HEALTH

1. A cold wet nose is not a bad sign but a warm nose could signal anything from a upset tummy to worse, depending on the degree of warmth.  I also watch my dog to see how their behavior differs from other times.
2. If your dog has hot spots (wet & red eruptions - sometimes caused by dirt) put cold wet tea bags on them to help take out the irritation.  Contact a vet.
3. HAIRBALLS  with long haired dogs - If your dog is doing a lot of hacking it is probably just a hairball.  Add 6 teaspoon's of bacon fat or vegetable oil to one meal every 8 days for large dogs to give them a shiny coat and stops itchy dogs.   For small dogs adjust accordingly.  The size of my Pom you would give 3 teaspoons every 4 days
4. FOOD - Daily balanced supplement is needed to fulfill your dogs daily requirements for vitamins & trace minerals
5. MEDICINE - of the liquid variety can be given by soup spoon for large dogs and a eyedropper for small dogs.
6. PILLS - Coat with butter before giving to your dog
7. Mix in pills with their canned dog food - I've only had one dog who sucked the goodies off the pill before spitting the pill back into his dish and trying to bury it.
8. Open mouth, place pill in throat, close mouth and sooth throat by light petting on the outside of the throat until pill goes down
9. TEETH - Tarter buildup can cause bad breath.  Once a month to vet, or as needed, for dental cleaning
10. WOUNDS - Isolate area from dogs cleaning and chewing by placing a large plastic or cardboard collar around its neck.   
11. If your dog has a wound on his leg, pull out a clean old sock and place over his dressing to keep it clean and hold the dressing in place.

HOUSEBREAKING

1. I use a stack of 4 newspaper pages with a new puppy at the front door.  Every day I move the newspapers just 1/2" towards the back door, removing the top layer each day.  At the 4th day, I put 3 more under so that the smell can continue and the puppy will follow the smell.  The bottom layer keeps the smell from getting into the floor.  In a few days, depending on the size of your home you will reach the back door and then slowly move the newspaper to where you want the puppy to do the ultimate deed.  Lastly burying the papers just below the surface with pieces sticking out.  After a 5 days I dig the newspaper  back up when the puppy is elsewhere and throw away.  Soon he will let you know when they want out

LARGEST / SMALLEST

1. The largest dog is a Saint Bernard weighing in at 234 pounds
2. The smallest dog is the Tea Cup Chihuahua weighing in at about 4 ozs.

ODORS

1. My Pom - Tilly has a breath so bad it could chase away want to be bad people.  For bad breath I buy bad breath bones for her.  She loves them and I love her breath
2. Tartar buildup is another reason for doggie breath.  You can now brush your dogs teeth yourself or take to a vet - expensive - but worth it.
3. Ear infection, anal glad infections, dermatitis can also produce bad orders and you check with your vet for remedies that can be benficial for your dog. 
4. Hormonal odor is another problem.  You can correct this problem by fixing your dog. 
5. Regular bathing with a shampoo for odors helps greatly
6. There are a lot of great odor killers on the market
7. If your dog goes on the carpet or furniture sprinkle the area with baking soda.  Let it set for about 5 hours, than brush off and vacuum.
8. Cornmeal works great for deodorizing accident areas, letting it set is a must, about 1 hour, then brush off and vacuum.
9. Something with the ingredients of bacteria -enzyme solutions - usually available from the vet or a pet store, only good on water safe fabrics
10. Protect upholstery with a finishing spray in this way odors won't seep in and you should be able to wipe clean.  Wiping doesn't work on all fabrics

PUPPIES

1. Sometimes a puppy breaches  in the birthing process - be prepared for the unexpected.  Take Mom to the vet or follow the birthing guidelines given above under BIRTHING in my other Dog Stuff guide. 
2. Picking up a new puppy?  Rub a piece of soft cloth across Mom, if possible and any siblings then place in the bottom of your carrying box and later in their bedding.
3. Wrap a ticking clock in a piece of cloth and put in the puppies box
4. Wrap a hot water bottle in a towel for it to cuddle with
5. Some dogs like the warmth of a blow dryer when they are being dried off.  If you start when they are puppies they will get use to it a lot quicker than when they are adults. 

