The pug is not the only dog with a pug nose, but because of his name he stands out from the rest. In veterinary terms, he’s a brachycephalic dog. This term refers to a number of breeds with a broad, flat-shaped skull and “squished” nose. This physical characteristic makes it difficult for these dogs to breathe because they have a very short nasal passage.

Brachycephalic Breeds

Apart from the pug, the oriental Pekingese and shih tzu are both brachycephalic. The King Charles spaniel has a pug nose and French bulldogs and Boston terriers share this characteristic. The largest brachycephalic breed is the pugnacious-looking English bulldog. Images of English bulldog skull formation show that in earlier times it had a longer nasal passage, but this has been bred out during the 20th century. In 2009, the UK Kennel Club announced changes to the English bulldog breed standard in order to stop breeders producing dogs with exaggerated characteristics that create health problems.

A symbiotic relationship developed between dogs and humans way back in the days of the cave man. Wolves and their puppies hung out at campfires of cave people looking for scraps to eat, and in turn they provided a benefit to the humans by keeping vermin at bay. Have a question? Get an answer from a Vet now!

Understanding Canine Behavior

Once you understand the nature of canines, it’s clear why stray dogs adopt people and never leave. Wolves are pack animals. That means they are gregarious and social and need to stay with other wolves. In the wild, wolves need to live, work and hunt in a pack in order to survive. An ostracized wolf, a lone wolf, cannot survive on his own. Since domestic dogs are descended from wolves, they still have those wild instincts. Today’s domestic dog knows he cannot survive for very long on his own, so he seeks out others of his kind. Failing that, a human will do.

Stray Dogs

Reliable statistics for the number of stray dogs roaming free in the United States are not available, though there are municipalities and counties across the country that keep their own statistics and many efforts are underway to curb the number of stray dogs trying to survive. For example, in the Florida Everglades, an estimated hundred or more dogs are living in swamplands of south Florida. These dogs are starving, sick, diseased, injured and living in extreme temperatures under dangerous living conditions. Aside from speeding cars, alligators and snakes, they face starvation, dehydration and parasites, both internal and external. Many of these dogs were once owned by families who subsequently dumped them to fend for themselves. Therefore, they know a better life. If given a chance to find another home, most of them would take it.

Domestic Animals

There was a time, hundreds of years ago, when dogs were able to survive in the wild by employing their instincts and survival skills. However, once dogs became domesticated, they lost many of those feral survival skills such as hunting, finding food and water, staying safe and maintaining health. Today’s stray dog is more likely to be a former family pet who either got lost or was deliberately dumped. Dogs who follow people home and “adopt” them will never leave because, once they have had the experience of being hungry and suffering in temperature extremes, they will choose family life over stray life every time.

So You’ve Been Adopted

If you have had the great fortune to have been adopted by a stray dog, there are some things to consider to ensure a successful relationship. First, take the dog to a vet to be sure he has no major health problems that need immediate attention, such as acute injuries, heartworm or other life-threatening diseases. He will need a good bath, and this can either be a bonding experience for the two of you or you can seek the services of a professional groomer. Make an appointment for a complete check-up and sterilization, if necessary. Introduce your new companion to any existing companion animals and then sit back and enjoy your new pet, secure in the knowledge that you are a bona-fide hero for saving a life.

Many dog owners train their pet to obey basic commands, as well as perform tricks. Some people use clickers, small hand-held tools that make a clicking sound when pressed, to help with training. The goal is to teach the dog to associate a click with a good behavior. Give the dog a treat and click simultaneously when he obeys a command. The clicker will work well for some dogs and won’t work for others.

Instant

An advantage to using the clicker is that the reward is instantaneous. You can press the clicker much more quickly than you can give the dog a treat or even say “good boy.” As soon as the dog starts the good behavior, immediately click. That way, it’s completely clear to the dog what you are rewarding.

Eliminates Inflection

When you instruct your dog using words, the dog picks up on the tone of voice. Inflections can be confusing to the dog. This is especially true if more than one person is training the dog. Inflection, emotion and tone of voice are eliminated with the clicker. It always sounds exactly the same, no matter who is using it.

Conditioned

One problem with the clicker is that some dogs become conditioned to it and won’t obey commands without it. But the clicker is only meant to be a dog training tool. The dog should eventually be weaned off the clicker and taught to respond to voice commands. Once your dog begins consistently responding to the clicker, start using it less often.

