Edie MacKenzie

Edie MacKenzie is a published author, traveler, dog lover, and tortoise enthusiast. Passionate about what she does, her books provide peopel a firm grounding in the dog breed and their unique characteristics with a nice touch of humor.

Dog’s Ticks – Techniques To Kill And Destroy Ticks Ultimately

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Ticks are not your ordinary pests. Although it is tiny, it can be as ferocious as a wild animal if taken for granted. They like to prey on man’s bestfriends – dogs. Not only do they suck their host’s blood, they also act as vectors, carrying certain diseases like Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever, Ehrlichiosis and Anaplasmosis. Opportunely, there are strategies to stop ticks from infesting pets and human beings. Cited below are some of them.

Yes, there are numerous strategies to remove ticks. Nevertheless, you ought to be careful when removing ticks. Rule of thumb is to remove the tick entirely and do not leave any parts behind. By doing so, you are doing more harm than good as you are exposing your pet to a number of diseases.

1. Get rid of Ticks Manually With Tweezers
Place your pet in a comfy position. Wear clean gloves. Be sure to relax the dog before you advance. Look for ticks. Spray alcohol to stop ticks. Grasp the tick with tweezers. Try to be as close to your canine’s skin as possible. Pull the tick gently using a straight and steady pulling movement. Dispose the tick properly. Clean the tweezers with alcohol.

2. Use Herbs Like Tea Tree Oil
Tea tree oil is very efficient in removing ticks since it acts as an antibacterial astringent. Fundamentally, you apply a considerable amount of tea tree oil to a cotton q-tip. Brush the q-tip against the mini critter. Dispose it if you see it dead. However, if it jumps, be sure to catch it. Tea tree oil can also be used for cleaning the affected area after you productively removed the tick.

3. Remove Ticks With Commercial Tick Removing Products
Products for killing ticks are available everywhere. Just be sure to read their individual packaging for instructions. Frontline Plus for dogs is one of the most recommended anti tick products these days. It is very easy to use. It comes with an applicator. Just squirt the content to the affected area and it will work magically. Not only can it kill ticks, it is also used for removing fleas as well.

If you are a conscientious pet owner, you will not expect for your dog to suffer from complications before you will take the basic actions. On the other hand, the greatest management for ticks is prevention. Following are effective tips on how to prevent ticks.

1. Avoid woods and forests because ticks are prevalent in these places.

2. Maintain your lawn and your grass mowed if you have a garden at home. Insecticides to control ticks can also be applied to areas with high weeds that are not possible to be mowed.

3. Ask your vet about tick collar. Also ask about the best commercial products in the marketplace these days that can kill both ticks and fleas.

4. Consider using special shampoos to your pet that can exterminate both ticks and fleas.

Beyond doubt, ticks are very annoying. Not only does it concern dogs but also man as well. If you have pets at home, be sure that you armed yourself with the accurate information about ticks and discover how you can effectively remove them. When in doubt, consult your local veterinarian. Do not ignore these little critters because they are toxic.

Control ticks with Frontline for dogs Learn more about Frontline products and visit the site now.

Understanding The Various Health Complications Of Tick Bites

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Dogs are man’s favorite pet. Some are even raised and adopted to be part of the family. Pet owners nourish and care about their pets just as a parent to a young kid. Pet dogs are lucky because they are fed, groomed and well taken care of. When a dog is queasy, it is brought to a veterinarian who specially cares for animals. One of the most conventional health problems of dogs is tick invasion.

Ticks are blood sucking pests. They belong to the family of spiders and mites. They are not insects, but rather arachnids. Ticks are perilous because they carry certain diseases. As formerly mentioned, they fed on their hosts by sucking on its blood. By sucking, they get to transmit diseases from one host to another.

Ordinarily, when a dog is affected by ticks, the most common symptoms distinguishable are fever, sudden loss of appetite, irritation, swelling in the area, lethargy and depression. For proper prognosis and treatment, pet owners should report these symptoms rightaway to their vet.

If tick bites are ignored, it can advance and become serious. Complications from tick bites often have general symptoms. It is consequential to know the various complications of tick bites in order to arrest the condition as soon as possible. Cited below are some of them:

Ehrlichiosis
This disease is passed on via brown dog tick bites and lone star tick bites. The causative agent is rickettsia organism. It is bacteria. But some say that it is a virus because it produces flu-like symptoms. The common symptoms of this disease range from loss of appetite to fever, joint discomfort, anemia and bruising. Other possible symptoms are eye swelling and decrease levels of all types of blood cells. This disease is treated by antibiotic therapy like doxycycline or tetrachycline.

Anaplasmosis
Anasplasmosis is often mistaken as Ehrlichiosis because they have almost the same symptoms. Pets that are anguished from Anasplasmosis and Ehrlichiosis can exhibit signs of fever, headache, muscle discomfort, chils, queasiness and fatigue. On the other hand, they have different causative factors. If Anasplasmosis is caused by rickettsial parasite of ruminants. Same management with Ehrlichiosis, antibiotic therapy is the best management for Anaplasmosis.

