Chicken jerky treats may be to blame for dozens of new reports of mysterious illnesses and some deaths in dogs, prompting a renewed warning for pet owners by the Food and Drug Administration. At least 70 dogs have been sickened so far this year after reportedly eating chicken jerky products imported from China, FDA officials said. That’s up from 54 reports of illness in 2010. Some of the dogs have died, according to the anecdotal reports from pet owners and veterinarians....

Sarplaninac “Shar-pla-nee-natz” is an ancient breed of livestock flock (mostly sheep, goats and some cattle) guard dog that originated in the southeastern mountain range of Serbia (southern Kosovo) and the northwest part of Macedonia. In 1939 the dogs were registered with the Federation Cynologique Internationale as the Illyrian Shepherd dog- Sarplanina after the Sar Mountains, where the breed is common. The Sarplaninac is considered to be one of the oldest and original Molossers believed to be possibly 2500 years old. Although the exact ancestry is unknown some have theories as to the origin descending from the Molosser dogs of Epirus, the ancient tribes that inhabited the Balkan Peninsula. It is possible that these dogs came from the great Tibetan Mastiffs who most likely developed from Tibetan wolves...

Stop Your Dog from Nuisance Chewing

Are you frustrated with a dog that chews obsessively? There are several alternatives that are available to help curb this annoying habit.

First, and foremost, puppies need to chew in order to help their teething process. Mature dogs chew out of boredom and it’s one of their instinctual ways of keeping their teeth and gums strong and healthy. Some popular and safe products available are the following...

Crate Training Tips

Effective crate training starts by buying a crate large enough that the dog can stand, lie down and turn around comfortably. They should never be too small, but be careful not to buy one that is too large either.

Start by rewarding the dog, by giving them a treat or praise when they are getting into the crate, at first every time, then just occasionally.

Be Positive. Your dog will pick up on your attitude...

How to Stop Offensive Sniffing
Sniffing is a natural and important behavior for your dog. It helps identify people and other dogs, where they’ve been, determines another dog’s sex and position in the pack's pecking order. In most cases, a dog can learn a lot by a quick sniff—and that’s normal, natural behavior that dog owners and their guests have come to accept. However, sometimes a dog seems to become fixated on this behavior and their constant, prolonged sniffing becomes embarrassing for the owner and the people being subjected to the sniffing...

How to Tell If Your Dog Has Bloat / Bloat In Dogs
“Bloat” is a serious medical condition that affects approximately 60,000 dogs in the U.S. Bloat on average kills 33% of the dogs that get it. Bloat can happen very fast and unpredictably. After Bloat begins it starts to take effect quickly. Unless your dog receives immediate veterinary attention, bloat will most likely be fatal. The more informed you are about bloat in your dog, the better your chances are at identifying your dog’s symptoms and getting your dog the proper medical attention they will need...

Beneficial Bacteria For Dogs
Many dog owners associate bacteria with negative things, but only a relatively small portion of all bacteria are actually harmful. Most bacteria are harmless and some bacteria are important in maintaining proper digestive health for your dog. These good bacteria are commonly referred to as "beneficial bacteria". These beneficial bacteria help to maximize the nutritional intake and contribute to the overall health of your dog...

Why Are Dogs Allergic To Chocolate?
Dogs are not allergic to chocolate, it is toxic to them. Chocolate contains a toxic chemical known as theobromine, which is a stimulant. Theobromine can affect the heart and nervous system, and can cause more frequent urination of your pet. Dogs as well as cats can not digest this toxin as well as humans...

What Vaccinations Do I Need For My Dog?
Like humans, dogs need vaccinations at an early age. That is why it is important to immunize puppies, so that they will be protected and better able to grow into a healthy adult. The who, what, why, when, where and how of vaccinations are complicated and may vary from puppy to puppy. If you have any concerns you should consult a veterinarian. To better understand vaccines, it is important to understand how the puppy is protected from disease the first few weeks of its life...

Stopping Dogs who Eat too Fast  
We at Zamzows are often asked: “What can I do to slow down my dog’s eating?” If your canine is gobbling up kibble faster than you can feed him, and you need to slow the dog down, there are a few things that you can do to aid in the proper digestion of your dog's  meal...

What is Glucosamine and why is it Important for my Dog?
Glucosamime is an amino sugar, which is a precursor in the synthesis of glycosylated proteins and lipids. These are key in the make up of skeletal connections needed in higher life forms down to the cell walls in fungi...

