Almost Everyone Enjoys Massage!

So many dogs are constantly wound up!  It’s like the gas pedal is always pushed full to the floor, their energy never seems to decrease!

Sometimes we just want our dogs to relax, nap, and hang out with us.

But why can’t they?

Because a lot of time, they are left at home for hours on end; you may have been working for 8 hours, but your pup was probably sleeping!  When you come home your dog is ready and refreshed for an evening of play and fun with you.

However, you are sometimes tired and you don’t have the energy to devote to your canine companion.

When our dogs choose to be naughty when we get home (to at least have some kind of reaction or interaction from us) our anger only builds their reactivity and then inability to settle down and settle in!

We often, also, come home and get our dogs revved up and excited to see us!  They run around like chickens with their heads cut off while they greet us and we greet them.  They learn to get over excited when we come home and when they see us.

Dogs are easily conditioned and I believe they often mirror our behavior.  So for owners who come home clapping their hands and vigorously patting and petting their dogs; they are sometimes unknowingly conditioning wild and excited behavior.

Avoid Over Excitement with an Already Reactive Dog

Owners who come home and to some extent ignore their dog, teach their dog’s that it is not the act of “coming home” that is exciting it is being home and spending time together that they desire.  I believe that quality time should include exercise and excitement to some degree (depending on the reactivity level of your dog) but mostly your relationship should be built on calm and relaxing principles.

By reactivity level I mean the willingness to mirror your excitement, someone else’s excitement, or another dog’s excitement level.  My dogs for example are very reactive and therefore easily excitable.  I very rarely get them SUPER excited because then they become difficult to handle.  I do get mildly excited when they do something correct, but I keep my celebrations to a low roar; just enough to keep them motivated and let them know what I like.  If I jumped up and down and clapped my hands and ran around I might get a set of teeth on my tushy.

If, however, I had a very difficult to motivate, sleepy, Bassett Hound; I might have to get more excited and animated in order to teach him or play with him.  This kind of dog usually has a very low reactivity. And, some of these dogs don’t need to be taught relaxation strategies!

Most of us have dogs somewhere in between!

First recognize that dogs mirror your behavior.  Even if you are angry, you will probably be leading your dog down the road of more excitability and reactivity.  Always be calm when you deal with your dog, no matter how frustrating he is!

Belgian Malinois (my breed of choice right now) are known for being reactive and excitable and I use to take my guys to a well-known German Shepherd Schutzhund Club in my area.  At first everyone was quite leery and unhappy to see me arrive with my dogs because of stereotypes.  But I am such a calm and quiet person, they quickly realized my dogs mirrored my behavior and were also quite calm and manageable!

Relaxation and a calm response is something I teach my dogs at my house.  If you have not read; “Training for a Relaxed and Calm Dog” please do so as this basic technique of teaching your dog calm eye contact is one of the first steps in getting your dog to calm down.

I also believe in teaching your dog to relax with calm significant massage.

Eventually Massage in Different Places

What You Need

• Your Dog
• A Quiet Environment
• Your Hands
• Maybe a Leash (at first)

Calm means you are not going to try and attempt this in your living room with the kids flying in and out of the door.

It also means that you are going to do this at a time that is conducive to relaxation.  For example I would not do this right after you get home and your dog is happy to see you.  Let your dog go out and exercise a little first.  Feed him his dinner and wait until he begins to settle in a bit.

Recognize that your dog does actually need exercise and the ability to expend some of his energy.  No relaxation exercise is an excuse for real exercise, only a way to eventually teach your dog to relax on command and eventually in stressful situations.  Do not have unrealistic expectations; make sure your dog is getting what he needs!

Go to your bedroom, the bathroom, or anywhere that you can have some quiet time.  At first 2 to 5 minutes is going to seem like a long time, but eventually you want to extend the time you are utilizing canine massage.  This might seem odd to your dog at first, but he will learn to love it (however do not do this if your dog shows any signs of aggression or you do not know him well)!

Begin at one end of your dog.  At my house, it depends on what my dog wants.  I have one dog that automatically likes his rump rubbed and another who likes to put his head in my lap.  Beginning at one end, will help you slowly and meticulously work your way toward the other.

I gently rub in calm, slow, circular motions, using my palms and thumbs very tenderly.  Do not rub or massage quickly, quick strokes can cause excitement.

Massage soft tissue but do not involve joints or joint manipulation leave that to veterinary or massage experts so that you don’t inadvertently injure your dog!

My dogs love having their ears and feet and everything in between massaged; however if I had a dog that didn’t like his feet touched, I would avoid his feet during this exercise because I am working toward relaxation not confrontation!

Again do not push a dog you do not know or one that is showing any signs of aggression.

At first you may need a leash to keep your dog in one basic spot, but soon he will learn how much fun this really is.  Sometimes I even put on some good, soothing tunes to enjoy together.

This may be a struggle at first.  If you have a one year old wild Lab, or Jack Russell, it may take time for him to learn to settle down and enjoy the massage.  Don’t give up, continue the massage and don’t allow yourself to become frustrated.  Your frustration will only ruin the mood and the whole relaxation exercise!

Once your dog has learned to relax with some consistency and is looking forward to your sessions, you may begin massaging him in more distracted environments.  He must be taught to calm himself no matter where he is or what is going on, but this takes time and diligence on your part.

There is a very well-known dog obedience class that takes severely dog aggressive dogs and teaches their owners about relaxation principles and massage.  Eventually the dogs are all brought into a room together, first partitioned so they cannot see one another during the massage and eventually these techniques help to calm them so that they can be controlled together.

