Children and puppies

The more I see of humans, The more I love Dogs

Breeds comfortable with Children

Children and dogs just naturally go together and there is no one breed that is better for children than the others. A very young child will tend to maul a small breed with loving hands and a larger breed may frighten a child with its boisterous nature. If at all a classification is required then here it is.

Toddlers               :  Spaniels, Scotty, Schnauzer

Growing boys       :  Collie, Retrievers, Labrador or similar breed would be excellent. I have personally experienced their excellent herding instinct which makes them a fine babysitter. They are large and easygoing so can tolerate manhandling.

                                           

Young boys          :  If there are a lot of young boys in the family, a Boxer, Dalmatian or one of the Terrier

breeds will be a good choice.

Breeds not compatible with kids :  Small breeds like Pomeranian, Chihuahua, Yorkshire terriers, Maltese terrier, Pekingese. They are usually short tempered and tend to snap at kids if handled roughly. They are comfortable in the the company of adults.

Children should be taught to respect the dog and give it the space necessary for comfortable living.

Some instructions which should be drilled into the young minds.

_ Never attempt to take away food when the dog is eating

_Never disturb a sleeping dog

_Never attempt to take away a toy from the dog

_Never attempt to take away a puppy from a nursing bitch

_Never allow a child to play with a tiny puppy

_Never allow the child to play with a stray dog

 Generally, children and dogs adapt well to one another and form a close bond of love. Most dogs will not harm children,seeming to realize their tenderness.

Raj Prateek Verma

Balanced diet

The more I see of humans, The more I love Dogs

Our pet should be provided with good and balanced food and not just any old rubbish, such as stale crusts of bread and cold potatoes. These type of food have no nutritional value and should be avoided. Carbohydrates 
and Protein are the most important ingredients of a balanced diet. A healthy, robust dog will be a delightful companion, loved by all and  pride of the owner.

Carbohydrates :


Carbohydrates are found in the wholesome cereals. Rice boiled with  a pinch of turmeric powder serves as a good source of carbohydrate .  These furnish the energy required by the muscles and can be called The Fuel food.


Protein          : 


Proteins help in forming muscle, building bones, feeding the brain, nerves, skin, coat, ensuring the correct functioning of digestive system and in fact , all of the working parts of the body. A correct balance between the carbohydrate and protein content of the dog's meal should be maintained.

Sources of protein:
1. Meat
2.Liver
3.Fish
4.Boiled egg
5.And of course Milk
6. pulses
7. I also add a few pieces of  Nutrela(brand name) which constitutes of soya, a great source of protein.

Vitamins:


By feeding the dog with balanced diet, one is already providing the necessary vitamins automatically to keep the dog in healthy condition. Green vegetables are a great source of vitamins and should be added to the dog's diet on daily basis.



List of vitamins and their function


Vitamin A : Found in animal fat, cod liver and milk.
Vitamin B : Necessary for nervous system. Found in cereals, biscuits, egg and  fresh vegetables.
Vitamin C : Ensures blood purity. Found in fresh vegetables and fruits. Dogs should be encouraged to eat fresh fruits occasionally.
Vitamin D : Essential for growth and for building strong and sound bones. Cod liver oil , say a teaspoon ful  mixed with food of the dog will be enough to meet the requirement of vitamin D.
Vitamin E : Found in wheat, biscuits, eggs, meat and green vegetables.


Raj Prateek Verma

First aid kit

The more I see of humans, The more I love Dogs

List of items in a dog owner's First Aid Kit 


All dog owners should prepare a FIRST AID KIT and keep it in a box, clearly marked and placed in a safe place and it should be immediately accessible when required.

It should contain:

1. A pair of sharp-edged, blunt - pointed scissors.

2. A pair of tweezers.

3.A roll of (5 cm) electoplast.

4.A roll of bandage.

5.A packet of cotton wool.

6.A bottle of antiseptic, e.g. Dettol, Savlon etc.

7.A razor blade.

8. Paracetamol tablets.

9.A packet of cotton buds.

10.Milk of Magnesia tablets.

11.An eye dropper.

12.Antibiotic ointment or powder, e.g. Nebasulf, Neosporin.


Raj Prateek Verma

Home remedy for foreign bodies in the ear

The more I see of humans, The more I love Dogs

Symptoms


Is your dog shaking its head in excess and scratching the ear ?

Chances are that something has entered  into the dog's ear. Generally his head will be tilted to one side and will accompany with vigorous scratching of the affected ear.

