Yorkshire Terriers

Yorkie Terrier Dog Coughing – a Battle of Collapsing Trachea

Friday, September 23rd, 2011

Is your Yorkshire Terrier coughing? Dogs don’t cough the way people do, so when you hear your dog making a coughing sound, that needs to alert you that there might be a problem on the horizon. If it’s a hacking sound, maybe there’s something stuck in your dog’s throat. If it’s a non-productive, honking type of cough and your dog is a Yorkshire Terrier, then it could be the early beginnings of collapsing trachea. Collapsing trachea can effect other breeds also, but it seems to be a health issue for Yorkies. Sometimes it is genetic and breeders should try very hard to breed this out of Yorkies. It can be caused by wearing collars or leads that are tight and then when the dog pulls on his leash, he chokes. The constant pulling and choking will eventually damage the windpipe. This applies to all breeds, also.

My Yorkie began a slight cough during the summer of 2007. At the time, we were having renovations done on our home and I thought his throat was dry from the plaster dust and sawdust in the air. The coughing didn’t occur daily so I didn’t worry about progression. I made every effort to keep the dust down by vacuuming and dusting daily.

In the Fall, he had a vet check and I mentioned the cough. Our vet said it was probably collapsing trachea. She prescribed Torbutrol as a cough suppressant and after his first dose he was so drugged that he couldn’t stand, eat or get to his water bowl. She had said that he’d probably have to be on this the rest of his life, taking 2 pills a day. After this reaction, I called the vet and it was decided that he couldn’t tolerate this drug. He only weighed 4 pounds 6 ounces. After that I tried herbal cough medicines. I also gave him vitamin E and vitamin C.

During the Winter of 2008, he had several vet visits and it was always the same–his heart checked out good and his lungs were good. His appetite was good, there didn’t seem to be anything to be concerned over. At no time was I ever told of warning signs of collapsing trachea that might take his life. His coughing went from that dry, hacking sound to a sound much like a person makes when trying to clear one’s throat. Many days he wouldn’t cough at all, but many nights he would start to cough and couldn’t seem to stop. I tried giving him honey to coat his throat, because I’m sure his throat must have been very raw from all that coughing. There are herbal cough medicines on the market that contain honey. Sometimes they helped, but not always. Some days he would pace around all over the house, coughing–trying to breathe. As the trachea narrows it becomes like trying to breathe through a straw.

I searched the Internet for answers, looking for natural cures for him, but really there is not much that can be done. Sometimes surgery is suggested, but it is not always successful and can be very expensive. Not to mention the discomfort that your dog will go through.

Collapsing trachea claimed another victim, as my Yorkie passed away from suffocation, in his sleep on October 1, 2008. So, if your dog is making sounds like coughing, please discuss this with your vet so you will know what to expect. Gather as much information as you can and do everything possible to make your dog as comfortable as you can. You might try using a cool mist humidifier at night in the area where your dog sleeps. Keep his weight down, also. But, most of all, love him and pay as much attention to him as you can. I was very fortunate to have had my Yorkie for 14 years. We were together constantly and he is terribly missed. I sincerely hope that if you are dealing with this health problem with your Yorkie, that you will find something that will help him. Now, please, go hug your dog!

Read more informative articles on our wonderful dog companions by Sparrow Darling at http://www.dogsandothercompanions.com

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Is Your Yorkie Safe in a Dog Park?

Monday, August 29th, 2011

Ahh, dog parks, where canines romp unleashed, owners sip a fresh coffee and everyone’s happy. Or are they? My question today is, “are off leash parks safe for small dogs like Yorkies?“

It seems they are not – a quick search on Google pulls up story after story of Yorkies killed or seriously injured at dog parks. Many have been mauled by large dogs, while some were simply stepped on. In all cases, the results were fatal for the dog and utterly tragic for the Yorkie owner.

Many dog parks have a specially fenced, segregated area for small breeds. However the definition of ‘small breed’ can be misleading. Most suggest these areas are for dogs 30 pounds and under. If you have a particularly small toy, say 4 to 5 pounds, you can see just how outweighed your pooch can be.

Not an isolated incident

One courageous Yorkie owner in Buffalo, N.Y. shared her story so that others might be spared the pain she’s endured.

Her little dog was simply ‘run over’ by larger dogs, all of whom were playful and friendly. It was a matter of size, and a paw that must have come down on the small animal the wrong way. His neck was crushed, and the pet died on the way to the veterinarian’s office.

Letting her dog play at the park was “a very bad decision that day,” the owner said. “I’m worried that someone else will make the same bad decision if they don’t hear this story.”

At another park in Charlotte, North Carolina, a bull mastiff mauled and killed a 12 pound Yorkshire terrier-Chihuahua mix within seconds, before aghast bystanders could intervene. This incident was particularly ugly because the mastiff owner gave the victim his name and a false phone number.