REPELLENT

1. To keep dogs away from things take the boughs from Christmas trees snd position them vertically around tree trunks or areas you don't want your dog in. 
2. Cut off the branches from a Christmas tree and mulch into your flower beds and shrubs
3. Soak old sponges in diluted household ammonia and place where ever you don't want your pet to be.

SHEDDING

1. Run a damp cloth along their coat to pick up loose hair.  I use a warm one in the winter and a cool one in the summer. 
2. I had one dog, (a cocker & terrier mix) once that I could brush with the vacuum brush and he absolutly loved it, while all of the other animals ran as soon as the vacuum was turned on!  That dog was named Fabian and lived to 15 years old before we parted company.

SPRAYING

1. Hormonal disorder that the vet can't find a solution to is the problem with my female related Poms as they spray everything, even lifting the legs like males do.  The only thing I have found for them is a temporary fix - put them outside.
2. Other dogs passing through the front yard while they are in the house can cause a fit of spraying.   You'd think after time they would know that the place is there's.  NOT SO.  Close the curtains, pull down the blinds when you are out roaming and your dog is stuck at home
3. When you see an unwelcome guest in your yard, take your dog to another part of the house and / or pull down the blinds
4. Protect upholstery with a finishing spray in this way odors won't seep in
5. If you have extra upholstery fabric, or can take it from the back of his favorite piece of furniture, spray it also and hang in another of his favorite spot(s).
6. Can be a sign of a medical problem - call the vet
7. May also need behavior training. 
8. Keep all your dogs things in rooms like the back porch if it is inside your home, especially if it has hard floors or hard surface finishing
9. Dogs  returning home from the vet may spray after they have smelled all those other cats & dogs at your vets office. 
10. Natural fragrance on your dog after their return from the vet, especially over nite stays seems to mellow them out.  Keep it on for 10 days. 

TANGLES

1. For long hair dogs - paint or gum needs to harden as nasty as that sounds, its true.  Then you snip the hair that holds it.  You may have to do a trim so it doesn't look funny.  But, at least it will grow back. 
2. For all dogs where you need to remove burrs, crush with a pair of plyers and pull out with brush or comb
3. For long haired dogs you can also soak the tangled mess in vegetable oil and then comb out

TOYS

1. A sock knotted, don't make it an old smellie one or they will think your ones for the washer are open game. 
2. A small long twig for throwing.  Not small enough to be swallowed though
3. Frisbee
4. Store bought toys.
5. Tennis balls
6. Old football for large dogs
7. Stuffies - my big one loves them in all sizes and he keeps them in his sleep area when he's not playing with them.  I don't have to pick up after him!
8. Thread spools for small dogs but be sure that they don't have any thread on them
9. A knotted sock with a squeakie toy inside
10. Some dogs like to bat around soccer and basketballs
11. Old bones that have lost chewing interest can be a toss and bring toy.  If the dog decides to chew on them it won't hurt his teeth the way a twig or a piece of wood will do.

UNDERSTANDING

1. Dogs can learn to understand up to 884 words and commands

WALKING

1. Walk before a bath, this tires the pet and makes them more docile in the tub.  It also helps curb the urge for them to go out and rollin the dirt. 
2. A strong rope for big dogs a thin rope for little dogs wrapped around the collar and knotted works well.  For a handle loop the top and cover with cotton which is covered by a piece of material and sewed together so it doesn't come loose.
3. Clothesline cord works too and you would do the above way of securing your pet.  I don't like it as well, though
4. A long leather belt works.  Run the belt beneath the collar and then through the buckle to secure.  You can't make a handle and I recommend this for dogs that are docile and do not have the need to lead, stray or chase.
5. Pantyhose - one leg under the collar, then tie legs into a square knot.  Your handle would be the panty size, but be prepared for strange looks. 
6. Cut a belt to the correct length to use as a dog collar for a custom fit.  Punch new holes as needed & add a metal ring to the buckle for tags and the leash.