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Officials in the small Italian city of Malenate have a new approach to identifying dog owners who do not clean their pets poop: use the dog's DNA.

Earlier this year, Malnate's Environment Department asked all dog-loving inhabitants to register their puppies in the city's database. The 2,156 dogs registered in the city had to give a saliva sample and owners, who did not willingly bring their dogs within the fixed time, were fined $58 for not complying with the new order.

The issue of dog poop has been a concern for city officials in Italy and throughout Europe. Excessive fines have been imposed, but it can be difficult to enforce the law unless the offending dog and its owner are caught in the act. In Malnate dog owners who refuse or forget to clean up now know that they can be tracked down.

"The preventive effect is considerable. Knowing that the local dogs are now identifiable has led a lot of dog owners to behave properly and the walkways are cleaner," Giuseppe Riggi, Malnate's environmental commissioner, in recent times told reporters. "At the same time, pet owners thank us because now the other citizens look at them with less distrust."

City officials estimate that the number of dogs in Malnate increases by 150 dogs every year. The plan is to work with resident veterinarians to collect DNA samples from new arrivals in order to keep the saliva swab collection up to date.

So far, the city has collected 12 samples that were left on local walkways, and a laboratory test was able to extract DNA from nine of those samples. Then by cross-referencing the DNA with the city records, seven matches were made and fines were sent to the dog owners. And recently Malnate has received requests from 83 other municipalities across Italy about the program.


DNA Tests for Dog Poop Offenders

Anyone who has ever seen dogs and their owners walking through town, getting on a bus or waiting to cross the road cannot have failed to be amazed at how clever and highly intelligent those dogs are. I for one find them highly fascinating. This is another story about our furry friend that proves that a dog is really a best friend.

A group of firefighters was trying to bring down a tree and it seemed they were struggling a bit. Fortunately, a dog who was passing by with its owner simply decided to help them out and join their efforts to bring down the tree.

The firemen were dragging on a rope tied around the tree as much as they could but did not move. When the pooch saw the extra length of the rope, he decided to contribute its strength. The dog owner could be seen trying to drag his dog away but it was in vain, the dog tenacity was just too awesome.

Firefighters group couldn’t stop laughing when a passing dog decided to give them a helping hand



Dogs use their tails in pretty much the same way humans use their hands. Both hands and tails are used by humans and dogs respectively to communicate and to express themselves. Of course, communicating is easier done by humans. Our furry friends also use other parts of their bodies to impart their message. Apart from tail wagging barking, whining and growling are used by the dog to communicate. Tail wagging, however, is commonly used.

Dogs wag their tails more than any other animals with tails do. Notice how dogs would wag their tails when they meet another dog. This is their way of saying "how are you?" and very similar to the handshake of humans. With the wagging tail, dogs can communicate and understand each other even at a distance. Dogs with relatively short tails communicate with the human family, with other dogs and animals by using other parts of the bodies like the head and the ears.

Aside from being a form of communication, tail wagging also conveys the emotional state of the dog. Commonly, a wagging tail signifies happiness and a friendly attitude. The dog would certainly gladly meet the owner with a wagging tail. The wagging tail, in this case, denotes the good spirit of the dog. The dog may be asking the owner to play with him or entreating the owner to give him a treat. However, a wagging tail is not an ultimate sign that the dog is friendly. Take care in approaching a strange dog even if it is wagging its tail. Many people get bitten by dogs this way.

Dogs are extremely social animals. They rarely wag their tails when they are alone. In the presence of the alpha male, a dog wags its tail as a sign of submission. In this instance, the tail is held low and wagged stiffly. A tail that is held high with only the tip wagging is a sign that the dog is aggressive and showing his dominance over another dog in the pack. Dog experts theorize that tail wagging may also mean that the dog is in conflict. The tail that wags from side to side is a sign that the dog is confused whether to go or to stay.

Tail wagging serves another purpose for the dog. Take note of the dog's action when they meet another dog. They sniff each other's behinds. When the tail is raised to wag, the anal glands are squeezed, releasing a bit of the anal juice along with the unique scent of the dog. This scent is unique to every dog and serves as the dog's identification very similar to the fingerprints of humans




Why Do Dogs Wag Their Tail?


When I watch our dog, Max, noses his way in the garden around my homestead, I sometimes try to imagine what he smells. He is like a Shopaholic at a rummage sale, smelling anything and everything that comes its way. And almost every dog I met knows the best way to uncover and get its favorite thing is through its nose.

