Virtually all dogs have moments when they behave uncharacteristically, or inappropriately. When behavioral episodes occur it is easy for pet parents to write these types of behavior off as instinctive. While this certainly can be the case all pet parents should be aware that a multitude of health concerns first make themselves known in the form of behavioral changes.

Any uncharacteristic behaviors or sudden changes in habits should be viewed as a possible sign that your canine is not feeling well. One of the more common examples would be a normally well trained and well intentioned dog urinating inappropriately inside the house. Another example would be your tail wagging super friendly canine all of the sudden becoming irritable, or possibly even showing signs of aggression.

If you notice this these behavior problems occurring the culprit could be almost anything ranging from a thyroid disorder to cystitis. While our 16 behavioral characteristics are somewhat broad when noticed they often signal one of a number of health concerns.

Let's look at 16 behaviors a dog may be signs that your dog is sick:

*Inappropriate urination on bedding, clothing, and furniture with every pet seemingly having their favorite places for inappropriate urination.

*Urinating indoors only a short time after returning from outside

*Defecating indoors

*Not wanting to sit or refusal to sit

*Constantly licking or chewing one particular area or spot

*Exhibiting unexpected aggression when touched or approached

*Whining or whimpering excessively

*Excessive pacing

*Drinking unusually large amounts of water for no apparent reason

*Needing to urinate much more frequently than normal

*Overeating or refusal to eat or drink

*Frequently eating large amounts of grass

*All of the sudden acquiring a taste for his or other dog's feces

*A desire to eat items such as dirt, sand, rocks or other non-food items

*Isolationism along with lack of interest in fun activities

*A sudden change in behavior and attitude

If your dog is in pain or suffering from an illness don't expect training to improve uncharacteristic behavior. Experts suggest first ruling out any medical issues that might be, either causing, or contributing to your dogs bad behavior. Once the medical problem has been recognized, and resolved, only then should your pet parenting skills be used to work on better manors.

Additional behavioral problems related to health issues in dogs can include excessive panting.

As you may know a dog doesn't sweat in the same way we do. In fact, a dogs perspiration is released mainly from through their footpads.

The main way dogs cool themselves is by panting, breathing rapidly with mouth open and tongue out. As a dog's body temperature increases more of the tongue will become exposed and the mouth will be opened wider to increase the moist surface area for evaporative cooling. Also, dogs tend to pant when they are nervous much as humans tend to perspire when feeling the pressure of heightened anxiety.

If you notice your dog starting to pant excessively immediately stop whatever activity your pet is engaged in, move them to a cool area, and offer then a bowl of clean fresh water.

In conclusion there are many behavioral changes that can signal a health problem of which we have just identified a select few. Some conditions or illnesses may be serious while others may not. By recognizing the warning signs early you will be doing your part as a pet parent to remedy any minor health concerns before they become severe, or get an early jump on any serious illnesses that could be lurking before they have a chance to become deeply entrenched.

If you are reading this article, chances are that you have been looking around online for a definitive answer to the question in the title. If there is any one thing that I can tell you, it is this: It is perfectly fine to bathe your dog. The "how often" part of the question is as individual as you or your pet dog however. It is good to keep in mind that dogs aren't like humans. They don't require a daily rinse off.

Where you keep your dog is a big part of this whole topic. If your dog is an outside dog, or spends a lot of time outside, then the chances of him getting into something dirty are greater than if you keep him inside. But sometimes, it doesn't matter where the dog stays because that doggy smell might still be a problem.

If you are considering bathing your dog, then probably your dog has gotten into something that needs to be washed off of him, or that doggy smell has finally gotten to you. Another reason might be that someone in your household is allergic to dog dander, that would definitely be great reason to bathe your dog. Whatever the case may be, there are two important factors that you have to remember when bathing a dog.

1. Use a dog-friendly shampoo. There has been a lot of research over the past several years regarding what shampoos are good for a dog and what are not. The general finding is that human grade shampoo, soaps, and conditioners are not good for your dog at all. They will tamper with, compromise and possibly eradicate the natural oils in your dog's coat. Detergents are very rough on dog skin. It is worth your time to do the legwork and find some dog-friendly shampoo and conditioner for your dog's coat. This will help to not strip all of the dog's natural oils out when you wash his coat.

2. Put cotton balls in your dog's ears! You don't need to jam them in, but put them directly underneath the ear flap. That is all you need to absorb any extra water. It is amazing how few people follow this very simple and time-honored strategy. Dogs are extremely prone to ear infections. Sometimes dogs fight this step of the process though. If you cannot get your dog to tolerate the cotton balls, then be extremely careful about how you clean your dog's head. A routine bath shouldn't become a trip to the vet's office.

Some owners bathe their dogs every three months. Other dog owners do the bathing ritual every two to three weeks. Some feel that they should never bathe their dogs unless it is unavoidable. I even talked to a professional dog breeder who shows his dogs about this subject. He told me that when they are being shown, his dogs are bathed about once a week. When they aren't, it might be once a month. The different kinds of dogs (short hair, long hair, curly hair, heavy undercoat, etc) really play into this as well. I talked to a guy with a short-haired dog who bathes her once every 3 months. I talked to a woman who takes her dogs to the beach daily. She bathes closer to once every two weeks. Her rationale is that she sleeps with her dogs, and she hates that dirty ocean doggy smell in her bed!

