Do you brush your dog’s teeth?

Oral health is just as important for our dogs as it is for us. Did you know that dental disease can lead to problems with your dog’s organs? And in most cases, by the time you find out its too late; the damage has been done.

We brush our own teeth on average 2 to 3 times a day. And yet many people have dogs for years and never brush their teeth. How could a dog possibly have fresh breath!

I admit I have been guilty as the rest, but have recently turned over a new leaf and have been brushing both my dog’s teeth every day for the past several months.

While you may not be able to avoid an extensive teeth cleaning at your vet’s office all together throughout your dog’s life, you can certainly prolong the need for it. And you will be contributing to your dog’s overall health.

So how did I do it?

Here are some tips to help you to make brushing your dog’s teeth an enjoyable habit.

1. Pick a time of day that you consistently have time.
   
   After dinner was the perfect time as I always make a tea and relax a little. So I started putting my brushing kit in the same place as I keep my tea to remind myself. Turns out that not only did I start remembering on my own, my dogs got used to the routine and started waiting for me after dinner.
   
   
2. Pick the right toothbrush for you and your dog.
   
   Not all dog toothbrushes are created equally. Try different kinds to see what feels the best and allows you to brush your dog’s teeth for the longest time. There are some really cool and fancy looking ones but they felt quite awkward to me and kept slipping through my dog’s teeth. I found that a simple brush works best for us. You can also get a finger brush if you prefer.
   
   
3. Make sure your dog likes the flavor of the toothpaste you choose.
   
   This is very important. If your dog doesn’t like the taste of the toothpaste, he will not be waiting every day for you to brush his teeth. My dogs both love the peanut butter and vanilla ginger flavors. And there are many more to choose from. You will pretty much know the second your dog licks it if he likes it or not. If not, move on. You want your dog on board with this. Never ever use human toothpaste!
   
   
4. Make it fun for you and your dog.
   
   Okay it’s not going to be as fun as going to the dog park, but a little enthusiasm goes a long way. Get a little goofy and let your dog think this is a great thing to do!

I go over my dog’s teeth twice and then end things with a dab of toothpaste for them just to lick and enjoy. It’s good for them and ends things on a positive note!

Happy brushing!

Dog First Aid - Cuts and Scrapes

Your dog cries out and is all of sudden limping and bleeding.  What do you do?

The way dogs tear around it’s not a wonder that they sometimes get scraps and cuts. If you have a pet first aid kit it will help make it easier to deal with if the time ever comes.

First, be cautious when examining your dog’s cut. Even the most docile and sweet dogs can react if they are in pain.  If your dog starts lifting his lip when you touch around the area of the wound, it might be a good idea to muzzle him for your own safety.

Now assess the wound(s).

• Is the wound a scratch, cut or an open wound?
• Is it bleeding?
• Is it dirty?
• Are there any objects in the wound?

Minor Cuts and Scratches

If the wound is dirty, clean it right away. Once you are ready, wash the wound with a saline solution or antibacterial wash if possible. If you have no cleaning solutions, use warm water with salt.

Once the area is clean you can dry and cover it with a clean cloth or gauze. If you have some anti-bacterial cream or something along those lines dab some on the wound with a cotton ball or a q-tip before you wrap it.

Most minor scratches and cuts will heal on their own with no infection and don’t really require to be wrapped. You may want to trim the fur around the cut so you can keep an eye on it and also to ensure it heals properly.

For open and bleeding wounds, apply pressure using a clean cloth, towel or gauze. Hopefully the bleeding will stop after a few minutes of applying pressure. If not you will have to continue to do so until you get to the vet unless you are able to make a tourniquet. Deep cuts may or may not require stitches; your vet is the best to judge that.

If there is anything embedded in the wound, leave it there and let your vet take care of it. You could do more damage trying to remove it yourself.

See Related Articles – Dog First Aid – DIY First Aid Kit

The Dog Advertiser

These days everybody can put information on a website or blog. Everyday people, including me have the desire to research and share information and personal experiences. One such example is the “Dog Advertiser”, created by Mark and Pablo after a routine visit to the vet. Their Dachshund/Chihuahua mix Angelo had developed a heart murmur. After seeing a Cardiologist they found themselves and their beloved dog battling heart disease.

During the road to improvement, a deep concern for animal health was born and the wish to give back to the dog community which showed them so much support.

Most of us with pets look to the internet for information, ideas, and natural remedies to help our furry friends. It can be very helpful to know how others deal with different situations and what has and hasn’t worked for them.

Of course I do believe the most important resource we have is our vet. But I also do my own research in addition. I feel it’s my responsibility. And I’m very lucky that my vet has always been very open to me asking questions or sending him articles I’ve read on the internet for his input.