These techniques can also be vital to fearful and even phobic dogs because it helps to break the cycle of fear and the dog can learn to calm himself on command when he feels secure.

Canine massage can be AMAZINGat teaching calming skills.  But like any type of training you must train (or massage) in more and more excitable

mmmmmmm

environments.  Eventually, wouldn’t it be nice to calm your dog at his vet visit with just a little massage work?  But first he must learn at home!

Other Benefits of Massage

• It promotes healthy circulation
• Immune System Support
• Respiratory Support
• Digestive Support
• Calms nerves
• Promotes a healthy coat by redistributing oils throughout the skin and coat

So grab your dog and head off to a quiet room so that you can keep your dog healthy, build a great bond and teach him to be calm and relax himself no matter where he is!

Teaching Your Dog to Relax is a post from: Dog Obedience Training Blog

I love a good Adult Dog!

This is a culmination of several articles and information and advice that has been given out by me and many others on several subjects.  Adopting a Shelter Dog   The Working Man’s (or Woman’s) Conundrum in Today’s Dog Ownership   and Why Rescues Make one of the Best Resources When Looking for a New Furry Companion.

All these comments got me to thinking “What is the Best Dog”?  Of course there are too many individualities to know what is best for everyone, but personally when talking to most people, my clients, and even my family; adult dogs usually make the best fit.

I am a puppy lover too Lab puppies, German Shepherd puppies, Boxer puppies and Golden puppies just to name a few, and some day I might write an article about why puppies rock!  But there are so many valid reasons for adding an adult dog to most homes.

Why Are Adult Dogs Better?

7. Adult Dogs are Most Likely Potty Trained! 

Who has the time for potty training these days?  Unless you are a stay at home-“er” or can take your puppy to work with you, it is almost impossible to swiftly and correctly potty train a puppy!

Even if your adult dog is not yet potty trained, he is old enough to physically be able to hold it and to learn about potty training quickly.

6. You Skip Puppy Teething

When you get an adult dog, you get to skip the biting and the mouthing and the chewing of everything in the house!  Puppies chew and explore everything with their teeth and some puppies damage thousands of dollars of their owner’s stuff!

Even if your new dog chews (and he probably will) he is old enough and there is no teething pain that is causing him to chew.  Adult dogs can easily be taught where to put their mouths as long as you are consistent and don’t allow him premature access to your house.

5. You Can Leave an Adult Dog Longer

As we discussed in one of my earlier articles, we live in a world of needing to work to earn your dog’s kibble!

Puppies should be left no longer than however old they are in months plus one hour.  So  2 month old puppy should not be left longer than 3 hours, max!  And, certainly not on a regular basis if at all possible!

Adult dogs can simply be left comfortably for longer periods of time to allow you to work and feel less guilty!

4. You Know What Size Dog You Are Getting

I mentioned this in my other article Adopting a Shelter Dog  but it can be difficult to take a mixed breed puppy, if you don’t know what breeds went into the mixing, and figure out how big the dog will be.

A very good vet friend of mine adopted a dog that she thought would be around 25-30 pounds when full grown, but her “little” girl ended up being closer to 80 pounds.

One of the main excuses people use when giving up a rambunctious puppy is “He got too big”; if you get an adult dog you know just how much your dog food bill is likely to be!

3. You Know What Kind of Fur and Grooming You are In For

Along the lines of size, puppies have these cute little fuzzy puppy coats when they are born that often don’t grow until they are older.  My 18 month old was a little too fluffy when she was a puppy (she was suppose to be a short hair) but I was assured I was crazy and that she would be short haired…she isn’t and I was right (she is my third fuzzy puppy)!  But I love her anyway!

There are people who don’t have what it takes to own a dog that needs consistent or constant grooming (I may be one of them!  I prefer my wash and go dogs!).  With an adult dog, you know just what you are getting into!

Who Wouldn't Want to Live with This Guy?

2. Adult Dogs Have Established their Temperament and Their Aptitudes

Puppies are a “crap shoot”  even those of us in the business that “temperament test” puppies must agree that to a very strong degree it is difficult if not impossible to tell what a puppy will be like when it is full grown.

When a puppy is very young we see traits that we like, or dislike, we try and develop the things we desire while inhibiting the things we don’t desire, but the truth of the matter is…it is almost impossible to know exactly what a puppy will be like in several months.

I trained recently with a world renown dog trainer from Holland and even he admitted the puppy from his litter that he thought was going to be the best was not, and the puppy he discounted early on was amazing and proficient at the task he was raising them for.

As much as we want to get a puppy or even a kitten for that matter, and raise and shape exactly what we want…it doesn’t always happen.  Not even with my own puppies!

This was the reason that I never took puppies when I was training Service Dogs, I never knew who they would be after they went through “puppy puberty” and the Flight Instinct Period.

An adult dog I knew that, for the most part, what I saw was what I was getting.  And, although I enjoy the challenge of raising a puppy occasionally, if I was looking for a dog to perform a certain task later in life, I would be looking for a dog that was 9 months or older!

This is why so many working dog organizations scour shelters looking for Assistance Dogs, Detector Dogs, and other types of working dogs; they can test the dogs and know almost right away if the dog has what it takes to do the work they are looking for!

1. Adult Dogs Can Come with More Knowledge

Whether you get an older dog or puppy from a breeder or you get one from a rescue, chances are you can find out more information about the individual and how he has been raised or “housed”.  Does he live with cats or children, does he dislike other animals or children?  It allows you to find a better fit for your environment.

I have said it before, and I will say it again, never leave your dog alone with your other pets or children either way!  New dogs must be trained, worked with and acclimated into your home even if he was good with other dogs, cats or children in his previous home doesn’t mean he will have the exact same reaction in your home; your odds are just better!

