Dog Gone Doggies

There are many common health problems that your Golden Retriever will experience from time to time. Most of these ailments are nothing serious, providing you know how they should be treated and prevented. Below, we will take a look at the most common ailments, and tell you how to prevent your Golden from getting them.

Distemper virus
The distemper virus is an airborne disease that poses a high risk. This virus can be prevented by getting your Golden 3 different vaccinations when he is between 6 and 16 weeks of age, along with his regular annual booster shot. The symptoms from this virus include fever, cough, diarrhea, and vomiting. If your Golden Retriever has these symptoms, you should immediately take him to see the vet.

Heartworms
Heartworms are among the most common ailment with all dog breeds. They can reach lengths of up to 12 inches in the heart and the lung arteries, leading to heart failure, a decrease in blood circulation, and even death in some cases. The symptoms with heartworms may not appear until it is too late, so you are better off preventing them with the correct heartworm medicines.

Heatstroke
During the summer months or hot days, your Golden Retriever can get a heatstroke. You can prevent this from happening by giving your dog plenty of water, and never leaving him in direct sunlight. If you are playing together on a hot day, you should give him plenty of time to rest so he doesn’t overdo it. The symptoms indicating a heatstroke include a lot of panting or drooling, dark gums, a glazed expression, rapid pulse, and even vomiting. If your dog starts to show any of these symptoms, you should immediately take him to the vet.

Rabies
Rabies is one of the more serious ailments that your Golden Retriever can get, as it has an adverse affect on your dog’s nervous system. Normally, dogs get rabies through a bite of another animal that is infected with the disease. There are rabies shots that helps to prevent the disease, and your dog should get them at least once a year. The symptoms of rabies include seizures, aggression, and foaming at the mouth. If you suspect your Golden has rabies, you should call the vet immediately.

Tapeworms
Tapeworms are normally caused by fleas, and affect your dog’s stomach. The symptoms for tapeworms include a loss in weight, diarrhea, and even biting of the rectal area. You can easily prevent your Golden from tapeworms by using a rigid flea control. If your Golden Retriever exhibits symptoms for tapeworms, you should take him to the vet immediately. If the vet catches them in time, he may be able to kill the tapeworms with an oral medicine.

Hookworms
Hookworms result from your Golden coming in contact with feces, his mother, or the worm simply burrowing under exposed skin. You can prevent your dog from getting hookworms by cleaning his living area and keeping his skin clean. The symptoms that accompany hookworms include a dry coat, weight loss, weakness, and blood in the stool. As with all other ailments, you should immediately contact your vet if your Golden Retriever starts to show any of these symptoms.

Although these are just some of the most common ailments for Golden Retrievers, there are other ailments and health problems that your dog can get. If your Golden starts to show any signs of ailment, disease, or health problem, you shouldn’t hesitate to contact your vet and set up an appointment. Some of these diseases and ailments can be pretty serious - although they can be treated if you catch them in time.

After you have brought home your new puppy it's important to start right away on a consistent routine. If you are unsure where to start this article will help with some simple tips.

So you don't frustrate you or your dog keep training sessions to about 15 minutes, you should always praise your dog when he is doing good and end a training session on a good note.

When talking about consistency that includes taking your puppy out to potty, or walk. Try to take your dog out to potty at the same time everyday and when you walk do the same. Your dog will expect this and may have accidents when you are late.

Dogs get bored and when they are bored they become destructive this is probably why they are chewing up your stuff. To avoid this make sure you exercise and play with your dog to keep him busy. Get your dog high quality toys that don't resemble items you don't want them to chew on, for example slippers.

While it may seem cruel to some, crate training is the best thing you can do for your dog. You may not know it but dogs instinctively don't potty when in their "den". Never use the crate as a source of discipline, it's where your dog goes to get away from it all, and stay when you are out. Do not leave your dog in the crate for hours at a time if you do it will seem like punishment.

Puppies like children put stuff in their mouths they shouldn't, one of the first training commands you should teach your puppy is to leave it or drop it. Pick one of the commands and use it whenever they have something in their mouth that is a danger to them or one of your belongings.

Do you remember when you were a kid and your mom used your first, middle and last name, you knew you were in trouble. Use your dog's name in positive manner otherwise he may associate his name with being punished and will not come when you call.

If you begin a routine and stay consistent, be patient your dog will understand what the rules are. Boundaries are important for both you an your dog as it will reduce stress on the both of you.