The post How Long Should I Wait to Take My Dog Out After Eating? Vet Verified Feeding & Bowel Schedule by Chris Dinesen Rogers appeared first on Dogster. Copying over entire articles infringes on copyright laws. You may not be aware of it, but all of these articles were assigned, contracted and paid for, so they aren’t considered public domain. However, we appreciate that you like the article and would love it if you continued sharing just the first paragraph of an article, then linking out to the rest of the piece on Dogster.com.
If you’re a new pet owner, you probably want housebreaking to go as quickly as possible. Reputable breeders often initiate the process by getting their puppies on a schedule to make the transition to their forever homes smoother, but learning your pet’s habits can prevent unfortunate accidents, and it often helps to understand canine instincts and behaviors to facilitate the process.
Generally, a full stomach triggers the emptying of an animal’s bowels. However, it’s essential not to rush into vigorous exercise after eating. Therefore, we recommend giving an adult dog at least an hour to relax after eating before taking them for exercise. Toilet walks are an exception to this rule so you should walk your dog out to their spot and back in within 30 minutes if they are a puppy, or if an adult dog looks like they need to go.
The Dog Digestive System
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Eating puts your dog into a parasympathetic nervous state to concentrate on eating and digesting their food. Animals usually feed when they don’t have to be on their guard because they’re vulnerable when their heads are down and not paying attention to the environment and threats around them. The parasympathetic nervous system promotes healthy intestinal movements. Vigorous exercise could activate the sympathetic nervous system which reduces digestive function, potentially leading to bloating, nausea, or vomiting if this happens soon after eating.
Normal dogs will also experience something called the gastrocolic reflex which means that after eating intestinal movements in their colon will make them need to poop. This is why they might start needing to use the bathroom soon after eating. So, for adult dogs, wait at least an hour before taking them on a run but take them to the toilet if they need to go. For puppies, the rules are the same but make sure they can go to the toilet within 30 minutes as they won’t be able to hold it as long as an adult dog.
Stress and Digestion
Stress can wreak havoc on your dog’s digestive system. They may have fewer or more frequent bowel movements. They may also suffer from GI distress. This is because of something called the gut-brain axis. Stress reduces the parasympathetic effects of the vagus nerve on the gut and causes cortisol release. Both these effects can alter a pup’s natural gut bacteria which causes GI problems but, incredibly, in turn, can lead to more stress and anxiety. Some probiotics actually reduce anxiety because of the links between the gut and the brain.
If your pet is showing signs of stress, we suggest you speak to a vet.
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It can occur in any breed but large deep-chested dogs like Boxers and Great Danes are susceptible to bloat or gastric dilatation and volvulus (GDV) when the stomach twists upon itself, creating a medical emergency. You should always feed these dogs twice daily and encourage them to eat slowly with puzzle bowls or other tricks to prevent them from gobbling their food. Heavy exercise after eating could also be a risk factor so this is best avoided.
Image Credit: Lenti Hill, Shutterstock
Final Thoughts
Getting your dog on a feeding and walking schedule is essential. It will help your pet and make housebreaking easier for you. Canines are creatures of habit. It’s up to you to create the routine. It also allows you to monitor your pup’s digestive habits better, alerting you more quickly when something is wrong. Early diagnosis is always preferable, no matter what the condition.
The post How Long Should I Wait to Take My Dog Out After Eating? Vet Verified Feeding & Bowel Schedule by Chris Dinesen Rogers appeared first on Dogster. Copying over entire articles infringes on copyright laws. You may not be aware of it, but all of these articles were assigned, contracted and paid for, so they aren’t considered public domain. However, we appreciate that you like the article and would love it if you continued sharing just the first paragraph of an article, then linking out to the rest of the piece on Dogster.com.
Woofy Acres dog rescue’s neglect on shelter dogs leads to criminal investigation after the San Bernardino County Animal Care seized 114 dogs from them in mid-July.
The San Bernardino Sun reports that county officials said that the dogs seized from the dog rescue were primarily large and aggressive Pit Bulls with severe health issues.
They also report that the dogs lived in “inadequate conditions” at the over-capacity kennel that Woofy Acres was running in Pinon Hills.
Unfortunately, because of the dogs’ aggressive nature and declining health, 93 out of the 114 dogs were put down.