Dog Advertiser offers numerous videos and articles on health, nutrition and overall wellness. Browse categories such as Diet, Arthritis and Joints, Cardiovascular, Oral Care and Other Health Ailments to get answers to your pet related questions. Can allowing your dog to kiss your face really make you go blind? What foods are being recalled? What are some natural remedies? Can you and your pet share one heart? These and many more questions are answered!

Dog First Aid – DIY First Aid Kit

It’s a good idea to have a first aid kit at home and when you travel just in case you have an emergency with your pet. You can buy one and many courses have them included. Or you can just as easily make your own at home.

You want to be prepared for anything so get yourself a Tupperware storage bin and keep it in a safe place that is accessible to you but out of reach of curious young hands or paws.

Here are some essentials for your first aid kit:


• Pet first aid book
• Emergency Numbers
• Gauze
• Self-Adherent Bandages
• Digital Thermometer
• Hydrogen peroxide
• Eye dropper
• Blanket or a couple of old towels
• Paper Towels
• Wipes
• Pair of gloves
• Tick remover
• Scissors
• Tweezers
• Tongue Depressor
• Muzzle
• Vaseline
• Disinfectant Soap
• Cornstarch or Flour

Include any other items you can think of that might help you and your pet in the case of an emergency.

Stay tuned for a series of articles to help guide you through different situations with your dog.

Dog Books for Kids

Any child who grows up with a dog is a very lucky one! Kids can have such wonderful relationships with dogs, but it’s crucial that they learn to respect them as animals.

Dog Books for Kids is an absolutely wonderful website filled with dog education for parents and kids. The site is cute, colorful and offers books, downloads, pictures and puzzles all about dogs.

“A Puppy’s New Home” is a series of fun and educational books to teach kids about different dog breeds. Your children will meet Louie the Labrador Retriever, Max the Golden Retriever and Bella the Bichon Frise to name a few. Each book has dog and youth interacting to easily identify with and learn about dog behavior, health and specific breed information.

Most importantly download a free copy of “The Kid’s Guide to Dog Bite Prevention”.  It’s essential for kids to learn how to interact with dogs when they meet them; or to respect a dog’s space when they are eating, sleeping or playing with other dogs. Educating families on dog body language will help decrease the number of dogs that end up in shelters through no fault of their own.  Help ensure your kids and dogs can be with each other safely and they will have the friendship of a lifetime!




Be sure to subscribe to see more exciting ways for you and your children to learn about man’s best friend.

Dog Whisperer Tips

We all wish we were dog whisperers. But sometimes we need help getting there.

Dog Behavior Consultations

Need some help establishing that perfect relationship with your dog? Are you looking for something different than traditional obedience commands? The consultants at Dog Whisperer Tips work with your dog’s natural instincts and never use physical or mental punishment. Consultations are available for residents of Brevard County and the surrounding cities in Eastern Central Florida.

Dog Massage

Is your dog recovering from an injury or suffering from a spinal issue, limping, immobility or muscle atrophy? Massage is different than petting your dog. It can help your dog with many physical and behavioral issues. It improves circulation, releases endorphins, reduces stress and provides wonderful bonding time between human and animal.

Pastel Portraits

An added bonus to all the ways the Dog Whisperer Tips team can help you and your dog; you can capture your furry friend forever with a pastel portrait. One of the behavioral consultants has had her own graphics company and can immortalize your pet from just a clear photo.

Check out all they have to offer!

PrimoPup

Many of us take vitamins and supplements to ensure we are getting our nutritional needs met. But what about our dog’s nutritional needs? Is their kibble really enough?

You can enhance your dog’s health at any age from puppy to senior by providing a daily health supplement. As our dogs age, their needs change. So be sure to choose the formula that is right for your dog’s stage of life. Not sure which formula is ideal? Then talk with your veterinarian. It’s always a good idea to make any health related decisions for your dog together.

When it comes time to choose a supplement, consider PrimoPup. Their products are made with human grade quality ingredients and are extensively tested to ensure their safety. All supplements are formulated and recommended by veterinarians and carry the National Animal Supplement Council Seal of Approval. And your dog will love them!

And keep up with important information with the PrimoPup blog. You can never learn too much about your furry friend.

Bone Voyage

Going on vacation is always fun! But leaving our furry friends behind isn’t.

It would be great if all of our dogs could go with us every single time! But it just isn’t always possible is it?

Bone Voyage offers the next best alternative for your dog; a home away from home with people who love dogs!

Bone Voyage is run by long time dog lover Christine Thomson who has a network of care providers around the city of Ottawa that take personal care for your dog while you are away. Your dog will live in a guest home and be treated like one of the family.

