Salmon Sushi for Dogs

My dog is not really a dog. She is a pig. I say that with the deepest affection. My dog, Luca, is food driven. She will do anything for a "treat" or a "cookie" or a "sushi". Sushi is the latest word in her vocabulary. It drives her wild to discover that I have hidden a delectable wild salmon sushi in the middle of her kibble. She will sit patiently while I trim the hair around her face if she knows there's a sushi waiting on the counter for her. She will perform endless tricks for-out-of-town visitors if we bribe her with a packet of sushi. My daughters made the mistake of saying outloud that they wanted to go out for lunch at our local sushi restaurant, and Luca's fluffy ears pricked up and her tail began to wag expectantly....Now we have learned to spell out the word. But I know it won't take her long to figure out what S-U-S-H-I means. She's one smart dog, and I'm sure her quick canine intelligence is sharpened by all that lovely omega 3 fatty acid that she's getting from her salmon sushi treats.

Why Do Dogs Like to Smell Your Crotch??

It is always very embarrassing when you go over to a friend's house for dinner and his dog rushes over to smell your crotch. Why do dogs do this??? Well, it is a natural form of greeting among canines - dogs smell other dogs around the anus. This is because dogs produce hormones from the glands around the anus; they can differentiate one another from the different smells. So by smelling your crotch, a dog is greeting you how he would normally greet another dog. It is a natural canine habit. If a dog lets another dog smell the area around its tail, then it is a very secure dog. If, on the other hand, a dog puts his tail down when approached by another dog, then it is insecure. So, now you know!

Rightpawed or Leftpawed??

Are dogs rightpawed or leftpawed? Just like humans, dogs tend to favour one paw over the other. Studies show that the majority of dogs are rightpawed. How can you tell with your dog? There's a very easy test: when you ask your dog to sit and give you his/her paw, which one does he/she offer? 8 out of 10 times it will be the right paw...

Next time you're throwing a frisbee for your dog to retrieve, watch which way he/she prefers to turn. It's usually to the right, rather than to the left. Or when you have to buy something at the corner store and tie your dog up at the telephone pole or tree, watch which direction he/she tends to wrap around the pole. Most dogs will circle the pole to the right...

It's a Dog's Life

These days, dogs are living longer just like their owners...Thanks to improved diet and medical awareness, an average dog's life span has increased considerably. This life span has almost doubled compared to 30 years ago (subject to size and breed of dog.) Many transferable canine diseases as well as illnesses caused by parasites have been eliminated due to advanced veterinary studies and regular vaccinations and check ups.
Unfortunately, like older humans, senior dogs tend to develop joint pain, digestion problems or cancer. And of course, if dogs overeat and do not exercise enough, they can face serious consequences. Some older dogs can suffer from uncontrolled toilet problems, blindness, and even dimentia. Bottom line: vets recommend a healthy diet, plenty of exercise, and regular yearly checkups. Care and understanding is needed as your beloved pet ages.

Sometimes it Can Be Stressful Being a Dog

Dogs can experience stress too, you know. How do you know if your dog is stressed out?? A good indication of stress is if your dog is scratching his body alot; or if he's chewing on his paws or biting his nails. Another sign of stress is repeatedly doing naughty things like digging in the garden, chewing favourite books or shoes, or using the carpet for his toilet. If this behaviour persists, first check to see that he has no injuries. Sometimes when a dog is injured or has a sore tooth or paw, their behaviour changes. If his health is OK, then look back at your routine over the past few days. Perhaps you haven't taken your furry friend out for walkies often enough, or maybe you haven't shown him much affection or taken any notice of him other than refilling his water and food bowls.. Dogs love to be with their owners. They need plenty of exercise and a change in routine. So if you notice any strange behaviour or repetitive habits, go out for a good romp in the woods. It will do you both good.

Showing Affection

Why does a dog try to lick its owner's face? Basically we do this to show affection. It also shows that the owner is the boss. Maybe I did something naughty, like chew your library book. You tell me off (rightly so.) Well I can't talk back and tell you how sorry I am; so instead I try and lick your face. Now, you might not want me to lick your face. Please don't push me away. That will confuse me and make me feel insecure. All I'm trying to do is show my feelings and also show that I am submissive to you. If you don't want me to lick your face, then let me lick your hand instead. Us dogs feel comfortable when our owners accept our small gestures of affection. That's how we would behave if we lived in the wild in a pack.

A Change Now and Then is Always Appreciated

Look. It's a no brainer that dried kibble day after day becomes downright dull. Doggone it!! Don't you dog owners realize that dindin (chowtime) is the highlight of a doggie's day!?! Would it be too much trouble to add a morsel of meat to my meal? Or a chunk of chicken? A bit of bacon perhaps? Some grated gruyere or flakes of fish? (Not dog fish however.) Anything - I don't mind if it looks like the 'dog's breakfast'. The more treats mixed into it, the better. Anything to relieve the monotony of daily kibble. I've tried several gravies on the market but they're filled with preservatives and chemicals. Not for me. No, no, no. Recently, my owner has sprinkled salmon flakes on my food every morning. Now that's tasty stuff. Plus it's filled with omega fatty acids and vitamins for my brain. It's a 'dog eat dog' world out there, and I need to be as healthy and smart as I possibly can.