Tick Bite Paralysis
This particular disease is very rare in dogs. It occurs when a poison is released by the female wood or mountain ticks. This poison blocks the signal between the nervous system and the muscles. Paralysis is the usual effect when the nerve function is stopped. Watch out for signs of weakness, difficulty of breathing and walking. The best management for tick bite paralysis is elimination of ticks. As soon as the tick is removed, the pet is on its way to recovery. Nevertheless, full recuperation is achieved in twenty four to seventy two hours. If symptoms on the other hand become critical or if the paralysis has progressed intravenous fluid may be given or the pet may need a ventilator to assist in breathing.

Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever
This is a dangerous complication and most of the time fatal. Some countries call this disease as tick typhus and Tobia fever. The disease is transmitted by the bite of the Rocky Mountain wood tick or the American dog tick. Rickettsia then enters the dog in the tick spit. The most common signs and symptoms of Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever are hyperthermia, nausea and vomiting, decrease in appetite, muscle pain and headache. Late signs of the disease are Petechial and maculopapular rash, abdominal and joint pain. Doxycycline is the drug of choice for the management of this disease.

Tick bites must be solved rightaway. It can cause complications and the symptoms are very disheartening. Prevention is still best key to manage tick invasion. So be sure to maintain a tick free home surroundings!

Treat fleas and ticks and use Frontline for dogs. Frontline flea and tick is effective in killing all stages of fleas and ticks.

The Correct & Effective Training for Dealing with Aggressive Dog Training – The Reasons That Lead to Aggression in Dogs

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Having an aggressive dog as a pet is no fun at all. For one, the sweet, nice, obedient, well-trained pet that one looks to find in their pet dog, is shot to hell and it also makes it clear in the course of the training that a dog that has a lot of aggression in him makes for a very difficult target to train. Not only can you not train the dog effectively well but your entire set routine to train him or the decided goals of what you expected your pet to do are not fulfilled either.

In such a scenario, many of us will think of quitting and not going through the aggressive pet training at all. But that does not have to be the natural course of things. There are ways in which aggressive dogs training can be carried out and that is by using certain aggressive dog training tips. So, if you have an aggressive dog, training him will not be an easy task. Follow these pointers on aggressive dog training and you’ll have your answers in no time.

Aggressive Dog Behavior

Before getting into aggressive dog training, it is important to know what causes aggression in dogs. This will help you understand your pet better and lead to better dog care. Some of the reasons that lead to aggression in dogs are:

  • Sometimes, the pet owner’s behavior to the pet dog will lead to aggression. These behaviors include, constant chaining, excessively punished or poorly fed dogs.
  • Aggression can also come about as a reaction to other dogs and pets. This is because the dog wants to prove it’s territorial rights and be recognized as the alpha male.
  • Being in an unfamiliar situation, surrounded by unknown people might lead to aggression in a dog.
  • Dog health could be one of the other reasons for why you would require training aggressive dogs. Suffering from a disease or being affected by an ailment might cause the dog to exhibit aggression as a result of the pain that he is experiencing.

Aggressive Dog Behavior Training

These were some of the reasons that could lead to aggression in a dog. Once you realize that your pet dog has aggression, you will need some methods of aggressive dog behavior training. Here are some of them:



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How To Prevent Fleas From Infesting Your Home

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Fleas are dangerous little creatures. Never underestimate them. Although they are small, they can bring destruction and great distress to animals and human beings. They suck blood from their hosts. They are considered as vectors since they carry certain diseases. Their favorite preys are dogs and cats. But they can prey on human beings as well. Getting rid of fleas on your pet alone doesn’t resolve the whole problem. Based on research, in a flea life cycle, only 5 percent of fleas are living on its host. The rest are living inside your house. Simply put, if you want to eradicate dog fleas completely, you need to destroy flea infestation at home.

To eradicate dog fleas ultimately. Here are some ways that you can do at home:

Vacuum Fleas
It is imperative to vacuum first before you spray insecticides, as the sound and vibrations produced by the vacuum stimulates the fleas to come out from their cocoons. As soon as they are out, it will be easier to spray them the insecticides.

When vacuuming, consider those places where eggs can fall like your carpets, rugs and bedcovers. As soon as the flea eggs hatch they become larvae. When fleas become larvae, they can move around because of the hair bristles that are found outside their body. When you vacuum, make sure that you pay special attention to areas that are moist and dark like under the bed, rugs, furniture and floorboards.

Dispose your vacuum bag appropriately after you are done vacuuming the whole house. Clear out the canister directly to the garbage. Take the garbage outside so that when fleas try to escape, they will not find their way back to the house.

Spray Insecticides
As soon as you are done vacuuming the entire house, spray every room with a strong insecticide. Read the directions and the ingredients of the insecticides. Look for IGR in the ingredients. IGR stands for insect growth regulator. Products with IGR are very effective against the fleas. When spraying the insecticide be sure to include floor cracks, areas under the bed and cabinets and stairways. Wait for a few days before you start vacuuming again for the insecticides to achieve its maximum effect.