 

Diabetes in Dogs
Diabetes in dogs is a disease characterized by a decreased tolerance to carbohydrates (sugars), due to a deficiency of insulin. Insulin is a hormone the body needs to utilize blood sugars. Despite extensive research there is no known cure, but dogs with diabetes can live longer with proper nutrition, exercise and insulin injections. Therefore, once your pet has been diagnosed all medical attempts are needed to...

How to know if your dog is stressed and How to Treat It
Your dog is barking like crazy in the backyard. The holes he has dug in your yard makes it look like a construction zone. He tears things up, and seems agitated and upset. You probably have a stressed out dog. In this article, I will describe the stressors in a dog and give advice for some solutions to calming your dog. We can’t remove everything that stresses a dog out, but we can help control their stress levels...

Pugs and Bull Dogs as Pets
A customer recently asked me what what I could tell them about Pugs and Bulldogs as pets. I told her that living with a Pug or Bulldog can be very rewarding as long as you understand their breed-specific needs and problems. Pugs and Bulldogs need a lot of attention. In fact, I’ve heard it said they are like “perpetual children”.  And like all children who crave attention, they can be very destructive when left alone and should therefore always be supplied with chew toys like Kongs or Nylabones to keep them occupied...

How to get a Dog to Stop Submissive Urination

Hi, my name is Fido, and I would like to discuss a problem that I used to have, and that maybe your dog has also. I am a really good dog normally, but I had this problem of submissive urination. It drove my owners crazy until they learned what it actually was, what caused it, and how to control it....

The Option of feeding a Strictly Canned Food Diet to your Dog
There has been an ongoing debate among dog enthusiasts for a long time about whether or not you can feed a canned food only diet to your dog. The answer is yes, you can feed canned food only diets but often times it may not be the best choice for you and your dog. There are a lot of benefits to a canned food diet and some negatives as well; I will try to list the main ones for you so you can make an educated choice...

Just like humans, many times dogs do not get the trace minerals and vitamins they may need from their diets. This is why feeding a quality, nutritionally balanced dog food like Grandma Z’s or Professional is so important. Grandma Z dog foods go the extra mile by spraying Probiotics on the dog food after the cooking process is complete. This process replaces the vital nutrients/enzymes that may have been lost in the cooking process. In addition, both the professional line and Grandma Z line of dog food are tested every 30 minutes in the production process to insure consistency in the formula...

Are you looking for a place to socialize your dog(s)? Here is a list of Idaho's dog parks as well as some additional information about dog parks in general. In Boise we have three dog parks. Millitary Reserve Park located at Mountain Cove Rd and Reserve St. This is a nice big open area with lots of activity. There are lots of trails that lead up to Table Rock and all over the Boise Foothills. Definately worth checking out...

Massage for Dogs
Canine bodywork can alleviate discomfort often caused by rapid growth of bones and muscles. It can also calm and focus the excitable, active adolescent. Massage reduces the risk of injury which frequently accompanies rowdy play, jumping, rolling, wrestling and generally being an adventurous, energetic young dog...

Often at Zamzows we are asked about the very best way to keep a dog from pulling while on a leash. The gut reaction for most of our customers is to go to our choke collars which can be very effective but...

Why Should I Feed A Senior Dog Food?
By: Leean Estes

Are you worried that your old dog is not getting everything thier body needs from thier adult dog food? Is your dog slowing down? Are you thinking about feeding your dog a senior dog food? Senior dogs need a well-balanced diet that is lower in calories, protein, and fat yet higher in fiber. Senior dogs are more prone to develop constipation, so senior dog food diets are higher in fiber (around 3 to 5%). You can also add wheat...

How to keep your Dog from jumping fence?
Fence-jumping is a self-rewarding behavior for dogs because the newly escaped pooch feels a sense of freedom and hope of finding someone to pay attention to him and/or critters to chase. To help with deterring your dog from jumping the fence, start with some basic dog commands, such as sit, stay and come.  As for 'stay,' if your dog understands its meaning, calling out 'stay'...

Selecting the proper Dog House

Like many pet owners, you’re probably one that would rather keep your pet indoors where it’s nice, warm and cozy. If the dog had its way, I think that’s the way they would prefer it too. But as much as they want to stay inside, there comes a time where the owner and the pet need their personal...

