Unfortunately, dogs are not able to tell us outright that they are feeling something painful, so it is up to dog owners to observe and decipher their body language.  Generally, dogs who are in pain would exhibit the following conditions:

• Your dog’s heart rate and respiratory rate will increase.  As a reaction to pain, your dog’s body will produce a several hormones that will dull out the pain.  These hormones can cause your dog to breath excessively and have a heart rate that is above normal.  Normal respiratory rate of dogs are between 15-20 breaths per minute while normal heart rate is between 80-120 beats per minute.

• Whenever your dog would feel the onset of pain, he may moan and whimper.  Excessive pain will cause him to yelp if he cannot stand it.

• Your dog will assume a guarded position where he would crouch down and try to support the painful body part.  If a leg is painful, he would protect it by keeping it elevated.

• Your dog will also have the reduced desire to move or be active.  He is likely to just lie down on his bed and wait for the pain to go away.  If you observe him closely you will notice that he would occasionally look at the area from time to time and lick it in an attempt to soothe himself.

• He would also have that glassy eyed appearance as his concentration is centered on the pain and not on his surroundings.

• Behavioral changes can also happen.  Your dog may either become excessively affectionate for wanting comfort.  Or, he may be belligerent and snarl, growl, and bark at anyone that comes near for fear that the pain will be intensified due to contact.

• You will also observe that your dog will lack the desire to eat or drink.

• If the pain is intense, your dog will tremble and can stumble while walking.

• He may also sleep less as the pain keeps your dog awake.

There are some dogs that have such a low pain threshold that they will immediately make you aware that they are feeling something by constant whining and moaning.

Other dog breeds, on the other hand, have a higher tolerance to pain and will tolerate it as much as they can.  The only way for you to know that they are feeling something is by observing for any change in usual behavior.  Take note on when you noticed the change in behavior for your vet will need this to make a conclusive diagnosis of your dog’s condition.

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• Straining during bowel movements
• Distended stomach
• Yelping during defecation
• Reluctance to defecate
• Loss of appetite
• Increased frequency of bowel movement but with small or scant amount of stool

Constipation is not breed-specific in dogs.  Any breed can experience the problem.  Mostly it is observed on older dogs because the peristaltic movement of the intestines has slowed down.  A diet that has low amounts of fiber and with high levels of protein can also be a factor in causing constipation.  Lack of water intake during a hot, balmy day is also seen as a reason for your dog to get constipated.

Remedies

It’s very easy to solve canine constipation, as long as you know the cause.

1)  Always make sure that your dog is properly hydrated.  A dog that is suffering from dehydration will lose bulk and lubrication in stool, making it difficult to defecate.  See to it that his water bottle is always filled with water.  Place a bowl of water beside your dog’s food bowl during eating to encourage your dog to drink after eating.

2)  Increase the fiber intake of your food by giving him vegetables and oat bran.  If your dog is very fond of kibbles, read the package and check if it has at least 5% of fiber in it.

3)  Canned pumpkin is also a common remedy for constipation because of its high fiber and water content.  Your vet will guide you on just how much to feed to your dog depending on his size and weight.

4)  With dogs being lactose intolerant, milk can promote bowel movement.  Give this only when your dog is constipated and not when his body system is normal.  This can cause and also worsen diarrhea, so use it with caution.

5)  Increase the frequency of your dog’s exercise. Muscle movement promotes increased metabolism and also peristaltic movement.

6)  Laxatives can also help cure your dog of constipation.  However, these are to be used with caution and with the guidance of your vet.  Abuse and misuse of the medication can only worsen constipation problems of your dog.

See which solutions can be suitable for your dogs.  You may try to mix two remedies to make sure it would work, but always with caution.  Always check with your vet to see which remedy can give the best results with the minimum amount of discomfort.

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Consider first your lifestyle.  A dog needs constant attention as they are social animals.  Aside from that, they are not exactly capable of looking and cleaning up after themselves.  You must devote time, energy, and effort in feeding, grooming, and keeping your dog.

