Tails Blog

Fleas are wingless insects, with tough shiny laterally flattened bodies covered in bristles, making it easy for them to move between the hairs on the back of your dog. 

Flea Bite
Adult fleas mouths are modified for sucking blood from their hosts. The itch a bite inflicts is a reaction from the fleas saliva. A flea can survive for a long period of time without feeding, even up to a year. Both males and females suck blood, and it is only after their first feed that they can reproduce. 

Flea Egg
Fleas undergo complete metamorphosis. Females lay their eggs on your dog, or perhaps the eggs fall onto your carpet from off your dog. One flea can lay 50 tiny sticky white eggs a day, which hatch into bristly whitish thread like maggots called larva. Larva are scavengers that feed on the hosts dried blood, dead skin, or the excrement of adult fleas.

Flea Larva
In the pupal phase the larva is enclosed in a silk like cocoon where an adult flea is fully developed and ready to emerge. They are encouraged to emerge  when they receive a signal that a potential host is near. This might be in the form of vibrations including sound, body heat, or carbon dioxide.

Flea Pupae

Many fleas carry parasites like tapeworm and diseases, as the rat flea did in Europe in the 1300's, when one quarter of the continent's population died from bubonic plague (Black Death).

Tapeworm

Continued exposure to sunlight will kill a flea in any part of it's life cycle. 
So will Prac-tic flea treatment for dogs. Tails is pleased to announce this product is now available for sale online. Prac-tic is an effective treatment against fleas on dogs regardless of where they fit in it's life cycle. As the name suggests, Prac-tic will also guard against ticks.  

  

Click on the Prac-tic pack to learn more about a flea treatment to suit your dog.

Drontal worming treatment for dogs is also available and of course delivery is free!!

What are the causes of skin conditions and hot spots in dogs and cats?

An allergy is a hypersensitivity disorder of the immune system. Essentially our pets immune system over reacts. Cats and dogs are susceptible to an allergic response in the same way that we are. Our pets often experience allergies in the form of skin conditions as a consequence. 

Flea Bites

Saliva in the bite from a flea causes an over reaction that creates irritation. 

Dietary Allergy

As the title suggests, things our pets eat can cause an allergic response. Our pets can even suffer an allergic response to common food compounds such as protein or carbohydrates. But often its a preservative or dyes in the food. 

Atopic Dermatitis

This condition is often hereditary. Certain breeds are more susceptible. Dogs with this affliction often have itchy eyes, muzzle, ears and/or feet. Common inhaled allergens include pollen, grass, plants, dust mites and mould. Inhalant allergies cause scratching, chewing and licking. This leads to secondary infections and further discomfort.

Hot Spots

A hot spot is an acutely inflamed area of skin irritation, caused or made worst by your dogs licking or biting.

What can I do to help if my pet suffers from skin conditions mentioned above?

Tails now stock BioPet Grasses. This product is made in New Zealand. It is a homoeopathic compound specially designed for pets troubled by grasses.  

Aniwell Active Manuka Honey is an excellent product for damaged or irritated skin. It can be used on Horses, Dogs, Cats, Cattle Pigs Sheep and Goats. It is effective, all natural and made in New Zealand. 

  

So why does it all go wrong when pup seemed to be listening really well initially?
Two things often occur when people first get their new pup and they decide to teach it to come on command.

Firstly, what most new owners find is that pup initially comes when it's called really well, ( say about the first 4 months ). This is because they are still really young and so very attached and dependant on you. But as they get older the command seems to wear off and they stop coming.

Secondly, a lot of new pup owners fail to use a leash when trying to teach the animal to come. When pup is not on a leash they have a choice whether they come or not. Giving pup a choice is a training no no.



So how should we train pup to come when called?
Put on his collar and attach a long retractable lead. Have some treats ready. Call pup enthusiastically, you can clap your hands, stoop down, or take a couple of steps backward.

Give him a treat when he comes to you and lots of encouragement. When he has finished the treat, let him off to explore again. ( doing this teaches him that being called to come doesn't necessarily mean that play time is over )

Repeat this exercise over and over increasing the number and closeness of distractions that are luring him, until he comes automatically every time. Then, and only then do you take him off the leash and start the process over again until he comes each time you call. 

