Category: Pets

In general, a dog’s cone can usually be removed seven days after surgery but depends on several factors, says Dr.Natalie Isaza DVM, and owner of Access Veterinary Services  in Florida. “First and foremost, follow your veterinarian’s instructions before removing the cone,” she says.

When to take cone off dog after neuter: What to consider

Although it’s tempting to take the cone off early because your dog may not like it around his neck, removing it too early can cause more harm than help. Before removing your dog’s cone after his surgery, ask yourself this series of questions to see if your dog is ready:

• Does your dog tend to lick at his skin even when there has been no surgery?
• Does the incision site look red and inflamed?
• Is there a discharge from the surgery site?
• Are the stitches visible or “buried” under the skin? Dogs enjoy chewing on stitches.

If any of these are true, leave the cone on longer, Dr. Isaza says. And if there is any sign of infection, contact your vet immediately as your sweet boy might need an antibiotic.

Taking cone off dog after neuter: Care tips

When you decide your dog is ready, check off these steps to manage his new cone-free lifestyle.

• Monitor closely for the next few hours.
• If your dog appears depressed or lethargic, this might indicate an infection.
• If he licks or bothers the surgical site, put the cone back on, and contact your veterinarian for further instructions.

Why is a cone important after neuter?

The thick plastic design prevents licking or injury. Some dogs acclimate beautifully and others not so much. Highly energetic dogs often dislike the restriction. Some opaque plastics interfere with vision and can cause panic, she says.

“There are other alternatives to an Elizabethan collar (a cone) that may be better,” says Dr. Isaza. Ask your vet about options like an inflatable donut worn around the neck or a BiteNot Pet Collar.

Following your vet’s instructions to the “T” is always the plumb line alongside careful monitoring of the surgery site that determines when to remove your friend’s cone.

When training a mixed breed dog find out what motivates him. Rewards vary, but all dogs respond to food. Experiment! Add some breed-specific enrichment when possible and leave room in your routine for his personality to shine.

Teach your mixed breed dog basic cues such as:

And to really know a cue, your dog should generalize that cue to different environments with various levels of distractions. For example, your dog should be able to sit in your living room as well as he does at the vet’s office or outside on a walk.

Breed-specific dog training

An at-home DNA kit makes a great and easy way to determine your dog’s breeds. The results help with challenges you may face in training. Research your dog’s breeds to find out which behaviors you might see and what type of training or cues you may need to focus more on.

For example, Beagles, Siberian Huskies, Dachshunds, Yorkshire Terriers and Weimaraners have the reputation for being stubborn, so you need to be more patient and more creative with your efforts. Chihuahuas and Pit Bulls, for different reasons, need extensive socialization. Australian Shepherds need to be given a job to do or they will find one that you may not approve of.

Does dog breed affect behavior?

Although breed can impact your dog’s predispositions for certain behaviors, there isn’t a single gene that causes any given behavior because environment — beginning at conception — largely influences behavior.

Some predispositions include certain breeds needing more mental stimulation than others. Terriers love to hunt. Border Collies and Australian Shepherds love to herd. German Shepherds and Belgian Malinois enjoy protection work and scent work. On the other hand, brachycephalic (short-snouted) dogs, such as English and French Bulldogs, Pugs and Pekingese, should avoid activities or sports that can cause them to overheat. Research the types of dogs that make up your mixed breed as it can guide  you to the types of activities your dog might be into.

Dog breed personalities

While breed type can influence behavior, it doesn’t guarantee it, so let your dog tell you what he likes. Not all retrievers like to retrieve, and not all Labradors love water. Provide lots of opportunities, and let the biscuits fall where they may.

Explore enrichment activities to see what your dog enjoys and what could be used as rewards, especially if you’re having behavior issues or are stuck in your training. Lack of stimulation and exercise cause most behavioral problems, so ensure your dog gets enough of both. And, all dogs love to explore the world through their noses, so start with scent-work activities.

