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5 things you need to do to keep your dog safe this summer.

1. Don't Leave Your Dog In Your Car.

   I know you think you know better but come on, it's just going to be a few minutes in the store.  Don't do it.  Hundreds of dogs die every year from heat after being in a hot car.

According to the ASPCA, six minutes even when windows are down or the car is in the shade is enough time to kill your dog. Dogs can become dehydrated quickly.Temperatures inside the vehicle can more than double the outside temperatures. in a short period of time.  Dogs such as Pugs Bulldogs or other dogs with short faces can suffer more because of difficulty breathing. Elderly and obese dogs also have a greater risk of heat stroke. Other contributors are heart disease and dogs with thick coats. It is important to remember that heat stroke is an emergency. Symptoms include drooling, excessive panting or difficulty breathing, mild weakness or even seizures. Veterinarians suggest in the event of heatstroke you use water to wet the dog's face to cool them off. Do not completely submerge your dog underwater or use ice to cool them off as it can bring the temperatures down to fast.Wet the paws, head, and tail and armpits. Contact emergency veterinarian even if the dog is responding to treatment because damage to internal organs is a possible side effect of heat stroke.


2. Supervise swimming.

   Most people think dogs are natural swimmers but not all dogs are good swimmers.  Even good swimmers can tire in a pool or lake and become disoriented and drown. So please supervise your beloved pet around pools. Pets must wear flotation devices if on a boat.And no drinking the pool water.  It can cause stomach upset.  Needless to say, keep all animals away from chemicals, pool or otherwise due to the toxic nature if ingested.


3. Protect against pests.

   Ensure your pet is current on his or her flea and tick prevention medication.  Even so, when walking in the woods or camping, check for ticks frequently. Get a heartworm test at the vet every year. Snake avoidance training is available in many areas now to train your dog to sense that snakes equal danger. My Cavalier King Charles Spaniel loves to chase bees and wasps.  Fortunately, she has not gotten stung.  I have heard the biggest concern is the number of stings.  That is what can cause immense swelling. Be aware that some lawn products can be poisonous if ingested. Avoid areas where you suspect recent spray with insecticides.


4. Riding safely.

  Just as we must wear safety belts to ensure our safety, it is important to protect our pets as well.  Many states have even banned drivers from traveling with their pets in their lap.  And for good reason.  A 10 lb unrestrained dog according to AAA, in a car traveling 30 miles an hour will exert 300 pounds of force during a crash.  Pets often suffer multiple injuries when in an auto accident as a result of not being restrained properly.  So find the appropriate restraint for your pet before your summer travels begin.


5. Party Beggars

   Summertime is the best time for outdoor fun, parties, and food.  Your pet, however, does not know that the food you are offering your guests could be harmful to him or her. And you know they love to beg for whatever you have. Many foods including grapes, onion, raisins chocolate and products with artificial sweeteners can give pets severe digestive ailments.  Some pets are more sensitive to diet changes than others and too much of a good thing (from Fido's perspective) can cause pancreatitis.  Pancreatitis in dogs may require hospitalization. Additionally, alcoholic beverages can not only cause intoxication but coma or death. So let Fido have fun at the party, just not with your food and drink.

Seeing Eye dog for a dog?

Should you Clean your Dog's ears?

   I usually rub my furry girl's ears when I greet her and she loves it. But occasionally I see her pawing at them.  So what's up?  Should I clean them?  Is there something wrong?  Here's an indication of when to clean or treat your dog's ear problem.

Cleaning a Dog's ears.

   While weekly checking of the ears is important, routine cleaning may not be.  Dog's ears have self- cleaning ability and you don't want to hinder that.  Some dogs who swim alot have more issues with keeping their ears clean.  Inspect the ears for signs of health like pinkness.  A healthy ear should be pink with no scabbing or brown spots like mites. If the wax looks other than golden it could be a sign of excessive buildup or infection. Your vet may have you clean your dog's ears frequently if they have allergies.  Many vets reccomend not cleaning your dog's ears if they look healthy to avoid damaging there ear canals.

