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Quiz: Are You Ready For A Dog?

C A N I N E S   O N L I N E ™
Copyright 2000 Canines Online ™
Issue No. 5, Vol.1, October 6, 2000

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CONTENTS:
=>Health:
   -- Hypoglycemia
=>Our Dogs:
   -- Are You Nuts About Mutts?
=>Tidbits:
   -- Did you know?
=>News Briefs:
   -- Man saved by stray dog he adopted
   -- Mama mutt's puppy love
   -- Giving stray dogs a new leash of life
   -- Man leaves $500,000 to Humane Society
   -- Antifreeze can poison animals
   -- Dog lover runs out of options
   -- State devotes week to pet care
=>Behavior:
   -- Table Manners
=>Book Corner:
   -- When Good Dogs Do Bad Things
   -- The Ultimate Guide to Dog Training
   -- Dog Facts
=>Featured Site:
   -- PetPlace
=>Featured Breed:
   -- Dachshund
=>Product News, Reviews, and Coupons:
   -- Dog Bowls and Feeders
=>The Tail End
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HEALTH
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Hypoglycemia tends to be a problem seen most often in toy breed puppies.
Hypoglycemia is the medical term for low blood sugar. In small breed
puppies from post-weaning to 4 month of age, the most common form of
hypoglycemia is called Transient Juvenile Hypoglycemia: "Transient"
because the symptoms can be reversed by eating; "Juvenile" because it is
seen in young individuals.

Background on blood sugar:
Glucose is the "simple" sugar that the body uses for "fuel" to run its
various functions. Table sugar, or sucrose, is made up of two simple
sugars, glucose and fructose, and can be broken down rapidly after
eating. All sugars are carbohydrates. Grains are also carbohydrates but
are considered "complex" carbohydrates because they have many more
components and take longer to be broken down. The body uses glucose as
its primary energy source. All the parts of the body except the brain
can, if needed, use alternate energy sources--fatty acids, for example,
which the body accesses by breaking down fat stores. The brain, however,
is completely dependent upon glucose to function. If the glucose in the
blood is lower than normal, the brain function is the first to show
signs. In dogs, these signs may be seen as weakness, behavior changes,
confusion, wobbly gait, or even seizures. In fact, in young dogs that
have had what may appear to be an epileptic seizure, low blood sugar is
generally ruled out before a diagnosis of epilepsy is made. The liver is
responsible for manufacturing glucose and for storing it in a usable
form, for release into the blood stream as needed. Muscle tissues store
some of the important materials used in this process. Therefore, a
serious liver abnormality or insufficient muscle mass may make it
difficult for the body to keep its blood sugar properly regulated.

How are small breeds different?
Puppies of very small and toy breeds of dogs have characteristics that
make them more prone to the development of Transient Juvenile
Hypoglycemia, which is brought on by fasting. Pups of any breed are more
likely to develop hypoglycemia than adults, because their skeletal
muscle mass and liver size are smaller and brain size, larger, in
proportion to the rest of their body. Therefore, there is less glucose
being put out into the blood and more being used by the brain, which is
dependent upon adequate glucose in order to function. In small and toy
breeds, this discrepancy is more pronounced. Even a brief period of
fasting in a toy breed puppy can trigger a hypoglycemic "attack." As
discussed, one of these attacks may appear as weakness, confusion,
wobbly gait, or seizures. Eating food that is readily digested and
metabolized will reverse minor signs, but intravenous glucose
administration is required for severe cases. Puppies with Transient
Juvenile Hypoglycemia have normal liver size and function, but
inadequate glucose precursors or glucose in its stored form. Therefore,
any significant stress, such as a routine trip to the vet's, that occurs
in the absence of a recent meal, can cause the blood sugar to drop to
dangerously low levels. Low environmental temperatures, infections,
vaccinations, strenuous exercise, and inadequate nutrition increase the
risk even further. Feeding recommendations for puppies at risk for
hypoglycemia include frequent (4 - 5 times a day) feedings of
high-carbohydrate, high-protein and /or -fat foods. For pups who have
had recurrent or prolonged signs, monitoring the urine for ketones with
a "dipstick" made for diabetics is helpful, since a return to "ketone
negative status" signals a return to normalcy.