Each care provider is carefully screened before chosen to join the team. They decide what kinds of dogs they would like to look after (size, breed, personality, energy level, etc.) and you will be matched based on an extensive questionnaire you fill out about your dog. Once a suitable care provider is chosen by Christine, a meeting is set up between you, your dog and the caregiver at their home. If you are both happy, you can book your dog’s stay right away. If you are unsure for any reason, a different care provider will be chosen. You both have to be comfortable and you won’t pay a cent until you are.

This past summer I contacted Bone Voyage for our sweet senior dog Bear. As a three dog household it was only feasible to bring the youngest two on our fall vacation to the East Coast. As promised on the website, I was contacted within a couple of days of filling out the information about Bear. Among many things you can specify if your dog would like the company of other dogs or children while being cared for. Soon after I was told there was a family that would be a good match for Bear’s needs and they wanted to meet him.  The meeting went very well and we all decided to go ahead on the spot.

The family Bear stayed with were so nice and took wonderful care of him. It gave me peace of mind knowing he was with loving people. And although I missed him like crazy, I knew he was being taken care of just as if he was at home. No noisy kennels or being left alone for hours on end or all night long. And it was comforting seeing pictures of Bear on Facebook while we were away. He even had a couple of other guest dogs throughout his stay which was really nice for him.

If you live in the Ottawa area and find yourself having to leave your dog behind during your next vacation, business trip or even for just the night, be sure to consider Bone Voyage. I’m glad I did!

Website: http://bonevoyage.ca/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/bonevoyage.ottawa

My Sweet Bear

Living with an Epileptic Dog - What to do if your dog has a seizure

If you’ve ever experienced your dog having a seizure you know how unsettling it is. You feel helpless but you aren’t entirely. There are things you can do to ensure your dog’s safety and yours. My most important piece of advice is to try and remain calm (I know easier said than done). The first time my dog Effie had a seizure, I had no idea what was happening and I panicked. If I had known more about seizures, it would have been a lot less stressful.

If your dog experiences any of the following, he may be having a seizure:

• Disorientation or staring into space;
• Bumping into things, stumbling on his feet;
• Temporary blindness or paralysis;
• Collapsing on the floor (drooling, jerking, shaking, paddling motions).

If your dog is having a seizure, do the following:

• Clear the area around your dog of sharp items or anything that could potentially harm him;
• Block any open stairways;
• Remove your dog’s collar if possible (but avoid getting too close to the mouth and head);
• Take a video of the seizure for your vet;
• Document all the information you can (when it occurred, how long it lasted, whether your dog was conscious or unconscious, shaking, drooling, paralysis);
• Call your vet if the seizure lasts longer than 5 minutes or if your dog has more than one in a 24 hour period.

Dogs are disoriented when they come out of a seizure and it takes time for them to get back to normal. It could be anywhere from 10 minutes to several hours depending on the dog. During this time they may not recognize you. If that happens, use a soft welcoming voice but give them space. They will come around. Other dogs seek comfort and reassurance after a seizure. Give them the reassurance they need whether it’s a massage, a cuddle or a particular food. Most of you will instinctively know what will help. Remain calm and do any required clean up quietly.

If and when you decide to put your dog on medication, make sure you and your vet are on the same page. They will need to ensure that the medication dose reaches and maintains a safe therapeutic level by doing blood tests. So it’s more expensive at the beginning. Once the level is reached and the dose of medication is established, you can do blood work just once or twice a year. Life does happen but try not to miss a dose and never stop the medication without first discussing with your vet. Typically once you start your dog on an anti-seizure medication, he will be on for it for life. Any changes to the medication whether it be the dose or trying a different one should be discussed with your vet.

Effie is currently taking 30 ml of Phenobarbital every 12 hours. In order to keep the time as close as possible we decided on 7am and 7pm. I bought a pill organizer and have the two doses in every day so I don’t have to rely on my memory. I set a reminder in my calendar for every night just in case. It sounds scary and overwhelming but we’ve gotten use to it.  I try to look at it like this … when you adopt a dog you have to feed him every day to keep him alive and healthy. Well this is no different. And to date Effie remains seizure free!

June 2016 update: The month of April 2016 was a tough one for Effie as she had four seizures. After the last seizure our vet consulted with a neurologist. It was recommended to us increase her dose of Phenobarbital to 60 ml every 12 hours. We agreed and she has not had another seizure since.