    To clean your dog's ears, first do it in the bathroom or outside.  It's a good practice to do it prior to a bath. Use a gentle cleaner from a pet supply store or one reccomended by your veterinarian. Some information states you can use which hazel hydrogen or peroxide but most veterinarians say that is too drying for most dog's ears. To use, tilt your dog's head downward and squirt the cleaning solution into the ear canal.  Then massage it while you hold the ear closed. Then let your dog shake and watch out.  You can wipe any excess cleaner off with a gauze or cotton ball. Do not use cotton swabs because you can force dirt further inside the canal. Ok that's it! Easy but perhaps a little messy.

 Signs you need to have their ears checkd by a veterinarian. 

• If your dog suddenly dislikes you touching or rubbing it's ears it's an indication he or she may have an infection.  
• There should not be an offensive odor to the ears.  Most infections are caused by bacteria and can cause an odor.
• Discharge, especially if bloody.
• Crusts or scabs.
• Balance issues
• Walking in circles.

These are signs of a more serious nature and possibly an ear infection. Scratching and rubbing of the ears are also a common sign of infection. Your vet can ususally diagnose this by examining the ear canal and eardrum with an otoscope. Infections can ususally be treated using topical or oral medications.

Which Dogs Are Prone to Ear Infections?

Dogs ear canals are more vertical than humans and can retain debris more easily. Some dogs with allergies or those with non-erect outer ears can be predisposed to developing ear infections. Dogs that have excessive hair growth in the ear canal may also be more susceptible to ear infections.

The most important thing is to monitor your pet's ear health and treat problems as soon as possible. Hearing loss is a not uncommon side efect of ear infections.  Keep the ear canal clean and dry as bacteria and yeast love a moist environment.

Here's to healthy ears and hearing!

A Deaf Dog for Adoption.

Forbes is doing well with his new dental routine. He seems able to eat anything. We took a visit to the animal shelter last week. There was a stray Cavalier I wanted to meet. Forbes was a gentle soul as always, but unfortunately the stray really wasn't interested. While we were there, we decided to visit all the dogs that were for adoption. We met one little girl that was so cute and she seemed to like me. There was no aggression between Forbes and her but no real interest either. After a while, I began to notice, she did not respond to her name. I feared she was deaf. Now Forbes is hard of hearing but I wasn't sure I was ready to tackle a special needs dog right now. I was concerned about training.

How to train a deaf dog.

Although it was once believed that deaf dogs could not be trained, many people that love and care for them say deaf dog training isn't difficult. Dick Russell, a dog trainer near Baton Rouge, La., has worked with more than 100 deaf dogs in the past 20 years.

"It's as easy to train a deaf dog as a hearing dog," Russell says. "The only difference is you use hand signals instead of verbal commands."


The secret, he says, is having a clear hand signal for each action you want the dog to learn. It doesn't matter what they are, he says, as long as you're consistent.


Russell says it's also a myth that deaf dogs are more aggressive. He says any dog, if startled, could bite. He tells clients with deaf puppies to wake them up repeatedly, with a tasty treat in hand. They'll soon associate being awakened, even if startled, with something good. And if you don't want to startle a sleeping dog, stomp your foot near them or bump the couch or bed they're sleeping on. The vibration usually awakens them, he says.


Other than that, Russell says, people really don't need to make a lot of special adjustments for their deaf pets.

How to keep a deaf dog safe.

First, you must keep the dog on a leash or in a fenced yard for it's own safety. A deaf dog can't hear a car or other danger coming.


To keep track of your dog, put a bell on her collar, Becker suggests. And put a tag on her that says "Deaf," along with your contact information.


To get your pet's attention, deaf dogs can be taught to come in with the flash of a porch light or flashlight at night.


During the day it can be harder to get their attention if the dog is focused on something else. Usually waving your arms works. Deaf dogs usually bond with their owners so well that they look to them constantly. However, they may need to be touched to get their attention if they are in the middle of a barking frenzy. I have found a wealth of information available on caring for deaf dogs. Many deaf dogs dropped off at public shelters are usually euthanized.


