With cold weather on the horizon you may find yourself thinking about how to help your dog’s joints this fall and winter. If your pooch experiences joint issues, keep reading as we share six tips that may help keep your dog comfortable during the cold months ahead.

 Install Ramps

Probably one of the easiest things you can do to make life easier on your pup’s joints is to purchase a ramp. Ramps can be used in place of steps. They can also be used to make simple tasks, like jumping on the couch, much easier on your canine companion’s joints. Following the manufacturer’s instructions will help you install your ramp properly. Most ramps can be purchased online or at your local pet supply store for a fairly reasonable price.

Orthopedic Bedding

Stiff, tender joints can be very uncomfortable to sleep on. It may be a good idea this fall season to invest in a high-quality orthopedic bed made just for dogs. Keep in mind the size of your dog when selecting a bed. Make sure that Fido’s entire body is able to fit in the bed comfortably while he is lying down. If the idea of lugging your dog’s bed from room to room doesn’t sound like fun to you – you may want to get multiple.

Weight Control

Being overweight can exacerbate your dog’s joint issues. Keeping Fido at a healthy weight is extremely beneficial. Feeding your pup a high quality diet in addition to a nutritious dog supplement, like NuVet Plus, are positive steps you can take to make sure that Fido is receiving proper nutrition. Exercise is also extremely important. If your dog seems to struggle with certain forms of physical activity, speak to your vet about potential options.

Acupuncture

Humans aren’t the only ones who can benefit from alternative remedies. Many dog parents are deciding to provide their beloved canines with acupuncture to help with their joint issues. They feel strongly about acupuncture’s benefits. The idea is that acupuncture allows the body to release its own natural beneficial substances. Speak to your veterinarian if you think acupuncture might be right for your pooch.

Low Impact Exercise

If your dog’s joints prevent him from exercising like he used to, consider seeking out lower impact exercises for your pup. Swimming is an excellent exercise for dogs with joint issues. In the colder weather it may be possible to find a swimming pool for your pet devoted just to dogs. Some pet owners have added doggie treadmills to their home just for Fido. This allows them to provide their pooch with lower impact walking. When it comes to finding the best low impact activity for your pup it is always a good idea to consult your vet.

Joint Supplements

Many dog parents are turning to high quality joint supplements to help their dog’s joints this fall. Several pet parents have witnessed great success after starting their fur babies on a regular regimen of joint support supplementation. Dog parents everywhere have shared the benefits their pups have experienced with NuJoint Plus dog hip and joint supplement.

We hope that you found these tips helpful when it comes to finding assistance for your dog’s joints this fall. Here at NuVet Labs we are committed to the creation of high quality pet products, like NuVet Plus and NuJoint Plus. Proper nutrition and joint support have been shown to enhance and improve the quality of life for pets everywhere. We regularly receive testimonials from dog parents who happily witness their dogs looking and feeling better than ever after being on a daily regimen of NuVet supplements.

Learn more about NuVet Labs and their supplements here!

Socialization is an important part of the healthy development for puppies. Dogs tend to have malleable personalities, which means they can end up aggressive or more docile, nervous or more outgoing, depending upon a variety of factors.

The most influential factor is the dog’s socialization, beginning from the time they are very young puppies. Although factors like breed and genetics can also play a role, socialization has the largest influence in the final outcome. Fortunately for new dog owners, it is also the easiest of the factors to control.

The Importance of Socialization

When it comes to raising a well adjusted dog, socialization is essential. Dogs tend to make very strong associations to particular situations and base their behavior upon their previous experiences. This applies to both positive and negative behaviors. These experiences will influence how the dog will react to children, noise, people in certain clothing, different types of dogs, and more.

Socialization involves introducing the dog to a wide variety of situations in a positive way. The goal is to help them develop a calm and friendly personality as an adult. Interestingly, researchers have found that puppies are the easiest to expose to new situations. As the dog grows up, they naturally become more wary of new situations and the process of socialization can be much more difficult.

Optimal Times for Socialization

Whenever possible, new puppy owners should begin the process of socialization between three and twelve weeks old. Some may be nervous about exposure to other dogs before the pet has finished their shots.

However, it is possible to begin in controlled environments with dogs that have been certified as healthy by their veterinarians. Also check that the other dogs are up to date on their vaccinations thus far. After twelve weeks, dogs will become increasingly more fearful and difficult to socialize. The experiences they have had leading up to this point will greatly influence their future personality.

Many dog owners recognize a second critical period in the dog’s development. This begins after four and a half months and can continue up to two years. Some refer to this period as the dog’s ‘adolescence’. During this period, dogs can become more hostile to new situations and experience more anxiety. Offering treats and a calming presence are often good ways to help the dog move past these difficulties.

Remember, the dog will progress through various personality changes as he ages. Therefore, it is important that socialization continues throughout the dog’s lifetime. Owners should look for ways to help dogs adjust to new situations and keep them calm when meeting new people. The more positive experiences they have, the greater the chance of having a friendly dog and an excellent companion.

