How to Train Your Chihuahua

It is beneficial to start your dog off by teaching proper obedience through Chihuahua training. You should know that just because your dog lives a life of liberation does not actually mean that your dog is incapable of learning. Training seems to be more beneficial when preformed at home instead of at a school.

What a lot of people do not realize is that those classes are more helpful when it comes to teaching bigger dogs that are out of control. Schools are more used to force teach bigger dogs into being calm. These programs are not beneficial for Chihuahua Training. You are better off if your Chihuahua Training on your own and in your own home using an at home chihuahua training program that promotes positive and not forceful training.

Those out dated techniques use force-training which can be impractical and do more damage than good. This is bad entertainment for your dog and will negatively affect the dog. Your dog will respond better with positive guidance methods. Be sure not to force your dog into pleasing you. This should be a positive experience for the two of you. A bonding experience, not a forceful one since they desire to please you. They only need you to teach them what pleases you. Negative discipline does not work! They rarely even need anything but light correction.

Emphasize positive chihuahua training by rewarding the dog with lots of treats and complements. Lessons work better when the dog is not full, otherwise he will not be food motivated when training, in that case you could also use a toy to motivate your dog. Remember to keep lessons brief. Try not to train your dog for longer than 5 or so minutes a day on a single trick

When Your Dog is Getting Old

Signs my dog is getting older is sad and difficult but fortunately it is a slow process. The slow process allows a person time to understand that the years have passed and you need to enjoy each other for the remaining unknown time you have together.

As you sit in your easy chair petting your dog, one is mindful of all the funny antics that your puppy once did, all of the good time memories during family occasions, and all of the fun from everyday simple things that your dog does about the house.

Yes, our wonderful dog is getting older. These are the signs my old cocker spaniel is getting old and as you read and think about these signs they may also apply to your pet.

1. Hair color is changing. More white or grey is appearing in its coat.
2. The coat does not feel as soft as it once was.
3. Hair curls are flattening into straighter strands.
4. Some of the individual hair strands feel dry and loosing their luster.
5. When you look at his face he looks older and the eye expressions appear tired.
6. The eyes are taking on a blue tint indicating cataracts are beginning.
7. He catnaps more often and sleeps for longer periods of time.
8. He is not as energetic, therefore, moves slower.
9. He walks more than he runs. He takes shorter walks.
10. He has difficulty jumping into his favorite chair.
11. He does not seem to be as curious, perhaps this is because he is more mature or...
12. He seems more comfortable and happy with the world about him and accepts it.
13. He does not like sudden changes, prefers his routine and can be stubborn.
14. He is usually friendly, but occasionally cranky and lacks patience with children.
15. He is slowly loosing his hearing.
16. Skin allergies and weight problems are developing which indicates a change of diet.
17. Visiting the vet has you hearing news of heart murmurs and circulation problems.
18. You need to watch their water intake. If there is a change it may be an indicator for diseases like diabetes mellitus or kidney problems.
19. Do you have a female dog? The vet says they have a tendency to be incontinent as they age.
20. His legs are beginning to bow and he stands with a wider leg stance. Did you know that human beings do the same thing? The wider stance is for better balance.

A dog getting older is similar to our passage into the autumn years of our lives. We can still enjoy life to its fullest. We just have to move slower and experience occasional pains here and there. These irritations are warning signals to slow down and smell the roses.

We do not like seeing our best friend entering the older years of their lives, but you need to remember how much love, joy, and richness they bring into our lives and they deserve the same from us.

How to Construct Wooden Dog House

Wooden dog houses are among some of the most popular types of houses that are available. Perhaps one of the reasons why this is the case, is because they are the easiest for the common homeowner or do-it-yourselfer to build. There may be times, however, whenever you would like to build a large wooden house that is quite luxurious and perhaps contains a number of different options that make it more like a regular house than a house for a dog. Here are some things to keep in mind whenever building wooden dog houses such as this.