Enrichment ideas for mixed breed dogs:

Ultimately, training a mixed breed equates to training a purebred and breed is only a starting point for training. Every dog is an individual, and training should prioritize his unique needs. Work with what your dog shows you and what you observe, not necessarily what certain breeds should and shouldn’t be doing.

Gone are the days of strict obedience dog training, so unless you aspire to compete in obedience, relax. Cues like sit, come and manners are important, but first, you need to establish a solid foundation. This includes teaching your dog to exist harmoniously with you and your family and fit comfortably into our human-centered world.

How do we do this?

Here are 5 dog training tips for beginners to point you (and your dog) in a zen-like direction:

Become versed in dog speak

Dogs are nonverbal, constantly communicating how they feel and what they want and need. So, understanding dog body language is key to not only building a solid relationship, but also to being successful in any training, sport or activity you do together.

Focus on enrichment and meeting your dog’s needs

Let your dog be a dog! Most behavior issues stem from boredom or lack of stimulation and exercise. Enrichment is meeting your animal’s species-specific needs by providing varied and optimal opportunities to engage in natural behaviors. Dogs love to sniff, dig, forage, chew, etc. Give your dog ample enrichment opportunities (breed-specific when possible) to keep her happy and content.

Discover what motivates your dog

Each dog is an individual. Since learning and behavior change are based on reinforcement, have fun playing detective, discovering what drives your dog. Create a food “ladder” by ranking foods your dog likes and those he loves; the idea is to have a ready-to-go chart of various levels of his favorite foods, a wow-factor for him each time you offer the food. Use lower-rung foods for easier training requests and graduate to higher rung foods for more challenging tasks. Break out the super snacks for the toughest gigs. Remember, it’s just food: experiment with dog-safe fruits, veggies, cheese balls, any type of treat he might like. Adjust meal portions accordingly (treats add calories to your dog’s daily food intake!) and avoid foods that are toxic to dogs.

Reminder: Don’t free feed, or offer unlimited amounts of food all day without a schedule. Not only does it compromise a powerful motivator, but it can lead to overeating and obesity.

Aside from food motivators, include praise and play when working your way up your food ladder!

Manage your dog’s environment

Set up your dog for success. Getting into the trash? Buy a covered can or put it in a closet. Counter surfing? Don’t leave things in reach. Shy dog? Don’t bring her to crowded events. Create environments and situations your dog can handle — don’t throw her in the deep end of the pool.

Reflect and rephrase. Instead of asking, “How do I stop my dog from digging in the garden?” ask, “How can I get my dog to dig in only appropriate places?” Hint: Read out article to find out how. This gives you something to train (win-win) rather than setting you up to punish your dog (always a lose-lose).

Be patient

Learning new behaviors (and changing existing ones!) is complicated — don’t expect your dog to “get it” immediately. Sociologists say it takes 21 days on average for humans to form a new habit, so expect to put in at least a few weeks teaching your dog new stuff. Sure, she might learn sit in one or two quick sessions, but it’s a whole different ball game for her to generalize or know that sit means sit no matter where she is, what else is going on around her or who is around.

Start small, work tall. Don’t expect middle school-level mastery if you’re putting in grade school effort. Again, set her up for success and break your training up into smaller steps when necessary.

If your work feels challenging, contact a qualified professional rewards-based trainer. Support and guidance go a long way for your dog and minimize frustration for you. Laugh, celebrate little victories and expect things will be wonky sometimes. Mistakes are an integral part of learning for both you and your dog. Find a rhythm and have fun!

You may have heard dogs born in 2020 called pandemic puppies or dogs. These dogs developed behavioral issues related to growing up on lockdown. If this describes your dog, he may need help navigating a world outside COVID lockdown, since he did not get to socialize with other dogs during that important formative time. This resulted in adult dogs who struggle with socialization, overreactivity and separation-related issues.

What is a pandemic dog?