I cannot presume to make a decision as to what is best for you and your family, I can only tell you that my experience with adult dogs and their attributes far outweighs any negative qualities.

Just like puppies, adult dogs need love, training, attention and consistency and they are bigger so their mistakes aren’t viewed as “cute” like the same mistakes a puppy makes (like jumping).    Be kind and be patient and you will be able to curb the possible behavior problems that they come with!

But all dogs are trainable and many of these adult dogs deserve a shot at a loving, reliable, life and you may just be the person to give it to them!

The Top 7 Reasons I recommend Adopting an Adult Dog is a post from: Dog Obedience Training Blog

Does Your Dog live to Excess?

This is a seriously heated debate in the dog world!  People get emotional about WHY they think their way is better than the other and I must confess there are good reasons for both.

As devil’s advocate and to make sure I cover both sides before I give my opinion I will cover both ways J

Free Feeding

Pros

• Dogs don’t feel pressure to eat, they know there food will always be there.
• Some dogs (not most) will eat only as much as they need more if they are hungry less when they are not.
• Some say this lessens food aggression (although I am not convinced).

Cons

• Free feeding delays potty training because it is harder for owners to determine when the puppy eats and therefore needs to go outside.
• A lot of dogs eat out of boredom and some will literally eat themselves into obesity and oblivion.   Obesity leads to many diseases and kills dogs.
• Dogs can be less likely to be food motivated for training.
• One dog can over eat while other dogs are not getting enough.
• Can add to the factors of bloat
• Owners may not be home after the dog eats and bloats
• Owners may not notice a sick dog that hasn’t eaten that day or even for a few days if the dog free feeds.

Meal Feeding

Pros

• Can help with potty training puppies!  Food in = Food out
• You will notice if your dog is sick and refuses to eat or doesn’t eat it all.
• Food and life revolves around YOU his owner!
• You control how much and when your dog eats and by doing so you can control his weight.
• Lessens dog/dog aggression because you can separate dogs if you need to.
• You can work together using his food as obedience treats!
• Can lessen the chances of bloat
• Owners are more likely be home if dog bloats

Cons

• You could be feeding your dog too much or not enough, unknowingly.
• You will have to carve out time in your schedule.
• Some say this creates frantic dogs that can become food aggressive (although I am not convinced).
• Dog may feel like he has to eat when he is not hungry.

My Opinion?

I don't want to Kill My Dog with Food

I am a diehard meal feeder!  I feed my dogs twice a day and my puppies 3 times a day.  I wouldn’t want to go 24 hours in between meals, so I definitely recommend feeding twice a day, but I believe this to be the best plan!

I once had 6 cats and I meal fed each and every one of them.  If I didn’t I had one cat that ate so much she was on the fringe of becoming diabetic and other cats that weren’t getting enough.  Although it was difficult (some of them were even crate trained and would run into their crates), it was essential to my kitties’ and my doggies’ health to meal feed!

My oldest dog NIX is or was at one point perfectly capable of free feeding (I use to let him free feed while visiting my mother and her dog that free fed) but my other dog almost ate himself to death once.

Some dogs just don’t have an “off” switch when it comes to food and they can and some will eat themselves to the point of sickness.

AND, obesity is the #1 avoidable killer of dogs!

The Number 1 Reason I Meal Feed?

But, even though I knew all of this it didn’t really hit home until I was a vet tech.  Time after time I watched owners bring in dogs that were literally starving themselves because they were sick but their owners didn’t notice the weight loss until it was severe.

If my dogs miss a meal, I am calling the authorities!  My dogs rarely if ever miss a meal.  The illness would have to be severe if my male dogs refuse their food.

My female sometimes skips a meal after a long car ride or a long day, but I know that about her and if she missed 2 in a row there would be a problem.  But, if my boys missed a meal it would be a really bad sign.

Because I meal feed my dogs I notice if they are not eating!  If I allowed all three of them to eat as much as they wanted, whenever they wanted; even if they didn’t over eat, I might not notice if one of them was not eating due to illness!

This has made me a proponent of meal feeding, that and the fact I can keep my dogs svelte and healthy!

Do what you want with your best friend but keep an eye out on his habits and his schedule and if he is getting overweight or underweight take notice he might need a different plan!

Free Feeding vs. Meal Feeding the Age Old Debate is a post from: Dog Obedience Training Blog

How to Give a Cat a Pill 

Author Unknown (humor only

How to Give a Dog a Pill is a post from: Dog Obedience Training Blog

Does Your Dog Need Dentures?

One of the most important and most preventable diseases for your dog is dental disease.  Periodontal or gum disease has become the number one health problem for both dogs and cats.   It is estimated that by the age of 3 80% of dogs will show significant signs of oral disease.

Dental disease is very painful!!  This pain can even lead to a change in behavior and increase the likelihood of bites and aggression.

Common Signs of Dental Disease

• Bad breath
• Build up of yellow deposits on the teeth by the gums
• Red swollen or bleeding gums
• Trouble eating and obvious pain when chewing hard objects
• Increased salivation

However, oral disease is almost completely preventable and avoidable!

Dental disease can lead to heart, liver and kidney disease.   The infection from your dog’s mouth courses through his veins and can set up shop in the valves of the heart and in other organs of his body.

There was a veterinary study done on Labrador Retrievers that found with regular brushing a dog’s life could be extended by up to 3 years!  3 YEARS can you imagine that?  I would do anything to get an extra 3 years of life with my dogs!

What Can You Do?

Dental disease pre and post veterinary cleaning.

