procedure.

Skin cancer in dogs: know the disease. Diseases that affect dogs are of great concern to owners. Some of them may have simpler complications, while others evolve into more serious cases, such as skin cancer in dogs. At first, skin cancer in dogs is a disease that scares tutors, however, it has treatment and good recovery rates. Therefore, in this article, you will learn a little more about skin cancer in dogs, the causes, symptoms, treatments and how to prevent the disease that can affect pets. Scientifically known as neoplasm, cancer in dogs is a malignant tumor that can endanger the health of the animal. It occurs when there is abnormal growth of cells, which multiply in an uncontrolled way due to anomalies in division. Cancer can be defined as benign or malignant, depending on certain characteristics, such as the ability to infect other cells. The first case grows in a delayed and limited way, while the second one develops more quickly and is more harmful to the pet's health. However, regardless of the diagnosis regarding the characteristic of the tumor, it is essential to take the pet to the veterinarian for the professional to analyze the condition of skin cancer in a dog and indicate the necessary treatment, in addition to the care that needs to be taken. The dog with skin cancer is among the most common neoplasms in veterinary centers and clinics. That's what explains Dr. Heloisa Souza, veterinarian This happens because the skin is the largest organ in the body, in addition to having several types of cells susceptible to the development of tumors, comments the specialist. Despite being a common problem among dogs of different breeds, the situation is still alarming for tutors and pets. Therefore, when signs of a tumor appear, it is important to seek the help of a qualified professional. Skin cancer in dogs has several variations, which can manifest itself in different ways in the animal's body, each with a particularity. Check out some of them below. Melanoma ,Mastocytoma ,Perianal adenoma ,Squamous cell carcinoma ,Trichoblastoma ,Histiocytoma. Each type of tumor will behave differently in each organism. Therefore, it is important to pay attention to the health of the animal and carry out periodic consultations to analyze the condition properly. In humans, skin cancer is closely associated with excessive sun exposure. However, for our four-legged friends, the picture is somewhat different. Dr. Heloísa comments that, in the case of dogs, the main reason is genetic. The skin has high regeneration, renewing itself frequently. This can predispose to the emergence of abnormal cells and tumors,” she comments. However, the specialist remembers that exposure to the sun is also a danger for the furry ones. It is necessary to be aware of walks on sunny days, especially for light-colored pets, such as whites or albinos. Like other types of illness, cancer has a more effective treatment when it occurs early on. Therefore, the tutor should pay attention to the health of the furry, realizing possible symptoms of skin cancer in dogs. According to the doctor. Heloísa, the main signs are described below. Nodules , Change in skin color , Changes in skin appearance , Bleeding , Secretions , Wounds that take time to heal. The diagnosis for skin cancer in dogs involves different steps, responsible for understanding the origin of the disease and the cell affected. At first, a clinical examination is performed, taking into account visible signs, age, history and breed of the pet. Other important points are biopsy and histopathological examination. These tests analyze the cells, and the veterinarian will be able to classify the tumor. Most of the time, treatment is performed through surgery, removing the skin from the affected area. In some cases, chemotherapy or radiation therapy may be necessary, depending on the characteristics of the disease. Luckily, skin cancer in dogs is curable and has good recovery rates, especially if treated early. Although it usually does not present major complications, skin cancer in dogs is considered a serious problem. Therefore, it is best to prevent the disease and follow the veterinarian's recommendations. Dr. Heloísa reinforces that we should not go out with our pets at times of high incidence of sun, such as from 10 am to 4 pm. In some cases, especially for the furry ones that live in the yard, it is recommended to use sunscreen for pets. Periodic visits to the veterinarian should be made to analyze skin cancer in dogs and other complications that can arise in this area. However, take your pet to a suitable professional.

