ASK THE VET: Solutions for Chilly Morning Bathroom Runs

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ASK THE TRAINER at All Things Dog Blog

(C) photo copyright Carrie Boyko 2009
Jacque Models his Red Sweater

Dear Dr. Jacki:

Are there any fabrics I should avoid when I buy my little dog a sweater or jacket?

We have had a lot of cold and I would like to get him something to wear when he goes outside in the early morning. He shivers and sometimes doesn't want to do his duty in the grass. He just wants to come inside. Then we have an oopsie!

*******************************

Dear Reader:


There are no particular fabrics to avoid when buying a sweater or jacket for your pet.  I would be sure that it fits correctly and that it is not too tight or loose.  Typically dogs do not like the feel of cold or wet ground on their feet so this may be part of the issue as well.  If you could clear a space for him to go potty outside then this may make him more comfortable.  Good luck!! 


Dr. Jacki

Dr. Jacki, D.V.M.
ASK THE VET on All Things Dog Blog

LetsAdoptaDogPark@gmail.com 

For more information on Dr. Jacki and her practice, you may find her at  4 Paws House Calls. A personal appointment will likely provide more specific information on your dog and your specific questions.


You can read more of Dr. Jacki's articles at her archives page

Dr. Jacki's opinion or advice does not replace an actual exam with a veterinarian. 

Shopping for sweaters for your pup? Most of these come in a range of sizes for small to large dogs:

Want to read more of Dr. Jacki's ASK THE VET columns? Here's a few links:

Helping Your Senior Dogs

Tummy Aches and Your Dog

Scooter Might Be Trying to Tell You Something

Big news for my readers--All Things Dog Blog finally scored its very own trainer. We'll be announcing it soon--an ASK THE TRAINER column of your very own. Start jotting down your questions, or send them to me at LetsAdoptaDogPark@gmail.com. 

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From Service Dog to SURFice Dog: Enjoy this Amazing Video Journey

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Thanks to Judy and Ricochet for sharing their story of Ricochet's journey. Warning: Grab your tissues.

(c) video copryighted by www.SurfDogRicochet.com

All Rights Reserved

For those of you who would like to watch this video on YouTube, the link is: 
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BGODurRfVv4 . I encourage you to view some of Ricochet's other videos as well.

You can see more of Ricochet and keep up with his continuing events at:
Ricochet on Facebook
Ricochet on Twitter
Surf Dog Ricochet's website
Tucson Dogs Examiner Story

What would you like to teach your dog to do?

Big News for All Things Dog Blog readers: We finally have ourselves an ASK THE TRAINER columnist, to be introduced soon. Our new trainer is already at work on a question I received from a reader. Watch for her intro post sometime next week. Meanwhile, send your questions to ASK THE TRAINER at All Things Dog Blog.

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ASK THE TRAINER Column Coming Soon to All Things Dog Blog

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Max Can't Wait 
to Meet our New Trainer!
(c) photo copyright on file, all rights reserved


This place is certainly a whirlwind of activity right now. I'm getting offers to place ads, litters of puppies that need homes, guest post offers and lots of folks looking for promo on my dog-friendly site. My loyalty, however, is to you guys--my readers. I have not forgotten that you asked, in my poll last summer, for an ASK THE TRAINER column.


Pardon my delay, but please understand that Oliver and I have been busy sniffing out the right trainer to suit our family-friendly focus.


I'll have more to say in an upcoming post, but for now, I just want you to know that this plan is in the 'hopper'. Robby, our family's rabbit, helped just a little with that last comment. He's such a ham!


What will you love about our new trainer? She has a delightful approach. No stiff rules about what a dog can or cannot do at your home. Her philosophy is that YOU, and only you, should make the decision whether Rover sleeps on the couch, the floor, your bed, his own bed, or in a crate--at least once he is fully house trained and well-behaved.


Keep an eye out for your new trainer's introduction. I'll be publishing it very soon. Meanwhile, start jotting down your trainer questions. I know you will have a few, as I have received emails from a good many of you with questions about training. It is a great feeling to know that now your answers will come from someone with proper credentials. Happy tails!