One of the first things to consider is whether you're going to be drawing up the plans yourself or if you are going to be purchasing one of the kits that are available. Many people will choose one of these kits, simply because it has everything that you will need in order to get the job done. The only thing that it does take out of the equation, unfortunately, is that you do not have as much leeway as far as being creative with the building project. If you were to add something such as stairs or perhaps a wooden dog house balcony, you would need to design this into the kit and then add the materials necessary in order to do it.

That is why it is a much better idea for you to build wooden houses and to plan them from the start on your own. It does not need to have some great architectural drawings in order for it to be exactly what you need it to be. Just a rough idea of the sizes, perhaps even drawn to scale so that you are able to see on paper how much room is going to be available for the pet inside. If you're adding luxury items to the inside or outside of the dog house, these should also be included on the plans and you should make room for them whenever purchasing the items in advance for the house.

A large wooden dog house is something that is probably going to be more beneficial to you as the builder that it is going to be to the dog. The unfortunate reality about these larger houses is the fact that most animals won't really spend much of their time in any more than a small portion of the house. They won't enjoy the inside and outside features that are available, but that doesn't mean that there is anything wrong with you enjoying building them.

You might even find that there is a market for these wooden dog house in your area, especially if you are able to do an excellent job on building one for yourself. A large wooden dog house is going to be in demand, and although there are always going to be freebies that are available, these will not stand against the customized jobs that you may be able to do. You might just find that you are building these houses for many dogs, not just your own.

How to Stop Your Dogs Chew on Your Furniture

Can you get your dog to stop chewing on your furniture? Yes you can. Understanding the things that contribute to this behavior will make things much easier for you. Eliminate these things first and it will make the training part much easier.

Keep Your Dog Active

Nearly all dogs were originally bred for some type of work. Boredom and too little daily exercise is a big contributor to destructive behavior. Like chewing on your furniture. If you can give your dog just 10 minutes of exercise before you go to work in the morning you would be surprised how much this would help. Not only would your dog get rid of some energy, it will provide you with some bonding time with your dog, and help her feel more secure. Secure dogs are less destructive. Less destructive dogs are much easier to train as well.

I would also recommend purchasing several different active toys for your dog. These type of toys develop a dog's intelligence and puzzle solving skills. They replace boredom with fun and treats. 

Don't Leave Crumbs for Your Dog

In the age of television it's not uncommon for the dinner table to be replaced with the couch. There are always accidents, small spills and splatters, and crumbs that can end up on the furniture. Keep a napkin handy and cleanup crumbs quickly before the odor gets into the furniture. Be sure to use soap and water to clean up any spills or dribbles especially on the coffee table or anything made of wood.

Redirect Your Dogs Chewing

Keep plenty of her favorite chewing toys handy at all times. When she starts to go for your furniture call her name and tell her no. Then offer her one of her favorite chewing toys. When she takes it from you, be sure to praise her. She will soon learn what she's allowed to chew on, and what not to chew on. During the day when you're not home, until you get her trained, its best to keep her in a confined area where she doesn't have access to your furniture.

I have shared with you a few basic ideas to help you with your dogs chewing behavior. You will need to discover other tips and advice before you find what works best for you and your dog.

The Most Important Points in Dog Training

If you are trying to train a dog then chances are you are looking all over for dog training secrets that will make your job easier. There are many dog training secrets out there, but none will be as helpful as what you are about to learn. There is one fundamental truth of dog training. That is that dog training is all about communication. Without the right communication you will never get your dog trained.

Communication in training is all about sending the right message to the dog so the dog understands what behavior he should do. There are two basic ways you can go about communicating your message to your dog. You can use positive reinforcement or correction.

Positive Reinforcement

Positive reinforcement is when you praise or reward your dog when he does what it is that you want him to do. Positive reinforcement includes things like giving your dog a treat when he performs the correct action or offering him praise when he performs correctly.

