Category: Pets

Woman sues dog Whisperer Cesar Millan after dog attack

“Dog Whisperer” Cesar Millan is being sued by a woman who claims she was attacked by a dog released from Millan’s training center, according to the L.A. Times.

Alison Bitney claims she suffered “disfiguring open wounds, deep muscle and tendon lacerations” and bone fractures from the attack that happened in September, six days after the dog was released from Millan’s dog Psychology Center, according to the article.

My thought was, why doesn’t she sue the dog’s owner?

From the L.A. Times:

Attorneys for Alison Bitney said in the complaint that she permanently lost feeling and function in her left hand after the attack at the dog owner’s home in Santa Clarita. She is seeking punitive damages.

Jen Woodard, the director of the dog Psychology Center, said in a statement that Millan never had contact with the dog and never trained the animal.

She said the dog’s owner had removed the pit bull “against the strong advice and objection of his trainer.” After the attack, the pit bull was returned to this center where it was placed in quarantine, Woodard said.

Full story

Image from Cesar Millan’s public Facebook page (not the same dog from the story).

ADAPTIL® for Dogs afraid of Fireworks

I hope your pet dog isn’t terrified of fireworks or thunderstorms, but regrettably this is a common problem this time of year.

If your pet dog has a concern of fireworks or thunder, one product that can help is called ADAPTIL® for Dogs.

ADAPTIL® is created to minimize a dog’s anxiety using pet dog appeasing pheromones. The product can help your pet dog feel safe in stressful or scary situations.

This post is sponsored by Ceva animal Health. Ceva is the maker of ADAPTIL®.

My pet dog Remy the weimaraner

I’m thankful my weimaraner Remy does not seem to be afraid of fireworks or other loud noises, but I also know the fourth of July and other holidays cause a lot of anxiety and anxiety for some dogs and as a result their owners!

ADAPTIL® pet dog appeasing pheromones – how it works

ADAPTIL® mimics the natural pet dog appeasing pheromone dogs know from birth. It can help them feel safe and safe in their environment during stressful situations.

These odorless messages are only perceived by dogs. They work outside the body and can affect the behavior of others of its species.

*Get my ideas on how to help a pet dog who’s afraid of fireworks. Click Here.

ADAPTIL Calm home Diffuser

It is available in several easy-to-use formats including:

• ADAPTIL® travel Spray – can be applied to your dog’s bedding or a bandana (like Remy is wearing in the pics)• ADAPTIL® Calm On-the-Go Collar – good for travel• ADAPTIL® Calm home Diffuser – for at home during storms, fireworks, etc. (shown above)

It is available through various veterinarians’ offices, PetSmart and Amazon (aff links above). A prescription is not required.

Signs your pet dog is afraid of fireworks

Remy looking afraid … but he’s not really

ADAPTIL® is created to help dogs feel a lot more safe and must minimize or stop stress-related behaviors.

If your pet dog is terrified of thunder or fireworks, some of the behaviors you might see include:

Panting
Whining, barking or howling
Pacing
Yawning or “flicking” their tongue
Pawing at you
Digging” or clawing at the floor
Trying to hide
More drooling than normal
Shaking/trembling
Having accidents
Refusing to eat
Destroying property

Every pet dog is different and some dogs show a lot more extreme signs of concern or anxiety than others.

Besides helping a pet dog feel safe during fireworks, ADAPTIL® can also help a pet dog with other issues such as:

Separation anxiety
Visiting the vet
Adjusting to a new home
Stress around visitors in the home
Travel anxiety

What to do if your pet dog is afraid of fireworks

If your pet dog is afraid of fireworks, I suggest the following:

ADAPTIL®: try the ADAPTIL® travel Spray (pictured below) or the ADAPTIL® Calm home Diffuser for your dog. The spray can be applied directly to their bedding or to a bandana. The diffuser can be set up in a room where your pet dog usually spends his time such as next to his pet dog bed or a kennel/crate.

Plenty of exercise. This is not going to remove your dog’s concern but the less pent-up energy he has, the much easier it will be for him to relax. See my post: pet dog exercise tips.

Food-dispensing toys. give your pet dog a high-value chew toy or bone such as a Kong stuffed with peanut butter and frozen or a large bully stick. Some dogs will not accept these kinds of treats if they are afraid but for others it can be a good distraction.

Safe/secure place to hide. I recommend you stay home with your pet dog if you know there will be fireworks. supply him with a safe, safe place to hide out such as a pet dog bed in the corner of a central room or a kennel/crate if he usually feels safe there.

Background noise: often it can help to supply some background noise or “white noise” such as an air conditioner or a loud fan, music or a TV.

*Get my ideas on how to help a pet dog who’s afraid of fireworks. Click Here.

We often hear about dogs showing a concern of fireworks, but cats can also be afraid of the noise.

See our post: What to do if your pet dog is afraid of fireworks

FELIWAY® for Cats – concern of fireworks or thunder

You do not hear of cats being terrified of fireworks nearly as often as dogs, and that’s probably because cats don’t show such evident signs. They might hide out in a quiet corner of the house vs. running around barking and panting.

My cat Scout is a sensitive guy!

FELIWAY® helps sensitive cats who are afraid of loud noises. The product mimics the natural cat facial pheromone used by cats to mark their territory as safe, according to Ceva. For this reason, it can help cats feel a lot more safe when taking care of stress.

Some cat owners use FELIWAY® classic when traveling or moving with their cats or if they add a second cat to the family (See FELIWAY® MultiCat).

FELIWAY® is available in the following formats:

• FELIWAY® classic Spray – Can be applied to your cat’s bedding• FELIWAY® classic Diffuser – for in the home• FELIWAY® MultiCat Diffuser – helps to minimize tension and conflict between household cats or foster cats• FELISCRATCH by FELIWAY® – for re-directing scratching to the scratching post

A picture of Beamer because we miss him!

