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You are walking your dog and all of a sudden he gets loose. He runs across the street and gets hit by a car. What is the first thing you do? You probably freak out, like most people would. Everyone knows that however in dire situations to remain calm. How you react to a crisis can often mean the difference between life and death. In this segment of  you will learn how to properly restrain your dog, take a pulse, monitor the heart, examine the gums and monitor breathing. All which may sound difficult but is actually fairly simple.

Restraint: Restraint of a large dog: Wrap your arm as far as possible around the dog’s neck therefore leaving your free hand to examine the dog. 
Restraint of a small dog: Firmly yet gently grip the dogs muzzle. With your free arm, use your elbow to apply pressure to the dog’s body.
Always be sure to be gentle yet firm. I mean after all you don't wont to injure the dog anymore than it already is.
Now it's time to muzzle your K-9

Materials: A Strong but gentle material such as an ace bandage or a scarf.

Directions: Make a loop, size it right to fit over the dogs muzzle.

Place over the dogs muzzle so the tie in on top and tighten. (Do NOT tie into a knot!!!)

With the two strings left wrap them back underneath the muzzle, so the strings now hang down.

Last but not least, wrap them around to the back of the neck just behind the ears and tie into a bow.

Now you have a working muzzle.
Taking a pulse:

To take a pulse, take your four fingers and place them on the inside of the back leg where a groove lies. Apply a little bit of pressure; too much pressure will give no results. Count the beats for 15 seconds and multiply by 4 to get your bpm. (Beats per minute)
Monitor the heart:
Monitor the heart for a large dog: Take your four fingers and place them into the pit of the front leg, move your fingers around until you can feel a beat. Count for 15 seconds and multiply by 4.

Monitor the heart for a small dog: Gently squeeze the chest behind the dog’s elbows to find the heart rate. Count for 15, multiply by 4.
Examine the gums:
To examine the gums is really easy. Just lift the upper lip and check the gums. The gums should be pink and when pressure is applied, they should turn white until release and should go back to pink immediately. However if the gums are white or pale this could indicate shock. When pressure is released does not turn pink again than shock could be impending. Many dogs have black in their gums, for this you just find a pink area to examine.
Monitor the breathing:
To monitor breathing place your hand on the dogs chest and count for 15 seconds how many times the dog breathes in or out, but never both. Multiply by four and you have your answer. Large and older dogs have a lower breath rate than a younger or small dog.



Be sure to talk to your veterinarian as normal rates differ from breed to breed as well.

If you notice any irregularities or issues in breathing, gums, pulse or heart rate see your veterinarian.

Please remember that I am not a veterinarian and you should always talk to your local vet before performing any of the advice given here.

Everywhere you go you hear the words "Breed Restrictions" and I just have to wonder what it all means. Where these legislators and government officials came to the conclusion that a specific breed is dangerous or even a nuisance. The answers I sought out shocked me. I've been in the veterinary field for quite some time and all the time I have never came across a "dangerous" or "nuisance" dog that was defined as the "bad" dog they are claimed to be. In fact they were outstanding patients. Now wouldn't this dangerous breed actually be dangerous in a hospital setting? I mean after all if the dog is coming in for anything from a nail trim to a blood test the dog would have to be restrained. A dangerous dog in my book would be more aggressive in these circumstances. Now don't get me wrong, I've had my share of aggression in the veterinary field, however I never looked at aggression to be classified by breed. I look at different circumstances to determine the aggression. Such as, have the owners trained him/her correctly or at all, was the dog socialized with other dogs and people besides the ones where he/she lives and was the dog abused or neglected in any way? And I look to the circumstance. Is the dog in pain or even suffering from age-related ailments? Hey, when I'm in pain watch out cause I'll snap too!

So, is one breed more dangerous than the other? Are some breeds hard wired to attack dogs and maim children? In the course of researching this article, my opinion is that much of this fire concerning the "bad breeds" is fanned by those who don't know the breed. The dog owners, the neighbors, the Johnson’s with their 4 kids living down the street and yes even Mrs. Peterson the widow on the corner who makes those rock hard fruit cakes on the holidays and give them out. In one circumstance a middle-aged woman who lived a couple houses down from a young male was attacked by a "Pit Bull". This incident went to court and due to a few more similar cases this breed was thereby restricted and classified "dangerous". Now in Ohio a Pit Bull is classified not as a specific breed but as any dog of the bull terrier type. They also say that any dog that looks like a "Pit" will be classified as a Pit unless the owner has STRONG evidence supporting otherwise.

Breeds earn their negative reputations from newsworthy attacks, media coverage and exaggerated stories spread word-of-mouth. Pit Bull types are crowding our animal shelters because their reputation as the uncontrollable and unpredictable attack dogs make it difficult, if not impossible for them to find a home. That is all because of "Breed Restrictions" and because of the reputation everyone is giving them. It's not the breed that needs to be punished with tainting it's name or restricting these possible family members filled with love from finding a home.

We as a society are constantly placing a label on everyone and everything. We do it to our neighbors and colleagues. Whether by race, gender, age, sexual orientation, religion.... whatever. Everything has a place and everything in its place, right? It saddens me that we do this to dogs as well.

My final thought: blame the owner not the breed!

Most owners know the responsibilities of owning a pet; they even know what hygienic care is required. Right? Actually you'd be surprised on how many people don't know everything you should do to keep your pet in good hygienic condition. Every year 10's of thousands of dogs, cats and other animals are brought into a veterinary hospital because their owners were unaware of the basic care needs of their pets. In this article I will not only tell you what those basic care needs are but what can happen if you don't do them.

As everyone basically knows, your dog must be given baths. Now depending on your dog’s length of hair and how active your dog is will determine how often you give them a bath. Obviously if your dog has long hair and/or it outside quite often and gets dirty quick you will bathe more often. Also pay attention to what dog shampoo you use; there are different shampoos for different types, color and length of hair. There are also different shampoos for if your dog has dandruff, fleas, dry skin and more. So do your research and see what shampoo and/or conditioner will be beneficial for your dog. Neglecting to wash your pets can often lead to skin issues as well as odor problems.

Brushing your dog is very important as well. How often you brush also depends on length of fur and how often your dog sheds. Now there are many different kinds of brushes, combs and rakes. Each one is used for a different reason. Failing to brush as often as needed will cause well dog fur all over your home and even worse can cause knots and fur to stick together causing dreads that may form all the way down to the skin. Bugs can easily make their way into these dreads, even laying eggs in them. Since you may even wash your dog it is nearly impossible to get these dreads dry and can easily cause infections and more.