101 Essential Dog Tips

by Carrie Boyko, CEB

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That sounds like a tough title to deliver on, right? No worries; I've got it covered! I'm reviewing a book that is a must read for anyone who is not mega experienced in caring for a dog.  Whether you're just getting your first pup, or have had dozens, there's still something to be learned in this exceptionally to-the-point, book about the basics. Wow; was there a lot I didn't know.

Reviewing the Table of Contents tells all. Each chapter has a title that is a dead giveaway for proactive content. I like that! I am one of those insanely prepared people. Yes, I was a Girl Scout. The bottom line is you'll learn how to prevent common dog issues and how to be prepared for emergencies with this book. Again, a must read!

I especially love that the author, Dr. Jason Nicholas, included a section on prevention of toxicities (I'm all about avoiding chemicals, in case you didn't already know that) and even tackled some of the simple, yet extremely important tips you'll wish you had read years ago. This is where his experience really shines. As I share a few of the highlights that may or may not be surprises to you, stay with me. At the end of this post, I'll share my top two picks for great new information.

Here are some of my favorite finds in this excellent guide for all dog owners:

• Household items that must always be kept out of reach or secured for your dog's safety: batteries, magnets, gifts, cat litter, trash cans, compost piles, fishing gear, dirty laundry, baby bottle nipples and pacifiers, and an extremely obvious one--dirty diapers. 
• Prevent a number of potential traumas with these proactive activities: leave dogs inside while doing yard work, fence in your pool and drown-proof your dog (teach him how to get out!), pay attention to your dog at the dog park, steer clear of sticks as a toy or fetch item, place power cords securely behind furniture or other barriers, use reflective vests or lights when walking Fido at night, take care around dangerous objects that move without Fido's understanding (escalators, paper shredders, rockers and recliners, don't allow your pack to "work it out on their own"--prevention is key, don't allow heads outside the car window, check fitted items as your pup grows, and let a groomer remove mats from fur safely with trimmers.
• Prevent toxicities with these tips. Keep well out of reach: plastic bags of all kinds, purses, diaper bags, backpacks, medications, plant bulbs, gum, antifreeze, poisonous foods for dogs, home and garden pest poisons, houseplants, poisonous outdoor plants such as Sago palms, and local wildlife dangers. Supervise cooking and countertop foods carefully.
• Prevent diseases and illnesses and recognize the signs. Follow your Veterinarian's preventive care advice including grooming, ear and mouth care.  Watch for changes in your dog's habits and interests. Don't be that person who leaves a dog in a car on a warm day. Heat stroke kills.
• Prevent multiple problems with these tips: Fence your yard, provide a truly pet-safe area inside, keep your dog indoors when fireworks are anticipated, supervise young children and babies with your dog, prevent bolting, make time for walks, training and play, emphasize puppy socialization to reduce many behavioral issues down the road, secure your guests' rooms when they are away, and train seriously use leashes on all walks.
• Prevent emergencies: keep a pet first aid kit at home and in your car, keep pet E.R. and poison control numbers in your phone, consider health insurance to help manage healthcare costs, educate yourself on pet first aid, travel with a copy of your pet's vaccine record and most current rabies shot, and don't induce vomiting until you have talked to poison control or a veterinarian.

That was a mouthful, huh? Well, now it's time for the academy's choices on the top two tips. You probably know that I'm a staunch advocate of crate training. There are a million reasons that a crate could save your dog's life, not just as a puppy, but all the way to the end. Dr. Nicholas pointed out an excellent safety tip for crate use, as well as for dogs who live where decks are present. Read on...

Because of the small openings between deck boards and crate wiring, small openings can sometimes catch items and trap a dog. For this reason, your dog should not be left in these areas while wearing choke chains, pinch collars, or dangling ID tags. Consider ID tags that lie flat against your dog's collar for better safety and comfort.

And my second choice for an outstanding tip is #67: "Be aware of Salmon Poisoning Disease." I'll admit it. I have never hear of this. Dr. Nicholas indicates it is exclusive to the Pacific Northwest, so I'm vindicated being a Florida native. But I'm headed that way soon enough on a trip with dogs in tow, so that's a topic I plan to read up on now that I know it is potentially deadly. 

Join me? After you've read the details of some of my highlights above in a copy of 101 Essential Tips, let's all do our homework to assure our dogs don't turn up with any of these surprising problems. I've already Googled this disease and learned that this disease only strikes dogs. Other animals and humans are not susceptible. Check this out and pat yourself on the back for learning one more thing to help your dog stay healthy and happy.