Positive reinforcement is all about teaching your dog that if he does what it is that he is supposed to do that good things will happen to him. He will start to want to do the requested actions because he has learned doing so gets him a reward.

Positive reinforcement is the recommended method of communication to use during training and considered one of the top dog training secrets. This is because a dog will usually respond much better to positive things than negative things. Many dog breeds will only learn through positive reinforcement because it is in their natural to rebel against or ignore negative things. In some cases using negative methods in training will make the dog afraid to try to learn at all for fear he will make a mistake and get in trouble.

Correction

The correction method of training is not about punishment. It is about showing the dog the correct thing to do when he does something wrong. It is all about redirecting. For example, if the dog does not come when called, the trainer would use the leash to urge the dog to come while saying the command. This is one of the dog training secrets that many people may not even know about before they start researching training.

Showing the dog how to do things correctly lets the dog know what is expected of him. This can be quite helpful, especially with a dog that is a slower learner or who is having a difficult time understanding what is expected. Extremely high strung or hyper dogs can benefit from this method simply because it makes them focus on the task at hand.

The Key to Effectiveness

No matter what method of communication you use in your dog training you will want to know the top dog training secrets keys to making your communication efforts effective. This is consistency.

Give Proper Nutrition to Your Dog

Man's best friend, the dog. Lovable and playful and if you are not careful it will eat you out of house and home. Yes, this animal loves nothing better than to find something to chew on. This may not sound like a big problem, but some of the foods that we take for granted can actually be very fatal.

Everybody's favourite sweet treat, the chocolate, looks good and tastes good, but baking chocolate and dark chocolate could have especially serious implications if they were to be eaten by some dogs.

There are certain chemicals inside Onions that can be fatal; this is because the chemicals can turn into a poison once it enters the animal's digestive system.

If you walk in the fields regularly with your dog then you may want to know that mushrooms can be fatal to some of them, and also in the same way garlic can be fatal. The effect of this spice in this animal can prove fatal and is very quick reacting.

Most dogs can eat food that contains seeds with just a little discomfort, but apple seeds unfortunately can prove fatal.

Another thing that can have serious repercussions if your pet gets hold of them is poultry bones. Normal bones are good for them to chew on but poultry bones are a different matter altogether. These shatter quite easily and leave very sharp points protruding out. If these should become trapped inside a dog's stomach or Intestine the consequences do not bear thinking about.

Dogs are not a canine version of a garbage can, even though they do eat almost anything. Do not leave food out for your pet or anybody else's to find; keep temptation out of their way.

Even an innocent piece of food lying around could be enough to kill either your pet or somebody else's. Just a little care and you could stop an innocent creature from losing its life.

Tips to Fulfill Your Dog Nutrition

There are four things you need to ask yourself BEFORE feeding your dog.

1. What size is your dog? Small, medium or large

The size of Fido determines the amount of food to feed him. The pet food bag will list an approximate amount to feed a certain size dog but it's only a guide. There is no way a pet food company can list every dog breed on their label. Not to mention every size! Just realize these guides aren't specifically for YOUR dog. It isn't rocket science. If he's gaining weight feed him less. If he's a little thin, feed him more. Do not go by what your neighbor feeds HIS dog!

2. What kind of daily activity do you give Fido?

Do you take your dog out for walks every day? (I hope you are if you want him to live a long life) If you have a high energy dog he will need a diet to support his energy levels. Working dogs are a great example of this. They have very active days and need more calories than a pet that just walks half an hour a day.

3. How old is your dog?

Nutritional needs depend on his/her stage of life plus their size. For example, a puppy will need a high protein, high calorie diet because he's growing. An adult needs a balance of proteins, carbohydrates and fats. A Senior will need specific food products with just a little extra additives and immune boosters to help with their joints, their bones and their muscles.

