Dog Lover

Dog lover definitely describes me. Dogs have been part of my family for much of my life. I have been a dog “sister”, “mother” and friend. Each canine family member and friend has possessed distinctive traits that provided entertainment and ample companionship. These moments were not only delightful, but often disclosed exceptional love, devotion and life lessons.  My life story would not be complete without these allies and their teachings about love, conduct and respect.  I have written three books about my beloved  King Charles Cavalier Spaniel named Forbes,who rarely let me out of his sight. His devotion was so deep and our bond so strong that I feel we would often communicate just by eye contact. Forbes came to me when he was 8 months old.  He was not house-broken or leash trained. If you put him on a leash, he would splay his legs like he was a mop.  I had to drag him like this until he got the idea. I took him with me everywhere around the house.  I taught him to wait for a command to eat, to use his crate and to go up and down the stairs.  He was enrolled in obedience and I found with the right approach, he learned very easily.  Later he went to advanced training and became a Canine Good Citizen. He excelled in cuddling with no training.  A natural, he would rest his head on my chest when I watched TV. We traveled together as much as possible.  He’s been sailing, flying, biking and of course in an automobile. He would stick his head out the doggy door and watch me as I backed out of the garage with a look like,”you’re really going to leave me?” And he was always waiting for me when I returned home.  He was loved in the neighborhood and played well with “Rice,” the neighbor dog.  Sadly, he passed away suddenly although he was 13 years of age. I continue to write using him as a main character.  Now I have adopted a girl named Adele (officially, "Adorable Adele").  She is a high energy dog but also a bit shy and fearful. She is acquiring numerous new skills. She loves socks.  Yes, SOCKS.  As soon as you take one off or drop one from the laundry, she grabs it and runs with it.  She seems very pleased with herself. She has good house manners and is a good traveler but needs some practice with socialization outside the home. Follow me as I continue to learn and grow by observing Adele and other wonderful dogs.

Adele jumping.

                

                     Adele

How to keep your dog safe.

How to keep your dog safe.

First,

How to keep your dog safe.


First, never leave your fur baby alone in a car. The temperature inside of an automobile can reach extreme temperatures even in seemingly mild weather. In the cold weather, your canine can freeze to death as the temperature plunges downward. And leaving the motor running won't keep your dog safe as carbon monoxide can build up causing poisoning and death. Keeping your dog safe in a moving vehicle is as simple as purchasing a suitable restraint or car seat. Dogs chase instinctively and can jump out car windows, be it moving or not, to catch their prey.

Tinsel on the tree looks fun for dogs and puppies but it can easily get caught in their throats. And while we're on the subject of Christmas, don't leave any food, no matter how well wrapped or packaged it appears. With their acute sense of smell, a dog can find and tear open the food meant for human consumption. Chocolate contains theobromine which can seriously harm dogs. Candy can cause cavities just like as in humans. I've seen dogs swallow candy, wrapper and all. Candy wrappers do not do well in their digestive tract. Many indigestible foods will just pass through their intestinal tract, but it could cause obstruction, intestinal bleeding and diarrhea. Nuts and many other snacks have way too much sodium content for canine bodies. Check my post called Don't give a Dog a Bone, for other foods not safe for consumption.

Extreme weather conditions, either heat or cold should be avoided.

A dog exposed to freezing temperatures can not only develop hypothermia (a low core body temperature) but can also develop pneumonia. Older dogs and puppies are especially vulnerable. In snowy weather, dogs with long fur on their paws(like Cavaliers) can develop ice balls between their digits. It's important to check their pads often and clean them. Salt and other deicing materials can adhere to their pads and cause irritation. As important as keeping them warm in winter, is keeping them cool in summer. Make sure they have plenty of water and perhaps a cooling pad.

Use caution in the wilderness.

If you live or are visiting uninhabited or rural areas, there are certain precautions to which you should adhere. Smaller dogs can be prey for coyotes and even large birds. Never leave them alone in these areas. When hiking, keep an eye out for rattlesnakes. Many places now offer rattlesnake avoidance training. Check with your local pet store or your veterinarian. Again check their pads often for splinters and burrs. Look for signs of fatigue and overheating such as excessive panting.

Doggy proof the house!

Just like babies, dogs can be curious about their environment. Keep exploring to a minimum by partitioning off areas so you can keep an eye on the puppy. I caught my little guy chewing on a lamp cord once. I sprayed all cords with bitter apple spray as a deterrent. Crating while you are out of the house is also recommended. Because dogs have a heightened sense of smell, keep trash containers that may have food in them secured. Take a second look around the house to see if there are any other items that your fur baby would be interested in that could harm him/her. If you let your dog out into the backyard, make sure it is secure and fencing is in good condition. Inspect your yard for wasp or hornet nests. If you have a pool, don't assume Fido can swim. Most dogs can, but they can tire and get disoriented easily and can't find their way out. Dog drownings do occur. A scamper ramp can be installed allowing a dog to easily climb out of the pool. A lifejacket is a necessity if you take your dog boating. Here's to your dog's safety!

