Earth Herbal

Dogs have lived and worked with humans in so many roles that they have earned the unique nickname, “man’s best friend”, a phrase which is used in other languages as well. They have been bred for herding livestock, hunting (e.g. pointers and hounds), rodent control, guarding, helping fishermen with nets, and pulling loads, in addition to their roles as companions.

http://www.lookd.com/dogs/
The dog is one of the most popular pets in the world. It ordinarily remains loyal to a considerate master, and because of this the dog has been called man’s best friend. Class distinctions between people have no part in a dog’s life. It can be a faithful companion to either rich or poor.
Dogs have been domesticated for most of human history and have thus endeared themselves to many over the years. Stories have been told about brave dogs that served admirably in war or that risked their lives to save persons in danger. When Pompeii–the Roman community destroyed by Mount Vesuvius in AD 79–was finally excavated, searchers found evidence of a dog lying across a child, apparently trying to protect the youngster. Perhaps few of the millions of dogs in the world may be so heroic, but they are still a source of genuine delight to their owners.
A dog fits easily into family life. It thrives on praise and affection. When a master tells a dog that it is good, the animal happily wags its tail. But when a master scolds a dog, it skulks away with a sheepish look and with its tail tucked between its legs.
People in the city as well as those in other areas can enjoy a dog. Medium-size or small dogs are best suited for the confines of the city. Large dogs need considerable exercise over a large area.
Dogs are not always well thought of, however. In recent years dogs in the city have been in the center of controversy. Some people have criticized dog owners for allowing their pets to soil sidewalks and lawns, although in some cities laws oblige owners to walk their dogs along street curbs. In turn, dog owners have argued that the animals serve as protection against vandals and burglars and thus protect their detractors as well as their owners.
When a person decides to own a dog, he should be prepared to care for it properly. For a dog to stay healthy it must be correctly fed and adequately groomed, and its medical needs must be met. For a dog to be well-mannered it must be properly trained. It should never be ill-treated or mishandled. Otherwise, it will bite in its own defense.
The wild ancestors of all dogs were hunters. Wolves and other wild relatives of the dog still hunt in packs for their food. Dogs have retained the urge to be with the pack. This is why they do not like to be left alone for long. Some breeds of dogs still retain the hunting instinct.
Dogs exist in a wide range of sizes, colors, and temperaments. Some, such as the Doberman pinscher and the German shepherd, serve as alert and aggressive watchdogs. Others, such as the beagle and the cocker spaniel, are playful family pets, even though they were bred for hunting. Still others, such as the collie and the Welsh corgi, can herd farm or range animals. Each of the dogs just mentioned is a purebred. A mongrel dog, however–one with many breeds in its background–can just as easily fit into family life.
Dogs have been with humans since prehistoric times. Over the years they have performed various services. They have pulled sleds over snowy tracts. They have delivered messages, herded sheep and cattle, and even rescued persons trapped in the snow. Dogs have served as a source of food, too. The ancient Romans are said to have prized certain kinds of dog stew. The Aztecs of ancient Mexico raised tiny dogs, thought to be the forebears of the chihuahua, to feed the large carnivores in the private zoos of the Aztec rulers. In the past dogs have even been worshiped as gods. Recently, they have been used in drug research, medical experimentation, and space science. Soviet scientists launched dogs into space to test the ability of mammals to survive the rigors of space travel before people were sent up.
Dogs are trained as guard dogs in peacetime by the United States Army and other military services. Because of their keen sense of smell, dogs are used by police at times to track down escaped prisoners. Law enforcement agencies also rely on the dog’s acute sense of smell to uncover illegal drugs. And specially trained dogs serve as the “eyes” of the blind, guiding the steps of their sightless masters around obstacles and hazards.