• Chew treats that you can get from your vet that are impregnated with chlorhexidine and or stannous fluoride to help prevent and treat oral disease
• Provide a nutritious diet
• Yearly and sometimes biannual dental checkups with your vet
• Regular brushing at home

Diet

Canned and soft dog food can often contribute to the buildup of tartar. Dry dog food provides a mild abrasive action on the teeth therefore removing some of the bacterial plaque that can harden into tartar.

Just like with children to help them evade cavities, avoid giving your dog sweets!  Table scraps can also contribute to plaque and tartar build up.

Your Dog Needs His Teeth Brushed Too!

Tooth Brushing

Dogs need to have their teeth brushed, daily, to prevent the buildup of plaque that can lead to serious dental disease.  Yes, I said DAILY!

You don’t know how often as a vet tech I have heard that the dog gets his teeth brushed while he is at the groomer once a month.  Can you imagine the shape YOUR teeth would be in if you brushed your teeth monthly or less?

People brush their teeth twice a day for a minute or two at a time.  Your dog’s teeth should get at least daily attention!

I put my dog’s toothbrush near mine for easy access each morning.

Doggy toothpaste that you can get only from your veterinarian (don’t get it at your local pet store or grocery store it is not the same quality) has chlorhexidine, stannous fluoride, and an enzyme that helps break down tartar.  Your dog only needs a couple of swipes over his teeth to be very, very effective!

It is easiest to teach a new pup to tolerate and even LOVE having his teeth brushed, but you can even teach an older dog to enjoy it!

Always make sure to praise him profusely through the process and set aside a special treat (on the sink) for when you are finished to make it even more rewarding!

Step One

Start by squeezing a tiny bit of dog toothpaste onto the tip or your finger and letting your dog lick it off.  This helps him get use to the flavor and reassures him that this is going to be fun and yummy!  After you are done give him a special treat!

DO NOT use human toothpaste, not only can it make your dog sick when swallowed it can be toxic if he swallows too much!

Step Two

Now squeeze a bit of toothpaste onto your finger and gently rub it over your gets gums and one or two teeth.  Do not make this an ordeal by trying to access his whole mouth, just wiggle a finger or two into his mouth and around his teeth and gums.  End with a wonderful treat!  Once he is eagerly accepting this step it is time to move on to step 3.

Do not risk a bite.  If your dog is adamant about not having his mouth manipulated it is not worth being bitten by him.  Your vet can provide you with chew treats and water additives that can help you in this situation.  But, nothing is as good at preventing dental disease as regular tooth brushing.

Step Three

Begin by adding a finger toothbrush, that you can get from your vet or your local pet retail store or squeezing a bit of toothpaste on a small piece of gauze and rub in a circular motion.

I gently wrap one hand around my dog’s muzzle to hold it still and prevent it from opening large enough to bite on the toothbrush or my finger as I massage the toothpaste around.   As always I end with a special treat I have set to the side on the sink!

Step Four

You may now begin adding a toothbrush to this equation.   You can use an ultra soft toothbrush, child’s toothbrush, or even eventually a spin brush!

Gently hold your dog’s muzzle as you swipe some toothbrush on in a circular motion over his teeth.  Unlike human tooth brushing, the goal is not in the amount of time spent brushing the goal is to get the toothpaste on the teeth use some abrasive motion to break down tartar and leave the enzyme on to do its job.

Make this fun and rewarding and as always end with a special treat!

Eventually, I add a spin brush and lightly brush throughout my dog’s mouth at least once daily.

Make it Fun!!

My dogs LOVE to have their teeth brushed because they love the flavor and the treat they get afterward.  As soon as I jump out of the shower each morning, I have three chins sitting on the sink awaiting their “teeth time”.

This positive reinforcement helps remind me to get their teeth brushed and it keeps me from having to worry about the serious effects of dental disease.

Tooth brushing is not a guarantee that my dog’s wont eventually need the help of anesthesia and a veterinary dental cleaning, but it definitely helps them go longer in between visits!  I believe that genetics play a role but brushing helps ward off the tooth fairy!  For example my 11 year old dog has only had ONE veterinary tooth cleaning his entire life after they did another procedure, but my 8 year old dog had a dental cleaning about every 2 years once he passed the age of 4.  Although they both got equal brushing, my 11 year old dog just has better dental genetics than my 8 year old dog did!

Brushing their teeth is also important to our relationship, because it gets them use to me touching and manipulating them in a way that they are not use to in the beginning.  It also ensures I can monitor their gums and tartar for signs of dental disease and I can keep an eye out for broken or fractured teeth.

Broken or fractured teeth can not only be extremely painful, this can also lead to abscesses, swollen faces, fever and a refusal to eat.

It is essential to me to be able to touch my dog’s mouths, feet, ears and every other body part.  This builds a good strong relationship based in trust!   I would continue this brushing and training if this was the ONLY benefit I got out of it, but thankfully I reap the benefits of a healthier happier pet as well!

So go out and get a toothbrush and some toothpaste from your vet and set them next to your toothbrush so that you get into the habit of brushing your dog’s teeth daily!  The chance at an extra 3 years of life is worth it!

The Importance of Canine Dental Care for the Longevity of Your Best Friend is a post from: Dog Obedience Training Blog

Being Overweight Can Kill Even Those We Love

There are some things I have seen in veterinary medicine and also as a professional dog trainer that are recipes for disaster and sometimes death.   Although none is a definite death sentence because some people experience extreme luck in very dangerous situations, I believe it is best to arm yourself with the knowledge to keep your dog safe!