Don't give a Dog a Bone!

                                                       

Think bones are good for dogs?

Think again. Don't give your dog a bone. It may seem natural to give a dog a bone, but a dog can choke on it. Bones can also splinter and cause perforations in the stomach or intestine.


I used to love to freeze grapes and eat them as a snack. But when those brown soulful puppy eyes begged for some, I was tempted to feed him some. It seemed like a healthy snack. I wondered if it was okay to give him some. Turns out it's not. Grapes and raisins can cause kidney failure in dogs. Many foods that we consume can have a detrimental effect on dogs. For instance, the next time you serve guacamole and chips, keep the guacamole out of Fido's reach. Avocados can be toxic. An occasional chip may be okay, but any more and the sodium content may be too high for their system to tolerate. Other healthy for "us" foods can be harmful. Forbes loves yogurt because someone decided to feed him "just a spoonful" but dairy products can cause intestinal disturbances including diarrhea in some dogs. Onions and garlic are poisonous. Even onion powder which is used to season many foods is poisonous.




Be careful if you have fruit trees in your yard. Many seeds and pits can cause intestinal blockages. Persimmons, plums and peach pits contain cyanide. Macadamia nuts when ingested can be fatal to a dog.


Most of us know not to give chocolate to a dog. I used to think it was the caffeine in the chocolate that was dangerous but it is a substance called theobromine that is the culprit. Theobromine and caffeine can cause increased heart rate and restlessness in dogs. Any dog showing more than mild restlessness should be seen by a veterinarian immediately.


Alcohol can cause inebriation but also create liver failure. Candy and gum sweetened with Xylitol can also cause liver failure.




Table scraps should not be fed to a dog. Table scraps often contain fat from meat and bones. Both are dangerous for dogs. Fat trimmed from meat, both cooked and uncooked, can cause pancreatitis in dogs. Even if you think it's not that fatty, the smaller dog can easily become very ill.



So make sure your dog has no access to raid the pantry or garbage can. Prevention is the best. If your dog does ingest something he shouldn't call the nearest emergency veterinarian or the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center -- (888) 426-4435 .

The Do's of House Training Your Young Puppy:

The Do's of House Training Your Young Puppy:

House training a pup is very important for the well-being of both the puppy as well as the caregiver/owner. The primary reason that dogs are surrendered to pet shelters is difficulty with improper elimination. Therefore, proper house training is a crucial factor to consider when owning a puppy.

It is necessary to establish proper toileting routines when the puppy is young. These practices can last a lifetime and become very tough to challenge when they are established. It is extremely important for the caregiver to house break the young puppy correctly. No trauma should be introduced to the puppy while doing this. In most cases, true house training can not start till the pup is six months old. Pups below this generally lack the bowel and bladder control that is required for true house training.

Puppies younger than 6 months need to be restricted to a small, puppy proofed area when the caregiver cannot supervise them. The entire floor of the space should be covered with newspapers or comparable absorbing materials, and the paper replaced every time it is dirtied. As the young puppy grows older, the quantity of paper made use of can be decreased as the puppy begins to establish a preferred toilet area. Some trainers prefer to skip the paper stage and use the outdoors only.

The Do's and Don'ts of House Training your Puppy

- Using a crate can be a large advantage in assisting a puppy to establish self control. The concept behind pet crate training is that the pup will not wish to potty in his bed area.
- When you are not in the house or can not supervise the puppy, you should make sure he or she can not make a mistake. This is through confining the puppy to the area that has been completely puppy proofed. Puppy proofing a space is really much like infant proofing an area. Ensure the confined are has no resemblance to any potty area. Puppies will chew on just about everything. Appropriate chew toys should always be available to him or her. This means if your pup is confined, your favorite shoe won’t get destroyed by destructive behavior.
- When you are home, take the young puppy to the bathroom area frequently and after meals. It shouldn’t take long to figure out how long it takes after a meal for Fido to have to move his bowels. This is very helpful knowledge for the caregiver to promote easy bowel training habits.
- Use a consistent word or phrase to signify you wand Fido to do his business. Educating the puppy to relieve himself on concrete, blacktop, turf or dirt and not on your floors is the goal.
- Praise and reward your puppy every single time he potties in the established toilet area. The young puppy has to learn to connect toileting in the established area with happiness.
- Keep a schedule when feeding your puppy, and also offer continuous access to fresh drinking water. A consistent feeding schedule equates to a consistent potty routine. 