If you are considering adopting, remember deaf dogs can do almost anything a hearing dog can do. They're just a dog that can't hear."

Leash Training Your Puppy

      Once you have purchased or adopted a puppy, the first thing you need to do is train it. Get your puppy familiar with the environs of your family and home. Training puppies is a demanding task, but the results are worth it. One of the most important things to train is the presence of a leash.

Leash Training Puppies

Puppies love to wander and play, and most often hate having any restrictive object attached to them. To limit the negative behavior and to get a pup used to the leash, apply these simple tips:

• First buy a training collar that suits your pup. Try to get the pup used to it. You can expect the pup to try to scratch it off. Put the collar back on when the pup is eating, or playing with you. Remove the collar once a day when your puppy is not trying to free itself from it. Do not remove the collar when the pup is trying to remove it. Wearing a collar for the first time will feel odd to the pup, just like we feel weird for a few days when we wear a new watch or a new pair of glasses. Buy a collar that fits your puppy, but it should not be stiff. A lightweight collar is a good choice.

• Attach the leash to the collar. Some puppies might be excited to see a colored rope tied to their neck. Let your pup get comfortable with the leash. Allow it to roam in the house with the leash attached, but under supervision. Pups will try to chew the new leash; this is the time where you distract and play with the pup. You can apply bitter apple on the leash to refrain the dog from chewing it; but remember that this wouldn't last long, and you would have to apply it every hour. Applying bitter apple is one of the easy ways to stop your pup from biting the leash off. Dog lovers believe that chewed leashes are very useful as chew toys for growing pups. Don't leave a leashed puppy unattended, as it can get tangled in various risky things.

• When you see that the puppy is comfortable with the collar and the leash, it is time to begin the leash training. Make the training sessions short and lively. Pups love to follow their owners; use this as an advantage. Start with a short walk around your house or yard, with the puppy walking beside you. If your pup strains on the leash stop immediately. Never walk with the pup when it is pulling on the leash.

• The pup will gradually learn that pulling on the leash takes it nowhere. If the pup wants to continue to walk, the best option is to walk with you on a loose leash.

Some Useful Tips

• Remove the leash when your pup goes into the kennel or crate. This will associate the leash with going outside, and will make the puppy want it.
• Consult your vet about your dog's breed and which collar to use.
• Never leave your pup unsupervised with a leash. The leash could latch on to something, and strangle your pup.
• However, leave the collar on unsupervised pups. If your pup is lost, the identification tag on the collar can help save its life.

Try to follow these steps with some patience and persistence, and soon your puppy will be raring to get onto the leash. 

Dog Lover

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 am currently a mother to a King Charles Cavalier Spaniel who rarely lets me out of his sight. His devotion is so deep and our bond so strong that I feel we 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 never had to be trained in cuddling. A natural, he would rest his head on my chest when I watched TV. We travel together as much as possible. He’s been sailing, flying, biking and of course in an automobile. He uses a doggy door and watches me as I back out of the garage with a look like, "you’re really going to leave me?" And he’s always waiting for me when I arrive home. He is loved in the neighborhood and plays well with “Rice,” the neighbor dog.  Now I have young Adele.  She is full of energy and loves to steal socks. She has learned sit, stay, down and leave it. Leash training is still a process though. Follow me as I continue to learn and grow by interacting with these wonderful dogs.

Top 10 Dog Training Books

Top 10 Dog Training Books

The Culture Clash ― Jean Donaldson
The Culture Clash is a very easy-to-understand book, with many simple and well-written guidelines on how to train your dog. This book clears many misconceptions regarding dog behavior and their acceptance towards training. In this book, the author who is a renowned dog behaviorist herself, has helped people understand dog behavior and how to cope with it. This book is a must-read for every dog owner and trainer.

Before & After Getting Your Puppy ― Dr. Ian Dunbar
Before & After Getting Your Puppy is a book that actually talks about everything you need to do regarding raising a puppy. It helps you develop a positive mindset and get yourself ready for your dog. This book has amazing pointers and instructions that will help you train your puppy in all aspects, like dealing with strangers, chewing furniture, toilet training, sorting behavioral and temperamental problems, etc.