Do you have any questions about ADAPTIL® or FELIWAY®?

Let me know in the comments!

Please share this post with any individual who could benefit from ADAPTIL®. thank you!

Here is a short video we made about ADAPTIL®:

*Get my ideas on how to help a pet dog who’s afraid of fireworks. Click Here.

Related posts:

Our first post about ADAPTIL®

Helping a pet dog with separation anxiety

Medications for dogs during fireworks

Does Benadryl help a dog’s anxiety?

10 ways to get your pet dog to come when called

Does your pet dog come when called, only to run right up to you as well as dart away again? Or does she come to you as well as run by you? Or perhaps she just totally ignores you, or comes if she feels like it. right here are 10 things to think about while training your pet dog to come when called:

1. teach your pet dog that come means “come as well as sit in front of me.”

It’s not great sufficient if Ace runs to me when I call him, as well as then promptly runs away again. In a controlled recall, the pet dog will come when called as well as then sit. It is simple to teach a pet dog to do this. When you call your dog, don’t praise her until she is sitting in front of you. (2019 update: Ace has passed away.)

2. only call your pet dog when you are 90 percent sure she will come.

I don’t call Ace unless I understand he will obey. If I let him get away with ignoring me, he will discover that listening to me is optional. Don’t provide your pet dog this option. only call her when you understand she will respond, or if you can enforce it immediately. She may have to be on a leash or a long rope, or inside the home when you practice the recall, however that’s much better than trying to teach a pet dog that already thinks she can do whatever she wants.

3. only call your pet dog when she will get something positive.

Ace usually doesn’t like going in his kennel, so when it’s time for him to go in it, I don’t call him first. Don’t call your pet dog just since you want her to come to you. If she hates having her nails trimmed, don’t call her first. just go as well as get her. save practicing the recall for things your pet dog loves, like a walk, food, a cars and truck ride or your attention.

Also see my post: exactly how to get your pet dog to come when called

4. never call your pet dog as well as then punish her if she doesn’t come to you instantly.

I am guilty of scolding my pet dog when he lastly ran to me after I’d called him five or six times. I was so upset at him for not coming quick enough. However, it was my own error in the very first place for calling him at a time when I might not enforce the recall. It sounds obvious, however never show rage or irritation when a pet dog isn’t responding quick enough. Not doing anything at all is much better than yelling at a dog.

5. keep pet dog treats in your pockets at all times.

My mommy nearly always has pet dog treats in her pocket, as well as her springer comes when called 95 percent of the time or better. If you can provide your pet dog a treat every time she comes, she will be a lot more likely to always listen to you.

6. discover that one thing your pet dog loves as well as use that when you teach him to come when called.

If your pet dog is obsessed with a tennis sphere like my mutt, then use that when you are practicing the recall. use whatever it is that your pet dog will come for no matter what, whether it’s food, a toy, your attention, going for a walk or a cars and truck ride.

7. never chase your pet dog after you call him.

No matter what, do not chase your dog, even when you aren’t practicing the recall. If you chase your dog, she will discover that running away is fun! If anything, run in the opposite direction as well as she will most likely end up chasing you. until your pet dog will come reliably, just keep her on a long rope.

8. Make calling your pet dog a game.

If I call Ace as well as then run in the other direction screaming “Wooo hoooooo!!” he is guaranteed to come running after me, drool flying as well as tail wagging. It’s not that I have to do this every time, however playing this game now as well as then means Ace will associate the recall with fun as well as games.

Try something like this with your dog. get her to chase you, or call her name as well as then hide in one more room. really make a huge offer when she comes to you. My husband and I will play catch as well as call Ace back as well as forth between us. try this with your dog, whether you use a sphere or not. call her back as well as forth between yourself as well as a household member or friend. She will love all the attention.

9. think about your tone of voice when you call your dog.

With Ace, I have to either use a firm, serious voice or a really excited voice to get the best response for the recall. people often make the error of calling their pet dog too softly or with a high-pitched voice.

Does this sound familiar? “Come right here baby! Come here! Come to Mommy!” Others sound too mean. just be conscious of your voice. Usually, a relaxed, serious voice is best, however every pet dog is different.10. Don’t stop practicing the recall.

Even once your pet dog comes 95 percent of the time, keep practicing.

How do you practice teaching your pet dog to come when called?

Let us understand in the comments!

How to stop a canine From Barking in the morning

how to stop a canine from barking in the morning.

Many dogs and puppies are thrilled to get out of their kennels in the mornings. They bark or scratch anxiously at their kennel doors.

My former foster canine Barkley was a good example of a canine who didn’t make a peep until he knew I was awake.

The problem was, once he knew I was awake he got really thrilled and started whining. I’m sure he anticipated seeing my canine Ace and going for our morning walk. This anticipation put him into an anxious frenzy.

I had a strict guideline where I did not let Barkley out of his kennel unless he was quiet. but the longer I waited for Barkley to calm down, the much more anxious he became. He didn’t know how to calm himself. He just whined much more and more. His anxiety increased until he was panting heavily, shaking and getting much more worked up.

Plus, his whining frustrated me. A lot. I like my mornings to be relaxing.

So what ought to a canine owner do to stop a canine from barking in the morning?

We all know it’s best to disregard a canine when he barks. It’s not a behavior we want to reward.

I wanted to disregard Barkley’s whining in the morning, but he needed to get outside, eat and opt for a walk.

Here’s the trick:

Quietly get up and let the canine out of his kennel before he starts whining. That way you reward him for being quiet.

Barkley’s whining was triggered by the sound of me walking around when I woke up. I needed to remove that trigger.