4. Does he/she have any health conditions?

If your dog has any kind of health condition, it will definitely change his nutritional needs. Your vet can help you with this. They can make sure your pet doesn't get too much protein for a kidney condition, or too many carbs for being extremely overweight, etc. Your Vet will check over your dog first to make sure he is getting what his body needs.

You are just asking for trouble if you don't ask these questions. You could be over feeding your beloved canine and at the same time wondering why on earth he is gaining weight when you're feeding exactly what the label says to feed him.

There are many dog owners that just don't care. Please don't be one of them. By not caring and giving your dog nothing but table scraps, you could be poisoning him. They can get sick, become lethargic, have a lack in energy, etc. If you are going to feed Fido human food, you MUST feed him properly and actually make his food for him just the same as you do your family, but you must know WHICH human foods are dangerous to your dog.

Always remember that no two dogs are exactly the same. Regardless of what his special needs are there is a dog food that fits him. Your job is to find it. Just make sure if you buy from a dog food company that it is nothing but PREMIUM dog food. No by-products, additives or coloring!

What is Dog Bloat and How to Cure It?

This illness can affect all dogs at anytime in their lives. This is such a serious health condition that it can kill if it isn't treated fast and effectively by your vet. Dog bloat is also known by another name - GDV or Gastric Dilatation and Volvulus. It is also sometimes referred to as Gastric Distension and Gastric Torsion. Although there are certain breeds of dog that are more prone to this illness it is primarily caused by your dog eating his food too fast. Most dog's eat their food very fast and when this happens it can cause air to also be swallowed along with the food. It is also possible for your dog to get this condition when he has swallowed lots of water really fast as this can also cause air to be swallowed at the same time causing stomach distension.

Dog bloat not only causes the stomach to distend due to the build up of gas and air but the volvulus can also extend and then twist up to 180 to 360 degrees. This can cause the esophagus to become blocked - the duodenum may also become blocked and pinched trapping more gas, fluid and air in the stomach. If the spleen also becomes blocked then this may also block off the blood supply and this is when the condition becomes life threatening. However, your dog should not have reached this stage as he should have been take to the vet way before the symptoms progressed this far.

There has also been some evidence to suggest that certain dry dog food that has fat listed in the first four ingredients on the label are 170% more likely to cause the condition. The symptoms of canine bloat may include some of the following.

• Your dog may try to vomit unsuccessfully - retching.
• Your dog's stomach may appear bloated and larger than usual
• You may notice that your dog is drooling
• Lethargy and restlessness is another symptom of this condition

If your dog has not been treated during these early stages then your dog may develop some of the more serious symptoms listed below.

• Your dog's heart rate may be really fast
• The pulse may be weak
• Your dog may have difficulty in breathing
• Rapid breathing is another symptom of this condition
• If symptoms have progressed too far then your dog may actually collapse.

Treatment for dog bloat will involve your vet putting a long tube (without the volvulus issue) into your dog's stomach to through his mouth so that it will help your dog release any air and fluid that has been trapped. The vet will then fast your dog for about 36 hours giving intravenous fluids via a drip. If the volvulus issues have been diagnosed then surgery may need to be performed - this is when the stomach and the spleen are repositioned.

Home Remedies for Your Dog Troubles

There may be times when you don't want to use actual medication to treat your dog's symptoms, whether it be a flea and tick problem, dry skin, odor, or any other issue that your dog may be experiencing. In this case you may want to turn to a home remedy in order to try and solve the problem. There are a number of home remedies that work well in getting rid of some of the common problems that you find with dogs. Please note that if you are not sure about any one of the following remedies, you will want to speak with your veterinarian before trying them out.

Here are some popular home remedies for common dog problems:

Dogs often have to deal with fleas and ticks at some point during their lifetime. One possible remedy that you could try is to take the rinds of an orange, turn them into a paste, and apply it evenly to your dog's fur. Leave the paste applied for a few hours and then wash it away with warm water. The solution can potentially help deter fleas and ticks and will also leave your dog's coat smelling wonderful.