#7: Living within the Bounds of a Safe Enclosure

Although some dogs chose and prefer to stay within the realms of their home territory, most dogs like to wander.  Wandering from home to home or across the street to chase cats and squirrels is tantalizing for most dogs.  If you add to this scenario an unneutered male, chances are almost nonexistent that your dog will choose to stay home when he gets a whiff on a female in heat.

Secure fencing is essential for good safe pet ownership.

Thousands of dogs are killed when hit by cars each year.  Several are killed by other dogs and wild animals when they leave the safety of their yard.

If you are on the side of luck and your dog doesn’t die from being hit by a car, or attacked by another dog the trauma of these experiences can affect them for a lifetime!

Make sure your fence is escape-proof.  If you use invisible fencing be sure to check it regularly to ensure it is working properly.

If you cannot provide a safe secure fenced area, walk your dog on a leash for his exercise and elimination requirements.

#6: Not Providing Preventative Medicine

Preventative medicine, means providing your dog with vaccinations, medications, and other veterinary tests in order to prevent disease and problems.  Regular quality veterinary care prevents diseases and tribulations as your dog ages.

Providing your dog with vaccinations and medications like Heartworm Prevention can keep your dog safe and alive!  Waiting to see the signs of disease for heartworm, or distemper may prove to be too late to save the life of your dog!

Recently I spent time with the friend of a friend who’s dog had NEVER been to a vet.  No puppy vaccines, no medications of any kind had ever been given.  The dog was 10 and only recently began suffering from obesity and arthritis.  I was amazed at her luck!

However, no matter how lucky she was…I would never risk my pet’s health.  I am happy to submit to annual and 3 year vaccines, yearly heartworm tests, monthly prevention pills, 2 or more exams per year with blood work and urinalysis as my dogs age.

My theory is if my vet recommends it, it makes sense, and it could potentially extend my dog’s life DO IT!  I will do whatever I can within my power to make sure I provide the best care available to me!

#5: Not teaching a Solid Recall or Teaching Your Dog to Come When Called

A solid or reliable recall is the most important command or task in dog training.  If I recommend teaching your dog ONE thing to ensure safety and well being, it is teaching your dog to come when called!

If your dog does not come when called you are setting him up for deadly chances.  Dogs that break away from their leash or rush out of the house, often get hit by a car while fleeing or chasing other animals.

You MUST teach your dog that you are more important and more exciting than anything else going on in his world!  He must know with 100% confidently that you will reward him for coming back to you NO MATTER WHAT.

It doesn’t matter if you are angry that he ran away, if he comes back to you, you must reward him!

You must also play recall games with him and make coming to you fun and rewarding!

ALWAYS reward your dog with praise and treats for coming to you and utilize these things to teach him to come to you!

NEVER take his coming to you for granted.  It is when people get complacent and expect their dogs to come and stop rewarding them that their dogs decide there is no reward to listening and coming when called!

#4: Tie Outs and Tethers

A Sad Way of Life

I cannot tell you how often I have heard stories and seen dogs die due to tie outs and tethers.

When dogs are left to their own devices on a tie out or tether they can do unimaginable things, usually due to boredom and they end up strangling themselves.

I have seen dogs wrap themselves around trees and not be able to figure out how to untangle themselves.  I have also seen them jump up and over tree limbs or other structures that lead to the restriction of movement, panic and ultimately strangulation.

Tie outs and tethers are fine to use while your dog is being closely monitored.  As a matter of fact I tether my dogs inside while they are learning to be potty trained and learning their manners, but I never leave them unattended!

Dogs panic when they start to strangle.  Instead of calming themselves down and moving back to gain more air, then continually struggle to the point where they often pass out and eventually strangle themselves.

One of my Service Dog clients left his dog home and outside tethered to a tree one day while he ran to the hospital to visit a family member.  When he returned home his beloved Service Dog was dead under the tree.  The dog, who was not use to being left, had desperately tried to get away and join his master, passed out and then strangled.  It was one of the saddest most heart wrenching stories I have ever heard.

#3: Leaving a Choke Chain on Your Dog

I can’t tell you how many dogs I encounter that regularly sport “choke chains” as actual collars.  Not only am I not a proponent of “choke chains” in general, I am horrified at the thought of leaving them on all of the time.

As a dog trainer I get use to people doing things that I don’t agree with when it comes to their dog.  So, if someone insists on using a choke chain as humane a fashion as possible I can understand to some level.  However, LEAVING that collar on their dog is extremely dangerous.

Choke chains should NEVER be left on dogs!  The open “O” ring of a choke chain can get hung up on tree limbs, furniture, or even on parts of a dog’s crate!  Once the choking begins the dog doesn’t understand to move back from the pressure, they will continue struggling until they strangle.

This also proves to be very dangerous at dog parks or other places where dogs play.  One dog’s tooth can get hung up on another dog’s choke chain and can cause panic and death.  I once worked at a dog boarding facility when this scenario happened.  Luckily, although bitten severely we were able to move the dogs together and untangle the chain.

This memory is still vivid in my mind.  I won’t even let my dog’s play with dogs that are wearing choke chains!

#2: Ingesting indigestible objects and/or medications

Having worked in a veterinary clinic for many years, I have seen numerous inedible objects swallowed that were unable to be digested.

One puppy swallowed more than 4 large rocks 4 different times before the rock eating habit finally killed him.  His owners, who had done their best to remove rocks, were inconsolable by his loss.

I have also witnessed the trauma from dogs that gobble up dropped pills or medications left out on the counter.

Numerous times I have heard stories of dogs eating whole bottles of Rimadyl ™ and similar pills because they are beef flavored and the bottle was accidentally left out on the counter.