The Don'ts of House Training Your Young Puppy

- Do not give the young puppy the run of the house till he has actually been completely house trained.
- Do not leave food out for the pup all day long. As noted before, it is best to keep an established feeding timetable in order to make the dog's bathroom timetable as consistent as possible.
-Never reprimand or punish the pup for mishaps. Punishing the puppy will only trigger anxiety and confusion

Never hurry your pet. A hurried, discouraged or frightened pet dog will not be able to learn crucial lessons of house training.

House training must be consistent. It is much easier to house train right the first time than to re-train a canine with behavior issues. It is important to remember each animal is different and some will take longer than others. House training can take several weeks or as long as several months. It depends on the dog breed and temperament. It is important to be patient.

As you and your puppy bond, the training becomes easier. Soon you will realize that consistency is the key to simplifying house training your puppy.

4 Important reasons for Puppy Training

4 Important Reasons for Puppy Obedience Training 

Puppy obedience training does not solve all behavior problems; however it is the foundation for solving most problems. Attempting to manage a dog that has not learned obedience commands is not impossible but can be very exhausting and requires much patience. It is never too early for puppies to start learning, however, formal obedience training is best started when puppy is seven to twelve weeks. Remember that puppies have short attention spans and it is unreasonable to expect your puppy’s full attention for long periods of time. Puppies tend to live “in the moment”. During obedience training, effective communication is necessary for instructing the puppy what you want him or her to do. It is important to understand what motivates your puppy.

1.Promoting Puppy Etiquette 

Puppies need to learn manners. It is important for parents to understand the common patterns of canine social, physical and cognitive development. Through puppy obedience training, your puppy learns appropriate behaviors. The simple commands for example “sit”, “come”, “stay”, “leave it”, “heal” set clear messages for your puppy. Proper obedience training will also help Fido with impulse control. The more pleasant and fun you make the training experience, the more they will develop into contented and well-adjusted adult dogs. That, of course is part of the plan. Hopefully, he/she will not just obey your commands, but will be eager to please you. Emphasize the positive in puppy training. There should be more yeses than no’s.

2.Reduces Future behavior Problems

Unwanted behaviors such as, destroying your property and belongings, digging holes in your yard, soiling in the house, biting and inappropriate aggression are common in untrained dogs. Chewing is a common occurrence among most puppies and puppy obedience training will help eliminate undesirable chewing of household objects. Repeat, help eliminate. Remember puppies are very oral.It is also helpful for puppy parents to ensure puppy does not have access to these household objects. Formal obedience training also helps train parents to understand behaviors and provide tools for challenges.

3.Enriches the relationship between you and your dog 

 Puppy obedience training done properly should be fun, rewarding and enjoyable for you and your dog. It helps foster a good relationship between the human parent and his dog. Your time together will be more enjoyable and fun. A well-behaved dog is confident and can safely be allowed a greater amount of freedom. It is important to understand many behavior problems occur because of a lack of communication or understanding between the human parent and the puppy. Learning your puppy’s body language will help you know what puppy is trying to tell you. Learning is not linear.  Puppies will have good and bad days. Be patient and consistent.

4.Helps with socialization

Let’s face it, there’s nothing worse than going over to a friends house and having their dog jump all over you or put their nose in your plate of food. Or maybe, it’s  your dog jumping all over your friend and spilling her wine glass. Oops! Socialization is an important part of puppy training. Take your puppy with you for quick errands. Expose him/her to a variety of people. Go to dog parks. Ask other dog owners to join you on dog walks. The more positive exposure your puppy has to different sight and people, the less social anxiety he/she is apt to have. Remember, always use positive techniques and be consistent.

Then, you can invite friends over and not be embarrassed by your puppy’s behavior.Puppies also need to learn to socialize with other canines.  There is a difference between aggressive behavior and play growling. Puppies will learn appropriate behavior around other dogs.

If you decide to enroll your puppy in formal obedience training, find out what training methods are used. You may even want to interview the trainer. A successful class requires collaboration between you, your dog and the trainer. In other words, your dog must like the trainer and the class environment.Here’s to well-mannered dogs with wagging tails.

IS THE BARF DIET the Best Alternative for Your DOG?

IS THE BARF DIET the Best Alternative for Your DOG?

It is commonly thought that dogs are naturally carnivorous. If the domesticated dogs of today are direct descendants of wolves, which are biologically designed to eat raw foods, why are many dog foods loaded with cereal?  Don’t you think they should they be offered a nutritional plan that resembles the diet that their ancestors ate in the wild?