Instant remedy


The foreign body can be floated out by pouring a little cooking oil or olive oil into the affected ear. After pouring oil, the ear should be gently massaged.

DO NOT POKE  THE DOG'S EAR  WITH ANY POINTED OR SHARP OBJECT.


If the foreign body is still causing irritation, take the dog to the vet.

Raj Prateek Verma

Home remedy for treating eyes with foreign bodies

The more I see of humans, The more I love Dogs

FOREIGN BODIES IN THE EYE


The foreign body in an eye may be a grass seed, a bit of grit or a grain of sand.  If the foreign body has perforated the eyeball, it will cause extreme pain. No attempt should be made to remove an object that has punctured the eyeball and a vet should be consulted at once.


Symptoms


Sudden and profuse crying.
Tears flowing out of one eye only.
Acute irritation of that eyeball only.


Treatment


1) Make a saline solution (sterile solution) by adding 1 teaspoon cooking salt to 500 ml water.  Boil the water and then allow it to cool.
2) Bathe the affected eye liberally or saturate a wad of cotton wool with the solution and squeeze it into the eye.
3) Apply a soothing opthalmic ointment directly on to the eyeball.


If the dog insists on scratching, even after the treatment, then the foreign body may still be in the eye. Take the dog to the vet immediately.


Raj Prateek Verma

Nasty nature

The more I see of humans, The more I love Dogs

DECISIVE  DOG FIGHTERS


Boston Terrier
Bull Terrier
Shar-pei
Staffordshire terrier
Staffordshire bull terrier
Tosa


QUARRELERS


Alaskan malamute
Fox terrier
Ibizan Hound
Affenpinscher


UNFRIENDLY DOGS


Fila brasileira
Japanese Spaniel
Spitz ( suspicious of strangers)
Tibetan mastiff (ferocious when trained to be)




Raj Prateek Verma

Character

The more I see of humans, The more I love Dogs

GOOD NATURED AND KIND


Afghan Hound
Basset Hound
Briard
Bernese mountain dog
Bloodhound
Borzoi
Bull dog
Cocker spaniel
English springer spaniel
Great Dane
Irish terrier
Irish wolf hound
Kuvasz
Newfoundland
Poodle
St. Bernard
Skye terrior
Spinone


SLOW AND STEADY( OR EVEN LAZY)


Basset Hound
Clumber Spaniel
Wire-haired pointing Griffon
Deerhound
Harlequin Great Dane


SERIOUS


Bull Mastiff
Clumber spaniel
Pointer
Portuguese water dog
Samoyed


POLITE


Blood Hound
Brittany spaniel
Bull terrier
Chow
Clumber Spaniel
Gordon setter
Skye terrier


POSSESSIVE AND PROTECTIVE


Fox terrier
German wire-haired pointer
Puli
Portuguese water dog
Rottweiler
Rough Collie
Spitz
Most Sheepdogs
German Shepherd


INDEPENDENT


Bichon frise
Borzoi
Brussels Griffon (disobedient)
Chow
Dalmatian
Grey hound
Irish setter
Kerry blue
Lakeland terrier (stubborn)
Pekingese
Poodle (character)
Rough Collie
Husky
Weimeraner
Springer spaniel


SENSITIVE


Afghan Hound
Aidi
Airedale
Blood hound
Brittany spaniel
Cocker Spaniel
Dalmatian (needs humans or becomes melancholy)
Deerhound(shy)
Italian Greyhound (timid)
King Charles Spaniel (timid)
Maltese
Poodle (can read your mind)
Scottish terrier (sensitive to praise)


INCURABLY CURIOUS


Affenpinscher
Aidi
Brussels Griffon 
Pharoah Hound
Schipperke
Fox terrier


Raj Prateek Verma

Clash of Will

The more I see of humans, The more I love Dogs

When it is a puppy the training may be easy because for one thing, the puppy is scared of you, his new environment and since you are his solace and security, he may try to learn what you may teach him. But when the puppy grows up and if the training is not conducted along right lines, the puppy by instinct differentiates between the stronger and weaker members of the family.

The family may be still worked up with love for the puppy who is no longer one but is breaking into youth. If the pup has grown into assertive animal, he will first try his scare on children. Harmless toddlers may be ignored, but his attention will be pinpointed particularly on growing boys and girls in the family. The kids may be bitten during play and when the story is reported to the master, he may tend to ignore it as he considers the dog to be  his loving pup who comes wagging his tail.

