What is That Smell?

In the past, dog odors were never a problem. Generally, the dog was kept outside except in extreme weather conditions. Now, most owners keep their pets inside, allowing them on the furniture and in the beds. A stinky pooch can be a big problem. Not only is odor bothersome and often repulsive to the family, it can also be a sign that your dog is having troubles with his health. If your pooch reeks, then you need to get to the bottom of the smell.

The first step of getting to the bottom of the smell is obvious: has your pooch rolled and played in a foul-smelling substance? It is not uncommon for a dog to take a bath in feces, trash, or the muddy yard. Many experts believe that a dog’s tendency to roll in smelly substances is his way of covering up his natural odor. So, if he were to hunt prey in the wild (or prey were hunting him), his doggy odor wouldn’t give him away. Other experts, and owners alike, think it’s out of enjoyment. If you have ever witnessed your dog rolling around, you’ve probably noticed how happy he was about it. If your pet likes to roll around, then you may need to give him an extra bath or two. Don’t overdo it, though, because excessive bathing will dry out his skin. Typically, one bath per month is acceptable; but, an extra stinky pet may need more. Just make sure that you use a conditioning shampoo and completely rinsing it out of his fur.

If your pet hasn’t been applying his favorite perfume, then you need to figure out exactly where the odor is coming from. First, take a whiff of his ears. Ear infections and wax buildup can cause seriously smelly ears. To prevent infections, clean out your pooch’s ears once a week. If an infection is already present (the ears may be red or swollen with black specks or discharge), then head straight to your veterinarian. Your pup’s ears may be sore or painful, so let the vet take care of the initial cleaning.

The next place to check is his mouth. Open your pooch’s mouth and let him breathe on you. Dog breath is normal, but a strange odor can be a result of a number of problems. Gum disease, ulcers, diabetes, and stomach or gastrointestinal problems can all be causes of smelly breath. If the odor is coming from your pooch’s mouth, then take him to the veterinarian. Your vet can decide whether he needs a good teeth brushing or if something more serious is causing the odor.

Once the ears and mouth have checked out okay, it’s time to check his coat. Mats and tangles can trap dirt and other smelly substances against your dog’s skin. Your dog also releases a smell when he “sweats.” Sometimes, the smell coming from his paw pads may not be agreeable to humans. Give him a good brushing, followed by a bath. If the odor is still present, then keep checking. Allergies and mange can lead to skin infections that also smell. If your pooch is scratching, then look closely at his skin. If it is irritated or hair is missing, then, once again, go visit your veterinarian to find the cause of the irritation.

The final causes you should consider have to do with your pet’s behind. First of all, is it gas? Animals get gas just like humans. However, if your animal seems to be in pain or the gas persists longer than a few hours, he needs to be checked out by the vet. Flatulents can also be a sign of a stomach problem. Second, is your dog having a problem with his anal glands? The anal glands, or sacs, are responsible for releasing a smelly substance when your dog does his business. They also release an unpleasant odor if your dog becomes overanxious or frightened. Sometimes, the sacs can get infected or impacted, causing pain for your pooch. Let your vet decide if the sacs are a problem, and instruct you on what you can do to help.

There are a number of reasons your dog may stink. If the cause of the odor is not obvious, then you will have to do some investigating. Sniff around certain areas of his body to find the cause. The ears, mouth, skin, and anus can all produce foul smells. If your pooch is odorous for a non-obvious reason, then visit your veterinarian. There may be an underlying health problem.

This article was provided by pet-super-store.com an online pet shop featuring the latest in rugged Aluminum Dog Crates and luxurious wooden pet gates.

How to Stop Your Dog From "Marking"

Dogs mark for a variety of reasons. If your pooch is marking a tree or two, then you probably don’t mind it much. However, if your pooch has resorted to marking inside your home, then you probably want to stop the behavior. Before you can stop the behavior, you’ve got to get to the bottom of the marking. Once you figure out why your dog is marking, you can implement an anti-marking plan.

First off, make sure the marking isn’t a problem with housetraining. Even a fully housetrained dog can experience a relapse. To tell the difference between marking and a housetraining problem, look at the “accident.” Animals normally do not mark with feces, so feces in your home may require additional housetraining. Also, consider your pooch’s schedule. If you are away from the home all day, then he may just not be able to hold it. Try to have someone stop by your home and let your dog out during the day. If the indoor urination ceases, then you can blame the problem on a full bladder! If you are unable to let your dog out during the day, then you may have to go back to crate training.