http://www.shirleys-wellness-cafe.com/petallergies.htm
Dr. Pat Bradley, DVM, Conway, USA -  “The most common problems I see that are directly related to vaccines on a day to day basis are ear or skin conditions, such as chronic discharges and itching. I also see behaviour problems such as fearfulness or aggression. Often guardians will report that these begin shortly after vaccination, and are exacerbated with every vaccine. In a more general and frightening context, I see the overall health and longevity of animals deteriorating. The bodies of most animals have a tremendous capacity to detoxify poisons, but they do have a limit. I think we often exceed that limit and over-whelm the body’s immune system function with toxins from vaccines, poor quality foods,  insecticides, environmental toxins, etc. This is why we’ve seen such a dramatic increase in allergies, organ failures, and behaviour problems.”
Dr. Jeffrey Levy, DVM – “Have you ever wondered why some dogs and cats have severe flea problems, while others are hardly bothered by the little pests? Fleas can be viewed as an indicator of an animal’s general health. Parasites in general, and fleas in particular, are most attracted to the weak, unhealthy, or very young animal whose immune system is not functioning well. The long-term solution to a flea problem is to reduce your pet’s susceptibility to fleas by improving his/her health.”
Doctors tell you that steroids (cortisone, prednisone) only cause side effects after many years. But new research shows that permanent damage is immediate and devastating. Studies show that steroids cause permanent, debilitating effects after a single dosage.
“Steroids are probably the most sleazy of modern day medications” says John Mills, former professor of medicine at the University of California, San Francisco and chief of infectious diseases at San Francisco General Hospital.