Prevention and safely keeping medications locked up is key for success.  Never leave medications out where your pet can get into them.  Even if you think your dog would never eat pills, it is not worth the risk!

Teaching your dog “Leave It” and to not gobble up items or pills that hit the floor is also essential.  You never know when you might drop a Tylenol or a Cold Pill and it is crucial that your dog not race you to whatever has dropped because he thinks it is food!

Teach your dog not to eat things that drop or things that he finds on the floor.  Basically you should teach him he can only eat the things you give him or tell him he can eat!

Crates can also keep your pet safe and comfortable when you are gone so that he does not eat or shred dangerous items!

1: Obesity

Obesity is a Painful Way to Die

The number one deadly sin, in my opinion, and the cause of a higher mortality rate than needs be for our dogs is obesity.

A colossal amount of dogs might not die of obvious obesity related diseases like diabetes, although many dogs and cats do die of diabetes and its complications.

The less obvious complications due to obesity are: heart and liver disease, increased risk of cancer, breathing difficulties and damage to joints, bones and ligaments.

Thousands, if not millions of dogs are euthanized each year due to arthritis and pain.  Most of these dogs are also significantly overweight or obese.

Obesity leads to increased risk and the severity of pain of arthritis.

Arthritis is a main cause of euthanasia.   Dogs get older and are unable to comfortably get around and soon their pain is not able to be managed effectively.

Keeping your pet svelte and slim can extend his life and keep him from getting heart, liver and cancer related diseases.

A veterinary pain specialist once said at a seminar “No dog should ever have to be euthanized due to pain and arthritis.”  That quote has stuck with me for many years, and I have made a promise to my dogs that I will never let them become obese.

I love them too much to watch them suffer senselessly from something that I can so easily control!

The 7 Deadly Sins of Dog Ownership is a post from: Dog Obedience Training Blog

Setting Your Dog up for a Long Healthy Life

Did you know that hip replacement for a dog is upwards of $5,000?  A canine MRI can run $2,000.  ACL surgery can run from $2,000 to over $5,000.  And doggy cancer treatment and the possible surgery that goes with it could be around $10,000. Help yourself prepare for the worst case scenario, before you are in need.  I promise 10 years from now when you are faced with cancer treatment, your heart will want to make the investment, when your finances may not be capable!

I have a love hate relationship with the idea of insurance, both for pets, stuff (cars etc.) and human.  I like the security of knowing I am insured, but I hate the idea of gambling against myself.  And, it is nice when I am in need of insurance, but what happens to all that monthly money when I DON’T need it?  That is what makes insurance companies successful, the simple fact that most people don’t need to call in their insurance card very often.

There are nice things about pet insurance, although there is no $5 deductible to have your pet seen like in some human insurances; you also don’t have to deal with the bureaucracy of managed care and insurance companies choosing your veterinarian or denying your pet care.  There aren’t HMOs or PPOs in veterinary care and that can be a good thing because you can go to any emergency care, specialist or any veterinarian and still be reimbursed.

What is most important when looking into insurance for you and your dog is finding the right policy for both of you.  The right policy for me and the right policy for you might be different.  For me I want to consider and compare any and all out of pocket expenses compared with the insurance costs over all.

Annual Deductible

Will Your Policy Cover an MRI?

If you have an annual deductible policy and your deductible is $200 once you have reached $200 during that policy year any vet bills for the rest of the year would not be subjected to another deductible.

Per Incident Deductible

With a per incident deductible you would be subject to another deductible payment each time your pet is seen for a new condition.   If you took your pet in for an ear infection and a laceration you would have to pay the deductible for each incident, but if you had to take your pet back for multiple recheck appointments for either of the same or continuing condition you would not have to pay another deductible.

Deductibles are just one of many facets of pet insurance that need to be researched.   It is crucial to research whatever program you are interested in before signing up.

You may also ask your veterinarian if they have any experience with the brand or policy you are interested in and/or if they have any suggestions.

My other suggestion is to set up a savings account “for” your pet.  If you put just $10 or $20 dollars away in a specific savings account each time you get paid, you will soon have a large sum of money in case there is ever an emergency.

When I ran my own nonprofit organization to train Service Dogs for adults and children with disabilities, I recommended both, however I insisted on them opening a savings account.

Saving for the Unexpected Can Save Your Dog's Life!

Imagine if you had all the money you have given your car insurance company in the last 5 years, or since the last time you had a car accident (which hopefully has been a long time ago!).  This nest egg could help you by a new car, or deal with just about any car repair (unless you just had an accident!).

But, I realize that some people have a hard time “saving” money and not using it for a much needed vacation, a new pair of shoes, or even food when times get tough.  The only reason this strategy will work is if you promise yourself that you will not touch the money!

So, know yourself and be honest.  Do both if you think there is a possibility you won’t allow that nest egg to grow very big. I recommend both so that you always have your deductible and you will have to make the initial payment out of pocket. Or, you can choose one path.  But either way you will be setting up a future of health success and less stress for you and your partner for years to come!

Pet Insurance, Should You Jump on the Bandwagon? is a post from: Dog Obedience Training Blog

I have two new family members, at least for right now.  These two are more like guests that say they are looking for a new “place” but will end up crashing on my sofa for a lot longer than expected.  I have two baby raccoons growing up at my house.

Their mother was killed on the highway and the babies were sitting on the white line just covering their little eyes with their miniature little hands.  It was as if, if they couldn’t see it, it didn’t exist or wasn’t dangerous.

They were much too little and immature to survive on their own, so to make a long story short; they came to live with me.  I have done wildlife rehabilitation and release before and I had a good idea how much work they would be and what they needed to be successful in life.