Previous articles:

• Living With an Epileptic Dog - Effie's Story

Articles to follow:

• What is a seizure?
• Canine Epilepsy
• Seizure Triggers
• Canine Seizure Medication and Side Effects

Guest Article - 9 Things I’ve Learned from Being a Dog Walker

Having been a dog walker for about 2 years I wanted to share my experience because it has taught me many things, challenged me, helped me grow, taught me invaluable skills, and made me more self-aware. I’ve used the lessons that I’ve learned far outside of dog parks. Professional dog walking involves many things beyond scooping up the poop, scratching bellies, and taking brisk walks in the sunshine. There are good days and bad days and it’s all part of the experience. Some days are easy and humorous and some days are sad and heartbreaking. Toronto is a great place for people and dogs and people with dogs! Although, I’m sure every dog owner wishes for more off leash trails and dog designated areas in their neighborhood. The things I’ve learned aren’t exhaustive and there are plenty more to come! But if you are still reading I hope you will enjoy what I’ve got so far:

1. To be a dog walker you must really enjoy being outdoors. Bad weather is not for everyone. Clear sunny days make you feel like you hit weather jackpot. But summer only lasts for a couple of months in Toronto and fall, winter, and spring bring the nasties. I.e. snow storms, freezing temperatures that hurt your skin, slush, mud, non stop rainfalls, etc.
   
   
2. Being taken for a walk in the middle of the day is like the moment you board the plane to go on a tropic vacation for dogs. They are always happy to see you, can’t wait to get into car, meet other dogs, and get to the park to run around. Dogs just don’t have the “I don’t feel like a walk today” attitude which can make you enjoy working with dogs more so than with people! Although, other behaviours can be more challenging to deal with.
   
   
3. Getting a dog to listen to you and do what you are asking them to can be hard or not! Every dog has a unique personality. Some learn the recall very quick and others take more time. Taking the time to understand each dog’s unique needs and their response to different commands, response to being around other dogs, and what they value helps build strong communication with them. Strong communication, positive reinforcement, and creating clear and consistent expectations really help create a common ground for communicating and understanding one another.
   
   
4. Dogs do not necessarily take on personalities of their owners. Don’t judge a dog by its owner. Or vice versa. Actually, don’t judge at all!
   
   
5. Certain behaviours can be very challenging but they also create an opportunity to develop skills and to tackle reactions and emotions that arise. Practicing and growing patience is one of the invaluable skill here.
   
   
6. Many people will have their own take on the “right way” to manage people and dog situations. Have a conversation, share your thoughts, ask questions. At the end of the day, let go. That’s what dogs would tell you to do if they could talk.
   
   
7. Some days are great but others you spend being stuck in traffic, complaining about construction permits, and just not being in the mood to face up to challenging human and dog behaviours. Days like these come and go.
   
   
8. Yes, dogs do need to be walked. Getting outdoors is important for physical and mental health. Being out and playing with other dogs allows them to get daily exercise, energy, socialize with others and be less grumpy or restless!
   
   
9. You and your dog don’t speak the same language yet it doesn’t stop you from being best buds. Great companionship isn’t rooted in words alone.

Mila xx

Posted on June 14, 2015

Website is: http://www.pawtheory.com/
Instagram: https://instagram.com/paw.theory

Living With an Epileptic Dog - Effie's Story

On February 14th, 2014 my husband and I adopted an 18 month old Husky mix stray from Iqaluit. She would make us a three dog family. It took some time but she was an amazing addition to our pack. Her name is Effie and she’s sweet, playful, goofy and very affectionate.

That October we headed out on our vacation with our two youngest dogs. That night in a motel far away from home we were awoken at 2 am with a thud. When we turned on the light we discovered Effie on the floor in a pool of drool shaking and paralyzed.  We didn’t know what was going on.

After what seemed like ages we located the number of an emergency vet in the area. The technician on call said it sounded like a seizure. She talked to us until it subsided which again seemed like forever but in reality was under 5 minutes.  She told us if it ever happened again we should take a video for our vet to see and to write down everything about it including the length, the intensity, the symptoms and how long before she’s back to normal. I don’t think I’ve ever been so scared in my life. After the seizure Effie was very anxious to go outside. We had to bring her out about four times. And she was extremely hungry. We finally settled her down around 4am and had all had a very restless sleep. Our vacation was off to a rocky start and we still had another long day of driving ahead of us. We didn’t know what to expect. As it turns out she was fine the rest of the time. We chalked it up to reacting to her first trip, the long drive and unfamiliar surroundings. It was soon forgotten, until four months later.

Effie’s second seizure happened but this time it just was a normal Sunday. She had gone to the dog park as usual and had a great time. On the way home in the back of the car just as they arrived home she started to seizure. She came out of it and ran into the house and then a second wave came. She had the same symptoms as last time. This time I took a video and documented the information for our vet. Again it was all over within 5 minutes and Effie was back to normal not too long after.