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ASK THE VET: Solutions for Dogs that Eat Pet Droppings

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Dear Ask the Vet: 


My dog likes to eat poop. Not just dog poop, but any poop. She eats her own, the other dogs' poop, and even cat poop from our cat's litter box. I have to keep her out of there or she will feast on the stuff. Yuck!

Why does my dog seem to be drawn to eating poop? And what can I do to stop her? My vet tried some type of pill to make her own poop taste bad, but she actually learned to like the taste and did not stop trying to eat it. When she is on leash, this is not a problem, but at the dog park or in a fenced yard I cannot always control this. I have to constantly watch her and the ground for landmines. Any tips? 

Thanks, Amy

**********************************

Hi Amy:

This is a tough situation…..and a common one.  For starters…don't let your dog near the cat box.  Cat stool basically tastes like cat food and it is very high in fat and will cause a very sore belly.  That is not even considering the litter that is ingested along with the cat stool. 

You may want to try Adolf's meat tenderizer.   Sprinkle this on your dog's food and see if it helps.  For some reason, some dogs don't like the taste of the stool once they have eaten the meat tenderizer.  This suggestion will not be able to help when it comes to other dog's stool.

I would try using positive reinforcement when you are at the dog park…i.e. when you see your dog attempting to eat another dog's landmine, maybe you call his name and give a treat as a reward for leaving it alone.  It is a bad habit but does not mean that he is missing something from his diet.  Hope that helps!!

Dr. Jacki

Dr. Jacki, D.V.M.
ASK THE VET on All Things Dog Blog

LetsAdoptaDogPark@gmail.com 

For more information on Dr. Jacki and her practice, you may find her at  4 Paws House Calls. A personal appointment will likely provide more specific information on your dog and your specific questions.

Dr. Jacki's opinion or advice does not replace an actual exam with a veterinarian. 

Want to read more of Dr. Jacki's ASK THE VET columns? Here's a few links:


Helping Your Senior Dogs
Tummy Aches and Your Dog

Scooter Might Be Trying to Tell You Something

Coming soon, more advice and opinions from Dr. Jacki:


Strategies for Caring for Your Dog's Nails
Solutions for Chilly Morning Bathroom Runs

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Fetching Fido Runner Up Announced

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(c) copyright by Molly's owner (name on file for privacy reasons)

Molly, our Fetching Fido Runner Up

All Ready for Mardi Gras!

Please congratulate Molly, All Things Dog Blog's FETCHING FIDO photo contest runner up. Molly narrowly edged out her two closest competitors, according to my judge, a gracious vet tech who agreed to make the big decision for me.



According to Molly's owner, "she is social, adores kids, enjoys car rides, loves food and chewers, swimming, walks, doggie day care and family fun. More importantly, Molly provides her family with love, affection and companionship!"


Molly just happens to be a good friend of Tanner, my Golden Retriever, as they enjoy romping at the same doggie daycare, when mom and dad are on the run. Bow Wow Resort, located on Highway 436 in Apopka, Florida, is a delightful place for our dogs to spend a social day of play. With a regular group of day camp playmates, Molly and Tanner enjoy their outdoor playground and splash pool, as well as their naptime in private sleeping quarters. We're big fans and want to make sure we keep Bow Wow Resort going strong!

Molly's prize from All Things Dog Blog, in addition to showing off here today, will be a brand new Kong, to keep her busy on days when she doesn't get to visit Bow Wow Resort. Perhaps her mom would like some ideas for filling the Kong to make the fun more lasting. The following two articles include lots of fillings for hollowed out beef bones or Kongs:

Busy Bones and Other Boredom Busters

More Ideas for Busy Bones and Kong Stuffing


Finally, I'd like to thank the many readers who sent in photos for this contest. I'd give you all an award if I could afford it! Although not everyone included their pup's name, I can personally thank those that did:  Bandit, Honey Bear, Juliet, LB, Lexi, Max, Molly, Molly-Pepper, Pumpkin, Roxy and Ziggy.  Thank you all for participating. You will ALL see your photo on the blog in the coming weeks, so stay tuned for your day in the lights!

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Fetching Fido Announced: And the Winner is....

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(c) photo copyrighted by All Things Dog Blog's Reader (Name on File), all rights reserved

Welcome Juliet

Our First Place FETCHING FIDO

"Congratulations Juliet! Now that you have won the All Things Dog Blog FETCHING FIDO title, what are you going to do?