From the moment they are born, dogs have a wonderful sense of smell. Even though the new born puppies can't see, they can still detect their mother's smell and heat and locate her easily! Their sense of smell improves as it grows and develops to such a point that some say that it's up to a million times betters than humans.

A pooch’s sense of smell is so acute because dogs have about 25 times more olfactory receptors than humans. Its nose can even distinguish between the cheese, meat and ketchup on a cheeseburger. That is why they are considered man's best friend, some of them are trained, working side by side with humans to recover survivors under rubble, drugs tracking, and even landmines detection work! There are many sniffer dogs that devote their lives to serious work like tracking down escaped criminals, or missing (or drowned) persons for the police force. Dogs can effectively identify bombs, firearms and drugs by sniffing for tiny odor traces at international borders and in airports. They are loyal crime fighting partners, performing tough tasks as only our best friends can!

 Dogs can detect and distinguish smell in 2 ways, by an air scent left behind by something that has just passed by or a ground scent. Puppies and grown dogs use their sense of smell to communicate between themselves. With their nose, they can read the messages that other dog have left behind. Their way of shaking hands or presenting themselves is by smelling each other.

The length of a dog's snout can have an effect on his ability to smell. Longer-nosed dogs have more scent-reception cells. Even short-nosed dogs can smell hundreds of times better than a human.
Nose nutrition for your dog '

Remember that, as a dog ages, he loses some or all of his ability to smell. It can also be a sign of immune problems if a dog's nose is normally black, but starts losing pigment; bring him to the vet.

Ensure your pup continues to drink and eat when he's suffering from any kind of nasal problem; keep in mind that most of dog's ability to "taste" food resides in the nose, and if she can't smell the food, she may not want to eat it. Furthermore, even a mild fever will quickly dehydrate a sick animal, and if you can't get her to drink at home, consider a trip to the vet for fluids. Adult dogs may need to be tempted to eat, and some seem to find spicy foods more palatable.

A wholesome diet is recommended to improve its overall nose sense and overall health. The best "nutrition" we can give to a dog's nose is a daily dose of natural odors, generated from nature - the perfect way to build your dog's smell sense is a strong and useful tool for the pooches. Mostly, the dog whiffing and sniffing ways are basically a part of its nature.

Why Dog Whiff?



The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) warns pet owners that dog food without grain can increase the risk of heart disease.

In this case, the U.S federal agency is investigating the condition after numerous cases of a condition known as DCM or dilated cardiomyopathy have been related to such food.

The disease is more common in giant dogs, according to the FDA. But lately, other dogs have been affected, such as bulldog and Golden Labrador Retrievers.

“The first reports from veterinary cardiology society show that affected dogs always ate foods that contain lentils, peas, potatoes and other legumes as key components in the basic source of their nutrition for periods of time ranging from months to years,” explained by Food and Drug Administration earlier this month.

He added that non-grain pet foods often contain "peas, lentils, other legumes or potatoes as their main ingredients." This food is often advertised with a label that specifically says "no grain."

According to Lisa Freeman, a US-base veterinarian in an article, she explained that "DCM" is a "serious heart disease" that causes the heart to expand as well as weakens the heartbeats.

Lisa explained that non-grained pet food seems to grow as a fad diet for animals, but in reality, there is no evidence to show that it is better.

“While grain has been blamed for causing almost all known dogs disease, grains do not contribute to any health problems and are used in pet foods as a rich source of vitamins, protein, and minerals.” Lisa wrote on a blog manage by Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine.

In a discussion with Global News, Patricia Alderson, of the Canadian Veterinary Medical Society, explained that all dietary changes should be made after consultation.

“There is not a single diet suitable for every dog breed." Alderson said People should talk to veterinarians.”
She added that pet owners should be careful when it comes to fad diets, such as giving raw food to pets.

FDA Warn that Grain-Free Dog Foods May Be Linked to Dog Heart Disease


When your dog is vomiting it is a sight you do not like to see. This means there is something going on in its happy little world. Most of the times it is a health issue. If vomiting happens from time to time, it may not be reason for concern. But when the dog vomits really often, then it is time to get worried. In this article we will give a complete guide to the cause of vomiting in dogs. So let’s get started straight away...

Causes that may make your dog be sick...