If your dog is constantly dealing with dry paws that are cracking as well, you may want to try out this home remedy. Simply take a bit of Vaseline or any brand of petroleum jelly and rub it into the dry areas for 4 to 5 days and you will see a huge improvement in the condition of your dogs dry cracking skin.

Have you noticed that your dog has a bit of an odor problem? One possible home remedy would be to add a few drops of vinegar to your dog's bath water the next time you give your dog a bath. Perhaps you have a hard time getting your dog to take a bath and have to resort to a dry method. In this case you can use baking soda as a type of dry shampoo. All you have to do is sprinkle baking soda onto your dog's coat, leave it applied for 10 minutes or so, and brush it out with a soft brushing. The baking soda will help fight off any odor.

Dogs often have to deal with insect bites, especially in the warmer spring and summer months when insects are out in full force. If you see that your dog is scratching at an insect bite, you can apply a mixture of baking soda and water to the bite area to help sooth the irritation. You may also want to place ice on the area if there is any swelling. Always keep in mind that if you see that your dog is having trouble breathing after a insect bite or bee sting, then your dog may be allergic to the insect or bee sting and you should bring your dog to a vet immediately.

These are just a few of the many safe, effective home remedies that you can use on your dog. If you notice that your dog is showing more serious side effects from these problems such as vomiting or troublesome breathing, then these home remedies will most likely not be effective and you'll want to bring your dog to a veterinarian.

What You Have to Know about Brussels Griffon

This little known breed, the Brussels Griffon, is intelligent, outgoing, affectionate and spunky. Wow, that's just about everything you could ever want in a dog. Or a date, for that matter. It can be quite a challenge to train one though, so you should start at an early age, either at home or in an obedience class.

The "Brussels" can be very friendly and outgoing or it can be timid. There is no way of knowing -- but early contact with many humans and other animals is encouraged. The breed is known to bark excessively -- so it is not always good for apartment living.

Appearance of the Brussels Griffon

The smooth-coated Griffon looks a bit like a bushier pug while the rough-coated Brussels Griffon -- with big, round eyes, a bushy "mustache" and long flowing "beard" -- resembles a character you would see in Lord of the Rings or perhaps at a Grateful Dead or Phish concert.

Their colors range from reddish brown to tan to black. Mixed colors are also common. Both varieties stand 8 to 10 inches tall and weigh 8 - 11 pounds. Life expectancy is 12 - 14 years.

Grooming and Exercise Needs of the Brussels Griffon

This cutie should be groomed a few times a week by brushing and combing. It will also need trimming about 4 times a year to stay healthy. Although this is a dog that love an active lifestyle, it can also do perfectly well with leisurely walks and a occasional game of fetch.

Origins

The Brussels Griffon originated in Brussels, oddly enough, in the 19th century. It is thought to have descended from the back-alley "rat dog" that was common throughout the city at that time. These dogs help control the rodent infestation and were welcome almost everywhere.

Information about American Bulldog

Granted, it takes an owner with strong leadership skills to get the message through that rock like head. But, once your Bully knows who's the boss, there are no problems.

It is best to start while they are still very young...because your Bully will test you. When socialized and trained using positive reinforcement, punishment-free techniques, you won't find a happier, more energetic, loyal, goofy, loving, fun dog.

The amazing thing about them is, when you start training them as early on as possible, they are so sensitive and really do want to please their owner. To get their attention, all it takes is a change in the tone of your voice. They respond instantly! Wait too long, and you may have more of a challenge.

They are medium size, but extremely powerful. Not the best dog if you have small children or elderly visitors! They are so enthusiastic to meet and greet, they could knock someone over by accident.

They do have a high prey drive, so getting them under control and desensitized to smaller pets while still a puppy, is a good idea. It also helps to thwart possible dog aggression.

If you are a couch potato, the American Bulldog is not the right dog for you. They need lots of exercise and mental stimulation. They can be destructive if left alone without something to keep them busy. They love to be mentally challenged, and will surprise you with how quickly they catch on. The key ingredients when training an American Bulldog are confidence and consistency.