Are there other causes of Hypoglycemia in puppies?
There are numerous other causes of hypoglycemia in puppies, but they are
much less common. It is important to distinguish between whether the
signs of hypoglycemia occur with fasting or just following a meal. The
liver causes some problems, such as a defect involving an abnormal blood
vessel shunt (a "detour," of sorts) around the liver, and some are
caused by hereditary metabolic defects, hormone defects and
deficiencies, and severe bacterial infections. All of these are serious
problems that need to be diagnosed as soon as possible.


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OUR DOGS
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Are You Nuts About Mutts?

When it comes to dogs, the purebreds sure are the pricey ones. Getting
one with papers can set you back close to a thousand dollars. Mutts, on
the other hand, you can basically get for free. They crowd the animal
shelters, waiting to be adopted. This is a fact of life that confuses
enthusiasts of the mixed breed dog.

Mutts are healthier, they’re unique, they are bright and quick to learn,
seem to live longer, yet they are overpopulated. Mutts are mentally less
intense than many purebred dogs, are less aggressive, and are happier.
This usually means to better pets for most families.

There is an interesting contradiction if you think about it: the same
society that shuns "inbreeding" among humans loves dogs that have very
limited genetic diversity. In fact, the American Kennel Club—which has
the motto of "For the Love of the Purebred Dog"—does not prohibit
inbreeding. Still, most fans of mixed breed dogs get squeamish over the
idea of pairing off littermates.

Most purebred dogs have health problems due to inbreeding that’s just
something that happens when you breed a dog with its cousin. Also with
increased popularity of a certain breed, we find that weaknesses in
their medical and psychological makeup increase.   These inherited
diseases are less likely to be a problem in mutts.

Mixed breed dogs offer the best of both worlds. They lessen some of the
negative stereotypes of certain breeds. They also escape the problems of
over-breeding. With purebreds, it’s all a beauty contest—it’s all about
conformity you have to inbreed them to get those traits, and they’re
just not going to be as hardy as a dog that’s got a little bit of
everything in it.

But if mutts really are better dogs, then why are purebreds the ones
everyone’s willing to hand over the big bucks for? Darwin has his
"Theory of Evolution," but any capitalist can tell you about another
theory—the theory of supply and demand. How much a dog costs can tell
you a lot about how much it is valued by its culture. Society is hung
up on image and material wealth so that they don’t think about the
benefits of ‘just a mutt.’ They like to have the bragging rights that
their dog is from a long line of hunting, herding, toy, show, etc. dogs.

But according to the AKC, the cultural prestige of a pedigree isn’t the
only reason why a purebred is a desirable pet. "The primary benefit of
having a purebred dog is the assurance of knowing what the pup will be
as an adult," the official web site states. "You’ll know what it will
look like when it grows up by becoming familiar with the breed and
knowing the height, weight, coat and temperament called for in the breed
standard."

There isn’t predictability with mutts. Some mixed breed owners won’t
even know what breeds their mutt is a composite of, so anticipating
which diseases the animal might develop when it’s older, or even what
size it will grow to is impossible.

Some purebred owners don’t want to take the chance on the surprises of
how that mutt puppy may look as an adult. With any dog, good training
will give you a good personality and a happier dog. Ideally, we
shouldn’t get hung up on looks and should adore the attention any pet
will give us. Mutts are often like the citizens of the USA, a great
mixture. All dogs can suffer from hereditary problems, and old age, can
and will happen to all dogs.

If you think a mutt is the right kind of dog for you, the best way to go
is to check with friends or go to a shelter. Once you bring a mutt into
your home, it seems, it’s hard to let it go.

For more information:

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TIDBITS
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Did you know?…

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NEWS BRIEFS
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Man saved by stray dog he adopted
NORWOOD, AL -- A man's life was saved from fire by the stray dog he
befriended six months ago.
http://www.al.com/news/birmingham/Sep2000/30-e411346b.html

Mama mutt's puppy love
BROOKLYN, NY -- A devoted Brooklyn pooch desperately tried to save her
puppies after they fell into the Gowanus Canal Wednesday - and later
watched anxiously as rescuers pulled six of the pups to safety.
http://www.nypost.com/news/12183.htm

Giving stray dogs a new leash of life
IRELAND -- In the UK, more than 85 per cent of stray dogs are saved. In
the Republic, it's the opposite, with 84 per cent being destroyed. But
one Co Clare dog pound is making a difference.
http://www.ireland.com/newspaper/features/2000/1004/fea1.htm

