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Experienced and professional animal trainer provide their insights in answering this question :
A. A head tilt or twisted head/neck to the side can be an indication of balance issues or neurologic problems. It is best to have your puppy examined by your local vet to determine what may be causing this loss of balance. Cerebellar issues (from birth) can cause a permanent change in body movement and balance that does not need treatment, while more serious conditions such as inner ear infections or nerve damage require additional treatment from your veterinarian.

How to Identify Common Pet Problems ?

Our sources include academic articles, blog posts, and personal essays from experienced pet care professionals :

They Are Greeting You

Greeting their owners is what usually causes dogs to jump up. Although many dogs enjoy “face-to-face” greetings, some people find it quite annoying because jumping dogs run the risk of frightening or hurting people.

The muscles of a dog`s middle ear are controlled by the same part of the brain that controls facial expressions and head movements. So, when a dog cocks his head to the side, he is trying to hear your words, understand what you are saying, and let you know that he is concentrating on you.
Why Swaying Back and Forth Occurs in Dogs. Vestibular disease affects the nerves that send messages back and forth from the dog`s eyes, inner ears, and body. In doing so, it alters the dog`s ability to balance thus causing him to sway back and forth either while standing or walking.
Have you noticed a bit of a fat roll on the back side of your pup`s neck? That`s a sign that she`s carrying too much weight.
Since dogs are equipped with powerful survival instincts, the drive to secure warmth is incredibly strong. Your little canine opportunist loves you, but he is also smart enough to know that huddling up next to you is the best way to stay toasty warm.
The most common reason for a dog to climb on someone is for attention. They want to get your focus and interact with you. If you ignore a behavior, the dog will use other tactics such as rubbing their head against your leg or jumping onto the lap of whoever they`re trying to get interaction from.
Ear infection is by far the most common cause of head shaking and head tilt in dogs. Ear infections can occur because of yeast, bacteria, or fungi that may build up inside your dog`s ears. If this happens, infection can lead to swelling, inflammation, pain, and oozing, among other symptoms.
Actually, there are many reasons why your dog would be scooting such as worms, anal gland disorders, injury, a tumor, and much more. It is important that you find out the reason why your dog is scooting because some of the conditions can be serious and he is obviously uncomfortable.
Some of the signs of parvovirus include lethargy; loss of appetite; abdominal pain and bloating; fever or low body temperature (hypothermia); vomiting; and severe, often bloody, diarrhea. Persistent vomiting and diarrhea can cause rapid dehydration, and damage to the intestines and immune system can cause septic shock.
If your dog is staggering, stumbling, or falling over, it may be the result of a variety of medical issues, including injury, stroke, poisoning, or an infection. Here, our Matthews Emergency and Specialty Vets explain why you should get to a veterinary hospital right away.
Neck pain in dogs is a common symptom with various conditions, some of which include cervical IVDD, atlantoaxial Instability, soft tissue injury, meningitis and inner ear infections. If you are concerned that your dog may be experiencing neck pain, it is important to seek veterinary attention.
Cutaneous asthenia in dogs is also known as Ehlers-Danlos syndrome. It is when the skin on your dog is unusually droopy or stretchy. It is part of a group of hereditary disorders that is caused by a genetic mutation passed from parents to their offspring.
He`s play-biting

“If your pet is play-biting (or pulling at you for attention), then he`ll do it because he`s having fun with you, and it`s a sign of affection,” explains Dr. Nelson. “He will look happy, bite gently, and may even be lying down.” If you see these 11 behaviors, your dog might need obedience training.

He`s there for you to cuddle up with whenever you`re down, and whenever he`s tired, he looks for you to offer the same comfort. Your dog may curl up into a ball at your feet, might cling to your back, or may lay his head on your lap.
Getting in a Dog`s Face and Personal Space

Much like hugging, dogs tend to dislike it when humans get in their faces. Think about how it would make you feel! Avoid putting your hands in a dog`s face, towering over dogs, and rushing towards them. This is especially important if the dog does not know you well.