The sad news about Salmon poisoning is that 90% of infected dogs that go untreated will die within about 14 days. This is just one of the amazing and life-saving tips you'll learn about in this terrific book. Please read it cover to cover. You and your dog will benefit greatly.

Dr. Jason Nicholas, BVetMed, is the founder of The PreventiveVet.com, a site where you can learn more to prevent, be aware and be prepared. You'll find lots of free downloads there, so visit and enjoy. You'll also find Jason on Twitter and Facebook. 

I was provided with a review copy of 101 Essential Tips by Dr. Jason Nicholas. He did not compensate me for the review and the opinions included herein are completely my own.

Common Dog Issues: Natural Remedies

guest post by Jason Minor

It is no fun when your dog is not feeling well. However there are many natural remedies to make him feel better fast. Here are some common ailments and a few tips for treating them the natural way:

Fleas – Fleas are the bane of any dog owner’s existence, but there are natural ways to fight them. One thing you should do is regularly bathe your dog. Comb them with a flea comb to remove current infestations and vacuum any areas that the fleas may be living. You can give your dogs a garlic supplement to ward off fleas and also treat their skin and fur with a mixture of essential oils like tea tree and lemon grass. Proceed slowly to watch for your dog’s reaction to any new remedies. You can also use orange oil or vegetable soap to repel fleas. Treat affected sleeping areas and carpets with diatomaceous earth, but do not use on your dogs unless a food grade version is obtained. You may find this at your local pet specialty store or in some health food shops.

Gas – There are many reasons that your dog is gassy. Most of the time it is due to diet. To prevent gas avoid feeding the dog leftovers. Feed only dog food or suitable alternatives. Do not switch the food brands or flavors quickly. Instead introduce new brands a little at a time. If your dog eats too fast consider breaking up the food and placing it in a wide, shallow bowl to encourage slower eating. Do not let your dog run and jump right after eating. Instead encourage a resting period and then a slow walk to promote good digestion.

Itchy skin – There are many causes for itchy skin, but dogs frequently itch until they bleed, making the problem worse. To alleviate itching naturally try to wash the dog with a diluted mixture of apple cider vinegar. Some other baths include chamomile tea, green tea, or a baking soda solution can also help with itching. If you have recently changed dog shampoos you may want to go back to the old brand or try a natural alternative. Supplements like fish oil can also help problem skin and make fur shiny and healthy.

Patchy fur – Most issues with patchy fur are due to itching or skin allergies. If you have done your best to remove any allergens and the fur is still not growing back, try this simple treatment. Everyday wash your dog with an apple cider vinegar solution. You can even supplement this with an occasional spray throughout the day. After a few days the skin should not be red and fur should be growing back. The vinegar helps to kill bacteria on the skin and restore natural PH, reducing the urge to itch.

Ear Mites –If your dog is itching at his ears or seems to have black growth in his ears, it might be ear mites. The first thing you should do is rub a few drops of vegetable oil in the ear. After a minute clean out the existing black with a cotton ball. Then treat the mites with a solution of 9 drops of yellow dock root and 1 teaspoon of water. Massage it in once every three days for six weeks. Or you can mix one half ounce of almond oil with 400 IUs of Vitamin E. Apply half an eyedropper full every day for six days and massage in. Stop for three days and then repeat to kill the mites.

These are just a few of the natural ways you can help your dog to feel better fast. There are many resources to help you in your quest to make your dog well naturally, so take a look around All Things Dog Blog and find out what works.

Author Bio:

Jason Miner an expert freelance writer loves writing articles on different categories. He is approaching different bloggers to recognize each other's efforts through “www.blogcarnival.com”. He can be contacted through e-mail at jasonminer8atgmaildotcom.

Beginning Your Holiday with Bonding

by Carrie Boyko, CEB

(c) AllThingsDogBlog.com
Ho Ho Ho!

Tomorrow marks the beginning of Hanukkah, with Christmas not far behind. Speaking of behind, I am. I've gotten to the point where leaving my dogs home for hours of shopping in crowded malls is just not what I want to do. I've moved my shopping to the convenience of my own home, the Internet. 

As catalogs began arriving before Thanksgiving, I located and ordered items of interest. I can browse my favorite sites with Oliver snoozing in my lap and Tanner keeping watch over his favorite possession, our swimming pool! Tomorrow I'll list the remaining gifts, spend some quality time online (is that an oxymoron?), wash my car with Tanner's assistance, and finally trek into the attic to bring down holiday decorations, supervised closely by two very inquisitive dogs.

