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Australian-Shepherd-Lovers.com Newsletter #019

Hello <>,

Keeping Your Aussie Happy and Healthy

Keeping your Aussie happy will help keep you happy. Dogs that are stressed, upset or bored will accumulate nervous engery that they will find ways of releasing. Often this can result in damage caused by chewing. In this issue we take a look at some of the reasons why your Aussie may be chewing.

Starting with a good genetic foundation for health is important and is one of the main reasons to choose your puppy from a reputable breeder. We've added articles to the site that look at two serious genetic diseases, diabetes and epilepsy.

I'm also happy to announce a new Question and Answer Forum to help you get the information you need to keep your Aussie happy and healthy.

All the Best,

Anton

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In This Issue:

- Destructive Chewing: A Simple Reason Why Your Dog Is Eating Everything In Sight

- New Forum Added! Aussie Q & A Forum

- Two New Aussie Health Articles

- Photo of the Month

- Specials and Coupon Codes

- Dog Quote for Today


Destructive Chewing: A Simple Reason Why Your Dog Is Eating Everything In Sight

Before you can train your dog to stop his destructive chewing habits, you must first identify the type of chewing that your pet is demonstrating. There are different reasons why puppies and dogs engage in this habit, as well as a variety of ways to fix the problem. Therefore, identifying the type of destructive chewing is an important step in eliminating the issue.

There are different motivational factors for chronic and destructive chewing. The most common types are:

1. Puppy chewers
2. Spiteful chewers
3. Jealousy chewers
4. Boredom chewers

Puppies chew mainly for two reasons: to explore their new world and to soothe their aching gums during the teething stage. Dogs between the ages of six to eighteen months have a different motivation to chew: boredom (although this motivator can also apply to puppies as well).

Most dogs who are going through their adolescent stage have high amounts of energy in their systems. This energy, when not utilized or given the proper channel, can result in problem behaviors like destructive chewing. Chewing out of boredom between puppyhood and adulthood usually occur because the newness and excitement of the pet’s presence in the home wears off. The family does not pay as much attention to them as they used to when he was still a puppy.

A different motivating factor that’s responsible for problem-chewing is jealousy. This usually occurs in adult dogs. It could be caused by having a new pet in the household, or because the family has turned their attention to something else, thereby, causing the dog to feel alienated.

For example, if you keep catching your dog chewing on your books, it’s very likely that he thinks that the books cause you to spend less time with him. The same reason can be stated for dogs who like chewing on their owners’ shoes. Our beloved pets felt that the shoes were responsible for alienating the owner’s attention. Each time you leave the house, the dog sees those shoes “going with you” and he will take his jealousy and frustration out on those shoes at any chance possible.

In this case, the best way to eliminate destructive chewing is as simple as spending more time with your dog. Spend ten or fifteen minutes with your pet before you start reading. Take him for a nice stroll, or maybe brush his coat before leaving the house. Most of the time, all it takes is giving your dog personal attention to get rid of these bad behaviors.

Be sure they have alternatives that they are allowed to chew on too. Dogs love to chew and puppies need to chew, so if you don't provide chew toys you only have yourself to blame when your new shoes get shredded.

Training Your Dog or Puppy?
If you are looking for info about training your Aussie try Secrets To Dog Training by Daniel Stevens and Puppy and Dog Training by Dove Cresswell.


New Forum Added! Aussie Q & A Forum

Ask Questions and Share Your Knowledge - As you may know we've had an "Aussie Stories" forum where readers can share photos and stories about their Aussies as well as a "Rainbow Bridge" section where you can create a memorial page. But I've gotten lots of emails from people asking if there was a forum where they could ask questions. I'm happy to introduce our newest Aussie Question and Answer Forum. I encourage you to submit your questions and help others by answering questions that you know the answer to. I think this will become a valuable "help and be helped" resource for all of us.

>> Australian Shepherd Forum - Q & A


Two New Aussie Health Articles

Diabetes and Epilepsy in Dogs - Genetic diseases like diabetes and epilepsy are not only problems for people but for dogs as well. In order to help raise awareness we've added articles about both diabetes and epilepsy in dogs. Epilepsy is of particular concern for Australian Shepherd owners. Thanks to Dr. Linda Kennedy for her insights on epilepsy in dogs. These diseases underscore the necessity of getting puppies from responsible breeders who take care to not breed dogs with these conditions (as well as many others).

>> Diabetes in Dogs

>> Epilepsy in Dogs


Photo of the Month

The exhuberance of a puppy shines through in this month's photo. Thanks to Jan Linhart from Prague, Czech Republic for sharing this great photo of Pampi a red tri.

>> Australian Shepherd Photo of the Month


Specials and Coupon Codes - Use Our Affiliate Links Below

Have You Treated Your Aussie to Wysong Dog Food Yet? Learn more about what makes Wysong so good... Our Special Affiliate Link Here. (Don't forget to use our exclusive coupon code AUSSIE18 to Save 18% when you checkout. Ordering by phone? Mention AUSSIE18 to get the discount.

All Natural Dog Food

Pet Nutrition Products is offering f'ree shipping on orders of $75 or more with the coupon code SHIP75.

Here's the link to Pet Nutrition Products


Dog Quote for Today

"From the dog's point of view, his master is an elongated and abnormally cunning dog."

- Mabel Louise Robinson

Please Visit Our Sponsors Through Our Affiliate Links:

Site Build It!

Pedigreedpups.com


Until Next Time...

Check back with us often as we are always adding more great information. Please let us know if there is something you would like to see on Australian-Shepherd-Lovers.com.

We love to hear from fellow Australian Shepherd Lovers like you. Send us your ideas, your feedback and photos/stories of your Aussie so we can include them on the site.

All the Best and Woof!

Anton and Levi
newsletter@australian-shepherd-lovers.com
https://www.australian-shepherd-lovers.com/

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