Some dogs start barking at a certain time every morning, regardless of hearing their owners or not. If that is the case with your dog, you can still get up a few minutes earlier and let him out before he barks. That’s better than letting him out once he’s already barking.

Once you let the canine out for a potty break, it’s up to you whether you want to put him back in his kennel or let him be loose.

I chose to put Barkley back in his kennel while I went about my morning routine. He whined, but that was fine. I ignored him until he shut up. There was no urgency to get him out because he had already gone to the bathroom. He used to whine for 20 minutes but that decreased over time.

I recommend giving your canine a treat like a Kong filled with peanut butter when you put him back in his kennel. That is a good habit, especially if you plan on going back to bed on a Saturday morning.

Reward the puppy when he is quiet!

When Barkley whined in his kennel throughout the day, I completely ignored him. He did not have to get outside just because I got home or just because I wanted to walk my own canine Ace. Barkley could wait.

The challenging part is identifying how long to wait before you let the canine out. You want the canine to be quiet, but for how long?

It depends on the dog, his level of anxiety and the exact situation.

My idea is to pre-determine the amount of time your canine has to be quiet before you let him out. Stick with that for a day or two, and slowly increase the time.

If you are handling a very anxious dog, then start small. require him to be quiet for five seconds. Yes, seconds! literally count in your head slowly to five. If the canine whines while you are counting, start over. If the canine can’t calm down, then you may need to shorten the time to three seconds.

Barkley could be a very anxious guy, but he did calm down if I ignored him and did other things. Ideally, I waited until he was completely calm and I hadn’t heard any panting or whining for at least five minutes. in some cases the whining started again as soon as he heard me get a leash or put on my coat. So then I ignored him until he calmed down again.

I am fortunate to have a flexible schedule where I come and go throughout the day. I could plan Barkley’s schedule accordingly. I understand when you are pressed for time you can’t wait forever for a canine to stop yapping. In those cases it’s best if you can still wait for a pause in the whining, even if it’s just a few seconds.

With an anxious dog, you really do have to work in small steps. If your puppy was quiet today for five seconds, then try for 10 seconds tomorrow and 15 seconds the next day.

It’s frustrating, and it takes a lot of patience. count on me, I know.

Unfortunately, getting upset and yelling “No!” at the canine is not going to do much good. many dogs whine because they want your attention. If you return and tell them “No!” that’s typically enough of a reward to encourage the behavior.

So take a deep breath, stay calm and ignore!

What if the canine never stops whining?

I met with a trainer to get some ideas on Barkley’s issues. I asked her what to do when the canine won’t stop crying.

I liked her suggestion:

If you have to get the canine out of the kennel and he’s been whining nonstop for several minutes, go to him and have him “watch” or “sit” on command. even if he’s been whining for 10 minutes, he will associate the reward for what he just did (eye contact or sit).

Barkley and I also attended a training class with Abby Cline of Pawsitive Vybe. She said if the canine doesn’t know the command for “watch” or “sit” quite yet, wait for him to do the behavior on his own. mark the behavior with “yes!’ and reward.

Following these suggestions, Barkley learned that nothing happens when he scratches at his kennel door. nothing happens when he whines, either. Instead, he learned to sit in the back of his kennel politely and wait for me to open the door.

Barkley made lots of progress. Although he’s one of those dogs who believes he is the center of the universe, he learned the rest of us think otherwise.

Check out my ebook on how to stop your canine from crying

I wrote an ebook on how to stop your canine from crying and barking when left alone. check it out here. The price is $4.

What suggestions do the rest of you have for teaching a canine not to cry or whine in his kennel?

Let me know in the comments!

Check out this post if you think your canine has separation anxiety as well as my post on how to stop a dog’s barking.

*This post includes affiliate links.

10 things to look for when selecting a vet

When moving to a new location, I like to discover a vet who satisfies the needs of my pets the best. When I transferred to Fargo, I selected a vet however then changed to one more since I was dissatisfied with the first. right here are some things I think about when selecting a vet.

1. exactly how far am I willing to drive?The vet I take Ace to is less than a mile from my apartment. We might walk there if we wanted. distance is important to me since with a hectic routine I don’t want to squander a half-hour driving to an appointment. I’d rather spend five minutes getting there. This is likewise practical when spur-of-the-moment needs come up such as swinging in to buy ear cleaner or getting Ace in that morning for an visit before work.

2. Is it open on weekends?Ace’s vet is open every other Saturday as well as closed on Sundays. This has been an inconvenience when or twice, however luckily they were nonemergencies. most vets in our area are closed on weekends, with the exception of the ER. So for me, this didn’t rule out Ace’s present vet. However, being open on weekends would be a plus. If your vet is closed on weekends or at night, make sure you understand where to take your dog during an emergency.

3. What breeds/animals does the vet specialize in?
Some vets treat all domestic animals such as horses as well as sheep. Others only treat dogs as well as cats. Although all dogs share the exact same fundamental health and wellness needs, specific breeds have unique issues. It would be suitable to have a vet who has a great deal of experience with your specific breed. For example, if you have bulldogs, it would be perfect to have a vet who has bulldogs since she would be more experienced dealing with the health and wellness problems bulldogs deal with such as respiratory issues or overheating.

4. exactly how does the vet interact with my dog? exactly how about with me?
Ace’s vet gets down on the floor to examine him, so Ace never has to sit on the steel table. She pets him, talks calmly to him as well as offers him treats. He likes going to the vet since he has never had a bad experience there. Of course, most vets like animals, however some interact with them much better than others. I look for a calm vet who doesn’t get excessively excited, therefore making my dog excessively excited or nervous. The character of my dog’s vet should be compatible with my dog. If I had an assertive otter hound, a small, timid vet would not work well. however this exact same vet may be perfect if I had a fearful silky terrier.