Inconvenient

Some people find the clicker inconvenient to use. Holding the clicker along with dog treats and a leash can be cumbersome. The clicker is meant to be used the instant a dog exhibits good behavior. Having to juggle several objects before clicking defeats the purpose.

Many a dog owner has come home to find her couch cushions turned into piles of fluff or her favorite pair of shoes no longer wearable. Unwanted chewing is a common problem in pet dogs — but chewing on inedible items is a natural behavior for dogs. They have to be taught what they can and can’t sink their teeth into around the home.

Normal Chewing Behaviors

It’s perfectly natural for both adult dogs and puppies to want to chew, sometimes for several hours a day. It helps to keep their teeth clean and plaque-free, and it strengthens their jaw muscles. Puppies use their mouths to explore the world around them — and chewing generally relieves soreness in their gums when they’re teething. Provide a range of chew toys for your canine friends so they can safely and appropriately fulfill their urge to chew.

Destructive Chewing Behaviors

The problem comes when your dog engages in destructive behavior, chewing objects that he shouldn’t be chewing. In an adult dog, this is usually due to anxiety or fear, or is a result of not being taught at an earlier age what he is and isn’t allowed to chew. A common cause of stress chewing is separation anxiety, but it’s also prevalent in dogs who’ve had a traumatic past.

What to Do

If your dog chews due to anxiety or fear, you may have to consult a dog behavior specialist to work through his issues. Training the dog the “leave it” command will teach the dog what to drop or leave alone, and may have some residual effect, but that won’t necessarily guarantee the dog won’t eat your belongings when he’s home alone. Take ownership of your belongings, making sure not to leave anything in reach of your dog that you don’t want to get chewed. You can also leave lots of chew toys around the house for when the urge strikes him, but make sure they’re easy to tell apart from regular household items so he doesn’t get confused. Play toy-based games with him often so he becomes more interested in them and prefers to chew them over other items. Make sure he gets plenty of physical and mental exercise and that he’s not hungry.

What Not to Do

It’s important not to punish your dog verbally after the fact. If you punish him for destroying an item he’s chewed even a couple of minutes ago, he won’t connect what he has done with his punishment. You should never punish your dog physically under any circumstances. Not only is it cruel, it will make him more fearful, which can lead to escalating behavioral issues. If you catch him in the act, a firm “no” or “leave it” will do, assuming the dog knows the command, followed by a treat or praise for dropping the item. You can then redirect his attention to something he is allowed to chew.

Caring for a dog nearing the end of his life is similar to caring for a dog about to give birth: it is impossible to know exactly when “the time” will come. Eventually, some signs are inevitable. Your dog will let you know it is time for him to leave by sleeping more, offering fewer affectionate gestures and eating less. Your dog is not suffering; rather, these changes are a normal part of life ending.

Declining Appetite

A dog’s appetite naturally declines as he ages. Some decline in appetite is not necessarily an indication that your elder dog is dying. He may simply have some physical challenges that need addressing. He may also simply find food to be less appealing than he did when he was younger. It is sometimes possible to entice a dog to eat more by offering different foods. He might need smaller pieces of kibble, food moistened with water or broth or some additional flavor from canned dog or cat food. If these changes do not entice your dog to eat, you may wish to take him to the vet to determine if there is an underlying cause to his declining appetite or if it is merely due to age.

Less Activity

As dogs age, they become less active. If your dog’s appetite remains normal, then he may become obese. It is equally as likely that he will eat less, however. Your dog may need to eat smaller meals of specially formulated senior food to accommodate fewer calories being burned over longer periods. Adding wheat bran to your elderly dog’s food may also reduce constipation, an issue common to dogs of advancing age due to a lack of activity. The discomfort associated with constipation may in itself reduce your dog’s desire to eat.

Systems Shutting Down

Your dog’s body will start to shut down as the end of his life draws near. Not only will he stop eating and drinking, but his bladder and bowel control will eventually cease. His body temperature will drop. Over time your dog will restrict his movements and he will try to hide in a secure, private space to sleep. His body is shutting down, system by system, preparing him for death. Even though he stops eating, it is important that he continue to take in fluids, even if he takes in a dropper of fluid at a time. Your dog will count on you to keep him comfortable at this time. Stay calm, keep him hydrated and ensure that he is warm and undisturbed by children or other household pets.