Their egos love to be stroked with lots of praise and hugs. That's what makes them easy to train. When they know they have pleased you, they strut around like peacocks, with that little nub for a tail wagging back and forth!

They can be silly, and will put on a show every chance they get, especially when they know you appreciate their humor.

Bullies tend to be gassy and they can sure snore! Some drool more than others. If you're neatnik, any dog in the Bully family may not be the right dog for you. 

Granted, they do look intimidating, but don't judge the book by the cover. They are typically terrific with people. Most really and truly believe everyone they meet, is their new best friend.

Bottom line: Don't rule out the American Bulldog. Do your homework. Be careful where you get them. Sound responsible breeding is important. They may not be fuzzy or what we typically think of as cute. None-the-less, they do have an endearing face, and are really wonderful pets. To know them, is to love them!

Dogs Immunizations to Maintain Your Dogs Health

If you have a dog as a pet, it is advised that you get it vaccinated regularly. It is not only recommended by veterinarians, but in many cases, it is required by law to get certain types. For instance, rabies is a very dangerous disease that can be transmitted from dogs to humans. This would be one of those diseases that the law requires vaccinations, for obvious reasons.

Vaccinations for dogs are divided into two categories: Core and non-core. Core vaccines are the ones that all dogs need to have. Non-core vaccines are only recommended for certain situations.

Core vaccines include:

• Rabies: This vaccine has been highly successful and is effective according to the type administered. Side effects have been known to happen but the risk is quite low.
• Parvovirus: The vaccine offers an impressive rate of success and is effective for about 1 year. Side effects are minimal to none.
• Hepatitis: Your dog will be protected for approximately 1 year with this vaccine. Side effects are rare. The canine adenovirus-2 and CAV-2 are the only recommended vaccines to use.
• Canine Distemper: A very effective vaccine, it offers immunity for 1 year, with minimal to no side effects.

Non-Core vaccines include:

• Measles: It seems that dogs can get this disease as well as humans. However, it is only administered in situations of high risk canine distemper, and only in puppies that are 4 - 10 weeks old.
• Respiratory Disease caused by CAV-2: This is only given as needed annually, and has few side effects.
• Para Influenza: Dogs who are in shows, kennels, shelters or other large groups are advised to get this vaccine. It can be given annually or as often as needed.
• Lyme: Given annually, this one is effective in dogs with no previous exposure.
• Leptospirosis: Varying degrees of effectiveness is provided by this vaccine, and on some dogs it has no effect at all.
• Bordetella: This is an intranasal vaccine that needs to be administered 2 weeks before the dog is exposed.
• Corona Virus: There is not a lot of effectiveness in this one but is administered to dogs in kennels, shows, shelters, and breeding facilities.

There is a vaccine that combines adenovirus, hepatitis, distemper, Para Influenza, and parvovirus called the 5-way vaccine. There are some of the combinations that also add the Leptospirosis and the corona virus.

If you have a new dog or puppy, there is a recommended schedule to follow for vaccinations to be administered. The first one is parvovirus which should be given at 5 weeks of age. When your puppy is 6 weeks and then again at 9 weeks, it should receive the combination vaccine with Leptospirosis and corona virus excluded.

The rabies and combination vaccines should be received at 12 weeks. The combination vaccine should be administered again at 15 weeks. If Lyme is considered a threat, it should also be given during this same timeframe. When you have adult dogs, they need to receive the combination vaccine and the rabies vaccine. This is also the time to get the corona virus and Leptospirosis vaccines if there is a threat.

If you have any questions about when your dog needs to be vaccinated and what those vaccines should be, always check with your veterinarian.