I have gone from nursing the babies every few hours, to guarding my eyeballs from flying inquisitive baby raccoons.

Cuddly Sleeping Babies

At first they would sit in my lap for hours.  They would drink their formula, enjoy a few fingers full of baby applesauce and then they would crash on top of me while I watched TV and did some internet surfing.  They would purr when I rubbed their little backs and their tummy’s (to help them poop) and they would grab my hands and rings with their diminutive little fingers as they massaged them and then fell back to sleep.

But now, I am faced with flying, playing baby raccoons.

At first they lived in an extra large dog crate, with a blanket to hide in and a tree to climb but now…they need almost constant stimulation.

When they first started to get more active, I added another tree limb for them to climb.  Then a cat post to climb and to hide in, a hammock to swing from, and toys hanging from their ceiling.

The more I add to their environment, the happier and more stimulated they are with life.

I have recently given them their own room to wander in during the day.  I let them out in the mornings and let them wander as they please, visiting them occasionally and then locking them up at night to sleep.

Anything I bring to them or add to their environment stimulates and excites them.  They climbed me a few days ago to pluck my sunglasses off of my head; then they laid them down and massaged them with their little hands before whisking them away and exploring them more.

It seems the more I add and in some respects take away (I don’t leave everything with them all of the time, what is the fun in that?) the more their little brains grow and develop and the more they seem to learn.

I truly believe that if they were locked in a barren environment with nothing to play with and nothing to stimulate them, they would not flourish.  They might grow physically, as long as they have appropriate nutrition, but they would not grow emotionally and mentally.

I assume that baby raccoons (and puppies) are also like children, they have a window of time where they learn and imprint the most.  If in a sterile environment with nothing to do their minds and emotions might not grow, but in a rich environment their minds, bodies and emotions are able to develop the way that they should.

This “Ah Ha” moment reinforced the idea that our dogs need stimulation too!

I think sometimes we bring our puppies or an adult dog home, let them go in the house and expect that if we are providing food and a little bit of love that we are doing enough for our new pet.   But, sadly that is not enough!

Our dogs need new toys to play with, just like my baby raccoons do!  Even if your dog is older and they are not in the imprinting stage, new toys add stimulation and excitement to their otherwise boring, mundane life.

Naughtier and Full of Attitude!

Our dogs need exercise!  Exercise allows their bodies to be healthy, their muscles to grow and develop and their minds to be stimulated.  Even geriatric dogs need at least a little exercise to stimulate their minds!

Our dogs need obedience.  Dog obedience and learning new tricks and skills gives our dogs something to do, and stimulates the growth and development of their brains.

I imagine a puppy raised in a neutral sterile environment does not have the brain power of a littermate who was raised in a rich environment full of toys, obedience, and exercise.

Stimulation and thinking, learning and growing allows the brain to develop and helps keep people and animals happy and healthy.

So grab your dog, or your puppy and teach him a new trick, play a new game with him, or give him something new to play with (or something that you took away a few weeks ago).  Spend some time together and bond.  This learning and bonding will lead to better dog obedience and adherence to your rules and regulations around the house.

The best dog is a happy, well stimulated dog and with a tiny bit of effort you can give that gift to you and your best friend!

What a Couple Baby Raccoons Taught Me about Dog Training and Happiness is a post from: Dog Obedience Training Blog

Working with a Cheetah! How's that for training experience!!

I love to read!  When I was a baby I got a vaccination that almost took my life.  I am sure my mother was terrified.  I have some memories of lying on the couch very sick.  My mother would read to me for hours, and at that time (before DVDs or VHS…ahhh I hate aging myself) Disney movies came on record.

I would sit and listen to a movie over and over until I had basically memorized it. In some ways I am grateful for all of my experiences they have shaped me and who I am as an adult.  Because of that one shot, my immune system was never quite able to fight off infection and I did get and still get every flu bug that goes around. I grew up loving reading.   Reading was my way to escape into another world and to learn about…well, anything I was interested in at the time.  My mother did not allow video games, and TV was restricted

This love of reading followed me to college when I double majored one being in English.  I still love English Literature (I know I am a nerd).  But, in many ways these are all the reasons you are reading this article right now.  If I grew up playing video games, I probably wouldn’t be writing or reading to entertain myself.

I am able to learn by reading, and I have hundreds of books lining a book shelf to prove it.  I enjoy reading and breaking things down; highlighting important points for further study.

Part of the beginning of my successful dog training career came from reading just about every dog training book I could get my hands on.  Almost 20 years ago it was difficult to find any kind of dog training on VHS or to see anything visually that wasn’t learned at a class or a seminar.

Much of my learning took place at night reading one book and then another.

My FAVORITE Book!

I remember when Karen Pryor came out with “Don’t Shoot the Dog” such a remarkable ground breaking book. I still read it for fun occasionally (party animal that I am).  I recommend that book to anyone who has a dog, is a mother, works with people…well, ANYONE really!

But not everyone likes to read.  My husband (bless his heart) admits that if it is not a popup picture book he is probably not interested in reading it.  I am not sure he has read a book since high school and/or Navy Training and he was forced to do so.  I can say these things because I know he is not going to read this ha ha ha

Don’t get me wrong, he is a smart guy and was E8 Senior Chief Engineer on a destroyer in the Navy.  He actually has much better recall on most factual things than I do; he can tell you each step or how a bill becomes law, the capitals of the states, and all kinds of bizarre history facts.  I pretend to remember these things too, unless put on the spot.

So what happens to those of you who might learn better from a hands on approach to dog training, and other things?