Quality of Life and Euthanasia

Your dog’s unwillingness to eat will alert you to the impending end of his life. It might be tempting to ask your veterinarian to help you prolong the time you have together. If your dog is not eating or if he appears to be in pain, then it might be time to determine your dog’s quality of life. If your dog has pain uncontrollable by medication or if his inability or lack of desire to eat is so complete that he is starving himself, it may be that his quality of life is poor. At such time it is appropriate to consult your veterinarian to determine your dog’s end of life options, including euthanasia.

When you fall in love with those pleading puppy eyes, consider your financial status before signing the adoption papers. Few things are more exciting than welcoming a new furry family member into your household, but the costs of caring for a dog extend far beyond adoption fees, food, toys and a leash. To keep your promise of providing your dog with years of happiness, good health and longevity, you must be prepared for important and unexpected health care expenses.

The First Year

The first year of your dog’s life, be prepared to incur hundreds of dollars in veterinary costs. Puppies must receive a series of vaccination booster injections to achieve protective immunity. Initial puppy care also includes deworming treatments for intestinal parasites and followup fecal analyses to confirm that the dewormers eliminated them. If your puppy comes from a shelter, spaying or neutering likely has been performed. Otherwise, the expense of this necessary procedure will be your responsibility.

The Unpredictable Years

In the years that follow, expect to pay for a yearly checkup, which may include heartworm screening, vaccination boosters and a fecal analysis, and expect the unexpected. Your dog can require medical attention at any time, and the cost is unpredictable. You may deal with a simple ear infection one year, a costly orthopedic surgery the next and a dental cleaning procedure the year after that. Do your homework before selecting a particular breed, as some dogs are more prone to certain conditions, such as ear infections, dental disease, allergies or hip dysplasia.

Expenses of His Golden Years

The average age when dogs are considered seniors is 7 years though that varies based on breed. As his body wears over time, his chances increase for developing costly medical conditions. The American Animal Hospital Association recommends that senior pets receive blood panel screenings every six months to catch looming illnesses early. Some of the common senior dog illnesses include cancer, kidney disease, diabetes and Cushing’s disease. Added health care costs to treat or manage these conditions include chemotherapy, medications, diagnostic tests for monitoring the disease’s progress and prescription diets.

An Ounce of Prevention

Preventative products, including heartworm preventatives and flea and tick control products, are a lifelong expense. Do not gamble with your dog’s health by cutting corners on these products. The consequence could be more costly in the long run. Ticks transmit Lyme disease, Rocky Mountain spotted fever, ehrlichiosis and babesiosis, all of which require treatment. Fleas can make your dog miserable, especially if he suffers from flea allergy dermatitis. Heartworm prevention is safer for your dog and far less expensive than the treatment for heartworm disease.

The Bottom Line

Once the cost of food, toys, treats, dog licensing fees, obedience training, grooming services, boarding or pet sitting, dishes, collars and leashes are added to the above veterinary care, the cost to own a dog for a 14-year life span can average well more than $18,000. Veterinary care makes up at least one-third of this figure, and that figure may be lower in rural locales, or it can be double the cost in metropolitan areas. The size, breed and overall health status of your canine companion throughout his life also will influence the bottom line.

Plan Ahead

Before taking on the financial responsibility of owning a dog, consider how you will pay for these expenses. Some options include maintaining a savings account for your dog’s health care expenditures, keeping a credit card solely for veterinary use or applying for a medical payment card. Many pet owners are turning to pet health insurance to cover some of the veterinary costs. When considering a pet insurance plan, be sure to read the fine print and have a complete understanding of how the policy works and exactly what is covered. And remember, a trip to the emergency vet hospital costs double or more than a regular visit to your vet.

Grooming a dog is an essential part of pet ownership, and although many people choose to use professional groomers, you can groom your dog at home. Your dog must be taught to allow handling and to hold still. Prepare your dog for grooming by playing with his feet and toes, look in his mouth and ears, and try to hold him while he lies on his side.Brushing

Start by laying the dog on its side, and place one hand on his shoulder and one hand on his hip until he lies still. Keep one hand in place, and with the other, brush hair to the skin in layers. Then have the dog stand and hold him under the belly. Brush the hair on the legs and chest.

Head, Ears and Toenails

For the head and ears, have a helper hold the head at the jaw with an arm wrapped around the head. This will free your hands to clip and clean. For toenails, hold the dog against your body, and grasp his elbow firmly. Notice that the foot pops forward and presents the toenails for clipping.