County animal care spokesperson Francis Delapaz reveals to the San Bernardino Sun that 19 dogs have been placed. Meanwhile, two dogs, a female Pit Bull Terrier and a Shepherd mix, are still up for adoption at 19777 Shelter Way in San Bernardino.
Animal advocates and people who work and volunteer in animal shelters reacted strongly upon hearing the news about the ongoing investigation on Woofy Acres and its founder, Dianne Bedford.
Heather McDermott-Perez, a volunteer with Orange County Animal Care said, “(Bedford) needs to never pull dogs again.”
The San Bernardino Sun reveals that the Orange County Animal Care released a total of 149 dogs to Woofy Acres, with the last placement in January of this year.
Additional insight to the dog rescue and the neglect that the dogs experienced were revealed by Lauren Cardona, co-founder of Saving Devore Dogs.
Hannah Carl / Shutterstock.com
Talking to the San Bernardino Sun, Cardona reveals that one dog seized by San Bernardino County from the dog rescue, named “Checkers” was emaciated.
Cardona described Checkers as “literally like looking at a skeleton with skin over it”. She also noted that the Woofy Acres site in Pinon Hills “was in the middle of the desert. I don’t know how these dogs didn’t die.”
Earlier this year, Bedford and Woofy Acres made headlines after they were accused of abandoning 32 dogs at Shanderin Kennels, a Rowland Heights dog grooming and boarding business.
“We don’t understand how anyone would think this is OK,” Shanderin Kennels Vet Tech Samantha Redline tells KTLA in February. “We heard that she did this to two other facilities.”
KTLA also reveals that Bedford owed the dog grooming and boarding business nearly $40,000 for the amount spent on the dogs she abandoned there.
After Bedford abandoned the dogs, local shelters were forced to take the responsibility and find a solution that did not involve returning them to Woofy Acres.
A Reddit thread further exposes Bedford and how Woofy Acres “specialized in pulling drama dogs – biters, big aggression, big fear, non-adoptable dogs.”
Furthermore, the San Bernardino Sun reveals that Woofy Acres has a “delinquent status” with the state Attorney’s General Office, meaning they cannot solicit nor disburse donation.
The post Brusselranian Dog Breed: Info, Pictures, Care, & Facts by Matt Jackson appeared first on Dogster. Copying over entire articles infringes on copyright laws. You may not be aware of it, but all of these articles were assigned, contracted and paid for, so they aren’t considered public domain. However, we appreciate that you like the article and would love it if you continued sharing just the first paragraph of an article, then linking out to the rest of the piece on Dogster.com.
The Brusselranian is a mixed dog breed that combines the Brussels Griffon and the Pomeranian dog breeds. As with any mixed breed, it is difficult to predict the exact temperament as the resulting mix might end up more like one parent breed than the other, and the combination can throw up some unexpected results.
However, you can expect a small dog and, because both parents were bred to be companion dogs, you can expect a pup that enjoys spending time with its owner and that doesn’t require too much exercise.
Breed Overview
Height:
9–12 inches
Weight:
7–10 pounds
Lifespan:
12–14 years
Colors:
Red, black, tan, brown, gray
Suitable for:
Any owner looking for a loving, happy companion dog
Temperament:
Clever, loyal, loving, fun, friendly
The Brusselranian is a mixed breed that combines two companion dogs that are known to be cheerful and happy. The resulting breed is a dog that loves spending time with its humans and can struggle if left home alone for too long. They are lively dogs with some energy, but their size means that they don’t require excessive exercise and can certainly adapt to life in an apartment.
The Brusselranian is relatively low maintenance which, when combined with the moderate exercise needs, means the dog can make a good companion for older owners. Its size means that it might not be the best choice for families with very young children, however, because it is very easy for small dogs to get accidentally hurt by young kids.
The Brusselranian is a mixed breed dog that brings together the Brussels Griffon and the Pomeranian, which are two popular companion dog breeds. Although both parent breeds are popular, the mixed breed is not well known, yet, and, as such, it can be difficult to find a breeder with litters of Brusselranian puppies.
It is worth looking around, asking local breeders, and even checking on social media. If you have been made aware of the breed by another owner, it is worth asking where they got their dog and speaking to the breeder.
When buying a dog from a breeder, whatever the breed, you should ensure you meet the puppy and its mother before you agree to the purchase. Check the parents had proper health screening conducted.
You can check at local rescues and shelters, although there is no guarantee you will be able to find the specific breed you’re looking for when adopting. Ask as many questions as possible about the dog. The shelter might not be able to provide much information about the dog’s past, and there is no guarantee that the information they have is accurate or entirely reliable.