You must have free hours to spare to play with him, to visit the vet during routine checkups.  You may also need to come with him for an obedience class if you want to have a highly trained and disciplined dog.

Get your finances in order.  Dogs do not come cheap, no matter how you would look at it.  A good breed of dog can be highly expensive.  Saving does not bode well to dog breeds for it only encourages puppy mills to produce substandard puppies that have health issues.  If you want to save puppies from puppy mills, do not patronize them.

Buying from them only gives them power and resources to continue breeding substandard puppies in miserable conditions.  It is best that you report them to American Kennel Club (AKC) for appropriate action.  The cost does not necessarily end in buying a puppy.

You need to consider if you have a stable income to maintain your home and family while giving your dog kibbles, dog food, a leash, dog grooming necessities, shots, annual checkups and emergency visits to the vet.

Do you have kids or elderly people at home?  Dogs can be overwhelming for both, even the most behaved ones.  Some dog breeds are also dangerous to keep if you have those two types of people at home.  Even the most adoring dog can become the hound of Hades if your child pulls on its tail too roughly, or when your grandmother rolls over on his paw with her wheelchair.

Your place must be conducive for dogs.  He must have his own sleeping area that does not always have to be outside.  See if your apartment complex has a policy regarding pet ownership.  Make sure that you have enough space for the size of the breed you are wishing for.

Consider the health condition of each member of the family, including you.  Dogs are not advised for people with asthma, especially if it is triggered by animal down.  See if you have enough stamina to take your dog out for a walk or other activities needed to keep the dog happy and healthy.

Do your research on the breeder.  Get to know him and see if you can be invited inside where the dogs are kept.  Once you are allowed, see if the living conditions are acceptable and if the dogs are not being mistreated.

Do not be afraid to ask questions about the dog you’re going to buy.  A good breeder is always welcome to answering questions.  Be prepared to answer a few questions about you for concerned breeders also want to make sure that the potential owner is good for his dog before a sale is agreed on.

A dog requires a lot of attention, so consider carefully every little thing about yourself and your potential dog before making a decision.  Full responsibility is needed to take care of a dog, no matter what age, size, and breed they come.  Consider also rescuing a dog from your local shelter.  Sometimes, the perfect dog can be found in the most unusual conditions.

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Get to know your dog’s nail anatomy first before you proceed on grooming.  Unlike human nails, it has an extension of blood vessels in a part called the quick.  This nail part also has nerve endings.  Cutting through this part will cause bleeding and pain, so be very careful.

For dogs that have light colored nails, the quick is seen as a pale pink part.   Dogs with dark-colored nails need to be trimmed carefully for this part cannot be seen.

Buy a really sharp nail clipper that is specially made for dogs.  Ordinary nail cutters cannot cut through your dog’s nails effectively and comfortably.  Invest in a good one for you will be doing a lot of trimming.  It is best to start clipping away while your dog is still a puppy so he can get used to the ritual.

Do not cut the nails right away.  You must prepare your dog before you go through the procedure. Not doing so will cause some anxiety and your dog will resist your attempts every way possible.

Try to touch your dog’s paws first and talk to him in a soothing manner.  Introduce the nail clipper to him and tell him what it is designed to do.  Don’t cut away the entire paw of your dog.  Just start with a nail or two then proceed again the next day.

When you cut your dog’s nail, it is important that both you and your dog are comfortably positioned.   You may place your dog on top of the table either with him on his stomach or lying on his side.  Talk to him in a soothing, calming voice throughout the entire procedure to calm him down and to reassure him.

Grasp the clipper with your dominant hand and unsheathe the nail carefully.  If your dog has clear nails, cut up to 2mm of the nails, almost but not quite touching the quick.  For dogs with nails of darker color, chip away carefully.  Look in your dog’s nail after each small nip.  Stop when you see a large, pearly gray area at the top cross section of your dog’s nail.