A vet should likewise have people skills, no matter exactly how great she is with animals. The number one reason I have changed vets is since of their disinterest in me. The very first vet I dealt with in Fargo acted as though she did not have more than five minutes of spare time, which she most likely didn’t. She never paused to ask if I had questions, as well as when I asked anyway, she offered short, unhelpful responses. I appreciate when a vet really explains my dog’s issues as well as provides time for me to ask questions. When Ace went in this winter for reoccurring ear infections, his vet talked with me about all the possible triggers such as rolling as well as sticking his head in the snow, food allergies or me not cleaning his ears commonly enough. She did not make me feel like an idiot, as well as she made me feel like my dog as well as I mattered to her.

5. exactly how clean is the facility?A building that holds a great deal of dogs is not always going to odor pretty, however the vet as well as personnel should make some effort to keep the building as clean as possible. A clean, comfortable waiting area shows the vet cares about very first impressions as well as a great reputation. The examination spaces should likewise be clean.

6. exactly how will the vet be at the end of my dog’s life?
The time will come when I will have to choose if it’s right to end Ace’s life. This is when having a vet I trust will be the most important. I will be crying as well as second guessing my choices. A great vet will calmly go over all options, eventually letting the dog owner make the decision. When my golden retriever, Brittni, was euthanized, her vet made my household as well as I extremely comfortable with our choice. She was there to response all our concerns as well as offered to find to our house to care for Brittni when she was the sickest. She made herself offered by phone 24 hours a day as well as explained the whole process of euthanizing a dog before it happened. She provided us hugs as well as showed my household true empathy. I keep in mind as well as admire this vet more than any type of of the others I’ve worked with.

7. request recommendations.
Kennels, breeders, humane societies as well as fellow dog owners will provide you their honest opinions on regional vets if you just ask. people are happy to promote services they like. They are likewise quick to let you understand of a poor experience. Take advantage of this. chatting at the dog park is a excellent location to start.

8. What other services does the vet offer?
It’s practical to be able to take care of vaccinations, board your dog or have it groomed all in one facility. Plus, sometimes you can get a discount rate for utilizing more than one service.

9. exactly how big is the facility?
Part of the issue with the very first vet I utilized was the vet’s disinterest in my pets as well as I. She just had as well many clients as well as understood nothing about us. Plus, we had to make visits weeks ahead of time. Now, at a smaller facility, Ace’s vet keeps in mind us (or at least evaluations all our info beforehand) as well as understands what is unique about Ace. As a result, he gets much better care.

10. inspect the prices.Certain vets in the exact same area will fee more. In Fargo alone, when my boyfriend was trying to discover a vet to neuter his cat, costs for the procedure ranged from about $60 to $150. For me, costs are not the choosing factor, however there is no reason to pay twice as much if I don’t have to. Ace’s present vet charges less than his last, mainly since of the location. His very first vet was in a busier area of town as well as turned new clients away daily. The business was able to fee more since people would pay more.

Ultimately, my dog’s vet should not be somebody I settle for. It should be somebody I can have a connection with over my dog’s life. If you are not completely happy with your dog’s vet, look into other options. A vet’s task is to provide us with excellent service. There are a great deal of excellent vets out there, as well as your dog deserves the best.

What do you believe makes a great vet?

Is garlic good for dogs?

Is garlic safe for dogs?

I started adding raw garlic to my dogs’ raw meals a few times per week when I learned about its lots of benefits. My dogs eat a raw meat diet, but you can add garlic to your dog’s cooked meals as well, including dry pet dog food.

I always thought garlic was a food that must never be offered to dogs. After all, the lists of foods that are poisonous to dogs on Pinterest say so!

So what made me reconsider garlic for my dogs?

I admit it never occurred to me to question the Internet hype, much like I didn’t question feeding highly processed pet dog food for over 3 years.

But then I saw a tweet by raw pet food brand Darwin’s natural Pet that shared an post about the benefits of raw garlic for dogs. It was written by Dr. Deva Khalsa, a holistic veterinarian who has over 30 years of experience in her field.

Here is a video where Khalsa talks about the details:

That theoretic “aha” moment was followed by a a lot more functional one when I noticed garlic on the ingredient list of a dehydrated bag of pet dog food I bought for the pups (Sojo’s pre-mix).

I figured if a holistic veterinarian and two respectable brands of species-appropriate pet dog food were on the same page as far as garlic for dogs, it would be safe to start giving some to my pups on a regular basis.

Can dogs eat garlic?

Yes, and it’s actually healthy for dogs! here are some of the benefits of feeding garlic to your dog.

Benefits:

According to Khalsa, garlic is healthy for your pet dog because garlic contains:

Anti-cancer properties
Anti-microbial properties
Anti-bacterial properties
Anti-fungal properties
Anti-parasitic properties

It’s crucial to understand that the natural compound Allicin is responsible for all of these benefits, Khalsa said in her video (above). Allicin, however, is only released in chopped or minced garlic and does not occur in whole cloves of garlic.

Yes, garlic is safe for dogs!

How to serve raw garlic to your dog:

How to feed your pet dog garlic if you feed raw pet dog food:

Khalsa recommends cutting or chopping the garlic up finely or mincing it with a garlic press. Then, let the garlic sit for 10 to 20 minutes before feeding it to your dog. You can just mix it ideal in with your dog’s normal food. letting the garlic sit for 20 mins first allows the Allicin to reach its full health potential.

I like to just mix in the garlic with my dog’s raw food. If your pup is incredibly picky and eats around the garlic, try wrapping the garlic in a piece of raw liver, some cheese or whatever else your pet dog loves.

If he’s still not eating the garlic, throw it in a blender with some raw food and mix it into a purée. That must do the trick!