Properly Groom Your Pet
Anti fleas shampoos are available everywhere. Nevertehless, if you are not an advocate of commercial products, you can still use household remedies for fleas. The most conventional home remedies for fleas that you can use for your beloved pet are apple cider vinegar, Dawn liquid soap, Avon’s skin so soft, lavender, tea tree oil and lemon. It is also expedient that you invest in a quality flea comb. This is on hand in local provisions or pet stores.

Add Garlic To The Dog’s Meal
Garlic is very powerful in killing and preventing fleas. To prevent fleas infestation and to reduce the number of fleas on your pet, be sure to add garlic or brewer’s yeast to your pet’s diet.

Follow Up Care At Home And Go to Vet Regularly
To make sure that your home is fleas free, frequently vacuum your home. Do not exploit the use of insecticides because fleas can develop defenses with these products. Also, go to your dog’s veterinarian regularly. Your dog’s vet can also give you tips and pointers in grooming your dog properly and how to arrest fleas’ infestation at home.

Fleas are no fun. Consider the tips above and your house will be free from fleas in no time. Good luck!

Manage ticks and fleas now and use Frontline for dogs. Frontline flea and tick is powerful in killing all stages of fleas and ticks.

Five Dog Fleas Natural Remedies

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If there is anything in the world that you can’t think of any positive attributes to describe, it will be pests. Pests are damaging. They can risk the health of humans and animals. Fleas are considered as pests. The favorite prey of fleas are dogs and cats. Then again, they can infest people as well. Fortunately, there are so many things that you can do to get rid of these parasites. You can choose to use commercial anti fleas products or home regimens. They are equally effective. Although commercial products may be slightly costly. Cited below are some of the most effective anti fleas regimens that you can try at home.

Liquid Soaps
Liquid soaps are chiefly used in the kitchen as it can remove hard to wash grease and soils. But did you know that liquid soaps are also very effective in killing fleas? Truly, liquid soaps like Dawn Lemon Scented Liquid Soap is a great flea repellent. To use as flea killer, mix the soap in a basin of warm water. Bathe your canine friend. Ensure that you wear clean gloves before you wash your pet to guard yourself from fleas.

Flea Free Diet
Prevention is very important. One way to prevent fleas infestation is to sprinkle garlic to your dog’s every meal. Adding Sulphur to their diet at least once a week can significantly help as well. Black Walnut Hulls are also good for pets since it help repel fleas, ticks and mosquitoes. You can buy Black Walnut Hulls in capsule form. They are on hand in various health food stores and even online.

Herbal Shampoos
There are herbs that are very strong in combating fleas. Rosemary, lavender, pine cedar, eucalypus and geranium are very prevalent herbs that are useful in getting rid of fleas. Find a commercial shampoo that contain these herbs in your local grocery or explore online.

Always wear clean gloves when washing your dog. Pour a smal amount of shampoo unto your hands and create a lather. This is important to note. As soon as the shampoo gets in contact with the dog’s fur, inevitably fleas will try to breakout. The lathered up border will trap and kill the fleas that are trying to get out. So after creating a soapy lather, proceed to washing your pet. Pay special attention to the neck and head region. To achieve its maximum effect, be sure that you leave the shampoo for at least fifteen minutes prior to rinsing. Rinse your dog carefully and dry well especially when it is chilly and cold to prevent draft.

Vinegar
Vinegar is a general kitchen ingredient. Add vinegar to your pet’s bathtub and you’ll see that the flea count is greatly reduced.

Use Avon’s Skin So Soft
According to researchers at the University of Florida in Gainesville, Avon’s Skin So Soft is a marvelous flea repellant. Avon’s Skin So Soft is available in the premier groceries and online stores. Make a wash solution. Carefully mix 1 ½ ounces of Avon’s Skin So Soft bath oil to a gallon of water. Soak your dog in this special bath. Based on the study, a considerable 40 percent drop in the flea count was observed after using this remedy in just one day.

As a dog owner, you ought to be responsible in looking after your pet’s health. Certainly, fleas are difficult to eliminate. Still, don’t belittle them because they are damaging. Try the home remedies above and see which one works for your dog. Cheers.

Manage fleas with Frontline for dogs. Learn more about Frontline products and go to the site now.

Hire A Professional Dog Trainer or Do It Yourself?

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The decision to train a dog is smart and very beneficial to you and your dog.  Most people are already aware of the importance of training a dog.

The problem is many are not sure if they should hire a professional dog trainer or train their dog on their own.

Hiring a professional dog trainer means you won’t have to learn how to train your dog.  The professional will do all the training for you.  Once trained you will just need to continue the training to reinforce what your dog has learned.

Professional dog training can be costly.  Individual private training can cost on average $240 – $600 for 6 weeks of training. Group classes anywhere from $40 – $125 for 4 – 8 weeks.



Still not convinced? Click DIY Dog Training and read my honest detailed review of home dog training ebooks

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