How to Socialize a Dog

Begin during the critical period between three and twelve weeks. The puppy should be exposed to as many quality situations involving different people and different animals as possible. Some professional breeders mention that they take the time to move new litters to a variety of rooms in the home. This helps to expose them to different textures and environments.

Inviting children to interact and play with the puppies under careful supervision is another excellent technique. In general, puppies should be well exposed to humans touching them and handling them. Seclusion in yards or kennels should be avoided.

Some areas may offer ‘puppy kindergartens’ where dogs can begin interacting with one another and even be exposed to different sounds and smells. Those who do not have access to these options can reach out to other local pet owners and organize ‘puppy play-dates’.

It is important for the owners to take the socialization process slowly and listen to the responses from their dog. If the dog is showing signs of anxiety, such as backing into a corner and not wanting to play, then help them calm down. This can be done by sitting with them a little further from the action, offering treats, and slowly reintroducing them to the environment as they become more comfortable.

Remember to keep the experiences as varied as possible, from people of all ages, to people in uniforms, on bikes, loud noises, crowds, and more. The more environments and types of people the dog interacts with during the early weeks and beyond, the better off your pup will be.

Dog Socialization and Proper Development

Dog socialization is a critical part of developing a healthy personality and temperament for the animal. Their ability to adapt to new situations and interact with people and animals is largely defined by their experiences in the first several weeks of life. Proper socialization is an important part of being a dog owner. Hopefully the above will help those adopting an animal get started on this critical aspect of animal rearing.

Pet parents looking for more go to advice, check out http://nuvetplus.com/blog/ or http://nuvetonline.com/blog/.

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The human-animal bond is an incredible interspecies connection. For generations, people have referred to dogs as ‘man’s best friend’. Yet, few people realize how true that statement really is. The bond that exists between pets and their human owners has far reaching benefits for people of all ages.

Psychological studies have found that there are a wide range of psychological, emotional, and even physical benefits of adopting an animal. Understanding the depths of this bond can help people make sense of the excitement and attachment they experience when they take the initial steps to adopt a new pet.

How Humans Express Their Affection

Humans tend to demonstrate their love and affection for their pets the same way they would for other humans. They invest time and money in caring for the animal, spending time with the animal, and being affectionate with them. According to sociologist David Blouin, 93 percent of dog owners and 77 percent of cat owners bring their animal to the vet each year for a check-up. 80 percent of dog owners and 67 percent of cat owners will also spend two hours or more each day with their animal. Nearly all of the surveyed pet owners said they spent at least some of their day with their pets. Humans also seem to focus around building their bonds with their animals through touch and physical affection. For many people, their natural desire to give physical affection can be offered through petting and cuddling.

The strong, innate desire of humans to take care of their animals, evidenced by their maintenance of their pet’s health through vet visits and regular care, also is what motivates companies like NuVet to develop products dedicated towards improving pets’ health. Unlike wild animals, pets are animals who have integrated into families, with many owners looking upon them as ‘children’. It is only natural that these owners seek products to supplement their pet’s nutrition the same way they do for the humans in their family.

Emotional Benefits of the Human-Animal Bond

When speaking of the benefits of animals, the emotional and psychological benefits are often the first that come to mind. For children, animals help to encourage a sense of responsibility. For secluded individuals, animals offer an intense emotional connection that is missing from other areas of their lives. Pets are wonderful because they allow humans to love them without fear of rejection. Studies have shown that the presence of pets helps children remain calm while awaiting a dental examination or completing a reading evaluation. This demonstrates the calming emotional presence the animals can have.

Physical Benefits of the Human-Animal Bond

What many people may not realize are the actual physical effects bonding with an animal can have on a human. For example, pet ownership has been associated with a lower heart rate, lower blood pressure, and general stress relief. Studies have also shown that pet ownership leads to improved health through encouraging physical activity. When dogs were introduced to elderly people suffering from mobility problems, the dogs were able to improve mobility in the humans by 28 percent, which was more than six times the improvement seen when humans were paired with other humans to walk with.

Cultivating The Human-Animal Bond

Cultivating the human-animal bond from the beginning is an important step to getting started on the right foot. Proper care for the animal, including tending to proper nutrition and making sure the animal receives regular health care are excellent first steps. It is equally important to spend quality time with the animal. This can be done by playing, walking, petting, cuddling, and training them when necessary to further develop the emotional connection. These steps together will go a long way towards beginning a lifelong bond and friendship.

Pets offer a valuable relationship to the humans in their lives. They provide social support, an outlet for affection, unconditional friendship, stress relief, and more. The human-animal bond continues to be a source of fascination for many in the psychological community. Continued studies will seek to understand this unique and profound relationship.