Commonly known as “pandemic puppies,” these young dogs were brought into homes during the height of the pandemic and beyond. Similar to the groupings of a human generation label (i.e., Gen X or Gen Z), the timeline of pandemic puppies is a bit fuzzy but generally considered to be between March and December 2020.

According to Frontiers in Veterinary Science, online searches for both cats and dogs topped out in April and May of 2020, for dogs this began to decrease in July and returned to average (compared with 2019) by the end of 2020. The ASPCA estimates 1 in 5 households adopted either a cat or dog during spring and winter of 2020 and 90% of these dogs remain in those homes.

Pandemic dogs socialization issues

Generation P’s biggest problems stem from lack of proper socialization. Right alongside us, pandemic puppies lived very sheltered lives for a year or longer. Therefore, they didn’t get the necessary exposure and experiences to help navigate new situations confidently.

Socialization remains one of the simplest yet most complex components of dog behavior — it’s also arguably the most important. In short, canine socialization is the process of acclimating dogs to live comfortably with other humans and dogs, places, objects and activities.

Dogs have very definitive points in their development where socialization takes place. The general estimate for this developmental window is between 3 to 16 weeks where dogs’ brains are the most receptive to novelty. Proper socialization involves distinctly positive experiences, or potentially negative experiences turned into positive experiences. In short, no negative experiences and a wealth of stellar ones. But Generation P’s flat-out lack of many of these experiences has led to fear and anxiety when faced with newness.

So how do you expose your fearful dog to new things? Don’t throw your dog into the deep end of the pool! Be her emotional support human and hold her paw while she learns to navigate new things in life, whether it’s meeting new dogs, people or experiencing new things. Always work to create positive associations and set her up for success.

Pandemic dog socialization do’s

• Take it slow and do not overwhelm. One new thing at a time.
• Brush up on dog body language so you know if your dog’s feeling it or not.
• Always allow your dog the choice to opt out of anything at any time.
• Go at her pace — never force her.
• Don’t lead (or drag!) her to any new thing or situation. Allow her to approach if/when she’s ready.
• Give her time and space to figure things out.
• Support her choices. Praise, play and treats help make positive associations

Pandemic dog socialization don’ts

• Never force interactions.
• Don’t break trust by forcing it. Always be willing to let it go and let her opt out.
• Never scold or otherwise punish your dog for her reactions to new things and risk making it worse or breaking trust.
• Avoid trying to do too much at once or too much too soon. One experience/dog/human/activity at a time!
• Dogs are always communicating, so don’t ignore her efforts to tell you how she’s feeling about any given situation.

Finally, take time to consider whether what you’re asking of your dog is truly necessary. For example, most dogs actually don’t want to be social butterflies once they depart puppydom. Focus on what helps your dog and family feel the most comfortable and at ease and start there. So, if separation-related issues are the top priority, hone in on that first and table the other issues for now. Working together and making improvements is sustainable for the long haul.

How to socialize a pandemic dog with other dogs

Although you can’t “redo” socialization, you can help to minimize your dog’s overreactivity, stress and fear.

Don’t force the issue or allow your dog to rehearse, or practice, undesirable behavior:

• barking
• lunging
• growling
• snapping
• biting

Distance is your BFF when looking to expose your dog to other dogs in a positive way. Follow these dog dog socialization steps:

• Choose neutral territory that’s safely contained.
• Minimize most (ideally all) distractions.
• Start with dogs on short leashes from as far away as necessary where your dog is interested, but not overreacting.
• Carefully gauge body language as you slowly decrease the space between them.
• If either dog shows signs of stress, stop and retreat.
• Try again if dogs are calm.
• If not, try a different day or a different dog.
• If all is well, drop the leashes, but keep them on a bit in case you need to act quickly.
• Keep interactions short and sweet. End on positive note.

If your dog can’t handle being in an enclosed space with another dog without being overreactive, call in a pro for help with proper desensitization techniques.