The attic is not a place they get to go, even though ours has a walk-in entrance. They'll wait outside the door, sniffing curiously, for me to exit with boxes that also will invoke curiosity. Then the fun begins. Every box has to come down the spiral staircase--those fun dizzying stairs that you've seen in some of my photos. What were we thinking?!

Even so, Tanner will follow me up and then down, making sure that each box is thoroughly inspected when it arrives at the bottom. This whole process is quite entertaining for the boys. Not only do they get plenty of exercise going up and down about 20 times, but the excitement of checking out each box is exhausting. When I'm done, they'll be ready for a good, long nap to help them recover from their hard work.

Yes, we bond over this activity. Their enthusiasm for it is nothing short of a 2 year old's, wondering what sort of yummies or toys may be within each of these boxes. When I begin to unpack these cartons the next day they are probably going to be an extreme disappointment to Tanner and Oliver. No probably about it; they will be!

But with the dogs keeping me company, we'll decorate the tree and set out some other fun symbols of the holiday at hand. Each will be once again inspected and sniffed for potential edibility and play-ability. Watch it Tanner; none of these items are toys. 

When all is unpacked and set out, we'll get to do the spiral staircase experience in reverse; this time the boxes go back up. What a shame that I'll have to do this all over again in January, but Tanner and Oliver will enjoy it just as much each time they accompany me. Go figure. Go bond with your dog over whatever holiday it is that you celebrate. Happy holidays!

Join us each week for the Weekly Wag when I share tips and strategies for bonding with your dog throughout the year.

This post is part of the Saturday Pet Blogger Hop hosted by Life with Dogs, Two Little Cavaliers, and Confessions of the Plume. You are welcome to link up here, or check any of their sites for their rules of participation. Happy hopping! 

Creative Pet Problem Solving During Construction

by Carrie Boyko, CEB

(c) AllThingsDogBlog.com
Domino Repairs Mean Creative Playtime

Home renovation is not a pretty thought for me these days. After a flying rock broke our glass front door, the replacement of that door turned into a domino effect of repair jobs and replacements that would frighten you if I listed the jobs and the total cost. Let's just say that we did our part to help the local economy :)

From the dogs' point of view, life has been rather disrupted by the coming and going of strangers at different hours throughout the day, as well as the ripping up of our yard. Now that the sprinkler system is in (don't even ask how that figured into the broken door; you would not believe it) we have trails of dirt where no sod shall grow, given the growth season has just ceased till March. Sigh.

When men are working in your home, you can expect your dogs to take advantage of the doors left open, enjoying the muddy yard, the concrete being used to grout the new front porch, and worse yet, the dangerous tools lying everywhere. While my dogs never greet a stranger with distaste, they do enjoy exploring sharp tools, freshly poured cement and dirt that is not filled in with grass. Double sigh!

(c) AllThingsDogBlog.com
One Truck After Another

Our routine has had to change for the duration of this work, which likely will last a full 3 months, followed by the fun project of re-landscaping afterwards. I just know Tanner will be excited to help dig holes for the plants we select. But I digress. I started all this to lead into some of the ways we have bonded through building a new routine to adapt to all the dangers and disruptions in the dog's recent days.

