Tag Archives: dog tips

Weekly Wag: Howl-O-Ween Tricks or Tips

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Trick or Treat Animal Lovers! Lets keep our pets and kids safe this Howl-o-ween. Here are some tips from the ASPCA for a safe and fun time for everyone. I added my own notes at the bottom, I find that some of these ‘safety tip lists’ tend to get a little over dramatic. Also added some fun links at the bottom for homemade pet costumes.

1. No tricks, no treats: That bowl of candy is for trick-or-treaters, not for Scruffy and Fluffy. Chocolate in all forms—especially dark or baking chocolate—can be very dangerous for dogs and cats. Candies containing the artificial sweetener xylitol can also cause problems. If you do suspect your pet has ingested something toxic, please call your veterinarian or the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center at (888) 426-4435. ($65 credit card charge)

2. Popular Halloween plants such as pumpkins and decorative corn are considered to be relatively nontoxic, but they can produce stomach upset in pets who nibble on them.

3. Wires and cords from electric lights and other decorations should be kept out of reach of your pets. If chewed, your pet might suffer cuts or burns, or receive a possibly life-threatening electrical shock.

4. A carved pumpkin certainly is festive, but do exercise caution if you choose to add a candle. Pets can easily knock a lit pumpkin over and cause a fire. Curious kittens especially run the risk of getting burned or singed by candle flames.

5. Dress-up can be a big mess-up for some pets. Please don’t put your dog or cat in a costume UNLESS you know he or she loves it (yup, a few pets are real hams!). For pets who prefer their “birthday suits,” however, wearing a costume may cause undue stress.

6. If you do dress up your pet, make sure the costume isn’t annoying or unsafe. It should not constrict the animal’s movement or hearing, or impede his ability to breathe, bark or meow. Also, be sure to try on costumes before the big night. If your pet seems distressed, allergic or shows abnormal behavior, consider letting him go au naturale or donning a festive bandana.

7. Take a closer look at your pet’s costume and make sure it does not have small, dangling or easily chewed-off pieces that he could choke on. Also, ill-fitting outfits can get twisted on external objects or your pet, leading to injury.

8. All but the most social dogs and cats should be kept in a separate room away from the front door during peak trick-or-treating hours. Too many strangers can be scary and stressful for pets.

9. When opening the door for trick-or-treaters, take care that your cat or dog doesn’t dart outside.

10. IDs, please! Always make sure your dog or cat has proper identification. If for any reason your pet escapes and becomes lost, a collar and tags and/or a microchip can be a lifesaver, increasing the chances that he or she will be returned to you

Note: If your pet grabs a snack size snicker bar do not panic, a small amount will most likely not affect your pooch, but watch him closely. When adorning Fido in your favorite costume, make sure he can go potty and move about freely. Pumpkin is a good source of fiber and beta carotene (a source of vitamin A) for your dog. I would feed in moderation and watch the seeds.

Please watch your pet when the little tricksters come to your door. (have your pet tagged and/or micro-chipped) You don’t want Fido running out the door or scaring the little goblins or vice versa. Ipecac is used for K9 nausea or vomiting. Chamomile taken internally has a calming effect and aids digestion for our canine companions. Rescue Remedy is used for stress and contains 5 Bach Flower Essences for people and pets.

Free Pumpkin-Carving Stencils of Favorite Dog Breeds

Some cool pet costumes from The Missing Link.

Homemade K9 Costume Ideas from Disney Family.com

Top 5 Pet Costume Ideas from Animal Planet.

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Weekly Wag: Holiday Pet Safety Tips

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I want to wish everyone Happy Holidays! During this time there are lots of food, guests, gifts and usually a tree with lots of things dangling. A festive time for people and pets should be considered when decorating, placing packages around the tree and leaving food out.

Do not panic if any of the following happen during the holiday. One of my dog’s got into chocolate candies and ate a few pieces and he is fine. Keep an eye on your pet if you think he ate something toxic. Use your judgement if the pet should be taken to the vet. Compare to what is normal for your pet. Be on the side of caution not fear.

Make sure your pets do not eat too much. We like to spread the feast with our pets. Cooked bones can be dangerous for dogs as they can splinter. (My dog ate half a cooked chicken off the counter and he is fine). Raw bones are great.

  • Chocolate, alcohol and caffeine can be toxic if too much is digested.
  • Be careful when leaving food on the counter, especially meat.
  • Grapes and raisins are also known to be toxic to pets.
  • If ingested, holly (leaves and berries) cause stomach upset and can be  fatal to both dogs and cats.
  • Mistletoe upsets stomachs and can cause heart collapse, while hibiscus may cause diarrhea.
  • Poinsettias have an irritating sap that can cause blistering in the mouth and stomach upset.
  • Let’s not forget about the trash. Make sure it is pet proof.

If your pooch or cat is a runner when someone comes to the door, you may want to crate or keep in a bedroom or spare room while guests are coming over. Or if your pet gets stressed easily around a crowd of people please put them in a relaxing room with soft music or animal sounds.