Many dog parks ban un-neutered animals from the site; however, some pet owners ignore that provision, and allow their more aggressive animals to run, often roughshod, over other dogs.

It’s a big mistake to assume that every dog in the park is a well-mannered, well-trained pet. Just because it is playing with other dogs does not mean that it will play well with your dog.

Why do people go to dog parks?

Generally they’re used by people who don’t have a lot of space for their dogs to run, or don’t have a safely fenced area for running.

The second reason is to ‘socialize’ their dogs.

Problems with dog parks

These are good intentions all right but there are some serious issues with dog parks across Canada and the United States:

  • dog owners who do not clean up after their dogs. Gives all dog owners a ‘bad name’ and can result in disease, worms and so on, spreading.
  • irresponsible owners bring the wrong dogs to park. Un-neutered male dogs and other aggressive dogs may prompt fights, with both people and dogs being bitten.
  • overly aggressive, overly assertive, overly unruly, and under-socialized dogs to not belong in a dog park. When dogs fight, people sometimes get bitten, and almost always get into altercations among themselves
  • owners who don’t keep an eye on their pets, letting them run wild, sometimes at the expense of smaller dogs, puppies or shy dogs
  • professional dog walkers who bring too many ‘clients’. How many animals can one person supervise?

Big dogs? Go home!

If your pooch is outweighed by the other dogs at the park, even in the ‘small dog’ zone, it’s a good idea to simply leave. The larger dogs can be well-meaning or vicious, but the result can be the same: a fatally injured small dog that should have been protected better by its owner.

If you’re looking for opportunities to socialize your Yorkie or other small dog, why not try some local breed clubs. Many have fun meets and get together, all limited to that breed. The Canadian Yorkshire Terrier Association (cyta.ca) and the Yorkshire Terrier Club of America (ytca.org) are two good places to start looking.

Want to learn more about your small dog? Deb Gray, a self-taught expert and confessed lover of Yorkshire Terriers, Maltese and their crossbreed, Morkies has some sites for you, including more about crazy things to do with your dog and Things to do with your dog on vacation. You’ll find practical advice, hints and down-to-earth tips; resources; forums and unique sources for gifts, equipment and more.

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How to Use the Bark Collar

Thursday, July 28th, 2011

How to Use the Bark Collar

As people communicate through different languages, dogs also communicate through different types of barking. But there are times when the barking becomes such a nuisance that dog owners just want to make the dog shut up although this can be difficult to do at all hours of the day and night. In order to save themselves and also their harassed neighbours from the excessive barking performed by their dogs at the most inappropriate hours of the day, dog owners can use a Bark Collar.

Before we discuss the benefits of bark collars, it is only fitting that we define what these devices are in the first place. The bark collars are devices that will keep your dog from barking excessively or inappropriately, and they are built in the form of an usual dog collar that dogs wear around their necks. Of course, the times when barking becomes excessive or inappropriate or both depends on many conditions including the type of neighborhood, the time of day, and the circumstances surrounding the behavior.

Electronic bark collars work through the principles of aversive training. Few seconds after issuing a worning beep, this Bark Collar will deliver to the dog’s skin a mild electric shock, if the dog started to bark and did not stopped within a period of time that can be adjusted by the owner. The electric shock will startle the dog into stopping its barking behaviour, creating the dog an unpleasant feeling, and in time, the dog will associate the warning beep with the disagreeable electric shock, and will stop its barking when hearing the warning beep or even before.

We can now note some of the benefits that can be concluded from the above description alone for the use of the bark collar.

• Barking during the night will disturb the peace and quiet of the neighborhood, as all people are asleep, and the device can be used to train the dog in proper behavior. You and your neighbors will be able to sleep restfully for the rest of the night instead of being waken up at odd hours to the annoying sound of your dog barking at the moon.

• The electric shocks can be adjusted based on the training needs, discipline level and size of the dog. In the case of greater dogs having the bad habit of barking on the moon, the higher settings can be applied while in the case of a smaller dog with an occasional habit of barking from boredom, the lower setting of electric shocks will be enough. You will need to do some experiments with the settings, starting with the lowest until the dog responds the technique.

• The device alows the dog to signal intruders. One popular method is when the collar automatically shuts off when the dog barks for at least 15 successive times in 30 seconds. You should then pay attention to your dog’s agitation.

• Bark collars are comfortable regardless of the size of the dog’s neck because of the adjustable collar. They are usually made of leather.

The bark collar is the best product to train your dog toward proper behavior.

The dog owners use a Bark Collar or other anti bark measures. The aversive training is the basic principle here. A beep followed by a mild electric shock is delivered from the Bark Collar to the dog’s skin.

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Yorkshire Terrier Health Problems

Wednesday, June 8th, 2011

Yorkie Health Problems

I want to talk about a more serious issue here, Yorkie health problems. There are a lot of preventable health problems that your Yorkshire terrier can be hit with. The consequences can be emotionally painful for both you and your Yorkie, as well as very expensive as you probably know that trips to the vet are not cheap, especially for smaller breeds of dogs such as a Yorkie. The solution is to be pro-active and take charge of your Yorkie’s health ahead of time to prevent any health issues that might crop up later on. Understanding and learning what you need to do to keep your Yorkie in top condition health-wise is key.