1.    Be careful with insecticides and pesticides as these can cause your dog to become very ill with some of the chemicals used in their manufacture linked to cancer
2.    Your dog may have eaten something that is either out of date or just does not suit your dog's stomach
3.    Old water that has been left in the bowl for too long may also cause the problem.
4.    IBS is another cause of sickness - also known as Irritable Bowel Syndrome or (Irritable Bowel Disorder) - this is also seen in humans with the same symptoms.
5.     If your dog suddenly becomes ill after going for a walk he may have eaten a poisonous mushroom or even some Rat poison. If you think that this is the case take him to the vet immediately.
6.        Gland problems can cause sickness too - this is referred to as hypoadrenocorticism.
7.    Fungal problems can also make your dog ill especially Aspergillosis or Histoplasmosis.
8.    Pancreatitis is another reason your dog becomes sick and vomits.
9.    Has your dog developed Hookworm, Whipworm or even Roundworm as these parasites can infect your dog's body and may throw him up.
10.    Bacterial infections can lead to sickness including the bacteria Salmonella.
11.     Parvo Virus - a deadly disease, causing vomiting and other symptoms
12.     Kidney disease also causes the problem.
13.    Tapeworm is known to make a dog sick
14.    Kennel cough is another cause.
15.     Scabies also known as mange can lead to illness.

As you can see, the cause of dog vomiting can vary from quite serious conditions to some that may not be considered so serious. However, if you have any worries take your dog to the vet as soon as you see any sudden changes in your dog - as it may save his life if the disease is progressive.

The Cause of Dog Vomiting



People who own pets are happier and healthier than people who do not have pets. It does not matter how young or old you are, the benefits of pet ownership have been proven in scientific studies.

Studies done on infants found that of children brought up in households with pets 19% had allergies, compared to households with no pets where 33% of children had allergies. There were less cases of eczema in households with pets, as well. It is believed that the exposure to dirt and germs, in small doses, helps to strengthen the child's immune system.

Owning a pet has also been found to be beneficial to the elderly. Sufferers of Alzheimer's are found to have fewer anxious outbursts when a pet is in the household or home.

Pet ownership aids in the prevention of depression. The time spent with pets increases the quality of life for sufferers and decreases the time and seriousness of attacks. Spending time with a pet outdoors, watching them play is relaxing and helps releases good hormones to combat the imbalance of bad hormones.

Heart attack victims have a shorter recovery period and are less likely to suffer another heart attack when they have a pet. Pet ownership has been proven to lower blood pressure, lower cholesterol and lower triglyceride levels. This helps prevent heart disease, stroke, diabetes and similar illnesses.

Owning a pet boosts your immunity so you are less likely to become ill. The exposure to the small amount of dirt from the pet helps your body to fight back and increases your body's ability to resist more dirt and germs. The good feeling you get from quality time spent with your pet boosts your mood, increasing the good hormones, which make you feel happy and make your body stronger against illness and disease.

If you have a dog, the exercise you get from walking him helps your health as well. Everyone can benefit from more exercise, not just the elderly. A brisk walk clears the cobwebs in your head, increases circulation, increases respiration and exercises your muscles.

One benefit of having a pet, especially a dog, is the social benefit. When you take your dog for a walk, you may notice people are more willing to begin a conversion with you. They will comment on your dog first. A dog is a great icebreaker. Most people either like or dislike dogs. You will find the ones who begin a conversation with you are dog lovers. This makes it easy to begin a conversation as you already have something in common, that is, you love of dogs.

Older people who are isolated may find walking their dog is a good way of meeting others and striking up friendships. Shy people can also benefit from this because the conversation will be about their pet and not them. Give it a try.

If you have been considering getting a pet the health benefits should be enough to get you motivated. When you care for a pet, the pet will care for you, in more ways than you know.

Owning a Dog Make You happy and is Good for Your Health



Whenever you hear your dog whine, you may automatically think that he or she is in some sort of pain. While whining could certainly be a sign that your pooch is in pain, there are actually a variety of different possible reasons for a whining dog. After all, dogs can only communicate with their human owners in a few different ways, and whining is just one of those options. So, what exactly is your dog trying to tell you when it whines? To better understand your dog's whining, it is helpful to explore where this behavior originated.

Whining as Puppies

Just as crying is the first way human babies learn to communicate with their mothers, whining is the first way your pooch learned to communicate with its mother. This initial whining is your pup's automatic response to feeling hungry or cold. As a result, your pup's mother responds to those needs and the puppy learns that whining is an effective method for getting its needs met.

After the puppy is weaned from its mother, it then has to learn how to effectively use whining to communicate with its human owner. The way you respond to the whining will greatly affect how often your adult dog continues to whine. If you completely ignore your pup's whining, it learns that whining is an ineffective method of communication and it may completely stop whining. If you come running every time the pup whines, on the other hand, your pup may come to rely upon this form of communication. Ideally, your response should be somewhere in the middle. If you completely ignore the whining, you and your pup will not bond properly. Being overly attentive, on the other hand, will make your pup overly dependent upon you to fulfill its needs.