Pandemic dogs: separation-related Issues

We all got used to hanging out with each other, and only each other, for many months, and in some cases well over a year. So, when people with pets began returning to work (or worked from home but returned to socializing themselves), our puppies-turned-adolescents were left alone for the first time in well, forever. Even adult dogs and resident dogs pre-COVID were used to us being home with them 24/7. Then we weren’t.

As many of us returned to more normal lives after lockdown, our dogs were simply left alone. As a result, many of these dogs developed separation-related behaviors such as:

• Barking or howling
• Inappropriate chewing
• House soiling
• Panting, pacing, drooling
• Destructive behaviors

These behaviors may subside about 15 to 20 minutes after you leave, or things could be more serious and be full-blown separation anxiety. Separation anxiety for dogs is often used as a catch-all phrase for problems when dogs are left alone. However, true separation anxiety is a much more serious problem, which can be likened to a panic attack in humans. It likely needs the help of a professional trainer and even your vet, because medications may be part of the treatment plan.

Management strategies for separation-related issues include desensitizing your dog to your absence and teaching and reinforcing calm behaviors when you’re home. This includes while you’re getting ready to leave, which can often trigger dogs to the fact you’re about to leave. Follow these steps to help with dog separation-related issues at home:

• Be sure your dog gets enough physical and mental stimulation each day. You have hobbies, devices, friends, work, etc. Your dog only has you. Fill up her life with the good stuff so she’s content.
• Break up the day. Come home for lunch or arrange for someone to pay a visit for playtime and petting while you’re gone.
• Minimize disturbances. Close the blinds, leave the TV on. Prevent your dog from being stressed by outside things (unless your dog likes gazing out into the backyard or lying in beams of sunlight on the floor).
• There’s an app for that. Many apps help you monitor, talk to, treat and even interact with your dog while you’re away.

Dogs do not “get back at us” for leaving them or act out of spite or anger. Separation-related behaviors are usually directly related to the stress, anxiety and even fear your dog feels when you leave.

Pandemic dogs: When to bring in the pros

Getting knowledgeable and educated professionals on board with your dog’s care supplements any dog’s well-being. This is especially true for pandemic dogs.

If you suspect separation anxiety, consult with professionals. These professionals include a veterinarian, trainer, and pet sitter, as well as a Certified Separation Anxiety Trainer (CSAT).

Choosing an experienced, credentialed, rewards-based, force-free trainer makes all the difference. You can find one in your area by searching Pet Professional Guild (PPG) , Certification Council for Professional Dog Trainers (CCPDT) or the International Association of Animal Behavior Consultants (IAABC).

Visits to the veterinarian help your pandemic dog, especially if you can find a Fear Free Certified vet clinic. Fear Free Certified vet clinics and other Fear Free Certified professionals, such as trainers, groomers, dog walkers and now boarding facilities, are trained and required to maintain continuing education in helping alleviate stress, fear and anxiety that generally comes with these experiences. We all use at least one of these services, so this is a simple way to help support your dog’s emotional and behavioral health.

Your dog didn’t develop her issues overnight, and she won’t get over them overnight, either. It boils down to this: You both needed each other during the pandemic and while you love your dog, she probably needs you now more than ever. You may not have your Dream Dog but with support, patience and lots of love you can both be living the dream together.

If you have a puppy, you’re probably wondering if it’s normal for him to poop several times a day.

The answer is yes. Puppies poop a lot because they eat a lot.

How many times a day should a puppy poop?

Puppies can poop four to five times a day on average, says Dr. Mondrian Contreras, of Carol Stream Animal Hospital in Illinois.

“Amount and frequency of puppy poop is usually due to how much they eat, which is due to their growth rate,” says Dr. Contreras. “Puppies are growing so much and so fast, which means their gastrointestinal tract is also developing, so food is processed much more quickly.”

He says nutritional content also plays a role in the amount of stool production, so some diets with certain fiber types produce more and larger stools.

Puppies have different dietary requirements and generally require more calcium and phosphorus, and as a rule, a higher calorie requirement than an adult dog of a similar size.