One of the most interesting things that dog owners told me time and time again was that the doggy smell that is getting on your nerves might have nothing to do with the dog simply being dirty, but it might also have to do with diet. If you are feeding your dog decent food that isn't grain based, then the dog's digestive system is healthier and if that is the case, then the dog will be less smelly. The arguments against grains in dog food are paramount. Yet dog food companies still pump corn, wheat and soy into their dog foods as a cheap filler. Check the ingredients on the side of the dog food that you get for your dog.

The original argument has been that too much bathing would strip your dog's coats of essential oils. If your dog's natural fur oils have been stripped away, there is a lot of potential for dry, itchy skin, and a dull coat. However, there are a couple of specially made products just for this kind of situation. There are specially made dog shampoos that do their best to leave the essential coat oils on the dog and not washing down the drain. Another common solution for cleaning your dog's fur pet wipes. If your dog is getting that doggy smell, or if you are worried about too much dander or shed hair, a pet wipe might be the proper solution. Pet wipes are also good for removing filth from your dog's paws, if he has stepped on something that is dirty. Pet wipes will also clean the dog's coat and pull out any loose hairs or offensive material. Plus, pet wipes tend to smell pretty good too (make sure that you get organic pet wipes!), so your dog will be smelling fresh.

There is no concrete answer to the question of how often your dog should be bathed. It basically boils down to your tolerance level when the dog's smell starts to get "too doggy." The only absolute that this article can give you is that it is indeed ok to bathe your dog. Just be sure that you use the right products when you do. Stay away from human soaps, shampoos, conditioners, and actual detergents. Dogs have extremely sensitive skin, and the wrong cleanser will dry them out. Also, pay attention to your dog's diet and consider getting away from one that is grain based. Sometimes that doggy smell is a result of diet and not dirt!

As is the case in their human owners, there are a multitude of diseases that can afflict dogs. There are some that veterinarians see a lot more of than others. Some can be prevented with immunization, and much grief could be eliminated if the dogs' owners would take such a basic approach in caring for their pet. The point here is immunize, immunize, immunize!

Experts' opinions vary, but here is a list of the ten most common diseases in dogs. This list is not particularly in order of commonality, or seriousness.

Distemper:

According to the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) the distemper virus owns the title for the biggest threat to dogs throughout the world. The fatality rates for distemper vary from approximately 50% in adult dogs, and 80% in puppies. Dogs in general are exceptionally vulnerable and they should be vaccinated as early as safely possible, and they should receive necessary booster shots as recommended by their vet.

Parvovirus (Parvo):

Parvo is a virus that has been detected in dogs all over the world. It is very contagious, specifically between puppies, and usually kills a healthy dog within two to three days after it is contracted. Most common symptoms associated with parvovirus are loss of appetite, depression, continuous diarrhea and vomiting. Vaccinating your dog against Parvo is absolutely necessary, and she should get boosters as suggested.

Rabies:

Another often fatal virus in dogs is Rabies. Rabies is often fatal very soon after the first symptoms appear. Being that rabies is such a threat to both animals and humans, many state and local authorities require dogs to have their rabies shots, and also require annual boosters.

Kennel Cough:

Bortadella, also known as kennel cough, is a very contagious disease that is widespread among kennels, shelters, and boarding houses. Signs that your dog may show are inflammation of the trachea, bronchial tubes, and larynx. The main symptom presents as a dry, hacking cough. Vets advise owners to have their pets vaccinated against this disease bi-annually, or before boarding them with other dogs.

Leptospirosis:

Leptospirosis is a bacterial disease that can also be contracted by humans. Visible signs your dog may show may be low-grade fever, vomiting, lethargy, reddened mucous membranes, and conjunctiva. Other symptoms may include kidney inflammation and blood clotting disorders. Leptospirosis can be treated with antibiotics, and many vets advise against vaccination for this disease, as there have been adverse reactions in puppies, and the effectiveness of the inoculation is questionable.

Infectious canine hepatitis:

This disease may present with a slight fever, minor lethargy, and is rarely fatal. Most dogs recover quickly and inoculation is recommended against this disease.

Lyme Disease:

Lyme Disease is a fairly common ailment that is carried and transferred by certain species of ticks. This disease is treated with tetracycline, which is an antibiotic. Some of the most common symptoms include joint pain, fever, reduced appetite, lethargy, and inflammation of the lymph nodes. While there are vaccines available, they are not recommended as a general rule.

Coronavirus:

This disease can easily be confused with parvo as the most common symptoms are the same, vomiting and diarrhea. Other indicators of this disease may be reduced appetite, lethargy, dehydration, and a foul-smelling diarrhea. The most common treatment is replenishment of fluids and controlling the diarrhea and vomiting. Vaccination is not usually suggested.

Obesity:

As is the case in their owners, obesity is a grave medical condition. Like the old saying, dogs look like their owners; overweight humans typically have heavy dogs. To help overcome this problem, one should not give the dog table scraps. They should also make sure to feed their dog appropriate portions and get them regular exercise.

Heartworm:

As the name suggests, heartworms are parasites that take up residence in the heart, arteries and lungs of an infected dog. Outward signs of infestation include a soft cough, lethargy and the dog tiring easily. If left untreated, the once healthy, active dog may die of congestive heart failure. There are several over the counter treatments and preventative medications available, such as Heartgard, and these are highly recommended by vets.

To ensure your dog's health, ask your vet for a small card to keep in your wallet that includes your pet's immunization record and list of any medications he/she may be taking.