There may be times when even though you are careful, you will still cut through the quick.  Your dog will yelp in pain and bleed. You can apply pressure on the nail with the use of a light tissue.  If you want to stop the bleeding immediately, a styptic pencil with silver nitrate seal the edge.  To stop the bleeding, you have to rotate the styptic pencil on the cut end of the nail.

Since the area is quite raw, your dog will not like it.  You may also wait for the bleeding to stop; generally 5 minutes is all it takes or less for the blood to clot.  If it continues to go beyond that time frame, go to the vet.  Remember to do the same procedure to your dog’s dew claw. It is attached at the side of your dog’s leg above the rest of the other toes.

You and your dog will do a lot of struggling during the first few cuts.  Keep up with the grooming, though, for it will keep your dog’s skin and fur safe from getting destroyed by sharp, overly long nails.

To start with dental care, it is important that you not sit down with your dog and have a go at it in one shot.  This can only lead to a huge struggle that can end up with your dog resenting each tooth brushing session.  Or worse, you might get bitten in the process. Remember that you are in very, VERY close proximity with your dog’s mouth and huge danger of getting bitten if you don’t do this process right.

1)  The first thing that you have to do is to have your dog get used to you introducing something in his mouth that does not necessarily mean food.  You may want to buy a few samples of dog toothpaste in your pet store, or have your vet suggest a popular toothpaste that is always bought by other pet owners.  You must not use human toothpaste for your dog will swallow it and can cause him to become ill.

Dog toothpaste comes in several flavors that is quite similar to the taste of food much loved by dogs.  They are also formulated to be safe for dogs when they swallow it.  See which toothpaste your dog would like.  Have him taste the toothpaste several times in the day until he gets used to it.

2)  Next thing you have to do is introduce him to the tooth brush.  Tooth brushes come in several forms.  For small dogs, a toothbrush that fits on your finger is ideal.  This is just like the brush for babies, only with a lot more bristles.

Let him investigate the toothbrush through smelling and licking.  Tell him what the tooth brush is for and that the next time he sees it, it would be used for brushing his teeth.  It may help if you let your dog see you brushing your teeth.

3)  When your dog has chosen his preferred toothpaste and has also accepted his toothbrush, you can now start introducing it into his mouth.  Don’t be concerned with brushing your dog’s teeth at this point.

Just place a small amount of toothpaste on the toothbrush would be enough.  Proceed in rubbing the toothbrush against your dog’s teeth.  Just make it fun and not long-drawn.  Just start rubbing it from the back teeth up to the front.  It should take just about 30 seconds or less.

4)  Once your dog has gotten used to having an object being rubbed on his teeth, you can now start with serious brushing.  Have a towel handy, and do not wear your favorite clothes.  Your dog might slobber on you, so take precautions.  Assume a comfortable position that allows you access to your dog’s teeth without straining yourself and your dog.

Lift your dog’s upper lips and brush your dog’s teeth and gums.  Do not worry about having limited access at first.  Just start with what’s visible, rubbing in a firm, circular motion as you clean your dog’s teeth.

Eventually, your dog will allow you to reach the teeth located at the very back of his mouth.  That area needs special attention for it is most loved by bacteria that cause periodontal disease.  Start with the top set of teeth before moving to the bottom.

5)  Wash your dog’s toothbrush well and store it in a dry place away from your dog’s and children’s reach.  Don’t put it along with your own set of toothbrush for you may accidentally use it.

Remember to praise your dog with each process, and never make toothbrushing a stressful ritual.  Talk to your dog with a calm, encouraging voice to ease his worry over the procedure.  Give your dog a treat after brushing.

When done right, your dog will look forward to brushing his teeth.  If your dog is among the breeds that are predisposed to dental problems, always make sure to have a regular dental check up and cleaning with your vet.  The added attention will keep your dog’s teeth clean, white, and healthy.