Man leaves $500,000 to Humane Society
CHILTON, WI -- A man apparently has left more than half a million
dollars for a new animal shelter and $5,000 to his schnauzer, Bozo.
http://www2.startribune.com/stOnLine/cgi-bin/article?thisStory=82676556

Antifreeze can poison animals
Most brands of antifreeze consist of about 95 percent of a chemical
known as ethylene glycol. This substance tastes sweet, and most animals
are attracted to it and will readily lick it up. The lethal dose is as
little as 4 tablespoons for a 20-pound dog.
http://www.adn.com/lifestyles/story/0,2649,200333,00.html

Dog lover runs out of options
GREENSBORO, NC -- Everyone loves a dog lover, but few want one as
passionate as Jim Colasanti moving in next door.
http://www.news-record.com/news/local/gso/doggone03.htm

State devotes week to pet care
SANTA FE, NM -- Gov. Gary Johnson proclaimed this week as the state's
first Week for the Animals.
http://www.abqjournal.com/news/140380news10-03-00.htm


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BEHAVIOR
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Table Manners

Why do dogs get nasty when you go near their food? In their minds, they
are guarding a valuable resource and showing who was boss. A dog's
natural inclination is to protect anything that he considers valuable.
In to food, dogs may guard resting places, toys, mates, territory, and
owners.

In the wild, dogs work very hard to secure the things they need to
survive. The dogs who are best at getting and holding on to important
resources like food and dry, warm resting places become strong and
healthy. The largest, strongest, and smartest dog becomes leader of the
pack. He has an automatic right to eat first and eat most. The leader
disciplines anyone who interferes.

Pet dogs have no need to perpetuate this part of their family heritage.
They are supplied with all the food they need, without having to hunt or
scavenge. Your dog should accept you as head of his pack. This means he
should love and respect you enough to relinquish his food to you at any
time. Additionally, he needs to know that he must give up his food at
the request of any family member, even a child.

Teaching etiquette to puppies
The good news is that there are exercises you can do to prevent a puppy
from becoming protective of his food bowl in the first place. These can
also be adapted for training an older dog who has established bad
habits. Ideally, you should start the following exercises with your
young puppy. Then repeat them periodically to refresh his "table
manners."

While your puppy is eating, place small tidbits of some very special
food in his bowl. This will teach him that a hand approaching his bowl
is followed by the appearance of a super-yummy treat. This should be
something that your dog really likes and that he gets only during
training. Raw hamburger, chicken, hot dogs, or bits of cheese are
favorites with most dogs. Be sure to make the pieces small. You don't
want to overload him with goodies and cause an upset stomach. When your
dog is used to having your hand near his bowl, move his dish from its
usual position while he is eating. Reward him with praise and a treat.
After some time of moving his dish without incident, remove the food
bowl completely while he is eating. Pick it up, place something
super-yummy on top of the regular food, and then return the bowl. If
your puppy growls at you, give him a vigorous scruff shake or a squirt
of water from a squirt bottle, accompanied by a sharp "No!"

Teach table manners to an adult dog
You will need to team up with another person when retraining an adult
dog who has failed his food-bowl etiquette test. Here's what to do:

Place a leash on your dog at dinnertime. While he is eating, have your
teammate take the end of the leash and call him away (or lead him away
if he won't come willingly) from the food bowl. Once he is safely out
of the way, have your dog watch as you pick up his bowl and place a
super-special goody on top of his regular food. Use small tidbits of
foods that he is really crazy about and that he gets only during
training sessions. Repeat this exercise until he realizes, "Ah ha,
leaving my food bowl gets me even better things to eat!"

When he leaves his bowl reliably while he's leashed, you should begin
working on the steps outlined above for puppies. However, proceed with
caution. If your dog ever growls or snaps at you, discontinue these
exercises and consult a professional trainer. Continuing without
professional assistance could be dangerous.