One of the most common reasons why dogs love to lick their owners is simply to show their affection. Since you`re the one taking care of them, you`re essentially their world! When dogs lick, pleasurable endorphins are released into their blood which makes them feel calm and comforted.
Puppies have on occasion shown head bobbing episodes when their calcium levels are low during their development. Heartworm Medication. In some cases, episodes of head bobbing have been linked to the administration of heartworm medication.
The word ataxia means incoordination within the nervous system. The abnormal movement can occur in the legs, the head, the torso, or all three. There are several different forms of ataxia, depending on where in the nervous system the abnormality occurs.
Squeeze a veterinarian-approved ear-cleaning solution to fill your dog`s ear canal and massage gently at the base of the ear for about 30 seconds. You will hear a squishing sound as the product dislodges debris and buildup. Don`t let the tip of the applicator touch your dog`s ear, as this can introduce bacteria.
Dog scooting usually means your dog`s anus needs help

Pups often scoot in an attempt to express their anal sacs and release the fluid, but it doesn`t always work. Without relief, your dog may develop an anal sac infection, or their anal sacs can rupture (yikes!).

Coughing, diarrhea, vomiting and lethargy are the general signs the dog has worms. Other symptoms depend on the type of worm. For example, if your dog has a tapeworm, clear identifiers can be rapid weight loss or what appears to be grains of rice in their stool.
Parvo smell has a unique very bad-smelling poop that is not easy to forget. The smell has been described as metallic, with hints of blood stench since the virus affects the intestinal walls, and a seemingly sweet scent.
Dehydration is very serious; dogs with canine parvovirus refuse water and quickly dehydrate due to their constant vomiting and diarrhea symptoms.
Canine parvovirus affects canines only, including pet dogs, wolves, and hyenas. Parvovirus B19, on the other hand, is a human variant that only affects humans. Given the nature of canine parvo, can humans get parvo from dogs? The short answer is no.

Relevant Questions and Answers :

the most relevant questions and answers related to your specific issue

Q. Hello everytime my puppy crawls its neck is always going to the side and it causes the body to roll over all the time please tell me whats wrong
ANSWER : A. A head tilt or twisted head/neck to the side can be an indication of balance issues or neurologic problems. It is best to have your puppy examined by your local vet to determine what may be causing this loss of balance. Cerebellar issues (from birth) can cause a permanent change in body movement and balance that does not need treatment, while more serious conditions such as inner ear infections or nerve damage require additional treatment from your veterinarian.

Read Full Q/A … : Why Does My Dog

Q. How do I get my dog to stop chewing on things? I kennel her when I leave for a few hours, but I can’t go to the mailbox without her eating something.
ANSWER : A. If she’s young, then this is just normal puppy behavior. Don’t worry about it. The thing about puppies is, they explore using their mouths. If your puppy grabs a coat hanger, or a slipper, you should roll up a newspaper, and smack yourself on the head with it for leaving those things out.. your puppy is going to explore things, that’s normal! It is 100% up to YOU to keep those things away from your puppy when your puppy is unsupervised… even for just a moment.

Remember to never scold your puppy for grabbing these things. They are just curious little cuties, and they don’t chew things up to bother us.. Dogs do not have intentional thought, so they aren’t ever doing anything ON PURPOSE to us.. The most important thing you can do when your puppy is chewing something you don’t want her to be chewing is TRADE her the inappropriate item with a toy of hers, so she understands “no honey, that isn’t what puppies chew on… THIS is what puppies chew on!” and then begin playing with her using her toy to show her that TOYS ARE FUN.. Way more fun than a boring ol’ coat hanger.

Another helpful thing you can do is have two bags of toys. In each bag is many different kinds of toys. Lots of chew toys, lots of soft squeaky toys, lots of rope-type toys, a bunch of balls.. All kinds of things! For one week you have bag#1’s toys out for your puppy to play with.. At the end of the one week, you collect those toys, and you bring out bag#2! The toys will be more interesting/feel like new to your puppy, which will in-turn, make her chew less inappropriate things. Her toys are too fun to care about that dumb Wii-mote that you left laying around.

Hope this helps!