One way to get a reluctant pet to take medicine is to open the animal's jaws wide and pop the pill in their mouth. Place it on top of their tongue, as far back as you can without causing discomfort. Then hold their jaw closed and massage their throat. Sometimes blowing a quick puff of air over their face is effective, (when they blink they swallow). Don't release their jaws until the pill is swallowed. Once you are sure the pill has been swallowed, let go of the jaw and watch to see that the pill doesn't get spit out. If it does repeat the exercise from the beginning.

Bad breath in pets is just as offensive as it is in humans. But besides being a turn off, halitosis can be a sign of a health problem. It may indicate an accumulation of tartar on your pet's teeth, which can result in gingivitis, or gum disease. ( Bad teeth and gums also produce bacteria that your pet will swallow, causing other health concerns). Or it may be a sign of digestive problems.
What can be done?
For tartar control, feed your dog or cat some dry food every day. Or give your dogs bones to chew.

Imagine spending your first six to eight weeks of life with your mother, brothers and sisters. You have a mother that feeds you and looks after you and a constant source of playmates and warm bodies to sleep next to. All of a sudden, a strange smelling person picks you up and takes you away from your family. You are left on a bed or in a box without any of the warmth or safe smells and other comforts you have grown up with. Sound scary? Try these suggestions to make your puppies first night in their new home a little more comfortable.
1/  Purchase a heat pad or a hot water bottle and place it underneath a towel or their blanket.
2/  Give them something soft and warm to sleep on such as a old fleece jersey.
3/  Sometimes if you turn a radio on with the volume down low this will offer comfort.
4/  Ask the breeder for something that smells of the pups mother and siblings such as a piece of cloth or toy.

A purpose built dog crate is a good idea. This becomes their own bedroom space, that will also help with house training.
Regardless, be prepared for a few nights of unsettled sleep. Don't give in to constantly checking on your upset pup during the night. They quickly learn this is how to get your attention. Likewise be clear about their sleeping arrangements. Stick to the plan. You know who to blame if you come home to find them sleeping on your bed, ( if you let them sleep with you in your bed to begin with).

For teething puppies and many older dogs, chewing is an urge that's hard to resist, so make sure you provide your new dog with plenty of alternatives to your shoes or furniture. Offer them chew toys made of hard nylon, such as nylabones. Start right away to draw your pet's attention to their new chew toys and offer lot's of praise when they use them.

 



Who walks who?
Untrained dogs will often pull on their lead. This experience hinders your daily walk and quickly turns this quality time with your pet into a chore.
Anyone who has tried to restrain an untrained dog with a choke chain will tell you it simply doesn't work effectively, and that their pet would pull on a choke chain. In some cases till its oxygen supply is cut long enough that it lapses into unconscious.

What can I use to help prevent this? 
Purchase a gentle leader. This product  works immediatly, regardless of breed, size, age, or experience.
It`s design encourages calm and restraint when walking your dog.

How does it work?

The gentle leader is not a muzzle.
When properly fitted, a dog can open its mouth to eat, drink, pant, fetch, and bark.
The gentle leader is an effective tool for training unwanted behaviours that range from leash pulling, lunging, to barking, jumping, chasing, and digging.  We encourage dog owners to train their pets with this product.

Where can I get one?
Tails can sell you a gentle leader delivery free. We usually deliver in two working days. If you want to know more, just click on Gentle Leader for my dog.
We have a size to suit your dog.

Does your dog greet you by jumping up on you?
There are many ways we program both positive and negative behaviour in our pets, sometimes without  realizing we even do it. Consider this the next time your pup jumps up and you respond by giving your pet positive encouragement with a pat or hugs because as a pup this is cute. Your pup associates this practise with the positive experience and why wouldn't it continue to do this as it grows older.
Why do our dogs jump up on people?
Your dog might be seeking your attention and this method (jumping up on you) has worked for them in the past.
Dogs will jump up because they are excited to see us.
Also on rare occasions your dog can jump up to assert dominance.
What should I do about my dog to stop it from jumping up?
Start training your pet as early as you can. Prevent behaviour problems becoming engrained character traits.
If you can see your pet is getting ready to jump up on you, turn your back on them, don't make eye contact, or say anything, don't give them any attention! Wait for your pet to settle down. When they settle, turn and command them to sit. As long as they have learned this already, when they do, give them all the praise and encouragement they long for.