Dogs Catch Yawns From People

Dogs find human yawns contagious, suggesting they have a rudimentary capacity for empathy.

Although yawning is widespread in many animals, contagious yawning — a yawn triggered by seeing others yawning — has previously only been shown to occur in humans and chimpanzees.

It turns out, however, that man's best friend is highly sensitive to catching human yawns, with 72 percent of 29 dogs tested yawning after observing a person doing so.

Dog Bite Prevention Tips

Important dog bite prevention tips:

• Pick a dog that is good match for your home. Consult your veterinarian for details about the behavior of different breeds.
• Socialize your pet. Gradually expose your puppy to a variety of people and other animals so it feels at ease in these situations; continue this exposure as your dog gets older.
• Train your dog. Commands can build a bond of obedience and trust between man and dog. Avoid aggressive games like wrestling or tug-of-war with your dog.
• Vaccinate your dog against rabies and other diseases.
• Neuter or spay your dog. These dogs are less likely to bite.
• Never leave a baby or small child alone with a dog.
• Teach your child to ask a dog owner for permission before petting any dog.
• Let a strange dog sniff you or your child before touching it, and pet it gently, avoiding the face, head and tail.
• Never bother a dog if it is sleeping, eating or caring for puppies.
• Do not to run past a dog.
• If a dog threatens you, remain calm. Avoid eye contact. Stand still or back away slowly until the dog leaves. If you are knocked down, curl into a ball and protect your face with your arms and fists.

If bitten, request proof of rabies vaccination from the dog owner, get the owner's name and contact information, and contact the dog's veterinarian to check vaccination records. Then immediately consult with your doctor. Clean bite wound with soup and water as soon as possible. If the attack victim is bleeding from a dog bite, immediately take them to a doctor or emergency room.

Helping Dog Rescues Through A Doggy Bag

DogWireGifts.com, an online dog breed, rescue, and mixed breed dog lover gift store announced today the opening of their doggy bags to give money to dog rescues in need of funding. Beginning in September 2007, DogWireGifts.com will donate 10% of all its profits from its store to a different dog rescue each month throughout the year. Each month, DogWireGifts.com will choose a different non-profit dog rescue, located within the United States, in which to send their charitable donation.

"We are dog owners ourselves and know there are thousands of dogs across the nation that need help in receiving the medical care and love they deserve. Our own dogs bring joy and laughter into our family and every dog should be given the opportunity to be such a blessing to other families. It is our goal to help these organizations succeed in their objective to find warm, loving, and secure homes for these pups. No dog should go without the love of a good family just because of some terrible circumstances that were beyond their control," shares Shannon Steffen, Founder and President of DogWireGifts.com.

For more information on DogWireGifts.com and its Dog Rescue of the Month charitable program please visit: http://www.dogwiregifts.com.

Things to Know About Dog Nutrition

Dog nutrition is something that every pet owner should prioritize. But with the availability of instant dog foods, are you really giving your pets the necessary nutrition? Veterinarians advise that pet owners should make dog nutrition balanced and complete. Experts say that you can achieve this by switching from one dog food brand to another. There are important things to remember though when you are switching brands and assuring your dog's nutrition.

Here is an interesting fact that you should know about dog food. If you give your pet the same brand every month, you are actually risking his health. You are exposing your pet to potential health problems, which include malnutrition and even food poisoning.

Everyone is also familiar with the presence of additives and preservatives in most packed dog foods. The accumulation of these synthetic elements may cause harm to your pet. This build up of unnecessary chemicals can weaken the immune system of your dog and may lead to sickness and infection.

With this, one can really assume that there is no guarantee of complete and balanced dog nutrition by using packed dog foods. Manufacturers and producers may claim that their products offer the best nutritional value. But there are factors that can affect and reduce the quality of packaged dog food. For example, during the distribution and storage of dog products, certain elements like temperature changes can affect the nutrients inside the product.

Another likely cause of decreased nutritional value is the fact that manufacturers use ingredients from outside sources. Manufacturers have little control over the nutritional quality of these ingredients. There is even a possibility that dog food brands may contain excessive amounts of magnesium and calcium, which do not meet the requirements of veterinarians and dog nutritionists.

During the manufacturing stage, some of the most important vitamins and minerals weaken due to the application of heat and chemical processes. At home, most pet owners love to stock up on dog foods, which of course leads to over storage.