http://www.dogfacts.org/
Puppies have different feeding habits than older dogs. A puppy needs twice as much protein and 50% more calories per pound of body weight daily in order to meet its growth requirements. A rapid change in a puppy’s diet may cause gastrointestinal upsets. Puppies must feed 4 times daily until the age of 3 months, 3 times daily until 6 months and twice daily for the rest of its life.
Older dogs’ feeding habits are different in a couple of ways. The average size dog requires about 30 calories per pound of body weight per day. Interestingly, larger breeds need only 20 calories per pound of weight, while smaller breeds need about 40 calories per pound of body weight. A dog’s diet should consist of balanced proportions of proteins, carbohydrates, fats and, of course water.
A dog can go days without food and lose 30%-40% of it’s body weight without dying, but a 10%-15% water loss could be fatal. All-meat diets are not recommended for dogs due to the lack of calcium and iron found in meat. Diet supplements should be avoided. Human foods that can be fatal to dogs include moldy cheese, onions, and chocolate. Wild-living domestic dogs will eat a variety of foods including animals and fruits. Their diet becomes similar to that of their wild ancestors, gray wolves.
Some foods commonly enjoyed by humans are dangerous to dogs, including chocolate (Theobromine poisoning), onions, grapes and raisins (though this is as of yet unsubstantiated), some types of gum, and Macadamia nuts. Now that it is thought that the only dangerous substance in chocolate is the cocoa, this means that white chocolate can be used as a rare treat.
The acute danger from grapes and raisins has been uncovered only since about 2000, and made public slowly since then. At present the cause is not known, but one vet believes it may be an acute auto-immune response to plant-borne viruses in the same manner as FIP in cats. Whatever the reason, since only small quantities are necessary to induce acute renal failure, dogs should not be fed grapes or raisins, and perhaps sultanas and currants should also be withheld.
Cooked bones should never be given to dogs, as the heat changes the chemical and physical properties so that they cannot be chewed properly, splintering into jagged shards, and resist digestion.
Human medications should not be given to a dog as a substitute for their regular medication as some can be especially toxic, especially paracetamol/acetaminophen (Tylenol). Alcoholic beverages pose much the same hazard to dogs as to humans.
Dogs may also find some poisons attractive, including antifreeze, snail bait, insect bait, and rodent poisons. Antifreeze may be one of the most insidious of poisons to dogs because of its sweet taste and because a dog may walk upon or lie down upon a spill of it or its residue and then lick it off. Dogs must be kept strictly away from antifreeze and not allowed access to any place that has had a spill of it that has not been completely removed.
Plants such as caladium, dieffenbachia and philodendron will cause throat irritations that will burn the throat going down as well as coming up. Hops are particularly dangerous and even small quantities can lead to malignant hyperthermia.
Amaryllis, daffodil, english ivy, iris, and tulip (especially the bulbs) cause Gastric irritation and sometimes central nervous system excitement followed by coma, and, in severe cases, even death.
Ingesting foxglove, lily of the valley, larkspur and oleander can be life threatening because the cardiovascular system is affected. Equally life threatening is the yew which affects the nervous system. If any of these plants are ingested, get the dog to a veterinarian immediately.
Many household cleaners such as ammonia, bleach, disinfectants, drain cleaner, soaps, detergents, and other cleaners, mothballs and matches are dangerous to dogs, as are cosmetics such as deodorants, hair coloring, nail polish and remover, home permanent lotion, and suntan lotion.
Grooming is an important part of a dog’s care. It not only makes a dog look better, but contributes to the dog’s physiological and psychological health.
Brush the dog’s coat thoroughly every day. Brushing will help keep the dog’s hair in good condition by removing dirt, spreading the natural oils throughout the coat, preventing tangles from forming and keeping the skin clean and free from irritation.
It’s best to start brushing the dog’s at an early age, but do not despair if its an older animal. It is possible to train a dog to enjoy grooming. Start slowly, but be sure to use treats and plenty of praise to make the experience fun!
Dog ear care is an important part of grooming. Dog ear infections can not only be painful, but lead to permanent hearing loss. The signs of a problem with a companion animal’s ears include redness, constant scratching, head shaking and odor.
Check your dog’s ears twice a month. The skin inside and on the ear flaps should be pale pink. If there is a foul odor and/or any red, brown or black skin, have a veterinarian examine your dog’s ears.
Moisten a cotton ball with warm water or a little mineral oil and use it to clean the opening into the canal and the flaps. Do not probe too deeply into the dog’s ear canal.
Trim your dog’s nails about once a month. You’ll need a clipper designed specifically for the kind of dog you have. Either a scissor- or guillotine-style clipper can be used. Also purchase a small bottle of blood-clotting powder.
How to trim Your Dog’s Nails
- Have your dog sit beside you. Then place one its paws in your hand and gently pull it forward. If your dog dislikes being handled this way, slowly accustom him or her to it by offering treats and praise.  Touching your dogs paws at an early age will get him over this anxiety.
- Gradually shorten one of your dog’s nails. Be sure to stop before you reach the nail’s quick, which is the part of the nail that contains nerves and blood vessels. If you cannot see the quick clearly, stop cutting just behind the point at which the nail begins to curve downward.
- If you cut into the nail’s quick, do not panic. Put some clotting powder on a moist cotton swab and press it firmly against the nail for several seconds.
Dogs can get cavities and develop periodontal disease, so their teeth should be cleaned with a pet toothpaste at least twice per week. Use a small toothbrush that has soft bristles. Cleanings performed by a veterinarian may also be required for your dog.
Bathe your dog once every two months or as often as needed. Be sure to brush him or her before each bath in order to get all of the mats out of the dog’s coat.
How to Bathe Your Dog
- Place a rubber mat in your bathtub, or a towel in your sink, for secure footing. Then place a cotton ball in each of your dog’s ears to prevent water from entering.
- Rinse your dog with warm water. Use a spray hose if one is available, but be sure to keep the nozzle very close to your dog’s body. Never spray him or her in the face.
- Apply a shampoo designed especially for dogs in small amounts, working from the head to the tail. Be sure to clean the dog’s rectum, between the toes, behind the ears and under the chin. Try to avoid getting shampoo in the dog’s eyes.
- Thoroughly rinse your dog with warm water.
- Dry your dog with a towel or hair dryer.

http://www.mytopdogs.com/dogfacts.shtml
Dogs (and wolves and foxes) are descended from a small, weasel-like mammal called Miacis which was a tree-dwelling creature and existed about 40 million years ago.
Dogs, as we know them today, first appeared in Eurasia about 13,000 years ago, and were probably a direct descendant of a small, grey wolf.
The dingo is not native to Australia but was introduced thousands of years ago by the first immigrants.
Dogs were first domesticated by cavemen in the Palaeolithic age and gradually developed (or were bred) into the breeds known today.
Dogs have been used as guards, hunters, draught animals, eyes for the blind, drug and explosive detectors, rodent controllers – and even weapons!
In Roman times and the Middle Ages, mastiffs wearing light armor, carrying spikes and pots of flaming sulphur and resin ran into battle against mounted knights. In World War II the Russians trained dogs to run suicide missions between the tracks of German tanks with mines strapped on their backs.
Dogs naturally have a wonderful sense of smell. They have many more sensory ‘smelling’ cells than a man’s 5,000,000. A Dachshund has 125,000,000, a Fox Terrier 147,000,000 and an Alsation (often used as a ‘sniffer’ dog) has 220,000,000.
The oldest reliable age recorded for a dog is 29 years, 5 months for a Queensland ‘heeler’ called Bluey in Victoria, Australia. The average dog lives to around 15 years of age.
The tallest dogs are the Great Dane and the Irish Wolfhound.
The average dog’s mouth exerts 150 to 200 pounds of pressure per square inch. Some dogs can apply up to 450 pounds.
Puppies can’t control their bladders overnight until they are at least four months old. Until then, cover the floor around the puppy’s bed with newspapers.
Dogs are omnivorous. They need more than just meat to flourish.
People with more than one dog shouldn’t try to treat them all as equals. Because pack position is important to a dog, this only encourages jealousy games.
Dogs chew up your underwear because it smells like you. One in every three US families owns one or more dogs.
A one-year-old dog is physically as mature as a 15 year-old human.