A popular alternative to commercially prepared dog food is the raw foods diet, commonly known as the BARF diet, which is an acronym for Biologically Appropriate Raw food or Bones and Raw Food.

There are complaints that a raw diet is too inconvenient to maintain due to our hectic lifestyles.  Premade raw food often in the form of patties can be purchased for convenience or for those traveling with their dogs.
The BARF DIET is controversial. But proponents argue it means feeding your dog the raw food that they were designed to eat when they lived in the wild. The philosophy behind a BARF diet is that dogs should be offered a dietary plan that resembles the diet that their ancestors ate in the wild: uncooked meat, edible bones, organs, and plants.

Advocates claim the BARF DIET has the highest percentage of essential nutrients and has shown a number of authenticated benefits. One of the first things many notice in dogs that are fed the BARF Diet is a better quality of life.

Healthier and brighter coats and skins.

Brighter and healthier skin and coats can be one of the most important changes observed when starting the BARF DIET. In a short time, advocates report persistent skin problems improving and require less veterinary visits, antibiotics, medicinal washes, cortisone injections or cortisone tablets, implying that the natural, healthy and raw diet is providing nutrients that other diets are missing.

Best Immune System.

There are claims that the BARF DIET regulates and strengthens the immune system. The immune system is meant to defend the body from disease-causing microorganisms. It must be able to detect the disease-causing agents and distinguish them from it’s own healthy tissue. Disorders of the immune system can result in autoimmune disorders, inflammatory diseases and even cancer. Since the BARF DIET contains a decent balance of essential fatty acids and other immune regulating and strengthening nutrients, it is thought to decrease inflammatory conditions and prevent many diseases.

 Degenerative illness

Dog owners who switch their dogs to a BARF DIET claim that any degenerative illness their dog has developed becomes less of a problem. Although the BARF DIET is not a wonder drug, followers say it has turned around many irritating degenerative conditions and has given relief to different types of diseases. Not all veterinarians agree but supporters testify that they see the dramatic changes after switching to a BARF DIET. Many noting the conditions of the joints are improving and observing more flexibility in the dogs . This is one of the reasons why numerous dog owners are switching to the BARF DIET these days.

Less stool volume and odor.

Lesser stool volume and odor is an indication of an improved and healthy digestion. BARF DIET is more easily absorbed than grain fed diets in the digestive system and the outcome is less stool volume and smell. Odorous stools are the consequence of incomplete digestion of nutrients. The digestive rate for dry processed food is much longer than for raw foods, which often can cause digestive disturbances.

 Healthy, Lean Body Mass. 

Supporters claim that by giving your dog the BARF DIET, your dog will lose the extra fat and gain much muscle mass. This gives your dog a lean look, and also increases your dog’s metabolic rate, its activity levels and a healthier life span according to followers. The combination of the BARF DIET with some normal exercise has been noted to bring about favorable results for dogs needing to shed excess weight.

Not for all Dogs

The diets are typically high in protein and aren’t appropriate for dogs with late-stage kidney or severe liver failure. Dogs with cancer, on chemotherapy, or dogs with other immunosuppressive diseases also should not eat raw food. And puppies aren’t good candidates, either. One veterinarian suggests that dogs with digestive issues start with a cooked, homemade diet and clear up problems before switching to raw.

Are you convinced? If you are thinking the BARF diet may be right for your dog, check with your veterinarian on the best way to convert. Usually, it is desirable to transition their diet gradually as they might not tolerate a rapid change in diet. NOTE: Any change in appetite, vomiting or bloody stool should be reported to a veterinarian right away. Here's to your pet's healthy meals!

Hello Adorable Adele!

Hello Adorable Adele!

       Meet Adorable Adele!  She is the newest addition to the household.  

                        

It's been over a year since the passing of dear sweet Forbes and I was ready to see doggy toys strewn about and hear paws upon the floor.  She is very high energy, active little girl.  She is still in the chewing phase and needs lots of supervision.  She is learning fast the routine and surroundings and knows how to sit on command.  She sits for only a few seconds though as she is easily excitable.  Training has begun to teach her not to jump up and to ring the bell to go outside.  It is clear she knows her name and she loves to keep me in her sight. I have found that she is a sock lover and will take a sock either as it's coming out of the dryer or right after I have doffed mine and runs with it.  It's so funny.  Yesterday she dragged the toy box by it's string and chewed on the string rather than playing with the toys. Ball fetching is a new activity but she hasn't quite learned to release the ball yet.  Lease training and puppy socialization are the latest goals.  I'll keep you posted!