Q. Which common foods are poisonous to pets?
ANSWER : A. That’s a great question. As responsible pet owners we need to be aware of food items that can be harmful to our canine or feline companions. Here are some of the most common foods proven to cause illness in our animals at home:

Chocolate: A favorite and irresistible treat amongst most humans, chocolate is considered toxic to dogs. In very small amounts it is usually not a huge issue, but with larger volumes and with darker chocolates pet owners should be concerned. Chocolate contains methylxanthine theobromine, which is similar to caffeine. Chocolate ingestion can cause vomiting, diarrhea, hyperactivity, issues with normal heartbeats, seizures, and in some severe cases, death. It is best to keep your favorite chocolate treats in a good hiding spot and out of reach of your dog or cat.

Grapes and raisins: Dogs should not consume grapes and raisins because of the risk of acute kidney failure. Most dogs experiencing grape or raisin toxicity will begin to have vomiting and/or diarrhea within 6-12 hours of ingestion. Other abnormal clinical signs include lethargy, abdominal pain, dehydration, and tremors. Kidney failure develops within 24-72 hours of the initial ingestion. There are some dogs that do not experience these devastating side effects. It is best to contact your veterinarian or veterinary emergency facility if you believe your pet has ingested grapes or raisins.

Garlic and onions: We often forget that our meals contain these two popular ingredients and will allow our furry companions a few bites or licks. Onion and garlic both can cause a type of poisoning that results in damage to red blood cells, making them more likely to rupture. They can also cause stomach upset and mouth irritation. Look for pale gums, increased breathing or drooling or any vomiting or diarrhea.

Bread dough: Unbaked bread dough is considered poisonous to our pets. The bread dough, when ingested, expands in the stomach because of the warm and moist environment. This can lead to a bloated or even twisted stomach. In addition yeast is often added to our baking products to help get bread to rise, and when this yeast is fermented it produces both carbon dioxide and alcohol. The alcohol produced can be absorbed into the bloodstream and causes dangerous drops in blood sugar, blood pressure and body temperature. Common clinical signs include vomiting or retching, distension of the stomach, weakness and collapse.

Macadamia nuts: Ingestion of these nuts are not proven to be fatal in dogs but can cause them to experience uncomfortable clinical sings, including fever, joint stiffness, vomiting, tremors and difficulty walking, especially in their hind legs. Often your pet will start to feel better after about 48 hours, but supportive veterinary care (such as pain medication) may help ease their discomfort.

Xylitol: The most common ingredient used in sugar-free gum is xylitol, which is a non-caloric sweetener. It is also found in some oral rinses, toothpastes and vitamins. Xylitol and dogs do not mix – it can cause a dangerous drop in blood sugars levels. Dogs will often display signs of disorientation, black tarry stool, tremors and seizures. If severe enough some dogs have developed liver failure. Keep your gum away from your canine companion.

Avocados: Avocados are not actually poisonous to dogs or cats but as many veterinarians can tell you the avocado pits can cause a foreign body obstruction. Avocados contain persin, which is actually toxic to the majority of pet birds. The abnormal clinical signs associated with avocado ingestion in birds include, respiratory distress, inability to perch, liver and kidney failure and sudden death.

Go forth and enjoy your favorite foods, but keep in mind which foods you should avoid sharing with your furry family members. Whenever in doubt, contact your veterinarian for healthy and safe food suggestions.

Q. My dog doesn’t eat, what should I do?
ANSWER : A. If this is a puppy, see a veterinarian immediately. Puppies should want to eat. Common causes for anorexia in puppies include viruses (parvo is a big one), parasitism, and foreign bodies. They need immediate care – go to an emergency vet if yours isn’t open. Puppies can get low blood sugar and dehydration very quickly.

If this is an adult dog and you observe other concerning signs, such as diarrhea or decreased energy, you should see a veterinarian.

If the dog seems otherwise bright and stable, try offering different types of food: wet food, canned tripe, or cooked chicken and rice. Some dogs will go for canned baby food: chicken, turkey, or beef as the main ingredient. Make sure there are no garlic or onions in the ingredients!

Causes of anorexia in adult dogs can range from less serious to severe. Younger dogs are more likely to get into trouble- they tend to eat things they shouldn’t, and can get foreign bodies from eating things like socks, or stomach upset from getting in the trash. Any dog may stop eating due to stress, or just being a picky eater. Middle aged dogs can stop eating when they’re stressed and also have Addison’s disease, which can be fatal. Older dogs tend to stop eating when they develop cancer or renal disease.