Communicating Through Whining

When your pup or even your adult canine friend whines, there are many potential reasons. These include:

o Attention
o Anxiety
o Excitement
o Injury

In many cases, a dog will whine simply because it wants attention from its owner. At first, this behavior may seem cute and you may actually reinforce the behavior by providing your dog with the attention it seeks. If you want to stop this behavior, it is best to avoid giving your pet attention when it whines - just be sure to give it love and affection at times when it is not whining.

A dog may also whine when it is feeling anxious, such as when you are away from home or when your dog is otherwise unable to be with you - such as if you have the dog locked in another room or locked outside. In this case, your pooch may suffer from separation and you should discuss the problem with your veterinarian in order to discuss your options for reducing your pet's anxiety.

The bottom line is that the way you respond to your dog's whining has a great impact on whether or not the behavior continues. If you want to prevent the whiny behavior, it is important to limit your response to whining when your dog is a pup. As an adult, be certain you do not reinforce the behavior and that you do reinforce other methods of communication for your pet.

Why Does Your Dog Whine?



Even the happiest of dog owners are occasionally embarrassed by their pets. Dogs don't have the sense of shame that people do, and that can lead to some very frustrating behavior. Whether a dog is jumping on guests or humping legs, these habits can be hard to deal with.

If you are getting frustrated with dog humping behavior problems, maybe your dog hump pillows, people's legs, the neighbor's dogs, and everything else. Or maybe you are worried your dog could injure a small child by knocking him over or scratching him.

We all wonder why dogs hump. The reason is simple. Your dog is simply doing this because of hormones and because you are allowing it to happen. Just by doing some additional training with your dog you can easily eliminate this problem.
To stop dog humping behavior, follow these steps:

1. Get a scruff grip and firmly pull him off when he is humping, speaking firmly and sternly. A shaker or spray bottle will also work and order him to sit. Make him stay sitting until he has calmed down.

2. If you need to, keep a leash on him and correct him by being firm with your leash hold the second it appears he might try to hump something.

3. As soon as he places legs on someone be sure to correct him quickly either with the leash or with a scruff grip.

4. Prevent dog humping behavior by removing things he humps and has him neutered.

This will work because instant and quick correction teach your puppy that this action will not be tolerated, even if it is natural.

By following these four tips dog humping behavior will stop and you will have a dog that follows your commands better. Remember, you are in control of your dog, don't let your dog control you.

Tips on How to Stop Dog Humping Behavior


Any animal medical practitioner is definitely essential with regards to our pet canine's wellness particularly when they become ill. But are you aware that you may likewise cure them in your own home?

For the treatment of diarrhea, you can use one tablespoonful of carob powder mixed with a little bit of water and combined with your dog's meal. Cut it in half if your dog is still a puppy.

For constipation, you may add three or four tablespoons of mineral oil to their meals for one to two days and constipation will clear up in no time. Use only one to two teaspoons if your dog is of a smaller breed.

In case of urinary tract infections in your dog, cranberry juice will do the job. 30 to 40 ml of it added to your dog's food will help reduce the number of bacteria in his urinary tract and will help relieve the discomfort caused by the infection.

When your dog seems to be a little bit under the weather, you can use a children's liquid analgesic or one-half of dissolved aspirin to perk him up. This is a general cure when you can't seem to know what's wrong with your pet.

To get rid of ticks, you can utilize petroleum jelly to complete the technique. Put a large amount over the place where the tick is and then wait for at least ten minutes. The tick will then begin to lose his grip, thus making it easier to remove it. Be careful not to leave the mouth in your dog's skin.

For ear mites, put a drop or two of corn oil inside his ears and then massage the ears gently with cotton. The oil will suffocate the mites and it would also help loosen the earwax on your dog's ears.

To prevent your dog's furs from matting, always clean up his coat from any sticks or twigs that may have attached to your dog's fur. If this gets left unchecked, it will cause the fur to gather around it and your dog will begin licking it continuously causing the fur in that area to fall off. This will then lead to infection due to the exposure of the skin. So after taking a walk, be sure to give your dog a roughing to remove any foreign objects from his coat.

So with these simple to-do things, you can keep your dog from any further ailments that he might acquire had these been left undone.

Home Remedies for Dog Diseases

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