We decided with our vet to keep Effie medication free at that point since she had only had two seizures and they were four months apart. We ordered blood work to rule out things like liver or kidney disease, or a brain tumor. Thankfully the tests all came back negative. And I found out that ruling everything else out is how epilepsy is primarily diagnosed. That and the dog’s age as epilepsy most commonly develops when a dog is between 2 and 3 years old. Effie was right in between.

I started doing a lot of research to find out what possible triggers could be. We really wanted to keep Effie off medication if possible. It was worth it to avoid anything we could that might be a possible trigger. We were hopeful it would never happen again.

But a little over a month later we came home from work and Effie was in the middle of a seizure but this time it was different. It wasn’t stopping and there was drool in a different location which indicated she must have had a couple of waves. I called the vet and they said to bring her right in right away. She was on her bed so we lifted the whole thing up and put it in the back of the car. This time she also urinated on the bed. The technicians met us out front with a small stretcher and they put Effie on it and restrained her. My emotions were all over the place. They put her on IV and gave her Valium and also started her on Phenobarbital which is a fast acting anti seizure medication. We agreed that we couldn’t avoid it any longer. They monitored her until closing time and we brought her home unsure of whether we’d end up calling the emergency number. We were on edge and slept with one eye open but she made it through the night. She was getting 30mg of Phenobarbital every 12 hours and had no other seizures.

Two months later and still seizure free, after much research and discussions with our vet, we decided to switch Effie to a different medication called Potassium Bromide. It's a slower acting medicine that takes about two months to get into the system at a therapeutic level. Some vets prefer this medication because it isn't processed through the liver and believed to be less harsh on the body long term. We wanted her on that medication. So for two months we gave her both medications and then tested her blood to ensure the Potassium Bromide level was within the safe therapeutic level. When the results came in she was within the safe range.  It was time to start weaning her off the Phenobarbital. There is no one correct way to do this between vets so together we settled on cutting the dose by a quarter every two weeks so within two months we would be only on Potassium Bromide. Everything went as planned and we were feeling very optimistic the day we gave her the last dose.

Unfortunately the very next evening at 3 am we heard the thud. We had been given a syringe with Valium that you put in the back end so we used it right away. It seemed to work very quickly but she did have another small wave. The seizure was less intense with less drool. But we were back to square one and very disappointed. After a conversation with our vet we decided to up the Potassium Bromide by .25 ml and try to wean her off the Phenobarbital once more. This time a seizure came before we got to the end of the weaning off period.

We came to the conclusion with our vet that Phenobarbital is the medication that works for Effie. We wanted her seizure free so we were thankful that we found a medication to do that, even if it wasn't the preferred one. Though we were told that there is no guarantee she would never seizure again no matter what medication she is on.

To date, Effie has not had another seizure since going back to the original dose of Phenobarbital.

Living with an epileptic dog has been a learning experience to say the least. We have had our share of anxious moments but with the support of our vet and each other we have navigated through it and would never trade our amazing Effie for anything.

Stay tuned as I share more information I’ve learned about seizures.

Articles to follow:

• What to do if your dog has a seizure
• What is a seizure?
• Canine Epilepsy
• Seizure Triggers
• Canine Seizure Medication and Side Effects

Food and Your Fingers

Does your dog take treats from your hand gently or do you fear for your fingers? If you said the latter, you are not alone!

Sometimes a dog’s excitement will get the better of him around food. It’s nothing personal, but dogs do need to learn manners around food and our fingers.



To Chomp or Not to Chomp

Why are some dogs gentle with food and others not? There could be different reasons, such as:

• Excitement level
• Untrained
• Competition with other dogs

It’s best to address this as soon as you adopt your pooch. There are different ways to teach your dog to take treats or any food gently. Try all of them and see which one works best for you and your dog.

“Ouch”!

If your dog is nippy or if you adopted your dog as a puppy, you have probably used the “Ouch” method to soften his mouth around you. That comes in handy when giving him a treat. If he forgets and gets a little overzealous you can use the “Ouch” which usually will cause him dog to back off.

Closed Hand

Place the treat in your closed hand with your palm facing up. Bring your hand close to your dog’s nose and let him sniff your hand. Then slowly open up your hand and let him take the food out of it. Your fingers will be safe however this method is a little sloppy as you almost always end up with a wet palm.

Wave

Hold the treat with your fingers and bring it down to your dog’s nose. When you get close wave the treat past it around in a circle or up and down close and watch his nose follow it.  After a couple of seconds you can let them take the treat. If you wait too long, you will have the opposite effect.

Bear, Judique and Effie sit nice for a treat.

In all fairness my senior dog Bear was gentle from the day I adopted him and has never once compromised my fingers when taking food from my hand. My young Huskies are much more exuberant and excited around food. 