Adding garlic to your dog’s homemade cooked food:

If you cook your dog’s meals, you could go ahead and sauté his food in garlic and some olive oil (or whichever oil you cook with) and then serve his food the way you usually would.

How to add garlic to a dog’s dry food:

If you feed a dry pet dog food kibble diet, your pet dog will probably not eat the garlic you sprinkle on top of his food, but it’s always worth a shot. I would try mixing it in with his food first. If he refuses to eat it that way, you could wrap his garlic in a slice of turkey breast or cheese, or any other treat he usually gobbles up quickly!

You can also add some chopped garlic to a batch of homemade bone broth for your dog!

How much raw garlic is safe for dogs?

Dogs can eat 1-3 cloves of garlic per day, depending on body weight

Dogs can eat roughly 1 clove of raw (or cooked) garlic per 20 lb of pet dog weight per day.

I got this information from Dr. Richard Pitcairn, a veterinarian and author of the book, “Complete guide to natural health for Dogs & Cats.”

Pitcairn says it’s ok to give a 1/2 clove of garlic for every 10 pounds. I think it’s simpler to say 1 clove for every 20 pounds (same math).

Safe garlic dosage for dogs per day:

20 pound dog: 1 clove of garlic per day
40 pound dog: 2 cloves of garlic per day
60 pound: 3 cloves of garlic per day

If you’re not sure about whether or not to give your pet dog garlic, I recommend you talk with your dog’s vet or look into Pitcairn’s book.

My pet dog Missy weighed around 50 lbs and so I gave her about 2.5 cloves of garlic per day. I will say that I didn’t feed her garlic every single day simply because I didn’t always have fresh garlic in my pantry. I tried to feed it several times per week.

Is garlic bad for dogs?

No, garlic is not bad for dogs. However, make sure not to feed a lot more than the recommended amount of garlic.

If garlic is fed in excessive amounts, it can cause anemia, which is a drop in red blood cells. However, according to Khalsa (she mentions this in her video on garlic above), these amounts would genuinely have to be excessive in order to be able to have this effect on a dog’s red blood cells.

She said you would have to feed a 75-pound golden retriever 75 to 150 cloves of garlic in one sitting to see these negative effects of garlic in a dog! Now, undoubtedly none of us are doing that!

Can dogs eat garlic seasoning or powdered garlic?

Garlic seasoning will not harm a pet dog but it does not have the same health benefits as raw garlic.

Remember that the natural compound found in garlic, Allicin, is responsible for the plethora of health benefits. It only occurs when the garlic clove has been crushed or cut up.

So, powdered and cooked garlic is a lot less efficient than raw garlic. In order to reap the full benefits, it’s recommended to feed garlic raw.

Garlic for flea prevention in dogs

I’ve used raw garlic in my pups’ meals considering that mid 2015.

While it wasn’t able to keep Missy in remission from cancer, it seemed to have helped in keeping parasites away from her and her brother Buzz. Neither of them have (ever) had to deal with fleas. That is even after I stopped using all topical & oral pest preventatives when making healthier lifestyle choices after Missy’s first cancer diagnosis.

Depending on where you live, your pet dog might still need a topical or oral flea prevention. However, often garlic alone seems to do enough to keep fleas and other parasites away. Garlic is not known to kill fleas or other parasites, but it seems to help in keeping fleas away to begin with.

In the comments, let me know your experience with garlic and flea prevention for your dog.

Do you have any questions?

Let us know in the comments!

Note, I’m so sorry to write that my boxer mix Missy passed away from cancer. Missy was such a sweet, sweet girl. We wanted to share this picture of her because it shows the enthusiasm she had for food! Rest in peace, Missy girl.

Barbara Rivers writes frequently for That Mutt. She is certified in raw pet dog food nutrition from Dogs naturally magazine and the author of three ebooks about balanced raw pet dog food. She is a blogger at K9s Over Coffee.

Related posts:

When your picky pet dog won’t eat
How to make dehydrated treats for your dog
Easy raw pet dog food recipes

See all of our raw feeding articles HERE.

Poo vault – product for Holding Smelly pet dog Poop Bags On Walks

Note: This post is sponsored by Poo Vault.

I can’t tell you how lots of times I’ve been out running with multiple dogs and they wait until we’re 2 miles from the nearest trash can to do their “business.”

Ugh! Dogs! Why couldn’t you “go” when we stopped by that Dumpster for five minutes?

So then you’ll see me running with two dogs and often up to three used bags!

Add wintertime weather to the mix and it’s even worse. Icy roads. Mittens. A facemask. trash bins buried in the snow. At least I don’t have to deal with that anymore!

I’ve absolutely cursed the City of Fargo under my breath while running.

Is it so freaking hard to put up a lot more trash bins?

So what in the world is the Poo Vault?

The Poo vault is a brand new product that allows you to carry your dog’s used poop bags hands complimentary and without the odor.

You simply drop the used poop bag into the “vault” (which is about 5” large 3.5” tall) and clasp the seal. The odor is “trapped” in the vault, according to the product’s creator.

The Poo vault is currently on Kickstarter seeking $14,500 to cover its manufacturing costs. There is currently a functioning prototype version of the Poo Vault, and the money raised in the Kickstarter campaign will go towards making the real deal.

I was asked by the designer of the Poo vault if I would share info about the Kickstarter campaign with my readers. I have not actually used the Poo Vault.

My thoughts on the Poo Vault:

This product absolutely solves a real problem for suburban and urban pet dog owners, responsible ones anyway!

Since people are already carrying around poop bag dispensers and treat pouches, some of those same pet dog owners might carry a Poo vault too.

My question would be, does it really consist of the odor? The designer of the Poo vault says it does.

What is the cost of a Poo Vault?

The Poo vault is not available yet. It is seeking $14,500 on Kickstarter to cover the manufacturing costs.

