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Before crate training your Pit Bull puppy, you’ll need to acquire a crate. There are many types and variations of crates available for purchase. It is important to pick the type of crate that will best suit the needs of both you and your puppy.

You should also take into consideration the size of your dog now, and how large he may be when fully grown to avoid having to purchase more than one crate. It is also important to remember that the crate will be his own individual space, and you want to make it as comfortable as possible so that your Pit Bull will enjoy his time there.

Since the puppy will be spending a lot of time in his crate, you should put several of his favorite toys and treats in the crate for him. Keep in mind that any toy you purchase should be large enough for the dog not to be able to swallow it, to avoid any injury to your pet. Having toys to chew own will not only give the dog something to chew that he can’t destroy, but it will help to prevent boredom while he is in the crate.

Due to the strength of the Pit Bull, it is important to purchase tough toys that are made to last. They tend to really like Kong toys, and they can be stuffed with treats, which will usually keep him interested at least for a couple of hours, or until he gets all the treats. You can also purchase bones and toys that are especially made for Pit Bulls, they are tougher and usually safer for them to have than regular toys and bones. Regular bones, such as rawhide bones, can be dangerous for Pit Bulls, because they are strong enough to chew off bits of bone and get them lodged in their digestive tract.

If your Pit Bull will be spending more than two hours in the crate, it is a good idea to equip it with a water bottle in case he gets thirsty. Many pet stores sell the same type of water bottles that are used for hamsters or gerbils, just in larger sizes. These tend to work well in the Pit Bull’s crate.

You should also put some kind of bedding in the crate to help your Pit Bull puppy be more comfortable. Old towels or soft blankets usually suit this purpose very well. Occasionally Pit Bull puppies will chew their bedding, if this happens, be sure to remove all the pieces so that the puppy doesn’t swallow them. If the puppy wets his bedding, just remove it until the puppy stops using his crate as a bathroom, then put it back in.

Since the crate is your Pit Bull’s own private space, it is important not to let children or visitors play with him while he is in his crate. He should be left alone to play or rest as he likes. If someone wants to play with him, he should be taken out of his crate first. You want your Pit to like being in his crate, and feel comfortable spending time there.

Try as we may, there are certain afflictions that our animals seem to be prone to contracting despite our best efforts.  Ear mites are one of those maladies.  Ear mites can affect cats and dogs and left untreated can cause considerable harm.  Therefore, all pet owners need to be aware of the signs and symptoms of ear mite infestation and understand the necessary treatment.

An ear mite is a tiny insect related to the tick.  The feast off of the blood of your pet and burrow into the skin.  If viewed under a microscope they look like tiny crabs.  Once the mites have a firm hold with the tiny hooks on their legs, they are impossible to remove and must be killed.

The most common area of infestation is along the outside edges of the ears.  The ears are relatively dirty areas, especially on a dog, and the mites feast off of the dead skin and dirt found there.  The mites can quickly move from one animal to another through contact or through contaminated bedding.  In rare cases the mites can even infect humans, though it’s rare due to normal human hygiene.  Once one of your pets is infested, the rest of your menagerie will soon exhibit the tell tale ear scratching behavior of the afflicted.  A serious infestation can prevent the animal from sleeping and nearly drive them insane.

This furious scratching causes its own complications.  Often the animal will scratch until the skin is raw and bleeding.  As the mites multiply, they move farther and farther into the ear, leading to hearing problems.  Ears can be permanently scarred.  These wounds then become infected and if left untreated can be life threatening.  A good pet owner will never let the condition progress to this stage.

Preventive measures as always are the best option, followed by early treatment.  Owners should inspect their pets’ ears regularly for signs of infestation.  Vigorous scratching or shaking of the head will probably be the first sign that ear mites are present.  Visible indicators will look like dirty spots in the ears and there will usually be signs of bleeding.  Ears should be cleaned inside and out, especially if the animal has large floppy ears.  Medicated washes are available that can treat mild cases if caught early.  More serious cases might require medications and antibiotics to treat for infection.

Though difficult to prevent, ear mites are easily treated and should not cause a major problem.  However, if you ignore your pet’s health and hygiene, ear mites can blossom into a serious health problem.  Save yourself the annoyance and your pet the discomfort and perform routine checks every couple of weeks.  This simple measure is all that is required to keep this parasite at bay.

If you consider yourself to be a loving and responsible pet owner, then you’re always looking out for your dog’s health. Nothing could be more painful for your dog then to have an unnoticed or untreated medical ailment. Ear infections in particular, are a common health condition that can easily be overlooked, even by the some of the most mindful and caring owners. It’s important that you are aware of the signs and symptoms, so that you can avoid common mistakes and get your dog treatment when they need it the most.

Ear infections can and do occur with any dog breed, however, Cocker Spaniels and Poodles are affected the most frequently. So these dog owners should be extra aware. The most common sign to keep an eye out for is a preoccupation with itching and scratching of ears. Dogs will often rub up against furniture or carpet and scratch their ears with their paws. As far as symptoms, you should be on the lookout for irritated, red inner ears and an odorous blackish yellowish discharge. If left untreated for a long period of time, symptoms may move from the outer ear to the inner ear, causing your dog to have poor overall hearing. At this point, if left untreated you dog may even experience permanent deafness, so speedy treatment is essential.

If you notice any of these signs or symptoms, then you should take your dog to your local veterinarian as soon as possible. In most cases, he or she will diagnose your dog’s ear infection utilizing an otoscope, which will magnify and lighten the inside of the ear. A small sample will also be taken and sent to the lab to determine what type of infection your dog has. Proper action will be taken after your vet determines that your dog does in fact have an ear infection. Sometimes more than one infection may be found in your dog’s ear, so several medications could be needed for proper treatment. In addition to proper medication, you will also need to make sure that your dog gets plenty of rest in a comfortable dog bed.

As long as your dog’s ear infection is treated quickly and properly, then he or she will most likely recover without much trouble. As a responsible pet owner, you need to make sure that you always fully aware of the signs and symptoms so that your dog can get to the vet early and avoid any unnecessary pain and suffering as a result of this common and incredibly uncomfortable medical condition.