I practice recall often outside with them and since I really like my fingers, it’s important they accept treats gently. I often call them by name or whistle when they are the furthest away from me in our large back yard, so you can imagine how fast they come barreling towards me. They definitely live up to their Husky trait of being awesome runners. Suffice it to say when they get to me they are more than ready for their reward. I've used all three methods but I have to say the wave method worked for me almost instantly. When my timing was right, the dogs took treats so gently.  

Keep your fingers; teach your dog to be gentle!

Dog Poop Bags

There is something else we dog people can be sure of other than death and taxes. And that is dog poop!

Just like babies, dog poop and leave it up to us to deal with! And with the amount of poop we pick up over our dog’s lifetime it’s nice to know there are options out there to clean it up.

PoopBags.US offers a wide variety of high quality dog waste bags to suit any dog’s needs, big or small. And because they offer them in bulk, you can literally buy thousands of bags at a time for affordable prices. The shipping is free and many orders include a complimentary bag dispenser.

Now that 2015 is fast approaching, you can start the year off on a green foot by cleaning up after your pet with these Eco friendly bags.  Whether you prefer your bags on a roll or with a handle, they've got you covered. Pick up after your dog with the standard black bags or choose the assorted colors. Who says dog poop bags can’t be stylish.

PoopBags.US will soon be expanding to other dog related products so stay tuned.

The Doggie Chalet

When you go on vacation and have to leave your beloved dog behind, you want to ensure he is well taken care of. And your furry friend also deserves a vacation. If you are unsure of the traditional type of kennel or want to try something new there is another option.  The Doggie Chalet  is a family owned cage free boarding business that operates in the Northern New Jersey area.

The Bradley family, a husband and wife team provide cage free boarding in their home. And with a certified dog trainer in the house, you know your dog is in good hands. He will probably go home with some new and improved doggie manners. All you have to do is supply his food and a leash. The rest is taken care of. Your dog will have access to a home environment, other dogs and a dog park.

Pick up and drop off services are available for clients in the NYC, all New Jersey and PA areas.

It’s always hard leaving our dogs behind. But knowing there are many different options available to us makes it a little easier.

Stress and Your Dog

We all experience stress in our lives from time to time.  And our dogs are no different.  They can experience stress from any number of things.

Some common causes of stress for dogs are:

• Change or lack of routine
• Loud noises inside or outside the home
• Living with anxious and highly stressed humans
• Isolation and lack of proper  socialization
• New or different situations
• Lack of physical exercise and mental stimulation
• Fear of something
• Harsh and unfair corrections
• Loss or addition of family member

How to Recognize Stress

Not all dogs experience stress from the same cause. So you have to keep in tune with your dog and watch for the obvious and less obvious physical signs that your dog is stressed.

Common Signs of Stress:

• Cowering
• Pacing
• Whining/Barking
• Avoiding eye contact
• Yawning
• Panting
• Drooling
• Shaking
• Chewing or licking obsessively
• Sniffing
• Refusing food
• Hiding or running away
• Aggressive behavior
• Seizures

Subtle Signs of Stress:

• Pupils dilated
• Licking lips
• Furrowed brow
• Veins more prominent in face
• Tense muscles
• Sweaty paw pads

How to Deal With Stress

If it’s possible to leave or remove your dog from the stressful situation, then do so. If you cannot then you’ll have to remain as calm as you can. The calmer you are, the more likely your dog is to follow suit. Just as with a fearful dog, you don’t want to baby dogs and reinforce their feelings. However I have personally found a slow firm massage or stroking does help my dogs when they are stressed.

How to Avoid Stress

A well balanced dog gets plenty of exercise, has many different experiences, visits many different places and meets new people and other animals. This doesn’t mean a balanced dog will never be in a stressful situation, but the number of potential causes of stress should be less.

Helping Arctic Animals

“Help us save dogs and cats in our Arctic City of Iqaluit & other communities across Nunavut, Canada”

The Iqaluit Humane Society is in full swing with their campaign to raise money for Arctic animals.

Please consider donating to this wonderful organization. They give second chances to animals that have been abandoned, mistreated or injured.

They have not yet reached their goal and only have a couple of weeks left.

Please like and share.

My Iqaluit beauties!

Update***

The Iqaluit Humane Society reached their goal ☺ that means many more lives will be saved!

Adding to the Pack – Toys/Bones

When you bring a new dog into your house with other dogs, you have the opportunity to help the transition go smoothly. For the few first weeks while the relationships between the dogs are new, it’s wise to keep toys and bones put away. High valued items can cause fights, especially while the dogs are getting to know each other.  In multiple dog households, there typically is a more dominant dog than the others. They tend to guard their toys and bones and even take them away from the other dogs.