How long after a puppy eats do they poop?

Puppies usually poop about five to 30 minutes after eating, says Dr. Contreras, which puts a particular emphasis on timing during potty training.

“This is due to the pup’s developing GI tract and their nervous system (gastro-colic reflex), which kicks the colon into high gear,” he says.

What should puppy poop look like?

Normal puppy poop should be formed and solid enough to pick up off the ground without it smudging, but soft enough that you can easily smooth it with your hands. Looks brown in color and doesn’t have any blood, mucus or black-tar consistency.

“Puppies who have watery stools may have absorption issues while those with small, dry, hard stools may be dehydrated,” he says. “White specks in stool may indicate parasite infection, while blood or black stool may indicate a bleeding issue.”

If your puppy’s stools have recently changed in shape, color, smell or consistency — or if they show any GI symptoms such as straining to poop, scooting or licking their hind-end excessively, talk with your vet.

Note that as dogs get older, they typically poop less. But their diet dictates the size of their stools since some dogs eat meals higher in non-digestible fibers, which creates much larger stool sizes.

Poop says a lot about puppy health, so keep an eye on it and see your vet if you notice anything unusual.

Want to paw through more articles on puppies? Check out Why Isn’t My Puppy Eating.

Deep chested dogs who look narrow from above but have a lot of space between their backbone and sternum are more prone to bloat, says Dr. Kizzy English, medical director at VCA Urgent Care in Colorado.

Top dog breeds prone to bloat include:

What is dog bloat and why does it happen?

Bloat happens when a dog’s stomach fills with gas or food and stretches to the point of causing severe pain. When this happens, the stomach bloats but also twists, which can cut off blood supply and prevent any gas or food from exiting, Dr. English explains. A twisted stomach is an emergency situation requiring surgical intervention.

“We know some things increase the risk, but there’s no definite answer for why some dogs bloat, and others do not,” says Dr. English. “Some factors that may increase the chances of bloating are: getting older, eating too quickly, exercising immediately after eating or having a family history of bloat.”

Dogs prone to bloat: signs and symptoms

Know what warning signs to look for because bloat requires immediate medical care.

Signs of bloat in dogs include:

• your dog’s belly suddenly appears large or hard
• your dog is trying to vomit but nothing is coming out
• Your dog shows signs of pain, indicating that it’s important to seek medical care as soon as possible.

A veterinarian will order an X-ray or ultrasound to figure out how severe the condition is and the next steps. Treatment typically includes medications or fluids to reduce the pressure. For a twisted stomach, surgery is necessary.

Top dog breeds prone to bloat: prevention

If you have a large or deep-chested breed prone to bloat, a surgical procedure called a gastropexy, which tacks the stomach to the body wall to prevent twisting, is often recommended at the same time as a spay, neuter or other surgical procedure.

To learn more about bloat in dogs, read our article What is Bloat and is it a True Emergency?

If you’ve seen pups playing you can’t miss the dog play bow: butt in the air, elbows and maybe even the chest on the ground, loose tail, smiling face, maybe a lolling tongue and probably a shimmy from side to side. Everything about this fun pose shouts, “I’m up for fun, let’s play!”

Dogs play bow for a number of reasons:

1. Let’s play. Dogs often communicate to other dogs in this way to let them know “everything’s cool, let’s be friends and play together.” They may also play bow when asking us to play! And if the play stops, they might assume another play bow to reignite the festivities.
2. Friendly greeting. A play bow is friendly, so some dogs may choose to greet a new dog with a play bow, giving off “it’s OK, I’m a nice guy” vibes. Especially if the new dog seems unsure or even tense a play bow communicates chill vibes and can help diffuse a potentially tense encounter.

Because of its loose and appeasing appearance, play bows may be helpful for dogs who as puppies missed out on learning appropriate communication skills during the critical socialization periods.