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BOOK CORNER
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When Good Dogs Do Bad Things: Proven Solutions to 30 Common Problems
By: Mordecai Siegal Matthew Margolis
Our Price: $11.65
Retail Price: $12.95
An essential tool for keeping the peace -- not to mention the dog! -- at
home. When Good Dogs Do Bad Things features an easy-to-use, four-part
behavior modification program to solve your dog's worst problems, shows
how to determine your dog's personality type so you can train more
effectively, and teaches step-by-step all of the basic training
commands. Offers proven prevention tips for more than 30 of the most
common problems, including barking, begging, biting, car chasing,
chewing, digging, and running away.
http://bn.bfast.com/booklink/click?sourceid=12475608&bfpid=0316790125

The Ultimate Guide to Dog Training: How to Bring out the Best in Your
Pet By: Mordecai Siegal Matthew Margolis
Our Price: $10.80
Retail Price: $12.00
The Ultimate Guide to Dog Training covers everything from housebreaking
a pet to curbing a dog's tendency to chew everything in sight. Drawing
on Margolis's own extensive experiences with dogs and their owners, it
presents step-by-step instructions and suggests essential behavioral
modifications human trainers can follow as well.
http://bn.bfast.com/booklink/click?sourceid=12475608&bfpid=0684856468

Dog Facts By: Joan Palmer Helen Douglas-Cooper (Editor) John Francis
(Illustrator) David Kemp (Illustrator) Wayne Ford (Illustrator) Ray
Hutchins (Illustrator) Sally Launder (Illustrator) Elly King
(Illustrator) Designed by Hazel Edington
Our Price: $9.98
From the Publisher
Are dogs really "man's best friend?" When, where and how did the
Rottweiler originate--and after what is it named? Which breed of dog
yodels, rather than barks? In Dog Facts, you'll find the answers to
these and hundreds of similarly intriguing questions. The result is a
treasure trove of instantly accessible information that will appeal to
dog-lovers everywhere.
http://bn.bfast.com/booklink/click?sourceid=12475608&bfpid=0880296844


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FEATURED SITE
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PetPlace
PetPlace.com is the definitive online resource for pet news, health and
well being. The site combines the expert knowledge and unending passion
of the world’s top veterinarians and animal hospitals with cutting-edge
web technology to create both an education and support system for all
pet owners. PetPlace.com is dedicated to increasing your bond with your
pet by providing the means to help your best friend live a longer,
happier and healthier life.
http://www.petplace.com


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PRODUCT NEWS, REVIEWS, AND COUPONS
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Dog Bowls and Feeders
Information compiled by PETsMART.com staff and PETsMART Inc. experts.

You certainly have a choice when it comes to food and water bowls for
your dog.

Quick Tips

Stainless Steel Bowls
Stainless steel bowls are durable, long-lasting and are great if your
dog tends to nibble on her bowl! They are easy to clean and are the
easiest to sanitize, which is why they are the choice of many
veterinarians.

Ceramic Bowls
Ceramic bowls and crocks are good for dogs that like to move their bowls
around. Since ceramic is the heaviest of materials used for feeding
bowls, your dog will eat her food without moving across the floor at the
same time. These bowls are very durable and long lasting. Because they
are very porous, it is critical that they be cleaned and sanitized
daily. It is recommended that a cracked ceramic dish be replaced because
it is likely to harbor bacteria in the cracks.

Plastic Bowls
Plastic bowls come in a variety of colors and are lightweight,
unbreakable, and economical. Plastic bowls are not for dogs that tend to
chew on their bowls, as small fragments of plastic could be chewed off
and swallowed.

Weighted Bowls
If your dog can't stop tipping over the water bowl, try a weighted bowl,
or one that is wider at the bottom. We can't guarantee that your dog
won't outsmart the bowl, but it just might slow him down and take some
of the fun out of tipping it over all the time!

Bowls For Long-Eared Dogs
Basset Hounds, Cocker Spaniels, Afghans, and other long-eared dogs have
a unique problem. These dogs have difficulty with their ears falling
into their food while they eat. Food bowls that are deeper and have a
narrower opening allow the ears to hang to each side of the bowl instead
of falling inside the bowl.

Heated Bowls
Heated bowls are especially nice for dogs that spend time outside in
cold climates. It is critical that a dog have access to fresh water at
all times, even in the coldest of weather. Heated bowls keep the water
from freezing, and your dog isn't dependent on you to break the ice so
they can drink.

Self-Feeders and Waterers
Self-feeders and waters are handy for the owner, who is gone for most of
the day or even overnight. These types of bowls are best for dogs that
are fed "free choice," meaning that there is always food available for
the dog to eat at any time. If your dog enjoys feeding "free choice",
and you don't want your dog to have to depend on you to replenish the
supply of food, then consider using a self-feeder. However, if your dog
tends to gobble up all his food just because it's there, then a
self-feeder is not for your dog since this behavior could lead to
obesity.