Since dogs like to spray to get the word out about their mating availability, have your pooch spayed or neutered. Spaying and neutering are great ways to stop mating urination. If your adult pet has not been spayed or neutered, then the procedure may not completely stop the problem; often, if a dog gets accustomed to marking, then it becomes a habit. Still have your pet spayed or neutered, then take additional steps to stop the marking.

If your pet is marking his territory, then it’s a good idea to try to keep him away from other animals. A dog that watches a stray through the window all day will be more likely to urinate in your home as a way to protect his space. Try keeping your pooch confined to a specific area when you are away, preferably a place where other animals can’t bother him. If he is marking because of another animal inside the home, then you need to take necessary steps to make peace between the animals. There is a ton of information on the Internet about how to go about this dilemma.

When your pooch marks as a way to establish familiarity, then the best thing you can do is to not allow him access to unfamiliar objects. For instance, if a stranger stops by for a short visit or a long stay, then keep the stranger’s belongings away from your dog. Place bags and purses in out-of-reach areas. If the person is staying overnight, then keep his or her bedroom inaccessible to your pet. The same is true with a new family member: keep the belongings out of reach until your dog gets accustomed to the new person. In order to help your pet cope with the newness, have the person help in feeding, exercising, and playing with your pet. Your pooch will welcome the new person into the home once he gets accustomed to the change.

If your pet soils your home, then you need to take care of the mess immediately, because your pet will use the same spot again. Clean the area thoroughly, removing any odors. A good way to make the area less attractive to your pooch is to start playing with him or feeding him in the places he likes to urinate. He’ll soon be turned off by the idea of urinating in his dining area. If your pet starts to circle or sniff out the spot that he has used before, distract him from the area and take him outside immediately. The same is true if he starts to urinate in your home: stop him abruptly, and take him outside. Give him a treat for urinating outdoors.

If your pet is urinating all over your home, then you have a problem. There are many reasons why a pet may mark his territory. In order to stop the marking, you must be able to identify the cause. Common causes include outdoor animals, other pets, strangers, and new additions to the family. If your pet urinates inside your home, it is important that you clean the spot right away. In order to correct the behavior, you must interrupt your pet and show him the proper place to do his business.

This article was provided by pet-super-store.com an online pet shop featuring the latest in rugged Aluminum Dog Crates and luxurious wooden dog gates.

Transport Dog Crates for Travel With Your Dog

An alarming number of dogs and other pets become injured, lost, or even die on board an airplane when traveling in transport dog crates. Compared to the number of successful animals transported from one location to another via the airlines, this number is low. But dog enthusiasts and breeders routinely fly their dogs in transport dog crates or pet travel carriers without having any trouble at all. The airlines claim to make every effort possible that dogs that travel on-board will be perfectly safe.

Simply because thousands and thousands of pets are safely transferred from one destination to another via the airlines, does not mean that dog owners do not need to take responsible precautionary measures to ensure the safety of their family pet. After all, it only takes one incident to change your life forever when your dog becomes seriously injured or dies because of a lack of preparation on your part.

The first thing to consider is whether your dog needs to travel at all. The second thing is whether your dog needs to travel by airplane, or whether dog transport via train or car is a possibility.

It is essential before proceeding with any type of dog transport, to take your dog to your vet for a complete checkup to ensure that there are no medical conditions that might be aggravated by any type of travel, or confinement for a number of hours in transport dog crates or pet carriers for small pets.

If the trip will take a few hours, try not to have your dog travel during the heat of the day. An early morning or an evening flight will be far more comfortable for your dog so as to avoid hot weather. If cold weather is the issue, then the middle of the day is fine, and in fact preferable.

Puppies, in particular, are likely to suffer from stress or anxiety if put into transport dog crates in the cargo area of the plane. Unless your puppy is already very large, it is really important to ensure that if flying is your only option, that you will be permitted to bring him with you in the passenger compartment.

Not all dogs can easily cope with the experience of being locked up in transport dog crates and placed in the cargo hold during an airplane ride. Every dog owner knows what his or her dog's personality is like. Trust your gut instincts on whether or not you think your dog can handle the flight.

If you anticipate that there is any possibility that your dog will suffer from separation anxiety whilst in the cargo part of the airplane, investigate the possibility of treating him with a course of natural anti-anxiety treatments. Discuss this option with your vet. If your dog is prone to anxiety, your vet may even suggest that your dog be sedated. This is a last resort measure, but you should be guided by your vet's advice, particularly if your vet knows your dog well and is making this recommendation.

Will you be traveling with your dog? Find out about transport dog crates and other types of dog transport utilities.