• Locating areas where work is not currently being done has provided new inspiration for activities and play. The screened porch one day, the kitchen and family room another day, and when all else failed, we dropped Oliver and Tanner off at their favorite doggie daycare where they could enjoy all day free play. Tails were definitely wagging when we pulled into the parking lot of this supervised dog park. Oliver has a new BFF that really seems to have put a skip into his step (yes, he is neutered!)
• With cooler weather arriving earlier this year, Tanner's swims have been limited to afternoons, which is generally when I walk the dogs during our cooler months. For now, we've switched up our routine to offer an afternoon walk following Tanner's swim, which has the expected result--a nice, long nap afterwards. Oliver has been happy to join him, and they are making a habit of enjoying this snooze within view of me, probably to give them some degree of comfort with all the noise and work going on around the house. I have accommodated them each by placing a bed near where I am working to assure their comfort. I actually think they appreciate this small kindness.
• Last week's Thanksgiving holiday was my 4 day cooking marathon. It turns out that the dogs seem to think I need tremendous supervision when working with turkey, carrots, cheese, fruits, vegetables....well, let's face it, most any food! I started a container of tidbits that made good training treats, and provided great assortment. The boys enjoyed practicing their latest tricks after which they were rewarded with pot luck from the goodies I set aside. Helping mom cook is such fun! (Don't try this technique if your pup has a sensitive stomach.)
• During a few particularly busy days when multiple jobs were in progress around the house and day care was not an option, the boys and I secluded ourselves in my bedroom/office/dressing area. This may sound claustrophobic, but with large doors that open to the porch, we were able to open them and block exit during porch work with an expandable gate, allowing us to get fresh air and the feel of being outside. Oliver and Tanner enjoyed some time in the Bo Obama area that we created for our recent visitor, thanks to HomeGoods. 
• Finally, our door routine has reversed during the front porch and door replacement. We now come and go through the back doors, entering the screened porch first. This whole process has confused Tanner, who always runs to the front door area first when I call out the command "House". Poor fella. I hope he is not confused for life. When we arrive at the entrance to the back, I've placed a container of yummy smelling paw wipes to clean off the mud and dirt that the boys pick up in our ripped up yard, which is eternally wet from sprinkler testing going on. After they allow me to clean them up, I treat them and tell them what good boys they are. With tails wagging, we go back inside to pursue our daily duties. It's amazing what a small training treat will help you accomplish with your dog. They absolutely love having their paws cleaned up!

Tell me about your home repair adventures at our initial Weekly Wag post, and you'll be entered to win the grand prize drawing on December 31. Join us each Saturday for another version of the Weekly Wag, where I share tips and strategies for bonding with your dog through your daily activities and sometimes with special events. 

Finally, I'd like to hear your thoughts on continuing this series into 2013. Have you enjoyed reading about ways to bond with your dog in your daily lives? Leave a comment and let me know if you'd like to keep this series rolling.

This post is part of the Saturday Pet Blogger Hop hosted by Life with Dogs, Two Little Cavaliers, and Confessions of the Plume. You are welcome to link up here, or check any of their sites for their rules of participation. Happy hopping! 

Dog Park Socialization: A Pet Solutions Post

by Carrie Boyko, CEB

(c) k.c.
Meet Benny

Hi!

I am a proud "pet parent" of a 2-year-old rescue pup, Benny. I really have no idea about his history before his life with me. He has successfully completed a few training classes (puppy, obedience, and tricks) and has even gained the reputation around our local pet store of being a very smart dog. When he was a puppy I tried to socialize him to other dogs as much as possible, but he has always seemed to me more interested in being by my side than hanging out with other dogs.

We have recently been so fortunate to have a brand new dog park open in our city and it has been a wonderful thing for our whole community. Now this brings me to my issue with Benny. Although I know he loves being able to get out of the house and go to the dog park four or five times a week, when we get inside the dog park all he seems to care about is what I am doing. 

Many of the other dogs will explore their environments and check out other dogs and people, but Benny rarely even walks more that 5 feet away from me (unless he is chasing the frisbee). He is not a fan of me giving attention to other dogs and tends to get a bit snippy if he thinks another dog gets too close to me. Are there any training tips you might know of that could help in this situation? I just want him to be able to relax and enjoy the other dogs. 

Any advice would be great! Thank you!

-Karly

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Dear Karly:  My favorite topic! I just love dog parks and am fascinated by the art of socializing different dogs. It has been my experience that dogs, just like people, have different needs when it comes to their social lives. Your Blue Heeler mix is definitely one of these, requiring much interaction and mental work, along with a physical job to do. Your Frisbee games are ideal for this high-energy breed.

You'll want to continue to bring Benny to the park to maintain his comfort with being around other dogs, even though he is somewhat aloof in their presence. He is, nevertheless, getting a sense of group comfort that is important if you want to be able to take him with you whenever you're out and about, without worry of unsocial behavior.

With regard to Benny's concern over your attentions to other dogs, this may need addressing. You can acclimate him to accepting your attention to other dogs by associating it with pleasurable responses from you. No treats in the dog park for safety reasons, but offer praise and affection when he allows you to interact with other dogs. Start with brief interactions and work up.

If you feel you need more of this than he is comfortable with, make a date with yourself to visit the park without Benny and get your fill. Don't worry; he'll know where you've been when you arrive home, and will likely give you a good sniff up and down to learn all about the new dogs you met. Then you can bring him along and focus on him next time. You'll always want Benny to know you are his biggest fan and that you've got his back. I borrowed this statement from our Ask the Trainer columnist, Michael Baugh. It's perfect for this situation :)

Happy tails,