The Power of Positive Dog Training ― Pat Miller
This book specializes in helping you train your dog by keeping a very positive approach. It helps you connect with your pet on a different level altogether, and assists you in becoming friends with your dog. This book stresses on using love, care, and support instead of fear and punishment while training your dog.

Don't Shoot the Dog! ― Karen Pryor

This book contains important and useful pointers for training your dog. The author, a behavioral biologist, has given 8 invaluable points which help in dealing with bad and undesirable behavior, and 10 laws which are necessary in shaping your dog's behavior for the best.

Living with Kids and Dogs...Without Losing Your Mind ― Colleen Pelar

This book is a boon for parents who are busy shuffling between work and family. It helps them establish a safe and enjoyable relationship between their dogs and their children. It helps parents identify reasons why the dog may exhibit abnormal behavior, and how to prevent their children from getting hurt or bitten.

How Dogs Learn ― Mary R. Burch, Jon Bailey

This book covers all aspects of dog training including its history. The language used in the book may be a little technical, but it is still understandable. Overall, it is a very informative and interesting book on what training methods to apply, and common ways in which one can deal with any behavioral problems faced by dog owners. This book very specifically breaks down behavioral patterns exhibited by dogs and helps the owner understand how to deal with unruly behavior, if any.

The Thinking Dog ― Gail Fisher

This is a must-have book for every dog owner, as it beautifully elucidates the concept of clicker training. It also stresses on using positive training techniques, and is very helpful for those who are trying to make the switch between normal voice commands to clicker commands. The evolution of dog training has also been covered in this book, along with important insight into the behavioral patterns exhibited by your dog.

Dogs on the Couch: Behavior Therapy for Training and Caring for Your Dog ― Larry Lachman

This book explains in detail how to deal with dogs who have behavioral problems, like nuisance barking, phobias, separation anxiety, and aggression. It stresses the need to understand a dog's problems, and then start with training using only positive training methods so that the dog is happy, safe, and comfortable. It explains both sides of the human-canine relationship in simple and easy-to-understand language.

For the Love of a Dog: Understanding Emotion in You and Your Best Friend ― Patricia B. McConnell

This book helps dog owners establish a beautiful relationship with their canines. It has useful facts about dogs which help in their training. The emotional know-how of dogs has been described in such a beautiful way that all dog lovers will find it very difficult to put this book down without finishing it.

The Dog Who Loved Too Much: Tales, Treatments and the Psychology of Dogs ― Nicholas Dodman

This book is dedicated to helping people out with naughty dogs. Insightful information regarding curbing the destructive and rebellious tendencies of dogs has been stressed on, and remedies to unruly behavior have been explained very well in this book. So, if your pooch is the type to bite furniture and destroy clothes, telephone wires, and the like, then this book is meant for you.

Honorary Mentions

• Bones Would Rain from the Sky: Deepening Our Relationships with Dogs ― Suzanne Clothier
• The Cautious Canine ― Patricia B. McConnell
• On Talking Terms with Dogs: Calming Signals ― Turid Rugaas
• So You Want to Be a Dog Trainer: A Step-By-Step Guide ― Nicole Wilde
• Dogs Are From Neptune ― Jean Donaldson
• Oh Behave! ― Jean Donaldson
• Animals in Translation: Using the Mysteries of Autism to Decode Animal Behavior ― Temple Grandin
• Getting Started: Clicker Training for Dogs ― Karen Pryor
• Getting a Grip On Aggression Cases: Practical Considerations For Dog Trainers ― Nicole Wilde
• I'll Be Home Soon: How to Prevent and Treat Separation Anxiety ― Patricia B. McConnell
• AFTER You Get Your Puppy ― Ian Dunbar

You may get overwhelmed and irritated with your puppy, when he doesn't listen to you or obey your commands right away, but have patience, shower your dog with lots of love, and he will surely start accepting the training. Try training him with treats and toys, and most important of all, don't forget to have fun with your dog while training him.