Getting Started Basics

New Dog Supplies Checklist

  • Dog collar, leash and ID tags
  • Nutritious dog food ​
  • Dog crate and/or carrier
  • Dog bed
  • Food and water bowls
  • Dog grooming tools (shampoo, brush and nail clippers)
  • Dog toys
  • Treats and chews

 

How Old is My Dog?

Chances are, you know approximately your adopted dogs age based on what you were told when you got him, but it is often difficult for even a veterinarian to tell the exact age of your pup. We can make an educated guess based on a few factors like teeth and fur color. You know your dog better than anyone. Learn the canine signs of aging and it will help you make more appropriate choices in the type of care you give your dog.

First let’s talk a little about  Aging Profiles of Dogs.  Smaller dogs can live up to 16 years, medium sized dogs 10 to 14 years and large dogs like Great Dane size typically live 7 to 8 years. Large breed dogs stay “puppylike” for 24 months or more, compared to the usual 12 to 15 months for medium and small dogs.

Puppies: It is easier to tell how old a puppy is than an older dog based on their baby teeth:

  • At one month of age, milk teeth start pushing through the gums
  • Permanent Canine teeth come in around 5 months of age
  • The last permanent teeth to come in will be the back molars, those come in between 5 and 7 months of age

Ridges and Unevenness on the Front Teeth: At about 1 year of age, a dog will have ridges or bumps along the tops of their 4 front incisors, top and bottom jaw. Front incisors are the teeth that your dog uses for that nibbling type of grooming. As he ages, the bumps will wear down. At 3 to 4 years of age, the ridges should be halfway worn away and at about 7 years of age, the tops of these incisors should be completely smooth.

Tartar Buildup

Tartar generally starts to form around the teeth at about 4 years of age and gets darker and thicker the older your dog gets.  Just like with people, tooth condition depends on genetics and dental care or lack of care. My 15 year old dog had perfect white teeth all her life and my other dog (who was on antibiotics for months as a pup) had discolored teeth with lots of tartar when I adopted him at 6 months old. Tooth condition is not an exact indication of age, just a guide.

Fur

Fur color is not a great way to gauge age. Fur around the muzzle or under the chin can start turning grey as early as 2 years old. Premature greying in dogs does exist. Stress is considered a factor, and dogs that had a rougher start in life may go grey earlier. Genetics are mainly responsible for when a dog goes grey, just like in people.  If you notice greying everywhere, like on the chest and face, behind the legs, ears and on the paws, your dog may be approaching senior status.

At what age is my dog considered a senior?

To answer this question most accurately, we have to refer to the Aging Profile factor. A dog is considered a senior in the last 25% of their expected lifespan.

  • A Great Dane has a life expectancy of 8 years, so they will be considered a senior at 6 years old
  • A Chihuahua has a life expectancy of 16 years, so they will be considered a senior at 12 years old

In my personal experience with medium sized dogs (in the 50 to 70 pound weight class), senior dog behavior starts to set in around the 6 to 7 year mark.

Young Senior Dog Indicators:

  • Senior dogs start developing lumps on their bodies called  lipomas, these are fatty lumps and usually nothing to worry about
  • General slowing down and tiring out quicker after play
  • Behavioral changes: some not so great like new found fear of thunderstorms, others can be positive like attentiveness and patience
  • Muscle tone tends to decrease in senior dogs

Super Senior Dog Indicators:

  • Having accidents: Physical examinations should always be done if a housebroken dog starts having accidents indoors. If your older female dog has gone incontinent, your veterinarian can prescribe medication for this, and for males there’s always the Belly Band!
  • Lenticular Sclerosis is a bluish grey haze that covers your dog’s eyes when they get older.  It does not affect your dog’s vision, but will look cloudy to you. Your veterinarian should be able to tell you if your dog has this when he shines a light into them. Lenticular Sclerosis is different than Keratitis (cloudy eye), the latter being very serious with a host of signs that should indicate vet attention is necessary.

Every dog is an individual, and if you spend time with them and tune into them you can probably guess pretty accurately how old they are. If you are planning a trip to the animal shelter, you can take along these tips if age is a factor in picking out your new best pal.

*Read the full article here

 

Scooping the Poop

Here are five reasons why we should all pick up after our dogs!

Picking up after your dog can seem like a huge, gross chore sometimes. Here are some facts and reminders that will hopefully keep you motivated next time you have to pick up your number one’s number two!

 

  1. It’s the Law: if this isn’t a motivator, we don’t know what is! Los Angeles Municipal Code requires dog defecation to be immediately removed by the owner of the animal. Los Angeles County’s pooper scooper law is listed under the county’s nuisance ordinance and says, “Animal defecation on public property or upon private property other than the owner’s property is prohibited.” Read more: California Pooper Scooper Law
  2. It spreads disease: don’t let contagious diseases such as distemper, parvovirus, and giardia run rampant because of unattended pet waste. If you would like to keep your dog as well as other owners’ dogs disease free, scoop the poop!
  3. It’s harmful for the environment: all trash, including dog feces left behind on a lawn, will eventually make its way to the ocean via storm drains. Pet waste in our oceans means increased levels of bacteria which can harm marine life and be the catalyst for harmful algae blooms, more commonly known as red tides. If you care about our planet please do your part and pick up after your pooch!
  4. It ensures that pets don’t lose privileges: so many times the majority of the population has to pay the consequences of the actions taken by the minority of the population. This is very common in the world of dog owners. Parks, outdoor restaurants, and many public areas are increasingly becoming inaccessible to our canine friends and it is mostly due to the carelessness of the few people who do not concern themselves with pooper scooper laws.
  5. It’s unsightly: let’s face it, no one wants to accidentally step into a fresh pile of poop early in the morning on their way to work! So, if none of the 4 reasons above inspire you to keep those streets free of pet waste, do it in consideration of others.

Please Curb Your Dog sign

It turns out, Curbing Your Dog means that owners in urban areas should not let their dogs go to the bathroom in the middle of a sidewalk or urinate on the side of a building or building entrance or bushes against a building or building entrance.  Owner should take their dog to the curb and teach them to go to the bathroom in a more proper place.

Check out the stylish poo bag holders and assortment of biodegradable poo bags available at webstore.  A portion of all sales go to helping animals!

 

*Text courtesy of  FoundAnimals.org