However, volunteers and shelter owners should have a good idea of the dog’s general character and demeanor, and they will know whether they get along with other dogs. When you get the puppy, start socializing and training as soon as possible.
Brusselranian Dog Breed Origin & History
The Brusselranian is a mixed breed and, as such, has very little history. However, the parent breeds are well known.
The Pomeranian is a Spitz breed, which means it belongs to the same family as breeds including Samoyeds and Alaskan Malamutes. The original Pomeranian weighed around four times the weight of today’s companion breed. The Pomeranian was first introduced to the U.S. at the turn of the 20th Century, and it was accepted by the American Kennel Club in 1909.
The Brussels Griffon originates from Belgium, as the breed’s name suggests. It was originally bred to hunt rats and other vermin, and while the modern Griffon is rarely used as a working dog, it can retain some of the prey drives of its ancestors.
Image Credit: (L) Vera Shcher, Shutterstock | (R) Roman Zaiets, Shutterstock
Temperament & Intelligence of the Brusselranian Dog Breed
The Brusselranian is a clever dog and is considered easy to train, although this does depend on other factors. Start training your dog as soon as you are able, and ensure you start socializing them from as young an age as possible. The breed isn’t particularly prone to mouthing or being overly vocal, but it might have a prey drive stemming from the Brussels Griffon ancestry.
Teaching good recall will be important, especially if you plan to let the dog off the leash anywhere in public. Puppy classes can help teach recall as well as other basic commands. They also help build a bond between you and your new dog and they offer a good opportunity to start socializing.
Good socialization means introducing your dog to new and unusual situations. Walk them on different routes and at different times of the day. While your Brusselranian is still a puppy, ensure they come into contact with young children, cyclists, people in uniforms, and other groups of people.
This will not only get them used to these specific groups but will also help desensitize your young dog to new situations, which can be stressful and anxious times for unsocialized pups.
Are These Dogs Good for Families?
The Brusselranian will be affectionate and loving with family members. It can also get along with strangers, although it may be a little aloof during the first meeting. Its size and relatively modest exercise requirements mean that the breed is good for seniors, but its relatively small size makes it unsuitable for living with very small children, in most cases.
If you do have children and are getting a small dog like this, you will need to teach the kids how to behave respectfully and pleasantly around the dog, so they don’t grab, poke, prod, or accidentally injure the young pup. The breed should get along well with older children and certainly with the adults in the house, however, and is not known for being overly protective so there shouldn’t be any problems with aggression.
This mixed breed can do very well in a house with existing or other new dogs, although gradual and careful introductions are always needed when introducing two more dogs. Similarly, the Brusselranian can also get along well with cats, which may be larger than the dog itself.
Generally, you should never leave a dog alone with smaller pets, and this is especially true of this breed because their prey drive means they will likely give chase to any smaller animal that runs.
Things to Know When Owning a Brusselranian
The Brusselranian is a good family pet although will do better with older children, rather than younger ones that might accidentally hurt it. They can live with other dogs and cats, although proper introductions are necessary, and can adapt to life in an apartment.
The breed is a good choice for a lot of potential owners, but no individual breed is ideal for everybody. Below, we look at details regarding owning one of these dogs so you can determine whether you should take a Brusselranian home.
Food & Diet Requirements
This smell breed has an equally small appetite, usually eating around one cup of dry food per day. If you’re feeding wet or canned food, you will need to weigh your dog and feed according to the guidelines on the packaging. Because this is a small breed, you do need to be extra careful with feeding volumes to ensure you don’t overfeed.
It only takes a small amount of extra food and you run the risk of your little pup putting on extra weight.
You can benefit from buying food that is formulated specifically for smaller dogs. These foods are fully balanced to ensure they meet all your dog’s nutritional requirements, and they will be formulated to meet the specific needs of smaller breeds. They usually also have smaller kibble which means they are easier and safer for small breeds to eat.
If your vet has recommended your dog be put on a specific diet, or that your dog needs to eat more or less than the recommended amount, you should follow these guidelines above all others. This may be necessary if your dog has certain illnesses or if it needs to lose or gain weight to be at a healthy weight for the breed.
You should always provide your dog with free access to safe, clean drinking water, 24 hours a day.