Switching from one dog food brand to another does not even guarantee perfect nutrition for your pet dogs. But the idea is to prevent you from exposing your dog to excessive and unwanted amounts of chemicals. Diversifying your dog's food in a monthly basis provides balance. To make sure that your dog gets complete nutrition, read the nutritional labels of the different brands. Make sure that you buy fresh dog products only.

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Interactive Toys Are Good for Your Dog

Just like people, dogs can also benefit from playing. It helps them build their coordinating skills, thinking faculties and also improves their behavior. Play will also keep them from getting bored. Yes, dogs too, can get bored... even depressed.

Spend time with your dog by playing with him whenever you can. Take him out to the park and let him run around or play fetch with him. You can also buy him some toys, preferably interactive toys which are better because these keep your dogs thinking and not just playing.

Train Your Dog At An Early Age To Take Care of Future Behavioral Problems

The old phrase, 'You can't teach an old dog new tricks,' irritates dog owners to no end.

"That's absolutely not accurate," says Darr Houssen, who's trained many an old dog in her 27 years in the business.

Houssen, who operates Houssen's Dog Training Centre with her husband Jim in Indian Mountain, says it may take a little longer to train an adult dog, and you may have to use different methods, but they can certainly learn 'new tricks.'

Read more at "A Trained Dog Is A Happy Dog"

Importance of Dental Care for Pets

(Media-Newswire.com) - Just like your own dental health, pet dental care begins in the home – it’s a good idea to make sure Poochie’s pearly whites are in good shape.



Experts say that by taking a few preventative steps, you can help ensure your pet’s dental health for years to come. Brushing, chews and a good diet are all great ways to prevent periodontal disease, but further steps can and should be taken, they explain.

Dr. Johnathon Dodd, clinical associate professor at the Texas A&M University College of Veterinary Medicine & Biomedical Sciences, explains the essentials for a healthy dental regimen.



“Brushing is the gold standard for dental health,” Dodd, explains. “It is the best way to clean your pet’s teeth and gums.”



Pediatric and rubber fingertip toothbrushes are great for scrubbing your cat or dog’s teeth. Pets beginning to have their teeth brushed tolerate this better than toothbrushes, and it also creates a bonding time for the pet and owner, Dodd believes.



“Pediatric or finger toothbrushes work great for pets, and ones with a triangular head are best,” says Dodd. “Brushing is the absolute best way to keep your pet’s mouth healthy.”



He says to be sure to use toothpaste specially formulated for your pet. Pet stores offer an abundance of flavored pastes that help make the experience more beneficial and flavorful. Pastes containing enzymatic ingredients or chlorhexidine are great because they serve as an antibacterial and antiseptic in the mouth.



When browsing through dental products, Dodd says it is best to look for ones with a VOHC seal of approval. The VOHC seal represents the Veterinary Oral Health Council. Products with this seal are much like products with the ADA ( American Dental Association ) seal of approval on human dental products. A list of approved products can be found at http://www.avdc.org/vohc.html.



Chew toys also help with dental health, Dodd notes, and they can physically remove tartar from the teeth. An assortment of chews and toys line the aisles of pet stores. Many have ingredients that can do more by having enzymatics and chlorhexidine within the actual chew.



When approaching your pet’s diet, many options are now on the market. Some feeds will mechanically remove tartar from teeth or inhibit the bonding of tartar.



“Hills T/D or Purina DH are some of the more popular foods on the market,” says Dodd. “Another option is to use a water additive. Aquadent is an example, and can be added to your pet’s water to help keep up with home dental health.”



Dodd also stresses the importance of annual dental cleanings. Annual cleanings not only keep your pet’s mouth clean and tartar free, but also allows a professional to view the pet’s mouth and look for problems or potential problems that may not be noticed by owners.



“Brushing is essential in the home, but annual professional cleanings are necessary as well,” explained Dodd. “It is always best to stay in the maintenance mode rather than being forced into a therapeutic situation. Prevention is key.”



Another option for pet owners is a vaccine against periodontal disease. Recently released on the market, the vaccine is an aid and not a sole preventative. The vaccine attacks the bacteria known to cause periodontitis ( inflammation of the tissues that support the teeth ) and helps prevent bone loss around the teeth. As with many vaccines, it is given once, then followed by a booster shot after three weeks, then again once every year.



“No matter what practices you employ to keep your pet’s teeth clean and healthy, remember that brushing is the gold standard and annual exams are recommended,” Dodd adds. “By taking the time to maintain good dental health, you avoid some serious and costly damage down the road.”