  • Tree needles can be toxic and cause mouth and stomach irritation. Even needles and the wire of artificial trees could pose a problem. Be sure your dog or cat is not chewing on branches or eating fallen needles.
  • When decorating your home or tree watch for dangling ornaments, glass ornaments or anything a cat would find enticing. (This year I didn’t put out a lot of things because of the kitten).
  • No preservatives in the tree water. If you have a fresh tree, keep it well watered, but don’t add those packets of preservatives to the water.
  • No presents under the tree unless you have pawesome pets. Ribbons, paper, and boxes can become a shredded mess the minute you turn your head.

Spend some down time with your pet. They pick up on your stress as you rush around shopping and baking. Take 15-20 minutes out and play with your pet, watch TV while you pet him or go for a walk. Something that you both can enjoy and bond together. Both of you will feel better! A good game to play with your pet is to just hide treats around the house and let his hunt drive kick in. He will LOVE  this!

Socialize, socialize, and socialize all year long! Health and Happiness to you all!

Weekly Wag: Clicker Training

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Clicker training is a great way to train your dog (and cat) positively. No force or expensive equipment. I use clicker training on my year and half old foster, so it will work on any dog. You can buy a clicker at most pet stores for about $5. I bought a StarMark clicker which comes with basic instructions. First condition your dog to the clicker by clicking and then giving a treat. (My dogs are such food enthusiasts, I use kibble dog food for treats). When your dog performs a wanted behavior click and treat. You will be amazed at how quick your dog learns. Consistency is key. Karen Pryor is a behavioral biologist and a founder of clicker training. Always reward your pet for wanted behaviors when training, whether using food or “atta boy” and a pat on the head.

Calm Your Dog With Chamomile

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Depending on the sensitivity of your pooch, the sounds of airplanes, thunderstorms and even doorbells can cause your dog to panic. My Golden Retriever is afraid of loud noises and July 4th is nerve-racking for her. Although we can’t always predict when low-flying jets will pass overhead, there are plenty of resources when intense weather is coming . This allows time to help relax and reward your dog with the help of chamomile.

Chamomile is a safe and natural sedative, derived from a daisy-like plant, that can be effective in calming an anxious dog (and people, too). As our dogs can’t sip a mug of herbal tea, some innovative companies now offer chamomile-infused chews.

Sam’s Yams makes a treat that combines the nutritional benefit of natural sweet potato with the calming effects of chamomile. These antioxidant rich “Calmly Chamomile Yam Bones” should safely satisfy your dog’s natural chewing urges while helping him to weather the storm. Sweet potatoes are cut with the skin remaining for added nutrients. The sweet potato is then naturally infused with soothing chamomile tea.

Last July 4th I made chamomile tea and mixed it in with my dog’s dry dog food. Oatmeal is also calming and nutritious. It is a good idea to prepare your dog for loud noises by taking Fido out for a long walk before the noise hits. Remember, your dog can sense your mood as well, when humans are calm it helps our furry friends stay calm. Pets sense our energy!

Blue light is also calming to your pet. Simply buy a blue light bulb and put it where your pet stays or near his bed. Soothing music also calms your pet. Soft music such as easy listening or even Zen music. Music will also muzzle the sounds of loud noises. Sometimes I leave on the TV so the pet does not feel alone, if you are going out. I have even seen TV’s in the rooms at my local animal shelter.

Note: Check with your vet to see what food products are right for your dog. (Most vets are not holistic vets). Chamomile and other remedies listed are good for any type of anxiety that needs calming.

Victoria Stilwell’s Top 10 Dog Tips

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Victoria Stilwell of It’s Me or the Dog on Animal Planet uses positive reinforcement for training your pooch. She is one of the world’s most recognized and respected dog trainers.

She started a successful dog walking business and realized the need for qualified dog trainers to help her clients. She learned from some of Britain’s most respected positive-reinforcement dog trainers and behaviorists, quickly establishing herself as one of New York’s most sought after dog trainers.

She is a vocal opponent of punitive, dominance-based training techniques which often result in ‘quick fixes’ but ultimately cause more long-term harm than good while damaging the owner-dog relationship.

Stilwell summarized her top ten tips:

  1. Don’t stop training your dog  – people think that once they have taught their dog a few basic commands then that’s dog training off the list. Dogs don’t stop learning and training should be reinforced throughout your dog’s life.
  2. Look at the world through your dog’s eyes from time to time, and use this knowledge to help you with your training.
  3. Make sure your dog gets enough exercise – as the saying goes a tired dog is a happy dog.
  4. Give your dog confidence and make him feel secure. You don’t achieve this by being dominant owner, but by being a calm teacher who encourages and rewards good behavior.
  5. Check your dog’s diet – many behavioral problems stem from a poor diet.
  6. Dogs easily get bored, so sign up for a fun activity together – agility and flyball are examples.
  7. Make dog care a top priority – have your dog micro chipped and keep up to date with veterinary checks and shots.
  8. Playing with your dog is a great way to bond with him.
  9. Keep your dog safe – with increasing dog theft know where your dog is always and don’t leave him unattended.
  10. Have fun and enjoy your dog, you should never think of your dog as a burden.

Photo Credit: Jaypeg21