Frequently Asked Questions
As dog owners and people who care deeply for animals and
wildlife, we wanted our Dog Encyclopedia to be a website that could
empower pet owners to create the most positive, loving
environment for their dogs. Dog Encyclopedia realizes that owning a
dog is like adding a new member to your family.
Here are some questions and
solutions to commonly asked questions by dog owners. If you need an
answer to a question please
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How Can I Help My Itchy Dog?
Q-I have a small half
Shih Tzu and
Poodle, about 12
pounds. He is 4 years old. He has itchy skin and scratches most of
the time. I have been using olive oil in his food. Is there any tick
and flea medication that I can use that will be better than the
Frontline? The Frontline makes him worse. Also, what kind of shampoo
do you recommend?
A-Skin problems in dogs are all too common, and it is so difficult to watch our
companions suffer. Remember,
talk to
your veterinarian about your dog's health conditions. Flea control is a must
ALL YEAR. A dermatologist I know recommends Revolution because it
covers much more than just fleas (but unfortunately not ticks). From
what I have heard and seen the product works. Frontline does not
work for my dog for fleas or ticks, but many dog owners swear by it.
Oral flea preventatives tend to be less effective, as the flea may
need to bite your dog for the product to work. As much as I love
natural remedies, they just don't seem to cut it when it comes to
fleas. Personally, my dog does best on Advantage. She has severe
flea allergies and never has trouble when she is on it. It does not
irritate her skin, but the smell is mildly unpleasant for a day or
two (this I can live with). You can try Advantix if you are worried
about ticks, too. The bottom line: every dog does differently
on each product, so you may need to try a few and see how it goes.
Diet plays a huge role in the condition of your dog's skin. The
olive oil may help, but fish oil may be even better. More important:
feed a high quality, natural/holistic food and see if it helps. If
you are already feeding a diet like this, consider changing to one
of equal quality. Give it a few weeks and watch. If your dog is
still itchy, you may need to try a hypoallergenic diet. Food
allergies account for a very large percentage of skin issues in
dogs. Frequent bathing is VERY important. My dog also has seasonal
allergies, and when they flare up I bathe her once a week in
medicated shampoo. For a natural option, try an oatmeal shampoo. If
it does not help, ask your vet to bring out the big guns. I use
Etiderm® by Virbac, and I love it for the times when the natural
shampoos just don't cut it (plus it smells great). There are lots of
other great products, including cortisone conditioner for the
itchiest of dogs (I try to lay off the steroids unless the itching
is really severe). Definitely ask your vet about the options.
Buying a Male or Female Dog?
Q- I am ready to become a dog owner, but I am wondering is
it better to purchase a male or female dog?
A-Usually male dogs have a greater tendency to run
away than female dogs. They could be, also, less sensible to
training. Therefore, usually, blind people prefer female dogs as
guides. However, the major troubles with a female dog are the
reproduction activities that take place twice a year, and the risk
of an accidental mating during these periods, and of course,
pregnancy.
Do Dogs Have Different Temperaments?
Q- Do different dog breeds have different
temperaments?
A-Different pedigree breeds have been perfected
aiming to produce some variations in the dog temperament. However.
all of them have a natural tendency to socialize with men. The
training methods don't necessarily mark a difference in temper.
Hunting dogs as well as retrievers are relatively sensible to
training if compared with others, like the Afghan, that has a great
visual sharpness and is trained for hunting in long distances.
Guardian dogs like the
Rottweiler, are usually suspicious of
foreigners, but very friendly with known people. Perhaps the less
satisfactory group of dogs, do to their temper, to be used as
domestic animals, are those specific fighting dogs, like the
Staffordshire Bullterrier that easily irritated with children, as
well as with other dogs; naturally, some are more tolerant than
others but proper training can help overcome that
tendency. Nevertheless, some temper disturbances can arise,
specially in the most common breeds like the
German Shepherd
(formerly known as Alsatian or Wolf dog). Some breeds suffer from
neurosis on a more regular basis than others, so you better ask
breeders about this problem before buying a dog. For instance, it's
easy to find temper problems in
Cocker Spaniels, Dobermans and some
other breeds. So better ask a veterinarian to be informed about when
your dog is starting to show signs of aggressiveness.
Asthma and Dog Breeds
Q-Are there some breeds that my child, who has
asthma, might not have an allergic reaction to?
A- Allergy to the dog's hair and dust are very
common, and buying a dog could mean to aggravate an already existing
medical problem. We must think then about buying a dog from those
breeds that don't shed hair in a conventional way, or one of those
called "hairless", like the little Chinese Greyhound.
Dogs and Newborns
Q- What type of dog is the best choice to have around
newborn babies?
A-To choose a dog for a house with a newborn baby
needs some special consideration. It would be very reasonable to buy
one of a very tolerant breed, like the
Whippet or the
Labrador
Retriever. Small dogs are not always recommendable, because they can
get injured if they are not properly handled, and therefore, will
develop a tendency to bite. In any case, carefully watch the
relation between the kids and dog, specially at the beginning, when
the dog is just starting to know the members of your family. Kids
must learn not to hurt the dog, using some kind of violence while
playing with him, and also they must learn to take care of him, like
feeding him for instance. Naturally you must follow a strict
anti-parasite program, with medical advice, to avoid the
transmission of parasites from the dog to the children. This usually
happens out of home. Dog's feces must be cleaned on a daily basis.