Pheromones are chemical substances secreted by an animal that influence the behavior of other animals of the same species. Unlike other hormones, pheromones are secreted externally and influence other animals, typically by smell. In this case, pheromones may play a very important role in animal behavior. In dogs, pheromones probably influence group integration and are a factor in fighting and general aggressiveness. Some theorys suggest that dogs release pheromones in urine and feces, and perhaps through exhaled breath, subcutaneous glands at the base of the tail and the foot pads. This would tend to explain why aggressive, fighting dogs are often compulsive urine sniffers and urine markers, and why they become less aggressive when sniffing and urine marking are not allowed by their owners.
Pheromones may act as a trigger or primer for certain types of behavior. This case is typical of many wherein a dog appears to sense, by smell, another dog that may be perceived as a threat. Also typical among some vicious biting dogs is the need to brand a strange territory with their own pheromones before launching an attack. Some take place even when the biting dogs were on their home territory. Remedial programs include restricting urination of the problem dog to a single area of his own yard. This tends to lower the aggressiveness, as well as reduce the incidence of household urination.
DogandMaster.com
dogandmaster on April 15th 2007 in Dog Behaviour, Dog Health
“Who is walking whom?” This question pops into my mind whenever I see owners being dragged down the street by their dogs. Leash pulling usually becomes a complaint only after a large dog has finally succeeding in pulling its owners off their feet, with resultant injury or embarrassment.
Most cases of leash pulling involve dogs that have accommodated to the discomfort of a choke chain, pinch collar or even a leather collar. Some of them cease pulling only long enough to cough, some even regurgitate or take a few deep breaths, then continue struggling forward.
Most dog owners have no idea that their frustrated leash-pulling dog might actually suffer physical injury during their daily tug-of-war. However, in a Swedish study by the noted behaviorist Anders Hallgren, of 400 dog owners who agreed to have their dog’s spines X-rayed, 63% were found to have spinal injuries. Of the inured dogs with neck (cervical) injuries, 91% had experience harsh jerks on the leash or were serious leash strainers! Among aggressive or overactive dogs, 78% had spinal injuries.
DogandMaster.com
dogandmaster on March 6th 2007 in Dog First Aid, Dog Health, Dog Training
When dogs lie down in their normal position, the major portion of their weight is supported by their elbows, especially when on hard surfaces. With the passage of sufficient time, and as your dog gets older, the hair covering the elbows disappears as the constant pressure destroys the local hair follicles. In response to this same pressure the skin undergoes hyperkeratinization, a thickening and toughening process, and callouses are formed.
A similar process can take place in the skin covering the hock joints, but this is less frequent. The rate at which these callouses form is directly proportional to the size and weight of your dog. They are rarely seen in Chihuahuas or other toy breeds, regardless of age, but occur with great frequency in German shepherds, Dobermans, Newfoundlands, Great Danes, and most other giant breeds as early as five years of age.
As a rule they cause no problems. If they seem inordinately dry or hard, gently rubbing in a small amount of white petrolatum ointment once or twice a week should keep them soft enough to avoid any difficulties. Once in a while they do get so hard that they start to crack, developing raw fistulas which readily become infected. Your dog will lick at them and compound the problem by irritating the skin. When callouses reach this stage, they need prompt veterinary attention.
DogandMaster.com
dogandmaster on February 20th 2007 in Dog First Aid, Dog Health
Yes, believe it or not, dogs can develop them just as a person can. Canine acne can pop up on your dog’s face, chin, or lower lip. It appears like small black spots that, if not washed regularly, may turn into crusty patches that cake and bleed.
Your dog won’t worry about acne preventing him from getting a date, but he may be bothered if the acne builds up. He may try to scratch it off with his toenails, causing the area to bleed and possibly turn raw. Dogs with oily skin are more susceptible to getting acne than their drier-skinned counterparts, and a dog’s food bowl may be part of the problem. Here are a few dog acne prevention tips:
1. Keep your dog’s chin clean and free of the unsightly blemishes by washing it with a soft cloth and warm water once or twice a day. If the area has begun to bleed, wash it with some hydrogen peroxide on a cotton ball to fight infection.
2. A way to help your dog from developing zits or to keep a current case of it from getting worse is to avoid plastic food bowls. Plastic bowls retain oils that add to your dog’s acne problem, as his chin rubs against the bowl when he’s busy snarfing down dinner. Replace those oil-ridden plastic bowls with aluminum, glass, or lead-free pottery and china bowls.
3. Wash you dog’s food bowls daily with a mild dish detergent to remove oily deposits.
DogandMaster.com
dogandmaster on January 2nd 2007 in Dog Health
