DNA Testing For Dogs

DNA Testing For Dogs

DNA testing has now gone to the dogs. Have you ever adopted a mixed breed dog or knew someone that had a mixed breed dog and you wondered what breeds he was made of?

Now you can stop wondering. A company is coming out with a DNA test so that you can identify the breeds of your dog. MMI Genomics has a kit (”Canine Heritage”) that will identify up to 38 different dog breeds.

The kit will include a swab to wipe inside of a dog’s cheeks. It also includes sterile packaging so you can ship it to them for identification. Test results will be received in four to six weeks.

I actually think if the pricing is reasonable there will be some demand for this product. And pricing should be reasonable. The AKC utilizes this company for breed and genetic lineage verification … a dog paternity test if you will.

I will let you know more as I learn more if anyone is interested.  Maybe this is the start of a new breed definition

Your Pets Medications – Your Veterinarian Or The Internet?

Your Pets Medications – Your Veterinarian Or The Internet?

Ask your veterinarian to price match your pets’ medications you find on the internet.

I don’t know of any veterinarian who wouldn’t price match medications for your pets or at least work with you … if you are a loyal client.

Don’t expect to just walk into a clinic you’ve never been to before and ask them to price match your pets’ medications. You have to establish a relationship with them first.

Here is the process.

Go to the website where you found the medication for pets you want to buy. Enter what you need in the shopping cart. Go far enough into the checkout process where you have a total listed (do not actually purchase the product.) Be sure each of your pets’ medications are listed with the price. INCLUDE THE SHIPPING INFORMATION (that is only the right thing to do). You could also just print the information off the main product screen as long as the shipping information is included somewhere on the page.

Print this off and take it to your vet. Make sure that the order has a date on it as they probably won’t honor anything that wasn’t printed out during the last few days. Tell them what you have and ask them if they could help with the price on your pets’ medications.

The best possible scenario is that they match your pets medications price or becomes more competitive. If not, you have some decisions to make.

Do you really believe the online pet medications companies care as much about you and your pet as your vet does? Trust me, I have a licensed vet tech acquaintance that has had to speak to pet medications customer service representatives on more than one occasion.

Veterinarians and their staff work hard to establish relationships with their clients. When you buy your pets medications from them not only do you get the product (heartworm tablets, flea prevention, arthritis medication, whatever) but you also get the advice and knowledge that comes along with it.

Sure, buying something for a cheaper price is a right you have as a consumer. But have you thought about WHY it’s cheaper? Many times cheaper isn’t necessarily cheaper. That extra money you spend is paying for professionals’ advice and guidance. It could end up saving your pet’s life!

In my next dog health article, I will provide you even more information why buying your pets medications online may not be the way to go.

Comment on “Should You Be Playing Tug With Your Dog”

This comment reply is specifically for “artjams” who posted this comment under “Hello World”. It was a comment made on the “Should You Be Playing Tug With Your Dog” post. The comment section should now be open for future moderated comments.

Artjams commented on 1/19/07:

My sister and her family have a white boxer. He constantly jumps on me when I come to visit. He wants to play tug with many of his toys and he always wins. He is stronger than me as I have asthma. I can win if I do it quickly, but he wants to paly over & over. If I stop and don’t pay attention to him, he will growl and won’t stop growling & barking. He’s demanding that I play with him. If I tell him no, he doesn’t stop. If I get up and move towards him, he runs away barking & comes back when I turn my back or attention away from him to start all over again. I’ve tol my sister, mother, and nephews that they need to train him and that this behavior is dangerous. They just don’t get it. I must go there to visit my mother who is 84 years old and I worry about her. What should I do?

First things first. Here is a perfect example of a dog or pet owner who is not aware of their pet’s impact on visitors. I will post more on this topic later.

There are a few things that I do not know here, such as age and the boxer’s role in the family (although I could surmise this). I also do not know the inter-family relationships when visitors are not present.

The boxer is probably an adolescent as it appears he is still exploring his boundaries … to see how far he can go. The continuous playing and pushing his will on you is a prime example of this. The growling and barking can possibly be a precursor to more exaggerated actions if he doesn’t get his way. It is hard to say without properly evaluating him.
My recommendation for you is not to play tug with him at all. Without realizing it, you are perpetuating this action by playing with him. The next thing you are doing is continuing to play with him when you want to quit. The boxer can’t make you play with him. You make that choice.

Don’t play with him and ignore him when he tries to initiate the game. Do not stare at him. Avoid his eye contact. If he is being good, praise him by petting him and speaking to him in a calm voice. That’s it. That is all you can and should do.

This behavior with you will not stop overnight, but it will eventually diminish and should stop if you are persistent.
As far as your grandmother goes, you can only bring this to your sister’s attention. I would assume this behavior is not present with your grandmother. If it is, implore your sister and her family to speak to a professional dog trainer or behaviorist.

I hope this helps. Since I am not there to evaluate this boxer I can only provide general suggestions. I would suggest to every dog owner to always get professional training and guidance.