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!

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That Mutt calendar contest

contest runs July 8 through Aug. 8

My mutt Ace and I are creating a 2014 mutt calendar!

To figure out which mutts to use in our 2014 mutt calendar, we are holding a contest. want to see your mutt featured in our calendar? Here’s what you gotta do:

1. submit your mutt photos through Facebook here. Make sure to read the official policies and eligibility. While this contest focusing on mutts, purebred dogs are welcome to enter.

2. like and share your favorite mutt photos.

3. promote your photos to your friends!

4. The mutts with the most votes will win a spot in our 2014 mutt calendar. Winners will also receive five complimentary calendars.

Official mutt calendar rules

To enter the contest and view the official rules, click here. All photos need to not be copyrighted. Those entering the contest need to have legal rights to the submitted photos and be able to give That Mutt authorization to use the photos.

Don’t have a photo to submit?

It’s ok if you don’t have a mutt of your own. You can still vote on your favorite mutts here.

Pre-order your 2014 mutt calendar now

I will be printing a limited number of mutt calendars, so make sure to pre-order your calendar now. Orders will ship on or before Dec. 1, 2013.
I will be printing a limited number of 2014 mutt calendars, so make sure to buy yours today! Calendars will ship on or before Dec. 1, 2013.

Questions?

Contact Lindsay@ThatMutt.com or leave a comment.

Looking forward to seeing your photos!

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Humans Aren’t the only Ones who Can get breast cancer

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Skipper and Slouch’s brave mom  Stephanie  has already reminded us about  October being breast cancer awareness month (and how much our beloved pets can mean to our physical, emotional, and spiritual healing).  but aside from yourself and the other human members of your household (Yes, I’m including men too—don’t make me bust out the “Men Can get breast cancer Too” pamphlets, because I WILL), there’s another category of family member you need to be “aware” of—your pets.

I’m the owner of a female dog.  Fortunately, I had her reproductive bits removed when she was younger (not too young, but young enough), so that’s fewer types of cancer to have to worry about.  What does she still have?  Her mammary glands.  and SHE has ten OF THEM.  While spaying Loki before her first heat greatly reduced her chances of developing mammary tumors (dogs not spayed early enough or left intact are seven times as likely to get breast cancer as ), she’s still not immune.

Dogs, out of all “domestic” species, are affected by breast cancer most—three times more than women.  Mammary tumors occur most frequently in “intact” (not spayed) female dogs—it’s pretty rare for a male dog to have any mammary issues.  having your dog spayed before her first heat reduces her risk for breast cancer dramatically (though having any dog spayed or neutered too young can cause other problems, so please make sure to talk to your vet about the ideal window).  Spaying her before her second heat can still reduce the risk, just not by as much.  If you spay her after maturity (generally 2- 2.5 years of age), it has no effect on her mammary cancer risk—her risk is the absolutely the same as an intact dog.

The average age of a dog with a mammary tumor is 10.5 years, and a dog under the age of five popping up with one is uncommon.  For dogs that do end up with mammary tumors, about 45% of them will be malignant.

The best prevention is spaying at the right time.  Again, if you have the option, discuss the ideal spaying window for your pet with your vet.  The next best thing to prevention is vigilance.  It’s a good idea to give your dog a thorough once-over once a week in general, especially as she ages; turn it into a good scritching or massage session.  If you do happen to find a lump on your girl’s belly, have it check out IMMEDIATELY.  Do NOT “wait and see.”  You don’t  want to run the risk of the lump being malignant, metastasizing, and shortening your beloved pup’s life.

[Now, this isn’t to say every single person should spay his or her dog; if you are a responsible, educated, and ethical breeder (an increasingly rare combination), by all means, leave your girls with their goodies and just be very vigilant as they grow older.]
Some breeds seem to have a stronger disposition towards mammary cancer, including: Yorkies, toy and miniature Poodles, English Springer Spaniels, German Shepherds, pointers, English Setters, and Maltese.  let me reiterate, these dogs have a strong-er disposition towards mammary tumors compared to other dogs—this does NOT mean if you have one of these breeds, she will automatically end up with breast cancer.  It just means if you have one of these breeds, you might want to give her extra belly rubs and use them to your advantage.

And cat owners, while I very much wish I could leave you out of this discussion (because hey, one less cancer to worry about is a great thing), I can’t.

While not as prone to mammary tumors as dogs, cats have a much higher chance of said tumors being malignant—90%.  It’s thought that spaying a cat before her first heat can have the same effect, prevention-wise, as it does on a dog, but not as many studies have been conducted, so there’s less evidence to go off of.  similar to those in dogs, these tumors are more common in older, intact females; the average age of a cat with a mammary tumor is eleven.

I have to admit, I’ve never had a cat so I don’t know the best way to go about feeling on a kitty belly.  Some enjoy belly rubs.  Others will remove a finger (or at least several layers of skin).  Feel free to leave any tips in the comments.

Again, if you find any lumps on your cat, especially those in the mammary area, have them checked out immediately.  When prevention fails, quick detection can pick up some of the slack.

So while you’re being reminded of how human females need to be ever-vigilant concerning their mammary glands, don’t forget about the furred females in the house.

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?

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My dog Whines on weekend Mornings

If your dog whines on weekend mornings when you’re trying to sleep in an extra 45 mins, this article will help!

My own dog Remy is on a schedule!

I’m up and feeding him at around 6:30 a.m. most weekday mornings. This is his routine.

Saturday and Sunday mornings are a little different. We “attempt” to sleep in until about 7:30. usually we can, but sometimes Remy has other plans and starts whining at our door.