However, the dog's impudence, if unchecked, will become alarming and his circle of domination becomes bigger and bigger. The circle closes in for the ultimate confrontation, that with his master!! The master unknowingly tries to cower him down as he used to when the dog was a puppy, and is in for a shock!! The dog leaps on him and bites, not fatally maybe, but still bites!  The master might take it as a passing phase although he is humiliated and frightened at the dog's angry posture. He feels helpless as he is unable to hand out the punishment the dog deserves. But this is just the beginning! The dog feels his has just won a decisive victory. The CLASH OF WILL between the master and the dog has started!!!

The dog may still love his master, may still show devotion, but only at his own terms. The dog moves majestically in the house, without paying heed to command, without having any one standing in his way.

It is imperative that the  puppy is made to understand who is the boss of the house. The master should have mental strength and confidence in him to handle his dog properly right from his puppy days. The master has to be firm as well as caring to his pet so that the dog doesn't turn out to be a monster.

Raj PrateekVerma 

Mongrel as a pet.

The more I see of humans, The more I love Dogs

I belong to India. Today I shall be writing about stray dogs found in abundance on the streets of every city, town and village.

I have been always impressed  with their ability to survive against all odds. They are very street smart, always alert for an opportunity to grab whatever food comes their way. I decided to adopt one and am thankful to my family for extending their wholehearted support to me in this endeavor of mine.

As a puppy they are the cutest, most adorable pet one can ever have. House breaking it was not a problem at all. I found he was intelligent and receptive enough to grasp my commands and try to follow it at an early age.

Sometimes, I felt he knew me better than I knew him!! Ever ready to please and draw our attention to him, his antics were constant source of amusement for us.

He grew up to become a very sturdy and robust dog! A favourite of kids, he was always there to play pranks with them, snatching away their ball or a pencil and then looking at them teasingly, expecting a nice chase.

I found that he required minimal grooming. Since he had very short hairs, an occasional brushing was enough to keep his coat in good condition. Bathing him once a week was sufficient to keep the 'doggie' odour within tolerable limit.

He made an excellent watch dog. It was interesting to  watch him as he began to assume protective custody of both the house he lived in and his human family.

These mongrels are easily trainable, very affectionate and not at all vicious or destructive in nature. They are generally  medium sized and a good companion. They are constantly yearning for praise and affection from their master.

The only problem I encountered with my pet was his habit of straying away from home. Many a times, he returned home after a gap of two to three days, sometimes badly mauled by other dogs. This habit became more dominant during the mating season. 

It was this straying habit of his that proved to be his nemesis. As usual, one day he left for his morning romp, never to return!

Our beloved friend had left us forever!

Raj Prateek Verma

A puppy as a second dog

The more I see of humans, The more I love Dogs

Jealousy and possessiveness are the strongest of canine emotions. If you already  have a dog at home and plan to bring in a new puppy, be sure that a new stranger in the house is bound to create jealousy and animosity.


The older dog will feel his world is being threatened and so he should get first preference in everything.


Here are few tips which might be helpful to bring about acceptance of the new pup without too much of trouble.

1. Feed the dogs in seperate rooms , if possible as the pup will require feeding at regular intervals

2. The older dog may be given tiny bit of food every time the pup is fed. This will not let the older dog feel neglected.

3. Do not make any drastic changes in the older dog's routine. He should not feel any inconvenience in his daily life due to this new arrival.

4. Give love and attention to your older pet as you used to in the past. He should not feel your attention has been diverted from him due to the puppy.

5. Never show excessive love or attention to the new arrival in front of the older dog. This will only aggravate jealousy.

6.There might be some growling and wrestling match between the two. This is quite normal. Rarely it has been seen that an adult dog has seriously injured a puppy.

7. Let the two work it out between themselves. The olderdog will likely be the boss. However, you should be ready to intervene in case the bout gets a bit too rough.

Raj Prateek Verma

How to choose a healthy puppy?

The more I see of humans, The more I love Dogs

Ten important points to be remembered while choosing a puppy.

1. Check the eyes      :  They should be clear, bright and should not have any scars or light spots on the cornea.

2. The emphasis should be on well proportioned body. Avoid plump or extra large ones. The puppy should neither be fat nor thin. Pot bellied means WORMS.

3. Ears and nose        : They should not have any signs of discharge. It should not be shaking its head too much.

4. Skin                       : It should be clear with no rough spots. Scratching is a sign of parasites. The coat
                                   should be fluffy, glossy and oily. Any loss of hair suggests mange, fungus, worms
                                   or lice.