3. Time out. Since so much of play includes body language that seems aggressive (such as chasing, barking, tumbling) a pause and a play bow can communicate a reset, functioning as a self-imposed timeout.
4. Keep calm. Play bows can also be calming signals, so you may see a play bow to keep the peace. In these scenarios the play bow might be much more static compared to the bouncy to and fro of the play bow specifically intent on inciting play.

Dogs aren’t the only animals to engage in this fun posture: Foxes, coyotes, and even wolves are known to use this signal for communicating they’d like to frolic.

Dog play bows are a good thing. Next time you see your dog or other dogs playing, wait for it.  And if you see your dog waving his butt in the air like he just don’t care, seize the opportunity for some energized one-on-one playtime!

Stacy Nordstrom

Stacy Nordstrom is an award-winning freelance writer and technical editor who specializes in pet, music, and technology topics. Her articles have appeared in Catster, CAT FANCY, and Cats USA, among other publications. Stacy lives in Southern California with a sweet 12-year-old Cocker Spaniel/Labrador mix named Maggie and a 17-year-old gray shorthair cat named Mollie. You can find Stacy on Instagram at @stacy_m_nordstrom, where she posts pictures of her garden, sunsets, sailing adventures, and her pets being cute.

Carbon monoxide does not have a smell, color or taste, but it is highly toxic to dogs. This harmful gas can cause poisoning in our canine companions and lead to life-threatening symptoms. The sooner pet parents notice the signs and seek treatment for their pets, the better.

Signs of carbon monoxide poisoning in dogs

Carbon monoxide poisoning in dogs causes a variety of symptoms. The most characteristic manifests as bright red discoloration of the skin and gums. All signs of carbon monoxide poisoning in dogs include:

• Bright red discoloration of skin and gums
• Decreased energy
• Drowsiness
• Vomiting
• Behavioral changes, such as aggression
• Weakness or collapse
• Incoordination or stumbling
• High heart rate
• Difficulty breathing
• Tremors or seizures
• Death

Carbon monoxide poisoning rates as especially problematic for dogs with pre-existing conditions, such as heart or respiratory diseases. These dogs can develop severe symptoms very quickly, even with low levels of exposure.

Causes of carbon monoxide poisoning in dogs

Dogs can be exposed to carbon monoxide from a few different sources. Gas appliances, such as water heaters, stoves and furnaces may leak this toxic gas if they are not working properly. Space heaters can also be problematic, especially if they are used in small, enclosed rooms without adequate ventilation. Car exhaust contains carbon monoxide and may be breathed in by dogs left in the garage while a car is running. Additionally, many dogs diagnosed with smoke inhalation following a house fire suffer from carbon monoxide poisoning.

Treatment for carbon monoxide poisoning in dogs

If your dog has been exposed to carbon monoxide, move him to an area with fresh air immediately. Once in a safe place, contact your veterinarian for guidance.

Dogs exposed to carbon monoxide will receive supplemental oxygen at the veterinary hospital. Many dogs need to be placed inside a hyperbaric oxygen chamber. This is a pressurized enclosure filled with a high percentage of oxygen. It removes the carbon monoxide from the blood so that dogs can breathe better. Dogs with severe symptoms may need to be placed on a ventilator if they cannot breathe on their own.

Most dogs need hospitalization for several days for supportive care and monitoring. They are given intravenous fluids and other necessary medications for the symptoms they are experiencing, such as anticonvulsants for seizures or antinausea medications for vomiting.

Carbon monoxide poisoning in dogs: prevention

Although a serious concern for dogs, you can prevent carbon monoxide poisoning.

• Never leave your dogs in the garage while the car is running or in any enclosed area where gas appliances or heaters are located.
• Equip your home with functioning carbon monoxide detectors to catch gas leaks before levels in the home become dangerously high.

Seek veterinary care immediately

If you suspect your dog has been exposed to carbon monoxide, bring him to the veterinarian immediately. Early intervention is critical for a positive outcome and quick recovery.