You can pre-order a vault when you back the Kickstarter campaign by $12 or more. any individual who backs the campaign with $12+ will receive a Poo vault in early 2017 (free shipping in the U.S.).

What’s special about the Poo Vault?

This is the first time I’ve heard about a product created for carrying used poop bags. Plus, it apparently has the ability to trap in the odor.

I’m embarrassed to admit I have “double bagged” my dog’s poop and then carried it in my backpack. This product would be a much a lot more sanitary and less embarrassing solution, especially if it genuinely hides the odor.

Pros of the Poo Vault:

Solves the problem of having to carry a smelly poop bag!

Allows you to have both hands available for pet dog walking

Comes with a carabineer so it can clip to a leash or running belt

3 sizes are planned

The seal locks in the odor so you can’t smell the poo!

Helpful if you’re walking multiple dogs or strong puller and need both hands available

Cons:

I’m not a fan of carrying around extra items on walks (poop bag dispensers, Flexi leash handles, treat pouches, running belts). In a way, the Poo vault complicates things.

It’s not available yet

Might be too large or too small for some dogs, but three sizes are eventually planned.

Would I get this product?

No, this is not a product I would get or use. It’s just a personal preference. I like to be as lightweight as possible on walks and can’t stand having extra items bouncing around such as a Flexi leash manage or a running belt. (I’m picky!)

I could possibly see myself using this for when I’m carrying a backpack in a lot more rural areas. When there are no trash cans available, I could use the Poo vault for my dog’s used bag and then put the Poo vault in my backpack until we come across a trash area.

Would I recommend the product to others?

Yes, I would recommend this product for people who can’t stand carrying a smelly poop bag and don’t mind having extra items like treat pouches, poop-bag dispensers, etc.

We all have different routines when walking our dogs, and I think this product would fix a lot of problems for the ideal pet dog owners. professional pet dog walkers might want to consider using it.

Some Poo vault facts:

What do the rest of you think of the Poo Vault?

The designer of the product is in the stage where she needs to learn whether or not people genuinely want a Poo Vault. I imagine your feedback would be helpful to her at this stage.

In the comments, let me know what you think of the Poo vault idea and if you would use something like this or know someone who wouldbe interested (think, people who live in cities).

Please share this post to let other pet dog owners know about the campaign.

What do you think of the Poo Vault?

Let me know in the comments!

Why Consistency is important in canine training

There are no sidewalks where we live. Our country roads have narrow gravel shoulders and, most of the time, drivers going much faster than the speed limit. one of our important commands for Baxter is “over.”

Baxter prefers walking on the road—maybe he finds the gravel uncomfortable on his feet—and he doesn’t comprehend that people will not yield to him (although many drivers do swing around us).

When a automobile is coming, “over” is how we tell Baxter to move out of the traffic and stay safe.

However, I realize I’ve not set Baxter up for success with this command.

At its most basic, “over” means move onto the gravel as close to the grass and the ditch as you can.

In my ideal scenario, “over” also means stay in front of me (Baxter’s usual walking position) and maintain your pace.

Baxter will do this usually for the first two times I give the “over” command during a walk. but after that, his “over” is unreliable. As I force him into the position that I want, I step in front of him and use the leash to tug him behind me and over. (With a speeding automobile bearing down on us, there’s not a lot of time to wait him out or negotiate.)

We’ve gotten to the point that now when I say “over” Baxter’s reaction is often to stop walking or slow down and wait to be tucked behind me. once he’s there, we walk very slowly, sometimes engaging in tug o’ war with the leash as he tries to step back out onto the road.

This is very annoying—not to mention unsafe. I feel like Bax knows the command because he does it sometimes, but he’s too lazy or obstinate to obey all the time.

And maybe that’s true. but I also feel like I’m not being fair to Bax.

I can’t be frustrated that he’s not doing the behaviour that I want because I am not being consistent when I ask him to move “over.” sometimes I move in front of him. sometimes I don’t. My behaviour is not the same, so how can I expect his to be?

To teach my ideal “over,” I have to break down the steps that I want, find a calm safe spot to practice, and slowly build until Bax does it reliably. Or, I accept that “over” means I shorten the leash, move in front of Bax, tuck him behind me, and we slow our pace.

Most important, I have to be consistent in my actions when I give the command.

I’ve decided that the best way to achieve that consistency and set Baxter up for success is to go with the second scenario for “over.” I’m prioritizing a loose leash once Baxter is behind me—no more tug o’ war—and he stays in the over position until I say “okay.”

Being thoughtful about the command and the behaviour I want has helped to decrease my frustration. I also think it’s helping with Baxter’s confusion (or obstinacy, if I’m being cynical).

Does anybody else have problems with consistency in commands? how do you guarantee you’re getting the response you want from your dog?

Julia Thomson is a blogger at Home on 129 Acres where she writes about her adventures of country living and diy renovating. She and her family live on a 129-acre farm in Ontario, Canada. follow Julia on Instagram here.

Study: Rabies booster can secure family pets with out-of-date vaccines

Is your dog’s rabies vaccination overdue?

You don’t requirement to be worried (not that you were).

If you’re like me, you most likely haven’t vaccinated your indoor cats in years. Oops, did I just admit that?

A new research study by the Kansas specify university discovered that family pets with overdue rabies vaccinations are very unlikely to establish the illness even if subjected to the virus as long as they are provided a rabies booster promptly afterwards, according to an post in science Daily.

Plus, it’s not like lots of of our family pets are at danger of contacting rabies to begin with. At least, not if you’re in an metropolitan or suburban area like I am.

But I don’t indicate to put this so lightly.

Unfortunately, family pets with out-of-date vaccinations in the united states that are subjected to the rabies virus are needed to either stay in observed quarantine for six months or be killed, according to science Daily. The quarantine can expense an owner as much as $7,000, which some people undoubtedly just can’t pay.