5.Teeth                       : They should be bright and clean. The gum should be light pink. White gums reflect
                                     anemia.

6. Diarrhoea               : Check the behind. There should be no stains suggesting diarrhoea. Diarrhoea
                                    signifies worm/parasites infection.

7. Deafness                : A slight click with your fingers behind the ears with no response indicates partial or
                                   total deafness. White coloured breeds are more susceptible to deafness.

8. NEVER choose a timid or shy puppy. Shyness indicates sickness. A healthy puppy is lively and hungry.

9. Bone structure       : It should be solid and without bumps in legs. Beware of puppies having knots in the
                                   joints.

10. Size & breed       : The size and breed matters immensely when you want to buy a puppy. Larger breeds
                                   need more open space for exercise to remain healthy and happy. Smaller breeds are
                                   more suited to city life. Short-haired dogs survive better in tropical and sub tropical
                                  climates. It is better to cosunlt an expert before arriving at a decision.

Remember, you have taken a 10-year project on your hand. It is your responsibility to see that the puppy receives proper care and lots of loved. In return, it will devote all its love and loyalty to you throughout its life.!!

You be happy and your dog will remain happy.

Raj Prateek Verma

My recent oil painting

The more I see of humans, The more I love Dogs

This is an oil painting on canvas board depicting Rajasthani singer playing a sarangi and accompanied by a musician on harmonium. These bards earn their livelihood singing the heroic deeds and valour of Rajput princes of the bygone era. This painting is for sale. Size 50 cms x 40 cms  Bid price Rs.45000/-

Email Id : raj_verma3140@yahoo.com

Raj Prateek VermaDogalogue
http://bux4ad.com/_aace1b3a.htm                                              

Signs of sick puppies

The more I see of humans, The more I love Dogs

Vomiting            : This is a very common ailment among puppies. If your puppy has vomited more than two or three times in a day, it might be possible that he has swallowed a foreign object. As puppies are very curious by nature, they have a tendency to pick up and chew almost anything. Many a times, sharp objects like needles, pin, razor blades, ball are devoured by pups, causing vomiting accompanied with blood. The vet should be consulted immediately if vomiting persists.


Diarrhoea           : The cause of diarrhoea may be simply over feeding or teething. In case of acute intestinal disorder, intestinal parasites may be the reason. Sometimes, improper hygiene can also lead to diarrhoea.


Loss of appetite : If a puppy refuses a feeding, food should be taken away from him and offered to him after a duration of one to two hours. If he still refuses to eat, a vet must be consulted immediately as a puppy cannot survive without food for more than 8 hours. He will dehydrate, weaken and go into a shock very quickly.


Lethargy         : A puppy may become listless if the diet given to him is in adequate or lacks in nutritional value. A proper and balanced diet with vital vitamin supplements is a must for a healthy puppy.


Intestinal parasites or worms may also cause a puppy to become listless. Its stool should be examined and proper de-worming medicine should be administered, of course after consulting the vet. A sick pup should never be given medicine for worms


Ricket             : It is caused due to a deficiency of calcium and phosphorous. Vitamin A and D will help to combat this problem. Bow-legged, large knots of bones at the leg joints are the symptoms.


Other signs of sickness: 1. Coughing
                                               2: Running nose and eyes
                                               3. Fever


if the above symptoms persist, your pup is really sick and proper medical treatment is a must.




Raj Prateek Verma

Canine intelligence

The more I see of humans, The more I love Dogs

We humans have perhaps underestimated the intelligence of our canine friends. Just about every dog lover will have some anecdote about his pet's sense of timing.

My father had gifted me a cocker spaniel pup on my 14th birthday. As he was having his business in a small town with limited educational facilities, we had to shift to the nearest city to pursue with our studies in a good school.

Our pet was very close to all the kids in the house, yet she showed her strong preference to stay back with my father as our house had a large compound and she enjoyed romping around. Perhaps she felt claustrophobic in that small flat in the city where we had started to live !

She was content to visit us on Sundays along with our father and was elated and very excited on seeing us. She was the first person to collect her leash and jump on to the car on Sundays ! She repeated this act every Sunday without fail ! After spending the whole day with us, she would again collect her leash and hop back into the car exactly at 4 p.m, ready for her journey back home. Her dislike for the city life was pretty much evident!

Her uncanny sense of timing simply left us confounded.

Raj Prateek Verma 

COAT & SKIN

The more I see of humans, The more I love Dogs

Some dogs shed all around the year. Sometimes, excessive shedding becomes a problem for house owners. The house is scattered with fallen hairs and it requires constant cleaning which becomes a very tedious and cumbersome task..