There is no one-size-fits-all recipe to know when the right time is to take your dog to the vet. The moral of this story is, if it’s not getting better, your pup feels bad, or you’re worried – go see the vet!

Read Full Q/A … : My Dog Won’t Eat

Q. Husband shamed dog for having an accident inside, and now she won’t poop when he takes her out. Can we fix this? He realizes he erred
ANSWER : A. Good on your husband for realizing that scolding is not the way to potty train! Hopefully these tips can help both him and your pup get back on the right track and make pottying outside successful.

If your dog is still a puppy, that is good news as you may be able to more easily time your potty outings with your dog’s schedule. Even if your dog is older, this schedule may help. Dogs generally have to go potty about 15 minutes after eating, drinking, waking up or playing. Knowing this, get your husband to start taking out your puppy at these key times, so puppy gets used to going out with him, and the urge to potty may be higher than any fear to go. If the potty is successful, have your husband reward the dog with a favorite treat! For bowel movements, dogs may take a little more time, and you may have to stand outside for a while (sometimes even 10 minutes) to give your dog a chance to go. If she doesn’t go, take her back inside and play some, then try again in about 15 minutes. Again, a success equals a treat which most dogs will like right away!

For any indoor potty accidents that occurred, an enzymatic cleaner is great for cleaning up urine and stool. Not only does it remove the stain and smell, but it breaks down the enzymes in the urine and stool your dog can smell, which may deter her from going potty there again.

Q. My puppy is urinating a lot. And the lady I gave one of the puppies to said she thinks her puppy has diabetes could my puppy have it to
ANSWER : A. It is not likely that either one of these puppies has diabetes. It is very uncommon for a puppy that young to have diabetes. If your puppy is straining to urinate or is urinating very small amounts frequently and cannot seem to wait for very long between urination, he may have a urinary tract infection. It is quite possible that your puppy is completely normal. I would suggest an exam with your veterinarian and discuss the behavior with them. They may suggest a urinalysis. Your puppy should be going to the vet at 3 week intervals for vaccinations at this age, so you can discuss it when he has his next set of vaccines. The other person with the other puppy should also be taking hers to a vet for proper immunizations and she should also discuss her concerns with her vet.

Q. How can I keep my 14 year old Yorkie from snapping at the younger ones?
ANSWER : A. It’s all about management. Do not allow the 7yo’s to interact with your 14yo unsupervised. You should be there each time they interact so you can redirect the 14yo’s attention onto some toys, or onto some treats when the 7yo’s are around. It sounds like you need to help your 14yo make positive associations with being around the younger pups. You should be trying to feed him treats each time he interacts with them, and doesn’t snap at them. Pet and praise him each time he is around them, or any time they are near. As I said, keep the separated when you cannot supervise their interactions because if you aren’t around when he is snapping at them, you could end up with a fight on your hands.

It could also be that they spend too much time together. Imagine spending 100% of your time with somebody, day in and out, doing everything together… including going to the bathroom.. that might bother anybody. I think you should give them more time apart from each other. Take them all on separate walks, separate them to play with them individually, separate them when you take them to potty, separate feeding times in separate rooms, etc. This can help alleviate the stress your older dog is feeling due to living closely with other dogs. You should always be giving individual activities in a houseful of dogs anyway.. when you expect them to get along 100% of the time, that’s when you find trouble.

Q. My puppy ate 2 peanut butter with chocolate chip granola bars.
ANSWER : A. It is important to know your pup’s weight, age, and breed. It takes a decent amount of milk chocolate to cause any issues in a dog. However, if it was dark chocolate, and your dog is very small (2lb small breed) then you should consider going to the vet. If your dog is a little larger, I wouldn’t worry about it too much. Keep a very close eye on your puppy for the next couple of days, and check each bowel movement.

I am hoping you didn’t scold your dog for eating the granola bars. I say this because you may have, when truly, it was your own fault. Allowing your puppy to get into trouble like that is irresponsible. A puppy should be crate trained, and crated when unsupervised. Not only that, but if your puppy had already eaten the granola bars, scolding is pointless. Scolding after the fact is always pointless. If you’re going to scold, or redirect your puppy, you should do is DURING the act, and not after. The puppy will only learn that you are scary, and unpredictable if you scold after he has done something bad and forgotten about it.