Veterinary dentist: understand the importance. As important as bathing and grooming, maintaining regular appointments with a veterinary dentist is essential for the lives of pets. That's because treating pets' teeth relieves possible pain and brings benefits to your friend's oral health. To help you better understand how veterinary dentistry works and what are the advantages of the specialty for your pet, we have prepared a very cool content. We also brought essential care tips, in everyday life with your pet, for it to grow stronger and healthier. Check out! Diseases caused by bacteria and inflammation are responsible for 85% of problems in the oral cavity of pets, comments Dr. Mariana Lage, veterinarian and specialist, master and doctor in Veterinary Dentistry. Do you know why this happens? According to the veterinarian, the lack of brushing is undoubtedly the main reason, given that, in a period of just 24 hours, the bacterial plate is already able to organize itself and turn into tartar. The manifestation and development of periodontal diseases (i.e., close to the teeth) can vary according to some factors. They are: low immunity, breed of dog or cat, genetics and proportion of teeth in the mouth. That's why it's very important to keep an eye out if your best friend is a dog with bad breath and tartar. If this happens, it is good to consult a dental vet. To prevent periodontal diseases, it's interesting to maintain a pet's teeth care routine - since childhood, see? The Regional Council of Veterinary Medicine of the State of São Paulo (CRMV-SP) recommends brushing the animal's teeth daily. In addition to the dog toothbrush, it is important to use a specific toothpaste for pets. It prevents the formation of tartar, fights bad breath, is specially made for the adaptation and comfort of pets. To get your friend used to it, the essential tip is to start cleaning a dog's or cat's teeth from a young age. If your pet is older and you're still struggling, it's a good idea to start gradually and provide rewards such as petting or treats. In addition to daily brushing, one way to maintain your dog's or cat's oral health is to maintain a proper diet, with rations that contain nutrients necessary for a healthier life. An alternative is to bet on a dental diet, guided and indicated by a veterinarian. Another recommendation from the CRMV-SP is to offer toys that help to dislodge the plaque that forms on the teeth. It's also a pretty fun option for your friend, isn't it? For all the above tips to be really effective, it is important that the pet undergoes consultations with the veterinary dentist annually or every six months. This makes it easier to check his oral health and prevent diseases. In this evaluation, by means of an x-ray, it is possible to verify if all the pet's teeth are healthy and if there is the formation of tartar in dogs. If the answer is yes, it is possible to anesthetize the pet and clean it, preventing the problem from evolving and causing more serious consequences. For the veterinarian, if the teeth are badly damaged, the extraction of some of them can be indicated to improve the pet's quality of life, in addition to ending possible pain and preventing the problem from becoming more extensive. As a tutor, it is important to pay attention to possible signs and symptoms that something is not right with your pet's oral health. Some of them are: gingivitis in a dog, broken, loose or yellow teeth, tartar, excess drool, reduced appetite, pain around the mouth, swelling or bleeding. If you notice any of them, see a veterinary dentist right away! The bacterial infection can reach your pet's bloodstream, which is dangerous for his overall health. Among the problems caused by lack of oral hygiene are: hepatitis, kidney, heart and joint problems.

Healthy foods to help your puppy's health. Did you know that there are natural, super-healthy foods that can help your dog's health? Just like us, they also need a rich menu, full of nutrients and ingredients that bring benefits to various points of their health. Did you know that we need to take care of our friends' intestinal health, especially those who may present some kind of predisposition to digestive diseases? That's right. For this, you can include oatmeal in your dog's diet, because it is rich in fiber and ensures a healthier intestinal transit. Lean meat also comes in as one of the healthy foods to help your dog's health. This is because it has a large amount of protein, important for maintaining the muscle health of our companion. However, it is necessary to know how to choose which vegetables and legumes can be given to dogs, because not all of them have beneficial effects. Therefore, always opt for: Carrots : Because they are sources of vitamin A and assist in cleaning teeth ,Pumpkin seedless: Rich in vitamin A and fiber, aiding in digestion, Broccoli: With great load of fiber, besides being a great regulator for blood pressure Kale: Ally in weight loss, since it satisfies hunger without weighing so much. Natural yogurt (without sugar) can also be a strong ally in the care of your pet's health. This is because it is rich in calcium, strengthening the bones and leaving the teeth healthier. If you want to take care of your dog's skin and hair, offer fish! This is because they are rich in fatty acids, making the coat shinier and the skin healthier. In addition, it also has omega 3, protein, and vitamins that strengthen the dog's immune system. Remember to talk to your veterinarian. Our suggestions of healthy foods are not a substitute for pet food, which is fortified with all the nutrients your dog needs.

Banana cake for dogs. Can banana be given to a dog? This is a common doubt of many guardians. This fruit is part of everyday life for humans, but those who are pet parents with experience know that there are foods that dogs can not eat. The banana is a nutritious food, very rich in calcium and can be added to several recipes. A good tip to insert fruit into the dog's diet is with a dog cake, using banana as the main ingredient. When the subject is to offer fruit for dogs, there is always a doubt, even with those that are very present in our daily lives as the banana. The banana is allowed for dogs to consume. The ideal is to give the peeled banana to the pet. Despite this, the banana peel is not toxic to him. Like other fruits, the banana should be offered to the dogs as a snack and should never replace the meals of the conventional diet. Despite the benefits, the excess of banana for dogs should be avoided. The food is also rich in sugars and carbohydrates, and can worsen animal health problems such as canine obesity and diabetes, when consumed exaggeratedly. A good tip is to offer only two slices of banana at a time or make a dog cake using the fruit. This type of homemade recipe is a great way to creatively introduce snacks into the animal's diet. Ingredients: 200g of oatmeal, 2 ripe bananas, 2 tablespoons of flaxseeds, 1 teaspoon of olive oil, 1 teaspoon of cinnamon powder, 1 teaspoon of yeast. Method: Step 1) Mix the oat flour, flaxseed seeds and cinnamon in a bowl, Step 2) Add the two mashed bananas to the dry ingredients, Step 3) Beat the two eggs separately and then add to the mixture, Step 4) Add the olive oil and beat everything together. When the batter is homogeneous, add the yeast and mix lightly, Step 5) Pour the batter into a baking pan and bake in a preheated oven at 180 degrees, Step 6) Remove the cake from the oven when it is golden brown and allow it to cool completely before serving to the dog, Step 7) To last longer, store other pieces in a clean covered container.