This constant shedding is normally observed in tropical and sub-tropical countries. Due to hot and dry conditions, the skin dries up resulting in shedding.  Dogs prone to excessive shedding need a lot of brushing.

Extra amount of fats and oils should be added in their food. For stubborn shedding, vinegar with glycerine should be rubbed into the coat before bathing the dog. In long coated dogs, the solution of vinegar with glycerine should be applied thoroughly and left for at least one hour before bathing the dog.

Raj Prateek Verma

How to house break a puppy?

The more I see of humans, The more I love Dogs

It is very important for all owners to house- break a pup after it has been introduced to the household.
This ensures that the puppy becomes trained to carry out its routine affairs without being a nuisance. Of course, initially it needs a lot of patience and perseverance but the end results are worth it.

Make it a point to take him out at least every two hours. This schedule/timetable should be maintained at any cost. This is the first thing to be done in the morning, and repeated after every meal and just before bed at night apart from the regular outings at an interval of 2 hours.

When he errs, make him realize his mistake . A slight scolding or a light slap with a folded newspaper is enough. Remember, never hit your puppy hard. This will only make him timid and it might also get badly hurt. Most dogs catch on quickly. It hardly takes two to three months for a pup to be house trained.

Raj Prateek Verma

How to keep a new puppy from crying?

The more I see of humans, The more I love Dogs

One of the greatest problems faced by dog owners when a new pup is brought home, is to  pacify it. Generally the puppy  gets disturbed in its new surroundings. It has been forcefully seperated from its mother and siblings. It misses the warmth of his mother's body, the litter companions..
 Following steps may be taken to pacify the pup.

1. Offer it clean water as soon as it arrives. it may be very thirsty after a long journey.
2. Keep away the children from handling it too much. Too much of a handling will surely frighten the puppy.
3. Clean bed with a new mattress should be provided
4. The puppy might keep on crying at night. This is rather irritating as the whole household will be disturbed.
5. Before retiring to bed , a hot water bottle may be kept on the puppy's bed in order to simulate warmth.
6. A loud ticking clock sometimes works wonderfully in trying to distract a puppy from crying.
7. If these dont work, a baby aspirin, or a sleeping pill may be given.

Raj Prateek Verma

Amusing Dogs

The more I see of humans, The more I love Dogs


It is said  that the dog is the closest animal to humans and that it makes us  laugh  more than any other. Some dogs are amusing simply because  of their appearance. The Chinese hailess dog, for instance, with the strange tuft of hair on the its head and naked body, or the Shar-Pei, buried in great folds, are both naturally funny. Some mongrels, perhaps half Labrador Retriever half heaven knows what, can be very amusing to look at. But the more the dog makes us laugh the more we love it. After all a mongrel is unique; it is impossible to find two the same!

We also find the dog's ability to copy the actions of humans amusing; it can carry the newspaper, get car sick, lean out of a window or open a door. And emotionally, too, they imitate us; they can get in a bad mood and sulk; they can give you a melting look; be playful, irritating and and as annoying to their masters as small children can be to their parents.

Irresistibly lovable at times when they look their worse; getting out of water for instance, wet, bedraggled and miserable and having lost all their panache and nobility.http://dogalogueofraj.blogspot.com

Dalmation as a pet

The more I see of humans, The more I love Dogs                                                                                        

 The Dalmatian does not come from Dalmatia and is certainly not of Yugoslavian    origin. One theory is that it may have come from Asia to England in the 18th century via Egypt and Greece. It is a dog of many skills and was used for carrying messages in the Balkan wars. It makes a good watchdog too. In some countries it is used as guide dog for the blind. It is a dog with calm temperament which enjoys playing with children.  It has a slightly melancholy air and depends  even more than most dogs, on human  companionship. Its white coat with black and brown spots is internationally recognizable. It is a strange fact that Dalmatian puppies are born with plain white coat.http://dogalogueofraj.blogspot.com

Despised dogs: Biblical

The more I see of humans, The more I love Dogs

Biblical Dogs                     : Throughout the Old and New Testaments the dog is despised as an abhorrent, unclean animal. The only polite reference to a dog in the Apocrypha (Old Testament appendix), in the book of Tobit. Tobias's Dog accompanied him on a journey to Ecbatana as a companion and friend - a very alien concept to the Semitic mind, and the dog does not appear in the Aramaic or Hebrew versionhttp://dogalogueofraj.blogspot.com