Pugs

Housebreaking difficulties- Some toy breeds are very hard housebreak... A Pug is one of them. You'll need to be very patient with your Pug and probably clean up several messes in the meantime. Small dogs come with small bladders. These positive training techniques will increase your chances of success.

Separation anxiety is common- He will show you his frustration by destructive chewing and barking or by having "accidents" on your furniture when you have to leave him home alone. Curb Seperation Anxiety by following these simple guidelines.

Behavioral Issues- This little dog can be astonishingly stubborn and rebellious. They have a mind of their own and don't like to be controlled. Needless to say, you won't find a pug at the head of the class at obedience school.

Maintenance- Because they have short hair, excessive grooming is not necessary, but it's important to keep the creases on their face clean of dirt and apply hypoallergenic lotion now and then. Care must be taken to keep water out of his nose during bathing. This area is best cleaned with a soft cloth, slightly wet. Use extra care when cleaning around his eyes as well.

Shedding- Shedding occurs all year long. The short hairs cling to everything and seems never-ending, because it is. Enthusiasts of the breed joke that pugs shed seasonally... every season that is, and they're right.

Snoring and Flatulence- Because of their short snouts, Pugs tend to be very noisy little sleepers and make a lot of different noises even when they're awake. They are also very gassy little dogs.

-Health Issues-

Pugs can eat a lot. They will eat as much as you will feed them and still want more. In such a small animal, overfeeding and not enough exercise can quickly lead to obesity. The proper amount of food required will depend on your dog's size. Most commercial pet food products have an easy to understand feeding chart listed on the packaging.

Pug Dog Encephalitis (PDE) is an inflammation of the brain that is exclusive to this breed. There is no cure and no known cause. Treatment most often goes in vain. Most dogs die or are humanely euthanized within a few months of diagnosis.

Luxating patellas-A joint condition in which kneecaps pop in and out of place.

Hip Dysplasia is a developmental subluxation of the hip joints which can eventually lead to arthritis and/or lameness. According to the Orthopedic Foundation for Animals, an astonishing 61.7% of pugs will be affected by this joint disease. It's causes are genetic as well as environmental. A secondary concern is osteoarthritis.

It's a proven fact that the use of Pet Steps will significantly reduce the wear and tear on joints and can even prevent the early onset of Hip Dysplasia, Patellar Luxation and Legg-Calvé-Perthes Syndrome, among other things. Please consider them if you own or plan to own a pug.

Stenotic Nares- A softening of the cartilage in the nasal cavity which makes it hard for a dog to inhale air. This can cause enlarging of the heart and and flattening of the chest. It's miserable for the dog and surgery is the only way of correcting it. Symptoms include; nasal discharge, labored breathing followed by snorting and lethargy due to lack of oxygen.

Many Eye Conditions- Pugs lack a skeletal brow ridge and because of this, they can easily scratch their corneas. Any scratch or injury of the eye can result in ulcers. Hereditary problems with their eyes include Retinal Atrophy and Bilateral Cataracts. Under tearing or Dry Eye, as you might imagine, will cause a great deal of discomfort every time he blinks. Entropion, another painful condition, is an inward folding of the eye lid- causes eyelashes to constantly rub against the eyeball.

Pigmentary Keratitis- Is a build up of dark tissue that forms over the eye and grows gradually to potentially cover the entire surface. Vets are now treating the condition with medicinal eye drops. Surgery is also an option in severe cases.

Hypothyroidism-A condition of the thyroid gland which causes weight gain, hair loss and scaly skin.

They also have a high incidence of Demodectic Mange. Mites occur naturally on the skin, but on some dogs (like pugs), they multiply at a much higher rate. This causes patches of hair loss and irritation that can only be treated by a vetrinarian.

Please condider PET STAIRS for your pugs to help reduce the early onset of joint disease.