How to Protect a Dog’s Paws

Instructions

1. • Look at your dog’s feet regularly so that you can spot any developing problems like cuts and sores. It’s also a good idea to pay attention if your dog is biting at his feet or constantly licking them. Other signs like limping, not using the foot or refusing to walk should be heeded and checked out.

   • Watch where your dog walks and keep his home and play area free from hazardous items like broken glass, chemicals, sharp objects and abrasive surfaces. Do as much as you can to eliminate insect pests and irritants that could irritate a dog’s feet, like getting rid of weeds with burrs and using safe or no products on your lawn

   • Stay off of hot pavement during the summer months. Sidewalks and roadways can burn your dog’s paws when the temperature soars. Opt for walking on the grass or on surfaces like wood chip paths. Softer, natural paths can be easier on your dog’s paws and you’ll have less chance of burns and sores.

   • Wash your dog’s feet off with warm water after she’s been out in the snow, ice or on any area that may have been treated with a chemical de-icer. This helps to melt any snow or ice balls that have formed between your dog’s toes and it gets rid of harmful chemicals that your dog might ingest later while licking her feet. You can apply petroleum jelly or bag balm to the pads if sores develop or for protection against snow and ice (just be sure to wipe it off when you come inside).

   • Buy your dog boots or shoes to wear in rough terrain or when it’s cold and icy. You can purchase boots at most pet retail stores. Your dog may need some time to get used to them and some dogs are quite adept at getting boots off quickly.

   • Take your pooch to the vet if you notice any signs of injury or if the paws seem chronically painful. It’s normal to have small issues crop up from time to time and many can be treated at home, but if you are unsure or if the problem gets worse, make an appointment.

Why Do Dogs Chew Their Nails?

Nail chewing and biting is not standard dog behavior and could be a cause for concern, according to Dr. Page Wages at the Oberlin Animal Hospital. Boredom, anxiety, poor grooming, allergies and infections are common causes for the chewing habit, and should be addressed quickly to ease the dog’s distress. Some causes can easily be resolved by a trip to the pet store for allergy sensitive food and toys, while other conditions will require a prescription by a veterinarian.

Allergies

• Food and outdoor allergies can lead to nail biting in dogs. Allergies to grass, pollen and other outdoor items may be irritating the dogs paws and nails. Additives to the dog’s diet may also be causing discomfort, including corn. Chewing the nails is a way dogs relieve their itchy sensation. Allergy sensitive foods, including those without corn, are available at large pet retailers. Veterinarians can provide a prescription to ease the symptoms of outdoor allergies.

Infection

• If a nail is injured, and the wound is exposed, infection may result. If the area around the dog’s nails appears red, swollen, tender to the touch or is seeping, it may be infected. Dogs will chew the area to relieve the pressure and itchy feeling. An antibiotic is required to cure the infection, so a trip to the vet is necessary

Anxiety

• Leaving dogs alone can cause anxiety behaviors for some. Chewing nails, defecating in the house and destructive behavior are common signs of anxiety. Crate or kennel the dog when he will be left alone in the home. Dogs are den animals by nature, and need to feel secure. Consider leaving a radio or TV on so the dog can hear human interaction, and supply him with a few chew toys to ease his need to gnaw.

Boredom

• Stimulating a dog’s senses is essential. Exercise, playtime, talking and training are all essential. A bored dog will become destructive to himself and his surroundings. Nail biting is a common sign of boredom. Supply the pet with interactive play toys when dog or human interaction isn’t possible.

Poor Grooming

• Some dogs chew on their nails simply because they need to be trimmed. Visit the vet’s office, a grooming salon or invest in a dog nail clippers. The nails should be kept trimmed to just above the quick. Have a vet or grooming salon show you how to do this task if you wish to maintain the dog’s nails at home. Overgrown nails lead to cracks, chips and more nail chewing from your dog.

WELCOME TO BOOT CAMP

Abby Rose

I would like to introduce little Abby Rose to rrruffhouse boot camp, Abby is a five month old Jack Russell cross that has some territory issues. Little Miss Abby likes to own her home and her owners and also bites when you try and touch her paws to either wipe dirty feet or have her nails clipped, Abby also does not seem to like other dogs and when she meets dogs she tends to show teeth  and snarl. Abby has been here for about 20 minutes and has met so far two of the dogs and has not shown teeth or snarled, good so far. Abby has found her new safe spot in front of my couch and is curled up having a little nap, also a good first sign. I think with a little help and lots of manners little Miss Abby Rose will be a wonderful dog, she is very cute, people friendly and now well on her way to being dog friendly.

Did You Know About These Fun Dog Facts?

10. Toilet Break?

Ever wonder why a little puppy always has accidents during the night, and why, though you try so hard, you can never fix it? That’s because all puppies are unable to control or “hold it in” overnight until they’re about four-months old. Which, you have to admit, takes a lot less time than toilet training a human baby!

9. Time Keepers

Dogs have a fantastic internal clock. They know when it’s time for walks, play, dinner, bed and always, always, when you come home from work — especially if you keep to a regular schedule. In fact, you might want to just start setting your watch to the dog

8. Catdog?

It might sound really strange, but some dogs actually lick their paws and then clean their heads, just like cats. If they start meowing, though, it might be time to start worrying… or double-check to make sure you don’t actually own a cat!

7. Can’t Change Spots?

We all know leopards can’t change their spots, but did you know all Dalmatian puppies are born pure white? It’s true. Don’t they even mention it on Disney’s 101 Dalmatians…

6. Fetch

Fetch might seem to be, in our minds at least, a dog’s naturally favorite game. After all, it’s what they always talk about in books and movies and TV. But it’s not. A dog’s very favorite game, one you’ll never have to teach him is “keep away.” Keep away is where you try and take a toy from the dog. It’s fun. Fetch, however, is a game that needs to be taught.

5. Colorblind

Dogs aren’t completely colorblind! They can see in color, just not as well as we do. There is much debate as to which colors they can detect, but many experts believe dogs have fewer retinal cones cell — because of this, they are red-green colorblind (or dichromatic). What does this mean for you? Not much. You may want to purchase more blue and yellow toys, though. It might make your dog happier.

4. Smelly Fido

Yes. All dogs smell. We don’t mean they’re stinky (though if yours is, we’d suggest it’s high time for a bath!), but they can smell, extremely well. A dog’s sense of smell, in fact, is more than 100,000 times stronger than yours. So don’t fool yourself, he knows where you hid the bone.

3. Go, Dog, Go!

The Greyhound is officially the world’s fastest dog. They can run at over 40 miles per hour. We’d be lucky if to get to three miles per hour. But even if you were faster than the average human, we still wouldn’t recommend challenging the next Greyhound you see to a race.

2. Presidential Pups

George Washington was a dog lover. But it seems he was very partial to a certain breed of dog: the Foxhound. So partial he had 36 of them! That’s a lot of doggy bags to carry on the daily walks.

1. Ancestors

Ever wonder where dogs really came from? Wonder no more. Dogs are descended from wolves. Archaeological evidence suggests dogs might have diverged from the wolf family between 15,000 to 40,000 years ago, inheriting their complex social hierarchy and behaviors. Some dogs like the Alaskan Malamute and German Shepherd have even retained their wolf-like appearance.