Potential Yorkie Health Problems

Yorkshire terrier dogs, as well as other dogs for that matter, are susceptible to a wide range of health issues, similar to us humans. The only problem is that your dog can’t speak and tell you what’s wrong with it when it has a health issue such as a stomach ache. If you can’t tell what’s wrong with them, the poor thing will suffer in silence until a very serious pain is detected. Let’s take a moment to understand what symptoms can crop up and what you can do to prevent these health issues from being a problem in the first place.

Dog Obesity

This is one ailment that is probably the most common in dogs across all breeds, terriers included. While small terriers tend to be very energetic, they may tend to gain weight due to other causes. Dog obesity is usually a direct cause of eating more than they’re supposed to and lack of exercise. Left unchecked, obesity can lead to serious consequences including heart failure, tumors, disease of the liver, and problems with their skin. Luckily, this one can be prevented easily by watching your dog’s diet and ensuring they get plenty of exercise. Terrier breeds are known for being energetic so getting them to walk, run and play shouldn’t be too hard to do. Ensuring your Yorkie has a healthy diet will ensure your doggie will continue being energetic and lengthen their life span.

Arthritis and Dysplasia

There are some dogs which can be suspect to problems of their bones and joints. In order to prevent joint and bone problems, make sure they get the right vitamins and minerals each day to support healthy growth. Unfortunately, dogs that are pure bred are the most susceptible to joint problems due to their selectively bred physical qualities such as being narrower and longer. I advise going to the vet at least once a year to check for joint health.

Dog Allergies

Yorkies can have a variety of different allergies. Flea allergies are probably the most common. If your Yorkie has flea allergies, you’ll notice hot spots in your dog which can lead to infections. In order to prevent this, ensure your Yorkie gets the right flea medication each month and have your vet examine them for health. Another kind of allergy is food allergy. If skin issues start to crop up to the ears, nose or other hot spots, it may be time to take them to a vet to understand what they can’t eat as tissue issues can be very damaging.

Dog Diabetes

Many new pet owners are surprised that dogs can acquire diabetes but it’s true, this issue is not just a human related on. The cause of diabetes in dogs is usually eating foods that contain too much fat and sugar. Eating too many rich foods can trigger pancreatic problems which often leads to diabetes. To help prevent these issues, ensure your terrier is kept on a strict dog food diet and minimal to no table scraps or extra meals. If your beloved Yorkie acquires diabetes, it’s time to have your pet see the vet regularly. Be prepared that your pet may need to have shots administered regularly.

Dog Infections

Infections can crop up in your Yorkie’s eyes, teeth, ears and skin. Be sure to clean your Yorkie’s eyes, brush their hair and teeth regularly to prevent build ups which can lead to bacterial infections. Ear infections are probably the most frequent and common form of infection for dogs. It’s usually caused by bacteria, dirt or simply a foreign body getting in that space. Luckily, infections are also a problem that is easily preventable with good doggie maintenance.

Dog Health Problem Wrap-up

Most, if not all of these issues can be prevented if your Yorkie is on a good diet, plays and runs often, and you keep it clean and well groomed. In any case, I urge all my visitors to visit their vet once a year to check for any issues you might miss. The sooner a health problem, infection or disease is detected and handled, the better and quicker it can be treated and less trips to the vet will be needed in the future. I hope you’ve found my article on Yorkshire terrier health problems insightful.

All the best in your quest to training your terrier.
Diana Swanson
Founder of http://www.TopTerrier.com

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What Are My Options if I Want a Yorkshire Terrier?

Thursday, August 14th, 2008

http://www.myyorkiesecrets.com/ Need Information Regarding A Yorkshire Terrier. Find out all you need about Yorkshire terrier puppies and adults at our website. Free online course.

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Why Buy From a Yorkie Breeder Rather Than a Pet Shop?

Monday, July 14th, 2008

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Some Vital Health Considerations for Teacup Yorkie Puppies

Sunday, July 13th, 2008

http://www.myyorkiesecrets.com/ All About Teacup Yorkie Puppies Plus What You Need To Know About Teacup Yorkshire Terrier Breeders. Help & advice given.

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Important Factors to Consider About Yorkie Puppies

Saturday, July 12th, 2008

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Tips to Help You Best Care for Yorkie Pups

Saturday, July 12th, 2008

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Making a Show Dog Out of a Teacup Yorkshire Terrier?

Friday, July 11th, 2008

http://www.myyorkiesecrets.com/ Learn How You Can Teach Yours Tricks And Get It Ready To Impress The Judges. A Teacup Yorkshire Terrier Can Easily Be Trained To Be An Amazing Show Dog.

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