http://library.thinkquest.org/CR0211900/facts/dog_facts.htm
Classifying dogs into categories began with the Romans. They had the following categories:
house dogs, shepherd dogs, sporting dogs, war dogs, dogs that ran by scent, and dogs that ran by sight.
Today we classify dogs into similar categories. More than three hundred breeds of dogs exist worldwide. About 50 million dogs live in the United States. The American Kennel Club recognizes 148 breeds.
Dogs vary greatly from breed to breed. The smallest breed is the Chihuahua. It weighs only 4 pounds and is 5 inches high at the shoulders. The tallest breed is the Irish wolfhound. It is about thirty-nine inches tall at the shoulder. The St. Bernard is the heaviest dog. It can weigh about 200 pounds. The Yorkshire terrier has hair that can be two feet long while other breeds may have no hair at all such as the Mexican hairless. The fur may be curly or straight. Some dogs have two coats. The outer coat is long guard hairs and the undercoat is shorter and fluffy. These two coats protect the dog against rain and snow. Some dogs have a long muzzle while others have flat faces such as the Pug. Many breeds have pointed ears that stand up. Others and pendulous ears than hang down. Some dogs have long legs such as the greyhound. Others are extremely short such as the basset hound and the dachshund. The chow chow even has a black tongue.
Even though all these dogs vary greatly in appearance,  they are identical in anatomy. They have 321 bones and 42 permanent teeth. Most dogs are able to detect scents far better than humans. They can also hear high-pitched sounds.
Dogs mature by six months old. The smaller breeds usually mature before the larger breeds. Female dogs have a period of six to twelve days approximately twice a year when they are ready to mate. This is known as the season of heat. Puppies are born sixty-three days later. An average litter has three to six puppies.
Puppies are born helpless. They are blind and can not stand. They sleep ninety percent of the day and the other ten percent is spent nursing. Their eyes open about 13 to 15 days after birth. Between 4 to 10 weeks the puppies become attached to their mother and siblings. Puppies should not be separated from their mothers until they are eight weeks old.