What is Parvo?
By: Tyler Reynolds

I would like to start by saying that if you are reading this article because you think your dog is infected with Parvo, contact your vet immediately. Parvo is not something to put off until tomorrow.  Parvo is dangerous for your dog, does life long damage, and can be lethal... 

Invisible Pet Fencing
Hans Geary Manager Zamzows Eagle

Several years ago my parents rescued a 110 pound Irish Wolf Hound from a tough situation. Because they lived on seven acres with minimal fencing, there was an immediate need for some form of containment for the new dog. After a great deal of research, they decided to go with an invisible fence and Scout...

My dog sheds on everything, what can I do? by Matt Lott 

No matter what type of dog you own, you can expect to deal with shedding at some level. In this article we will discuss some simple steps you can take to limit the amount of animal hair you have to deal with. The target of this article will be the dog that spends the majority of its time indoors, however this information can be applied to both indoor and outdoor dogs.

Every year since 1993, Zamzow has hosted and extraordinary event - our annual "Frisbee Fest" for dogs! The 2008 event is scheduled for Saturday September 27^th from 10:00 A.M.-1:00 P.M. at Ann Morrison Park in Boise. The event is sponsored by Zamzows Premuim Pet Foods, KNIN-TV Channel 9 ("K-9" Television), and The Idaho Humane Society, who helps out at the event by providing volunteers.

Separation anxiety occurs when a dog feels distress or apprehension while separated from their owners. One mistake that owners make is to set the dog up for their departure.  This can lead to barking, crying, whining, and for dogs that are really anxious, destruction of your house a few minutes after youre gone. The bigger the fuss you make over leaving, the bigger the fuss your dog will make when you leave. Some authorities recommend paying little attention to the pet for at least ten minutes before leaving and for the first ten minutes after you arrive home...

A puppys first trip to the groomer should be a pleasant time for the little one. Good grooming begins at home, start the pups first session about 20 minutes after a meal. The puppy will settle down at this time and is possibly a bit sleepy. More...

I had accomplished it my lawn was the perfect green and it looked like I had the best lawn on the block.  Then it happened my neighbors dog came and urinated on my lawn.  I knew as soon as I saw it happened that my lawn was going to burn there.  Here are a few things you can do if this happens or to help prevent it from happening.   More...

Now that spring and summer are quickly approaching, many people are thinking that this is an ideal time to get a new addition to the family.  If you are thinking about getting a new puppy, please keep in mind the importance of early socialization. Socialization is introducing your puppy and establishing positive relationships and responses to different creatures and environments. Socialization helps prevent puppies from being fearful and possibly aggressive...

The German shorthair is a great breed with a interesting history. As the name implies, the country of origin of this breed of dog was Germany.  German Short-haired Pointers have been known to be a distinct and separate breed probably since the 17th century.  However, the dog that we identify as a GSP today was developed by a group made up of dedicated noblemen and sportsmen toward the end of the 19th century.  It is important to note that these people had a very specific...

Follow these simple steps to avoid outdoor hazzards for your dog. Regardless of the time of year many of us would like to be outdoors doing something, so would your dog. Being as we have four distinct seasons there are many things to consider for yourself and your pet. I am assuming that since you are reading this you are competent enough to take care of yourself so lets focus on your dog at this time. Outdoor dangers are...

Many of our valued customers ask us often about using a containment system to keep their dogs in or on their property without just putting them in a dog run. We like to recommend using an in ground or invisible fence. We have different choices for your needs.

The invisible fence will help keep your pet safe and secure, keep your neighbors pets out; it will also help keep nuisance pests like rabbits...

Introducing your dog to an electronic dog collar should be very simple and another step in having a well mannered pet. You need to be aware that your dog should be at least 6 months of age and weigh more than 10 pounds before using an electronic training collar.

The first 20 weeks of your puppys life are an important time for your training sessions, they should begin after the pup is 8 weeks old...

Now that you have realized there is a problem it is time to get to work. Many pet owners  either do not realize that their pets are overweight or dont want to admit it. The fact is veterinarians are reporting that upwards of 40% of pets in America are overweight. This is not a good thing. Obesity in pets, like humans, is very serious. The sad thing is that in many cases our pets weight problem is our own...

Ensuring good nutrition is very important, especially in older dogs.  As we age we may not hear or see as well as when we were younger but in fact many of our other systems are not functioning as well either.  This is why it all starts with a good dog food. 

As your dog gets older their digestive system may not be working as efficiently as it once did.  This is why it is so important to be feeding...