Whether you have one dog or multiple dogs, it’s important for them to respect all items as yours first, so by keeping toys and bones put away and giving them out at your discretion you are exercising your leadership muscle. Take it one step further and use the “nothing for free” approach which means before giving your dog something she wants, ask her to work for it by sitting or giving a paw. This is a great way to practice all the basic commands or an opportunity to teach your dog a new trick.

Once you are comfortable introducing toys or bones, keep in mind if you want to avoid potential conflicts make sure you have multiple resources. If each dog has a toy or bone to play with, the likelihood of a fight breaking out will be lessened. This doesn't mean you have exactly two of everything but use your judgement.

Judique and Effie learn to share

Effie has been with us now for 5 months. It took me a couple of months before introducing toys and bones inside the house. And I still pick up all toys at the end of the day. I've learned how my dogs interact with toys, especially bones. And I've learned who likes which toy the best! My senior Bear has no issue with toys or bones with either dog. As far as my young Huskies, there are times that even putting out multiple toys, one dog inevitably wants what the other dog has.  Effie’s sister Judique is the boss and nearly always gets her way, unless of course I feel the need to intervene. Again use your knowledge and judgement.

Guest Article - The Ultimate Puppy Potty Training Accessory Checklist

Are you about to get a new puppy? Next to hugs and snuggles, potty training is one of the first things you'll need to consider! This quick checklist will walk you through everything you'll need to get your puppy started off on the right track.

 Scoopers and Bags

This guide starts with the simple stuff. Scoopers and bags seem straightforward but you'll probably have to experiment to see which options work best for you. There is a huge selection out there: heavy-duty or lightweight, cute colors or plain and inexpensive, biodegradable, scented, odor-blocking, etc. Make sure to figure out which type of bag you prefer before investing in the little dispenser mechanism to go with.

If you happen to purchase a jaw scoop for the backyard, make sure to put quality first. They aren't fun to repair and are expensive to replace.  Not up to the task? Ask your local lawn care services to recommend a good weekly pickup team.  You'll still have to handle waste when walking the dog though, but the squeamish can still rely on handheld scoopers to avoid getting too close.

Indoor Potty Supplies

It might seem strange to enable a pet to potty indoors, but sometimes leaving the puppy alone for more than a few hours is unavoidable – and a puppy's underdeveloped bladder cannot function on pure willpower alone. The good news is that setting up an indoor potty zone does not have to be detrimental to the training process.

Many trainers recommend using an enclosed space that contains a newspaper-lined place to potty and a separate space to sleep, stretch, and turn around.  Some puppies are quirky and might want to sleep on the newspaper instead of evacuating on it, so you may want to check the pet store for other options to see which substrate your pet likes best: shredded, granular, etc.

Complete Cleanup Kit

Puppies make mistakes. Don’t panic! Just make sure to clean the soiled spot well enough to remove every trace of the scent. Any remaining smell will trigger the puppy's need to potty there any time he smells it. A good cleanup kit should include a puppy-safe enzymatic cleaner formulated specifically to break down and remove traces and urine and feces. You can find these cleaners at any pet supply store.

Puppies are incapable of making mistakes just to spite their owners. If the problem persists, the puppy may feel scared to potty in front of a human due to negative experiences with a past owner, or because the habit of going indoors is too engrained. Strict supervision (to prevent any accidents in the first place) and lavish praise for success (to reaffirm the correct action) is the only way to prevent future accidents.

Training Books and Resources

Don't let your guard down! Even if it seems that your puppy is on the right track, there is always the possibility for bad habits to start cropping back up again. And sometimes even when you're doing everything right, the puppy might need to work on a few other skills – like avoiding distractions or feeling confident around strangers – before potty training progress can move forward.

Books and videos are great, but not as good as social training classes. A good training class goes beyond obedience and tricks, actually helping your pup get used to unpredictable experiences he might encounter daily. If you cannot work training into your schedule, take some time to contact MNDogTraining.com for potential solutions, or like their Facebook page for updates and advice.

Fun and Games

Every successful potty trip deserves a celebration. Whether you want to reward your pup with a small treat, a quick round of playtime, or just a vigorous pat on the head, success is a shared victory worth acknowledging.

Get excited about potty training! The effort you put in now will serve your puppy well for the rest of his life. If keep an upbeat attitude throughout the training period, your puppy is sure to look forward to potty breaks every time.

Potty training may seem simple, but it serves as a powerful bonding tool by opening the lines of communication between owner and pet. The learning habits established now will serve as a foundation for future skills your puppy will need. Think of potty training not as a chore, but as a worthwhile investment that will pay for itself many times over.

Written by Lisa W.

Adding to the Pack - When you get Home

So you’ve just adopted and brought home a new dog to live and be buddies with the dog or dogs you already have.