By 6:30 my old dog Ace would also be at our door making all kinds of noise licking and scratching himself and flapping his ears around. It was his “subtle” way of waking us up without barking.

Remy tends to start “yipping” from the other room, which is even more annoying.

Sigh …

This is a problem people ask me about from time to time.

Jump ahead to:
hide

My dog whines on weekend mornings. how do I stop him?

Don’t let your dog sleep with you if he whines.

Ignore your dog when he whines on weekend mornings

Other tips to stop the dog from whining on weekends

Let your dog out later

Do your best to ignore your dog’s whining

Train your dog to get up to his own alarm clock

My dog whines on weekend mornings. how do I stop him?

For me, the answer is simple but it’s not easy.

The dog does not get to decide when we’re getting up (and neither do the cats). The humans decide.

I know my dog can hold it for 8 hours. He does so every night. If I let him out two hours later on a Friday night, there’s no reason why he can’t sleep in one hour later on Saturday morning.

There’s also no reason why he can’t – God forbid – wait an extra half-hour to eat breakfast like the rest of us.

So, I block my dog from accessing our bedroom door on weekend mornings.

Remy sleeps in another room in his crate with a sheet over his crate and the blinds closed.

Ace would sleep in the living room with a baby gate blocking his access to the hallway so he couldn’t linger in front of our door licking himself, scratching himself, flopping his ears around or whining. I didn’t hear him when he was in the living room.

Ace

Don’t let your dog sleep with you if he whines.

Each dog is different, so if you’re having a similar problem, just think about how you can block your dog from waking you up.

Maybe you need to use a baby gate to block your dog like I do. maybe your dog needs to go back to sleeping in a kennel or in the guest bedroom with the door closed.

Maybe you need to move the kennel further away from where you sleep.

Or maybe you could just put a blanket over the kennel so your dog can’t tell when it’s light out. That seems to help with Remy, along with a loud fan to block noise from outside.

You know what will work best for your dog, and I recommend you do it. We need our sleep!

If your dog seems to have a hard time with slightly different sleeping arrangements on the weekends, then follow the same routine during the week.

For example, maybe your dog needs to sleep in the guest bedroom instead of your bedroom every night, not just on the weekends.

Ignore your dog when he whines on weekend mornings

Ignore any whining, barking, licking or scratching from your dog. These are all attention-seeking behaviors in this context.

If you absolutely have to go to your dog and let him out while he’s whining, ask him to do something like “sit” first.

I got this idea from a trainer who helped me with a foster dog. She said the dog will then think he’s being rewarded for the “sit” instead of the whining.

Ideally, if you know your dog has to go out, you would let him out before he has a chance to start whining.

Other tips to stop the dog from whining on weekends

Let your dog out later

Let your dog out later Friday night if you’re going to sleep in Saturday morning.

Don’t have unrealistic expectations. sleep in an extra half-hour or hour – not three hours.

Slowly change your weekend routine by 15 mins each week so it’s less of a dramatic change. For example, sleep in 15 extra mins this weekend, then 30 mins next weekend.

Do your best to ignore your dog’s whining

Most dogs will stop crying or whining eventually if they are not rewarded for it. If your dog is used to getting attention for whining, it will take longer to get him to stop. just be consistent. Earplugs help!

Train your dog to get up to his own alarm clock

This might sound silly at first, but think about it. Dogs easily make associations.

If you set an alarm clock near your dog’s kennel and consistently get up and let her out right after it goes off, she will learn to wait for the alarm.

Start by setting the alarm before your dog normally whines, and then gradually move the time later and later.

Thedog should learn that the alarm is what determines when it’s time to get up. His yipping is not what determines it. I tried this with Remy using a light on a timer and had some success.

Also note, if your dog throws up a yellow bile in the morning, it’s because his digestive system was anticipating a meal. sometimes it helps to feed the dog a small snack before bed if you know breakfast will be delayed.

What about the rest of you? What tips do you have to stop a dog from whining on weekend mornings?

Let me know in the comments!

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Lindsay Stordahl is the founder of That Mutt. She writes about dog training, dog exercise and feeding a healthy raw diet.

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!

Uncategorized

Mixed-breed canine calendar contest

Your canine could be in the first ever mutt calendar

Which dogs will be in the calendar?

How to vote

How to enter

What you can win

Win a spot in the mixed-breed canine calendar

That Mutt is creating the first ever mixed-breed canine calendar. It will feature 12 different mixed-breed dogs throughout the calendar.

How to vote for your favorite mutts

Go here to see who’s already entered and to vote for your favorite dogs. All you have to do to vote is hit the green “like” button next to the photos. You can vote for as numerous dogs as you want.

How to enter the contest

The mixed-breed canine calendar contest runs now through Aug. 8.

Enter your mutt by clicking the “upload photos” tab on this page. If you’re having trouble uploading, you can also post a picture directly to That Mutt’s Facebook page, and I will manually enter it into the contest for you.

Before you enter a photo, you ought to read the official contest rules. There are some requirements. For example:

photos need to be a high enough quality for an actual calendar (300 dpi or better)

no humans allowed in the photos (they’ll be deleted)

you should own the rights to the photos (obviously!)

this is a mixed-breed canine calendar, but we don’t discriminate against purebred dogs so all dogs are welcome to enter

submit as numerous photos as you want, but there can only be one winning photo per person

What you can win

If your mutt’s photo is among the top 12, your canine will win a spot in the 2014 mixed-breed canine calendar. You will also receive five totally free calendars to share with your pals and family.

Pre-order your calendar now!

I will be printing a limited number of mutt calendars, so make sure to pre-order your calendar now. Orders will ship on or before Dec. 1, 2013.
Still have questions? Email me at Lindsay@ThatMutt.com