We are introducing instructional dog training videos!  Me and my furry kids have been hitting the grass (no pun intended) and shooting some videos that tackle some of the most basic, and some of the most difficult dog training problems.

Although it is hard for me to keep things to a short minimum while writing or taping (I like hearing myself my husband says), most of the videos are a short 2 to 3 minutes long.

2 to 3 minutes may not seem like long, but it is enough to help you visualize the problem and how to fix it!

It may be difficult to imagine working a dog in “drive”, but it only takes a minute or two to show you how to begin developing drive to utilize your dogs instincts in your obedience training program.  Drive and Focus are two of my favorite aspects about good, competition style obedience.  Often the things I have written articles about, I have also shot instructional videos to help you achieve these goals.

Come Join Us!

We also tackle some of your questions and some of the basic needs everyone has with their dog.

I know, too that there are many readers from around the world, and these videos will help to break down the language barrier for anyone who might struggle.  Visually seeing how to do things will be enough to help you with your dog’s training, problems, or level of exercise and entertainment.

So come check them out at the Dog Training Secret Video Vault and utilize these tips to further your relationship with your dog and your dog training skills.  We guarantee you will enjoy them and you will see a rapid change in your dogs obedience and attitude toward you and training!

The Dog Training Secret’s New Video Vault is a post from: Dog Obedience Training Blog

Canine MRI

For those of you that regularly read my articles and keep up with me on Twitter or Facebook you know that I have many years of veterinary technician in my background and that I love the world of veterinary medicine.  I should have gone to vet school!

AND for those of you who keep up with me, you know that my main squeeze “NIX” my 11 year old Malinois started having seizures about a month ago.  I have admittedly been devastated.  11 year old dogs typically don’t develop epilepsy or seizure disorders.

He is also having focal seizures and that is typically a sign that something is wrong with a certain part of the brain.  In short, it is most common for dogs of this age to be suffering from a brain tumor if they start having seizures.

Being a tech or a former tech is a double edged sword, you know more information and information is power…but you also know when something really bad happens or something is a really dire sign.  And, it is easier to give someone else the information in such cases than it is to deal with it in your own dog.

When it comes to my own dogs, sometimes all sense of normalcy and the ability to rationalize or interpret information.  I am good in an emergency because that comes down to my hard wiring, but I completely lose it all afterward.

After his first seizure and my panicked visit to the vet early the next morning, I was trying to plot my next move and determining if he needed an MRI or what could come next.

I was assured by my vet that jumping into an MRI after one seizure might be jumping the gun.  “He may never have another seizure again” he said.  But in my gut, I knew I probably wouldn’t be that lucky.

So after his 3^rd seizure in 3 weeks I was forced to make some hard decisions.

How much is too much to spend on your dog for diagnosis and what can you expect?

Images of a Dog's Brain

There is no right or wrong answer to this one, unless I suppose you have all the money in the world but you decide your dog isn’t worth it…and let’s face it, those people aren’t reading this article!

People’s finances are as different as people themselves.  I grew up basically living from paycheck to paycheck and not always having money for food.  We shopped in the black and white “generic isle” when I was a kid.  My father worked in the coal business and often lost his job.  And, I must admit that things are pretty much the same, financially strained, right now.

MRI’s I found out ran about $2,000 not to mention the many hour drive to get to a facility that could do the test on a dog his size.  On top of that they would probably have to do a spinal tap, and a CT scan.

I like black and white information; I detest shades of grey especially in medicine.  This is silly, because I know how medicine works AND I am a fan of watching “House”.  Black and white rarely exists in medicine, especially veterinary medicine.

Fortunately I still have a best friend that is a vet and so I always know I can call on her and at least get appropriate information.  She wont lie to me, sugar coat anything, or press me to make a decision she thinks I should.  She only supplies me with good information and allows me to choose what road I want to take.

I tried to get her to convince me it was a tumor, but diagnostically we both knew an MRI was the next option.  I tried to get her to tell me how much brain tumor surgery would cost, but she accurately reminded me that it would depend on the location of the tumor, if there was a tumor.  See, I knew that information deep down, but I can’t think clearly when it comes to my animals!

I knew there was no true definitive answer until I took the next step, as much as I wanted to make my investment count.

Because of a secret stash, I did have the ability to take him for his test although my transmission went out the same week.  I weighed my options and deciding to spend that kind of money was difficult.  I decided that I needed to do what I could for my best friend for the last 11 years; I would walk everywhere else if I had to!

He wouldn’t hesitate to invest his money (or dog bones) on me if put in the same situation.  I wouldn’t have been able to live with myself if I hadn’t made the choice to at least see what my next options would become.  I would take one step at a time.

So I scheduled the MRI and prepared to hear the worst news possible.  I even begged my husband to drive me after a nights work, because I knew I wouldn’t be able to drive home after the visit.

Turns out despite my “half empty” attitude (I was just readying for the storm), he didn’t have a brain tumor.  He actually has autoimmune meningitis.  Meningitis can be lethal, but with treatment the swelling on his brain can probably be controlled and with anticonvulsive we can probably alleviate his seizures.

The treatment isn’t necessarily pretty; the steroids have already made him urinate on himself and my new bed and the Phenobarbital leaves him stumbling around like a drunk.  But, when asked if I was happy with my decision, I couldn’t be more adamant or more emphatically shout YES!  Because of the advances in veterinary medicine I should be able to spend hopefully a few more years with my very best friend and furry soul mate!  I am blessed that we had the ability both financially and geographically to have these tests done!

Veterinary Diagnostics, and The Importance for You and Your Dog is a post from: Dog Obedience Training Blog