"Woof, woof!" Oh, so you're going to go to the dog park?

"Good for you! That's where Oliver would want to go if he won a photo contest. Can he meet you there? Have fun, Juliet. We love you!"

Good morning All Things Dog Blog readers, and welcome to the announcement of our Fetching Fido photo winner. Isn't she adorable? According to mom, "Juliet had a joyous time making mischief with the toilet paper", as she streamed it across the floor and back, emptying the roll. She certainly is creative in her playtime adventures.


Juliet's prize for winning 1st place in the photo contest will be delivered to her owner shortly. She is receiving a $10 Petco Gift Certificate to spend on whatever her little heart desires. (Treats, Mom, Treats! Pleeeze buy the organic ones that Oliver likes)

Juliet's mom shared the following story about a typical day:

"I take Juliet for a morning walk and she gets her breakfast in a

puzzle block or kong.  That gives her some mental stimulation.  The

neighbor next door has a young ShiTzu and we've made an arrangement to

let the poochies out each day around 3 when her kids get home from

school. "Tebow" and Juliet have a ball running as fast as they can,

bouncing off each other, jumping and leaping and playing for about 40

minutes.  They run until they can't breathe!  Both of them drop to the

grass and just lay there, panting!  We've both noticed that our

doggies are having a better afternoon after that strenuous play time."

Second place in the FETCHING FIDO contest will be announced in my next post. This lucky pup will win a kong, along with his photo on the blog. Photos receiving honorable mentions (to be defined as just about all other photos; I'm a sucker for most all dogs!) will be used as the headline photo in upcoming posts.  The lucky "Rover's" name will be included, so be sure to watch for your darling's image in an upcoming post.


You can be sure not to miss it by subscribing to email delivery of my posts above in the right hand column. Don't worry; I won't sell your email address or give it to anyone. Scouts' honor.

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Trainer Tackles Pomeranian with Targeting

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(c) photo copyright Judith Joseph 

Trainer Demonstrates Targeting

I've been getting a good many letters asking for help with training issues. Sometimes I try to assist, but this letter was a bit more challenging. I've asked Judith Joseph, of TOTAL CONTROL DOG OWNER ASSISTANCE, to assist with her suggestions. Following is the reader's question, and Judy's answer:

Dear "Trainer":

My little Pomeranian is hardly the lap dog I envisioned when I got him. He prefers to remain on his own four feet, and backs away when I approach to pick him up, often running away from me. I am generally able to corner him, but I'd like to find a way to train him to allow me to approach, or to come.

"Come" used to be a command he was good at. Since he does not enjoy being picked up, he now avoids coming to me when I call, unless I wave a treat. He is very food motivated; however, I cannot always give him a treat for coming to me. Any suggestions on techniques for working with this issue? My goal is to teach him to come when I call, allow me to touch him, and not require a treat to do this, once he is trained. I need him to allow me to approach him without running away.

Thanks,

Your reader

*************************

Dear Reader:

“My dog doesn’t come when called…” is a common complaint of dog owners.  Since your Pom has a negative association with the command “Come”, I suggest you stop using it.  And, because he runs away as you approach, don’t chase or corner him.   Instead, try ‘targeting’ as a means of teaching him to come to you.

I use target training to teach recall (a term meaning dog returns to your side) on dogs of all ages, especially those that are shy or fearful.  Using my hand as a target, I condition dogs to touch my palm with their nose and in exchange, receive a treat.  Conditioning dogs to target usually takes one day of consistent repetitions. 

Things to remember before training:

• Train before meals; never after. 
• Find a quiet place indoors; just you and the dog.
• Practice for 3-5 minutes no less than 3 times a day.
• Use small and soft treats (warmed hot dogs, pieces of cheese).

Training involves me sitting quietly holding a treat in my open palm allowing the dog to come to me of his own will.  I repeatedly offer treats placing them one by one on my open palm which his nose will touch as he takes the treat.  Next, I extend my open palm with no treat and wait for him to touch it (he should touch it as he sniffs for a treat).  I say the word “hand” with every touch and offer him a treat from my other hand.  I repeat this about 15 times.  To end training I get up and walk away.  I repeat the training every 3 - 4 hours, no less than 3 times a day for about 3 minutes.  By the end of the second day most dogs understand that the word “hand” means touching my palm gets them a treat.  I never reach for, or try to pick up the dog.  I just want him to come to my hand.