http://www.dogguide.net/28-fun-dog-facts.php
28 Dog Facts That Might Surprise You
Bringing home a new puppy is always an exciting and overwhelming occasion. We wanted to help you prepare for this event by compiling a list of “must have” items to acquire before you bring your pup into your home.
1. If your notice your dog scratching its ears, it doesn’t necessarily have fleas. It could have any number of issues including ear mites, yeast, etc and should be seen by your vet.
2. Many dogs are mildly allergic to perfumey scented shampoos. Consider using a mild oatmeal based shampoo when bathing your dog or you may end up with an itchy pup!
3. If you notice your dog having an unusually foul odor, don’t assume he or she is not clean. She may have an ear or skin infection. The smell of infection is somewhat comparable to vomit and mildew.
4. Dogs naturally like to play keep-away better than fetch. You’ll need to train your dog to play fetch, but not keep-away.
5. Most Dogs really don’t like to play dress up. Sorry. (Though there are exceptions to this rule)
6. Some dogs need their anal glands expressed or else you will witness a “scooting” behavior where they rub their behinds on the ground. This is a simple procedure that can be done by most groomers or at your veterinarians.
7. Dogs with deep wrinkles need to be washed daily. Dirt can build up leading to odor or infection.
8. Dogs don’t understand pointing. They focus on the tip of your finger, not the item you are pointing at.
9. Just like people, dogs have phobias too. Some examples of phobias we’ve encountered include thunder, stairs, hair dryers, water, lawn mowers, vacuums, balloons, and buses.
10. Dogs aren’t really racist. When dogs bark at unknown people, it is often because they are unfamiliar with their body type or skin color.
11. Not all dogs are born swimmers. Some dogs need to be encouraged to swim. Some breeds are more natural swimmers than others.
12. Body harnesses actually encourage pulling. While they may seem like they give you more control, the pressure points on a harness make your dog respond by pulling forward.
13. Dogs dislike being bored and easily get into trouble when left to their own devices. Think of creative ways to keep your dog’s mind active.
14. Dogs need mental stimulation as much as physical stimulation.
15. Dogs often react differently to human males and females.
16. Dogs can know you as much by scent as by eyesight (if not more!), and you can help them feel secure when you leave by providing a soft object that has your scent on it. (A sweatshirt or blanket you sleep with)
17. Social status is very important to dogs and many canine behaviors are determined by their attempts to establish their roles (belly up submission, standing tall/over another dog, jumping on, standing ground and not flinching)
18. Dogs can get jealous. They may try and interrupt a hugging couple or bark for attention when you are on the telephone!
19. Dogs can be trained not to beg at the table. Never feed your dog off of your plate as it only encourages begging behavior.
20. Dogs are creatures of habit. They like familiarity and form expectations and schedules.
21. Dogs like to playfully taunt to encourage play (especially keep away). The classic play stance is the “bow”. A dog puts its front paws down on the ground and its tail end up in the air.
22. Many dogs love car rides. Be sure to keep your dog secured with a seat belt or other safety device
23. Some dogs lick their paws and then rub their paws on their head to clean themselves, much like a cat!
24. Many breeds are escape artists – if you’re not careful, your dog might decide to take a swim in the neighbor’s kiddie pool, or bring home a new toy. Basenjis are especially known for their ability to escape from yards.
25. An unsupervised dog will get bored in a back yard very quickly. It is never safe to leave your dog unattended in the yard.
26. Dogs bark for a large number of reasons, but often do so to get attention from other people or other dogs. Some other reasons that dogs bark include: to protect their territory, express a need or to initiate play.
27. Dogs communicate with their tail. A wag can mean many things – an aggressive dog may wag their tail, but it will be held high and moving rapidly. A playful dog will also hold his tail high, but it will be wagging in big arches from side to side. Meanwhile a dog that is afraid will hold his tail low and may wag it stiffly back and forth
28. Most dogs don’t like their own poop and will intentionally avoid it. Hey, dogs aren’t dumb!

http://www.dogguide.net/health.php
A guide to your dog’s health
As a dog owner, one of your biggest responsibilities is taking care of your dog’s health. From regular vet visits, to the food your dog eats and the exercise she gets, the decisions you make play a huge role in your dog’s quality of life. In this section, we’ve put together information to help you as you watch over the health of your dog.
The health of your dog depends on many factors, many of which you can control. For example, the higher the quality of food you feed your dog, the more healthy he will be and the longer he will live. However, high quality food takes more work, so there is a trade off.
There are two keys to maintaining your dog’s health. One is preparation and planning. You want to prepare your house and yard to make it safe for your dog and to make sure she doesn’t get into anything she shouldn’t. You should also make sure your dog cannot escape the yard and get hit by a car. The more you prepare for your home for your dog, the safer your dog will be.
Besides preparation, we believe that the key to your dog’s health is habit. You should get in the habit of doing the daily, weekly and monthly things that will make your dog happy and healthy. At the top of this list are multiple daily walks or runs. Your dog needs excercise. Without exercise your dog will get overweight and be more susceptible to illness. Also make sure that you are disciplined about when and what you feed your dog. Don’t give your dog very much bread or non-meat table scraps.
The more intentional you are about your dog’s health, the healthier your dog will be over his lifetime.

http://www.terrificpets.com/dog_breeds/
http://www.i-love-dogs.com/
http://www.nextdaypets.com/directory/breeds/
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dog