Puppy Checklist

The first trip down the pet store aisle can be overwhelming for any new dog parent. The wide variety of products and brands, all expertly marketed to make it appear as though they are ‘must haves’, can leave one wondering how much is actually necessary to properly raise their new canine companion. NuVet Labs created a new puppy checklist to help you be ready before you bring your new pup home!

The new puppy checklist identifies the most important items when adopting a new dog and some tips for selecting the perfect one for the family. Get more pet information by following the NuVet Twitter page.

Crate

While it’s nice to offer your pet a soft, cushy bed to lie in while you are around, a crate is an important part of training your puppy. The crate will become a safe, secure place for your pet. It will help you immensely as you potty train your dog. Entice your pup to enter the crate by making it as comfortable as possible. Consider adding a blanket or a fun toy.

The ideal crate will be large enough for the dog once he has reached his adult size, but also capable of being partitioned while the dog is still a puppy. While not all puppies require partitioning, some may be tempted to use a portion as a bathroom if the crate is too large. It is really only necessary for the dog to be able to stand up, turn around, and lay down within the crate. While some people find that dogs seem to prefer plastic crates, they are more difficult to partition.

Food and Water Dishes

Especially when the dog is young, avoid using bowls that are excessively large. Controlling food and water can often play a large role in house training. Since many dogs enjoy playing in water, finding a water dish with a splash area can prevent a potential mess. Choosing stainless steel dishes can also allow the bowls to be easily washed in the dishwasher.

Nutritional Supplements

You probably have picked out a high-quality pet food for your new dog. However, you might not realize that it won’t give your pet all of the vitamins and nutrients that it needs.

Pet nutritional supplements, such as NuVet Plus, are essential to helping build your new puppy’s immunity. The chicken liver in NuVet Plus K-9 wafers makes them taste great. You can even use them as a training treat! Learn why these supplements are an important part of your new puppy checklist on YouTube. They give your puppy the best start in life, and give them all of the vitamins, minerals and antioxidants that it needs.

Collar

There are a wide variety of collars on the market. Most people only need to get a standard flat collar to hold the dog tags and attach to a leash. The collar should be fitted to allow for two fingers underneath. Certain types of dogs, such as greyhounds, or dogs who are particularly talented at slipping out of their collar, may be better served by a martingale collar.

If you decide to purchase a training collar, it is best to do so with the guidance of an experienced trainer. It is very easy to misuse the various collars such as shock collars, choker collars, or pinch collars and cause serious harm to the pet. If absolutely necessary, most professionals believe the pinch collar to be the least dangerous.

Leash

For new dogs, it will be best to buy a leash that allows four to six feet of walking distance. The popular ‘flex’ lead leashes can hamper training efforts. When puppies are very young, the martingale collar or slip lead leash can help prevent them from escaping their collars and putting themselves in danger.

ID Tag

Identification is an important aspect of the puppy checklist ‘must haves’. Dogs should have up-to-date, personalized ID tags at all times. This is necessary in case the animal should ever become separated from the owners. Some professionals also recommend putting phrases such as, “this dog requires regular medication” on the tag to prevent people from being tempted to keep the pet.

It is becoming increasingly popular to microchip dogs as another form of identification. These electronic database tags contain your contact information so that your pet can be returned to you in the event that you both are separated. While some people like to put this information on the dog tag, they should also be aware that this can alert thieves to the microchip and make them less likely to bring the dog to a vet where the chip could be discovered.

Chew Bones

Keeping a variety of chew toys and bones around can help keep dogs occupied, improve oral health, and help protect the furniture. There are a variety of chew bones available. Some are toys that allow food to be put inside whereas others are fully edible bones. Those who prefer the more natural approach can get frozen raw marrow bones from a butcher. Do not give dogs regular cooked bones from a plate, especially not chicken bones. These bones can break and swallowed pieces can cause internal damage. If you prefer rawhide, only buy chunks that seem too big for the dog to avoid having pieces break off and cause injury.

Carpet Cleaners

This item on the puppy checklist is less for your new pup, and more for you. These products can be a lifesaver for a carpet that has been exposed to dogs. Between grass stains, accidents, and other natural hazards of having pets, a quality enzymatic cleaner can make an enormous difference. For safety and efficiency, find one that is marked specifically for pet use.

Dog Shampoos and Brushes

Dogs, like children, love to play in mud, roll around, and can quickly make a mess of themselves. Dog shampoos and regular baths will help keep them clean. In an absolute pinch, baby shampoo can be a suitable substitute. However, a dog shampoo will be the best suited for the animal’s fur and skin. It is also important to regularly groom dogs, so pick up a quality brush, metal comb, and nail clippers to help keep your new friend looking sharp.

Poop Bags

Some owners will find it easier to buy special ‘poop bags’ that often come in easily transportable rolls. Others will be fine simply saving their garbage bags and using them on walks. Whichever scenario applies, it is important to remember to always clean up after dogs. It is often required by law and out of courtesy for others in the neighborhood.

By checking all of the above items off of your puppy checklist, you can ensure you are prepared before you bring your new puppy home.