After a several days of successful targeting, I attach a 6 foot lead and begin practicing outdoors in a quiet area with few distractions.  I call him to “hand” when he reaches the end of his lead, treating and praising him when he touches my hand.  As outdoor recalls become more reliable, I lengthen the lead to about 16 feet, and slowly add distractions.

After a couple weeks target training with no attempts to pick up or corner your Pom, he should begin to come to you whenever you command “hand”.  Alternate treats with generous praise.

If your dog is really shy and won’t come to you on his own, toss a few treats close to him, then closer to you to lure him in.  Your first goal is to get him to pick up treats dropped at your feet.  Proceed slowly and be patient.

For more information on target training shy, fearful or aggressive dogs, visit the TCDOA website at: www.totalcontroldogtraining.com 


by Judith Joseph, D.O.I.

Professional Dog Trainer

Total Control Dog Owner Assistance (TCDOA)

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An Aloof Pomeranian Provides a Trainer's Challenge

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I'm going to let the cat out of the bag, here. I've been on the hunt for a trainer to write a column of the ASK THE TRAINER sort. After watching, reading, and communicating with quite a few, one has surfaced with the desire, drive, care and compassion that I want for my readers and their dogs.

I also like her approach: How your dog is to behave is entirely up to you; it is your home. Isn't that a respectable way to raise a dog? To allow the owner to decide if their dog is allowed on the couch, sleeps on the floor, or becomes a lap dog--it's all up to you. She's not a cookie cutter trainer; that's for sure. Many would insist that the dog remains on the floor at all times...period. Oliver would not care for that approach.

So we're going to let this trainer give us a trial run. After all, I'm such a slave driver that she ought to have a chance to work with me before she "signs on the dotted line." Just kidding of course. I'm not really a slave driver!

I hope you'll watch the blog closely for her post. I anticipate it will arrive sometime in the near future, and I'll be eager to see if I can pull this off without going bonkers. I'm going to enjoy the challenge of juggling my own posts with Dr. Jacki's and the trainer's; I hope you do too.

Be sure to drop me a line and let me know what you think: LetsAdoptaDogPark@gmail.com.

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Looking for a Trainer? Let's Test Drive this One...

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Ziggy is Ready to Begin Training

Hello, and welcome back to my favorite place to rattle about dog stuff. A while back when I ran a poll asking you, my readers, what you'd like to see on this blog, I got some of the input I anticipated. The top 2 requests were for columns such as Ask the Trainer and Ask the Vet.

You asked for it, and I'm working on it. Dr. Jacki has been on board since last Fall, answering all sorts of interesting dog health questions. Your letters and comments have been very encouraging to me. By the way, if you would like to look up her posts, they are all listed with links at ASK THE VET ARCHIVES. Thanks for participating.

Just this week I have had good discussions with a trainer who is interested in doing the same type of column here on All Things Dog Blog. We'll be running a post tomorrow, in which she will answer a question that one of you sent to me. Quite honestly, it's one of those training questions that I was not positive how to handle. I'm glad to find a professional who is willing to take it on.

Your letters and comments to this upcoming post will be most helpful. After all, before I bring on new "staff", I want to be sure you guys approve. You're my bread and butter, so to speak. So speak up! Remember, the comment link is at the bottom of EVERY post, and you can always email me at LetsAdoptaDogPark@gmail.com. Watch for our trainer trial run tomorrow!

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Tanner Teaches Me Every Day

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(c) copyright Carrie Boyko 2010

Tanner Models his Homemade Bandage

Poor Tanner has been struggling to heal a wound under his jaw since before the holidays. He has spent more than his share of time in an E-collar, those anti-scratch, anti-itch lampshade-looking things that require an active pup like Tanner to be a little less active.

Because the e-collar must fit snugly around the neck, this was impeding air flow around the wound, and thereby slowing the healing process. I had to get more creative, if we were to meet with success.