Congratulations on your new addition and thank you for giving a dog in need a home and a new chance at a great life.

So now what? Are there things you can do to help the bonding process with your dogs? Yes there is!

 

 

The first few weeks are crucial and can set the tone for the relationship. You want to create positive experiences for the dogs. They didn’t choose each other but that doesn’t mean they can’t become great buddies and playmates.

 

The more positive experiences they have together, the better! You can walk them, take them on outings and treat them together.

 

On the other side, it’s equally important that all dogs are also given individual time as well.

 

When you first get home:

 

• Go for a walk around the neighborhood before going inside to establish a pack mentality
• Introduce the backyard
• Walk into house on leash and introduce each room on leash

The first few weeks:

• Keep toys and bones put away (high value items can trigger a fight while relationships are new)
• Supervise feeding time
• Do not leave your new and resident dogs alone when you aren’t home or cannot supervise
• Have a crate for the new dog if necessary
• Keep the routines of your residents dogs
• Give equal attention to all dogs
• Spend time with all of your dogs individually
• Interrupt squabbles or growls
• Keep play times under control
• Praise good behavior
• Allow down time for less energetic dogs

Rules


The rules are up to you. It’s your house and your dogs. But I’m a firm believer that we have to be our dog’s leaders. We bring dogs into our homes and provide food, water, exercise, play time, training, shelter, health care and love. In return our dogs give us companionship, unconditional love and loyalty. They need and want structure and rules. It’s up to us to provide and enforce them. Remember being a leader doesn't mean being mean and aggressive. The best leaders are calm, fair and assertive.


Effie Arrives Home

 

 

When we arrived home with our new adopted dog Effie and our two resident dogs, we leashed them all up and headed straight out around the neighborhood for a walk. It was pretty crazy as Effie was very excited and had no leash skills. Though challenging, we managed to get around and even ran into a few neighbours who were surprised but eager to meet her.

 

 

After our walk, we brought all three dogs into our back yard to interact and play. Effie did a lot of smelling! Finally it was time to go into the house. We brought Effie on leash and introduced her to each room. We set up a crate in the living room and the bedroom.  It was time for us to eat and for her to rest. We had all had a long day! She whined at first but eventually calmed down enough to fall asleep. We were not far behind her….

 

 

Stay tuned for “Adding to Your Pack - Fights”

 

 

 

 

 

Adding to the Pack - Introductions

Who should you bring with you to meet a potential new family member? In a word, everyone!

It’s very important to bring any dogs you have with you to meet a new dog. That way everyone can meet on neutral territory. And you will get a good idea if things are going to work out or not.

 

 

I don’t expect dogs to be best friends the minute they meet, but I would like to see some potential there. That being said I think it’s a good idea to be prepared to walk away if things just don’t work out. Like us not all dogs get along and they shouldn’t be forced to. In the end you have to trust your instincts.

 

The very first time the dogs meet, it’s a good idea to just start walking them in the same direction instead of having them meet face to face. Doing this provides them with the feeling of belonging to a pack. You can allow them to sniff each other and walk at the same time. 

 

If the shelter permits, let the dogs off leash. Often we hold the leashes with tension and that can influence the dog’s behavior toward each other. You want to encourage the first meeting to go well and the way you feel about it can help or hurt.

 

To recap:

• Bring all your dogs to meet your new potential adoptee
• Walk in the same direction first to create a pack mentality
• Encourage the dogs by using a light happy tone
• Allow the dogs to interact off-leash
• Observe the dogs body language
• Use your knowledge and trust your instincts
• Have a separate area in your car for the new dog

Effie Meets Judique and Bear

 

When we brought our two dogs to meet our new potential dog, we did all of the above. As we walked together, Effie sniffed Bear gently and growled at Judique. Not the start I was hoping for. We continued walking for awhile and then let the dogs sniff each other more. Effie’s butt was presented to each of my dogs and then we walked back towards the outdoor dog run. We had to let them interact off leash. We took our dogs off leash first and then Effie. It was very different for her and Judique off leash. They started playing almost instantly running around at top speeds. Bear interacted a little but sniffed around by himself and the girls let him be and played. That was exactly what we were looking for. We stayed outside for quite awhile watching them. I was very surprised that all the other dogs outside in their runs were not distracting them.  Both feeling good about the meeting, we decided to adopt Effie. We took our dogs back to our car to proceed to the adoption process. We made sure to have a separate area for Effie to sit. We had put a crate in the back of car for her to sit and the other two dogs were in the open space. Judique was not happy to have Effie in the car at first but eventually they all calmed down for the ride home.

 

 

And so our adventure began.

 

 

Stay tuned for “Adding to Your Pack – When you get Home”