The great news is this research study provides pet owners as well as veterinarians new choices when dealt with with what to make with a pet that has been subjected to the rabies virus, as well as ideally it assists modification a few of the legislations that need rabies vaccinations so often (annually, in some areas).

Read the full post here.

Do you ever get “behind” on your pet’s vaccinations?

Related blog posts:

Dog vaccinations: What not to do

Are as well lots of vaccines poor for adult dogs?

Should you walk your puppy before he’s had his vaccines?

How to stop a Puppy From Chewing

Well, unfortunately you can’t stop a puppy from chewing. Puppies need to chew because they are teething.

But, you can prevent them from chewing your shoes and furniture by providing them with appropriate items to chew like bully sticks and toys.

The following are some of our tips to stop a teething puppy from inappropriate chewing.

This post may contain affiliate links. That Mutt may earn money from the companies mentioned in this post.

Why do puppies need to chew everything?

Jump ahead to:
hide

Why do puppies need to chew everything?

Puppies explore with their mouths

Puppies chew when they’re bored!

How long does the puppy chewing stage last?

What is safe for a puppy to chew on?

Puppy teething toys

How to stop a puppy from chewing – 7 tips

1. “Puppy proof” the room to prevent chewing

2. Rotate toys to keep your puppy interested.

3. provide different types of toys for teething puppies.

4. Calmly say “no” when your puppy chews something inappropriate.

5. use bitter apples spray to stop a puppy from chewing

6. Train your puppy to lie down and stay.

7. provide your teething puppy with lots of exercise!

How to stop a puppy from chewing when left alone

How to stop a puppy from chewing shoes

How to stop a puppy from chewing and gnawing furniture

When do puppies lose their baby teeth?

Adult dogs also chew!

Raw bones for chewing

When puppies start teething, their gums hurt, very similar to what human babies experience when their teeth start coming in. They’re going to look for something chewable to ease the pain in their gums.

It’s really important that puppies are offered safe and appropriate items to chew while they go through the teething stage.

Also see our post: stop a puppy from biting!

Puppies explore with their mouths

Puppies are curious and explore their surroundings with their mouths and their paws. They’re just as interested in chewing on one of your fingers as they are on a furniture leg or shoe. It’s simply fun for a puppy to chew and gnaw!

We’ll be showing you ways to redirect your puppy’s random chewing attacks to more proper ways to use his sharp puppy teeth.

That brings us to another reason why puppies chew on everything.

*If you just got a new puppy, download my free puppy training guide. Click Here

Puppies chew when they’re bored!

Lana

Teething puppies who are bored are probably the worst combination and will get into considerable chewing mischief unless redirected!

Bored puppies will find something to entertain themselves, and it’s usually something we won’t appreciate.

Things that come to mind are those expensive leather loafers, a wooden furniture leg, clothes, kids’ toys or electrical cords. The list is obviously endless.

The same concept applies to adult dogs, by the way. They can get bored too!

Adult dogs also need an outlet for their boredom. While bored puppies are usually only annoying, adult dogs who aren’t challenged mentally can represent a real danger to themselves and others.

For example, an adult dog might dig themselves out of their yard, just to mention one potentially dangerous situation.

*If you just got a new puppy, download my free puppy training guide. Click Here

How long does the puppy chewing stage last?

Puppies start their teething phase between 5 to 8 weeks of age. but this is only the beginning! the worst chewing stage usually lasts five to six months, and many young dogs continue to chew after that.

Looks cute. also bites!

What is safe for a puppy to chew on?

Puppy teething toys

Bully sticks
Trachea chews
KONG toys
Nylabone chew toys
Himalayan cheese chews

See our post: Which chews are best for puppies?

Our favorite puppy chews are filled, frozen KONG toys. simply fill your puppy’s KONG toys with peanut butter, yogurt or his food, stick them into the freezer overnight, then offer to your puppy.

He’ll be busy entertaining himself for quite some time with his fun chew while soothing his sore gums with the amazing food. 

How to stop a puppy from chewing – 7 tips

1. “Puppy proof” the room to prevent chewing

Lindsay tried to “puppy proof” her living room and home office the best she could by keeping items off the ground. These were the rooms her puppy Remy spent the most time in when he was not in his kennel.

Remy would grab stray socks, cups, pens or pretty much anything that happened to be on the floor! So Lindsay also made sure there were no chargers, head phone chords, etc., dangling at Remy’s eye level.

She kept all her shoes on a small shelf and after telling Remy “no” a few times, he understood shoes on the shelf were off limits. 

She also knew not to trust Remy for more than 3 minutes or so unsupervised. Each pup is different.

*If you just got a new puppy, download my free puppy training guide. Click Here

2. Rotate toys to keep your puppy interested.

Offering a variety of toys helps to keep the puppy’s interest.

Lindsay kept 2 to 4 toys out for her foster puppy Lana at a time. Lana had about 5 favorite toys to chew and play with, so whenever she was not in her kennel, Lindsay chose a few toys to give her.

That way, if Lana tried to chew or grab something like the remote control or a sock, Lindsay would calmly say “no” and then offer Lana a rope toy or ball. “Good girl!”

You can also mix up the kinds of treats you use to stuff in Kongs and other treat-dispensing toys. one day it might be peanut butter and a biscuit the next it might be yogurt or a banana. 

Miss Lana

3. provide different types of toys for teething puppies.

It helps if you know what types of toys your puppy likes to chew the most. Lana loved to chew on rubber Kong-type toys, balls and rope toys.

She didn’t care as much for plastic squeaky toys, and she didn’t get to have stuffed toys because she ruined them immediately!