Since Tanner is not one to scratch and itch at every little thing, I figured the location of this wound would work to my advantage. So, with the goal of healing in mind, I set out to come up with a bandage that wouldn't annoy him and wouldn't impede activity or air flow.

Tanner is wearing his neckerchief above, made of cotton fabric, so it breathes well. Notice that it is wide, so as to cover the wound completely, just in case he decides to scratch the area. Also, I tied it just tight enough that it stays above his collar, assuring that it does not slip down off of the area we're trying to keep covered.

(c) photo copyright Carrie Boyko 2010

Tanner's Bandage ties like a Bandanna

Tanner is delighted to be free of the e-collar, and doesn't mind the bandage at all. So far, he isn't even aware of anything different, as he has often worn banannas and is quite used to them.

Best of all, this solution will allow him to play at the dog park and practice agility safely, all the while still keeping his tender spot covered and safe from scratching. Tanner's reward? He got to play F-E-T-C-H (I have to spell it or he goes crazy!) at the dog park. He's sleeping soundly now, probably dreaming of tennis balls. Good boy, Tanner!

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Facebook Users Love Dogbook

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 Social networks for dog lovers have been popping up all over the Internet. They each have their own twist.  Facebook's version will likely have many of the others chasing their tail. Dogbook, which FYI was not developed by Facebook, but is now an integrated application there, seems to be striving for the whole package offered by Facebook. At the Dogbook application, your dog can create a profile, download photos, search for dog parks, or even "friend" his doggie buddies from the neighborhood, dogpark or his doggie daycare pals. Dogbook is also available on the IPhone, allowing Iphone's users and their dogs to keep up with their pack while on the go.

Dogbook is just shy of 1 million users, and has roughly 40,000 fans. That's not mere kibble, but rather a signal that dog lovers mean business for Facebook and its growing advertising base. Dogbook's pages also allow you to shop for products and discuss their pros and cons with other like minded folks.

So, what else is in it for you, the dog owner? I can see many advantages to getting involved with Dogbook:

• For starters, look at a typical Facebook page under the INFO tab. There you'll find a category that is your key ingredient here: "Looking for" (fill in the blank) allows each user to indicate their primary reason for being on Facebook. Check out this notation on your average Facebook user and you'll see that a common answer is "women" or "men". So ask yourself, "If you were a typical 20-something Facebook user, looking for a boyfriend, what better way than to jump into Dogbook with all fours?" Dog lovers abound, and seeking another dog lover for a companion may be an important goal for many. Even at my tender age of--well lets leave that to your imagination--if I were looking for a male companion, Dogbook might be a good place to sniff out other dog lovers in a game of social fetch.
• As any hound will tell you, research is key. Dogbook certainly gives you the ability to check out your potential companions and their dog choices. After all, dog lovers have favorites. No self respecting, high energy agility competitor would be caught dead with a lazy, couch-potato Bloodhound as a pet. Then again, that same Border Collie loving agility competitor might consider a companion who loves Australian Shepherds or Jack Russel Terriers.  For members of the human race, we gauge our compatibility with other possible human companions by the things we have in common. Yes, this can even include our dog choices.
• Many of the most engaged dog lovers will find setting up a doggie profile and organizing his photo albums to be a fun way to spend a rainy day.
• Add to that the interest of discussion groups and you've found a perfect place to  discuss the pros and cons of local dogparks, whine about leash laws, and yes, even share your expertise that is for sale.
• No doubt, many trainers, groomers, and countless other canine products and services will be parked on this page woofing about their wares. This will make for more and better choices for dog owners, as they seek out these services and products, and get input from others who have used them.

I could probably go on for at least as long as my 3 pups nap, but I'll leave it at this. I think you get the idea. If you're a Facebook user, be sure to stop in at my page and become a fan. This will help you keep up with my posts and other notes of interest, like my photo contest that's going right now. Just click the "Become a Fan" button in the middle at the top of the page, and you won't miss a single post. That's it!

While you're there, feel free to comment or leave note on the wall. Got a question? I'll try to answer it.  As for your Fido, ask him to submit his photo for the contest. He'll enjoy the prizes and the media exposure. Send them to LetsAdoptaDogPark@gmail.com. Hope to see you soon!

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