The Brusselranian is a small dog but is a lively one. They require ample regular exercise, which means you will need to give your new dog at least 45 minutes of exercise each day. They can benefit from having a little more exercise than this but don’t need anything too strenuous or challenging.
The breed can do well at agility, but its small size means it will struggle with most other forms of canine sports. However, their lively nature means they will enjoy having playtime with family and friends, and even indoor playtime can provide your dog with additional exercise.
Training
The Brusselranian, like any dog breed, needs regular training and socialization. This is a relatively intelligent breed that can pick up commands and learn wanted behaviors in quite a short time. Make training fun and keep it light-hearted and entertaining to make it effective.
Because these dogs thrive on human attention and love humans, they can respond well to verbal praise and physical rewards as training treats, but you can also consider offering healthy treats as rewards. Most dogs respond well to treat-based training, but you need to ensure you don’t overfeed as a result of giving treats.
Treats should only account for a maximum of 10% of your dog’s daily dietary intake, and you should adjust the amount of food you give accordingly.
Grooming
Grooming is an important part of canine care, and it requires regular brushing as well as potentially some trimming of the coat. The Brusselranian is generally considered a low-maintenance breed, although this will depend on which breed’s coat it inherits. The Pomeranian takes a little more care, but the Brussels Griffon’s coat only needs occasional maintenance.
Brush three times a week to prevent the hair from getting matted and to ensure your little pup is comfortable. Professional grooming can help maintain a healthy coat.
You will also need to trim nails roughly every 2 or 3 months, especially if your dog only ever goes out on grass or other soft surfaces. Teeth also need brushing, ideally every day, but at the very least three times a week.
The Brusselranian is prone to certain genetic or hereditary conditions. Screening of the parents may reduce the risks of puppies developing these conditions, but owners should look for signs of the conditions and take their dog to the vet if any signs are present.
Like all small breeds, the Brusselranian is more prone to obesity than larger breeds. This is because it only takes a small deviation from an ideal meal size to overfeed the dog.
This breed’s brachycephalic facial features mean that the Brusselranian is prone to complications including respiratory problems and overheating. Dogs with these facial types are also more prone to complications with anesthesia during surgery.
Minor Conditions
Allergies
Asthma
Cataracts
Serious Conditions
Glaucoma
Hip Dysplasia
Lung Issues
Respiratory Complications
Male vs Female
Although both the male and female of this breed are small, the male Brusselranian will grow to be a little larger and heavier than the female. In terms of character, there are some reports that males can be more playful and affectionate than females, but they are also a little more challenging and can be more difficult to train.
However, this is anecdotal and the individual dog’s character, as well as socialization and training, will be more important when determining your dog’s traits.
3 Little-Known Facts About the Brusselranian
1. The Brussels Griffon Was Bred to Kill Vermin
The Brussels Griffon was originally bred to kill vermin like rats and mice and was used to keep the vermin population under control in barns and farms in Belgium. Today, it is kept as a companion pet, however.
2. Pomeranians Used to Be Much Larger
Today’s Pomeranian typically grows to a weight of around 6 pounds. However, early Pomeranians weighed closer to 25 pounds. The Brusselranian mixed breed weighs slightly more than a Pomeranian, usually tipping the scales at around 10 pounds.
3. Brusselranians Are Intelligent Little Dogs
The Brusselranian is considered a smart dog breed that can be trained quite easily and will respond to learned commands and desired behaviors. Start training early, be consistent in your training methods, and use positive reinforcement for the best training results.
Final Thoughts
The Brusselranian is a small companion dog that combines the Brussels Griffon and the Pomeranian breeds. They are small but lively and can adapt to living in an apartment but will need a couple of modest walks a day to provide the required exercise and will benefit from early training and socialization to help ensure they grow up as well-adjusted, well-behaved dogs.
They can be a low-maintenance mixed breed, although if your Brusselranian has the coat of the Pomeranian, it will take more time and effort to ensure it is well looked after.
Featured Image Credit: (L) Liliya Kulianionak, Shutterstock | (R) Eric Isselee, Shutterstock
The post Brusselranian Dog Breed: Info, Pictures, Care, & Facts by Matt Jackson appeared first on Dogster. Copying over entire articles infringes on copyright laws. You may not be aware of it, but all of these articles were assigned, contracted and paid for, so they aren’t considered public domain. However, we appreciate that you like the article and would love it if you continued sharing just the first paragraph of an article, then linking out to the rest of the piece on Dogster.com.
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