Same goes with edible chews. Some puppies like to chew on Himalayan cheese chews or bully sticks while others might like Greenies or hooves.

4. Calmly say “no” when your puppy chews something inappropriate.

Rather than ignoring Lana for chewing something, Lindsay would calmly and firmly tell her “no” and then quickly offer her a toy and reward her.

Some trainers will tell you to just ignore unwanted behavior, which is a terrific idea for many scenarios. For chewing, we like to catch the puppy right before she has a chance to chew or right as she has the item and tell her “no.”

Look at this crazy dog:

5. use bitter apples spray to stop a puppy from chewing

If your puppy just can not seem to leave certain items alone such as a table leg, bitter apple spray is one tool to consider.

Bitter apple spray is just as it sounds. It’s a bad-tasting spray that will not harm your puppy but will hopefully stop her from chewing furniture, her leash, etc.

Some puppies don’t seem to even notice the spray, while it does work well for others.

*If you just got a new puppy, download my free puppy training guide. Click Here

6. Train your puppy to lie down and stay.

Teaching your puppy all the basic obedience commands like sit, down, stay and come will help her build more self-control overall.

The most valuable command when dealing with chewing is “stay.” That way, you can put your puppy in a down/stay, and she will stay there for at least short periods of time. start with just a second or two, of course, and slowly work up to 30 seconds, 1 minute, 5 mins, etc.

7. provide your teething puppy with lots of exercise!

Increasing your teething puppy’s exercise is not going to stop her from chewing, but it will decrease her energy overall which means she is more likely to relax and just lie down.

OK … sometimes it may seem like your puppy is never going to be tired, but increased exercise can only help. Make sure your puppy is getting time to run and play in an off-leash area if possible, and make sure to take her on long walks.

See my post on walking a puppy before she’s had her vaccinations.

How to stop a puppy from chewing when left alone

Use a kennel or gated-off area when you can’t supervise.

When Lindsay couldn’t supervise Lana, she left her in her kennel. even if Lana was left alone for 15 minutes while Lindsay took a shower, it was just easier to leave Lana in her kennel.

Leaving her alone for even 10 minutes would give her way too much time to chew something she shouldn’t.

We like to recommend a kennel (crate), but you could also try gating off a bathroom or kitchen area or perhaps using an exercise pen, which is a gate set up sort of like a toddler’s “play pen.”

When your puppy is alone, you want to leave her some tempting, appropriate items to chew on like a Kong toy. It also helps to provide exercise before you leave and again when you return.

How to stop a puppy from chewing shoes

Prevention is always our first approach when it comes to puppies chewing on items they’re not supposed to be chewing. That’s why our top three tips to stop a puppy from chewing shoes are:

1) Don’t leaveshoes out and within the puppy’s reach

2) offer your puppy an appropriate chewing alternative to shoes 

3) Crate/kennel your puppy when you can’t actively watch her or keep her contained inside a play pen

If your puppy managed to sneak a shoe and you’re catching her chewing it, gently take the shoe away and offer your puppy something appropriate to chew on instead. This could be a dehydrated chew, a rubber toy, or a filled dog food puzzle.

Don’t make a substantial deal out of it, but firmly say “NO” while your puppy chews on the shoe, then take it away from her. 

This scenario would also be a good opportunity to introduce your puppy to the “leave it” command if she doesn’t know it yet. say “leave it” the very moment she drops the shoe and goes for the appropriate chew (toy) instead. 

If you come home to chewed up shoes and your puppy is the obvious one to blame, don’t. She won’t be able to make the connection between the destroyed shoes and your anger.

Instead, blame yourself for having left the shoes out within your puppy’s reach and promise yourself it won’t happen again.

Remove the shoes, take your puppy out for a walk or some playtime, then offer her a puppy proof chew. You’d have to catch your puppy in the chewing act to make her understand why you’re upset because dogs live in the present. 

*If you just got a new puppy, download my free puppy training guide. Click Here

How to stop a puppy from chewing and gnawing furniture

Furniture legs are particularly tempting for puppies to chew on because they’re usually made of wood, and which puppy doesn’t like a nice wooden stick to chew on?! 

But all jokes aside, the same three concepts apply that we mentioned in the previous section how to stop a puppy from chewing shoes:

1) Don’t leave your puppy out within easy reach of the furniture 

2) offer your puppy an appropriate chewing alternative to furniture 

3) Crate your puppy when you can’t actively watch her or keep her contained inside a play pen

If you catch your puppy in the act of chewing on your dining room table’s legs, give her a firm “NO.” Then, redirect her to an appropriate puppy chew (toy). You could also try the bitter apple spray approach or a similar chew deterrent and spray your furniture legs, fabric or door frames.

When do puppies lose their baby teeth?

Most puppies lose their sharp puppy teeth at around 12 weeks old. Puppies lose their baby teeth slowly over a couple of weeks.

You might notice a puppy tooth on the ground (they hurt to step on!). Or, you might never even see them as many puppies end up swallowing their baby teeth while eating or – surprise, surprise – while chewing!

From this point onward, their adult teeth will slowly start to come in. 

They puppy will have his adult teeth by around six months old, but that does not mean the chewing stage is over!

*If you just got a new puppy, download my free puppy training guide. Click Here

Adult dogs also chew!

Young adult dogs as well as older dogs might continue to chew because:

it’s an instinctual need
chewing & gnawing exercises their jaws
it engages them mentally
relieves boredom
some dogs are just naturally inclined to chew more than others

Barbara’s dog Wally was 1.5 years young when she adopted him, and she quickly noticed that Wally most definitely likes to chew!

He didn’t get into anything inappropriate because he had plenty of dog specific chewing options, but he did manage to destroy a puppy KONG toy Barbara had left over from her previous dogs.

Wally simply gave it a good bite one da