Three Steps to Make Your Dogs Fetch

Your dogs’ creative mind can think of all sorts of things that they consider games, so if you’re wondering how to make your dog fetch, you do not need to wonder for long. How to make your dog fetch is quite simple. It will come to the point where you want have to even say fetch, he just will do it instinctively. Here are the steps on how to make your dog fetch.

Step one

Buy two identical toys, show him one and throw it. He should go for it in an automatic way. 

Step two

When he gets to the toy, call him and show him that you have the other toy. 

Step three

He will probably run back, with luck he will carry the second toy with him, if not, he will practice, if he is like my dog he will be greedy and want both toys at once, so he will not dare leave the first one behind.

Teaching your dog this, gives your pup a fun exercise that he enjoys. I included a link at the bottom that has a free dog training lesson video. You may find it to be helpful. I wish you only the best with your dog. Hope this helped and with time and patience, your dog will know how to fetch in no time at all.

Healthy Food for Your Dogs

Your pooch deserves to have delicious homemade meals in order to grow big and strong. That is why you should not feed it with processed products. These can be harmful to the health in a number of ways. It is best for you to use dog food recipes and prepare the meals on your own. You will see that this is definitely not time and effort consuming. With some practice you will become a master in the kitchen. But first you need to find the healthy recipes first.

You can start your search online. There are plenty of websites offering various dog food recipes. Unfortunately, not all internet sources are trustworthy. So, you have to make some checks first. You should read the list of ingredients. If there is any ingredient that your dog is allergic to you should definitely give up the recipe. Also, you have to decide how nutritional the meal will be. Some of the foods offered on websites are specifically made as snacks. They cannot be used for your pet's main diet. Another problem with the dog food recipes posted online is that they are often incomplete and do not have calorie count.

You can easily avoid all the searching and the worries by getting a dedicated cookbook. These are readily available and can give you all the information and tips you need. In this way you will actually be able to create entire nutrition plans for your pet. Plus, you can prepare a different meal every day. Often there are also gourmet dog food recipes for special occasions. These will really make your pet happy as they are the perfect present. Moreover, when the advice and the instructions come from a specialist you can be certain that you are on the right track toward making your pooch super healthy.

Hypoallergenic Foods for Your Dogs – Is It Good?

In medicine doctors look for two things, signs and symptoms. Simply speaking, signs are things that another person can see and symptoms are thing the patient feels that aren't necessarily apparent to an observer. Humans help their doctors by carefully describing their symptoms. Unfortunately, your dog can't communicate his symptoms to you or the vet. Therefore it's sometimes hard to determine if your dog has an allergy or is so what is causing it.

A few signs that dogs show, just like humans with allergies, are pretty common. Sneezing, watery eyes, running noses and scratching are easy to see. Somewhat less obvious are stomach problems loss of appetite and breathing problems. If you notice any of these things the first thing to suspect as a culprit is some sort of food allergy, especially if you have recently switched to a new brand of food.

Once you suspect a food allergy, the next step is to isolate the exact cause. This is hard in humans and can be extremely frustrating in animals. Often allergy related signs and symptoms take weeks to go away after the allergen is eliminated from the diet. But it can be done through careful observation and careful planning.

One method is to put your dog on a hypoallergenic dog food. Once the dog is free of any allergic signs and symptoms, you will begin to reintroduce previous foods one at a time in an attempt to determine the exact culprit. Try to be as specific as possible in the foods you add. For instance instead of adding a dog food that is corn based, simply add a little corn to the dog's diet and watch for problems. Go slowly and give each new food time to cause problems before moving on to the next. Also, when you have eliminated one food, stop feeding it to your dog before trying the next one since the allergy may be caused by a combination of products.

Just because your dog has been eating the same food for a long time without problems, don't rule out a food based allergy if problems suddenly pop up. Allergies often show up out of the blue, especially later in life. If this is the case, follow the method above to test for allergies.

Though your vet can test for some frequent allergies, this is often expensive and in the long run is less effective than food based testing. A dog may only be allergic to one brand of food and not to an entire food source in general.