And we wonder… Why do dogs bark? Why don’t they stop?

This is an ongoing battle for many pet owners as their dog may be an excessive barker…. but we have some simple solutions to try to conquer the barker.

Firstly, you need to identify WHY and WHAT your dog is barking for and about.  Is it attention? Is it confinement? Is it a control thing? Is he getting enough love? We’ve been able to uncover several strategies to conquer the dilema

• Let’s get physical. Dogs that spend most of their time in the backyard or in the house probably need an exercise outlet. Even if your yard is large, dashing around it in circles is not the equivalent of exercise and interaction. Take your dog for a long walk, or head to the park for a change of scenery and a game of fetch.
• Love the one you’re with. Bring your dog into the house when you�re home. It’s important that he feels he’s part of the family and is loved. Develop a relationship with him through play and fun.
• You’ve got a friend in me. Dogs are social creatures. Take your dog to the same park daily or weekly and let him make doggy friends. Dogs romping around together tire easily and sleep soundly.
• First, teach your dog that barking is okay until he is told to “Be quiet.” Each time your dog barks, command him to “Be quiet.” Simultaneously, hold a treat in front of your dog’s nose. Most dogs get quiet immediately because they can’t sniff and lick the treat while barking at the same time.
• Praise your dog continuously during his quiet time with petting and words of encouragement.
• After three seconds of no barking, let him have the treat. As you continue with your training, increase the amount of time you require him to be quiet before giving the treat.
• When your dog makes a mistake and barks (and he will) reprimand him immediately. Never strike your dog, but do something that will catch his attention, such as clapping loudly or squirting water in his face. As soon as your dog stops barking, you must instantly reward him.

Dandruff and Dogs

So, yesterday Archie got a bath ( a much needed bath that is).  He looks and smells wonderful, but now he has dandruff.  I don’t mean a couple flakes here and there, but full blown dandruff.  I’m thinking the massaging of soap into his back sparked the white flakes to blossom.

So, I did some research on how to tackle the white flakes and this is what I found…

By Chester Duke. Dandruff mostly occurs when the dog’s skin cells naturally form, die, and flake off at a very fast rate.  The following are seven suggestions on how to keep your dog’s coat clean and dandruff free:

1.  Because dandruff is a sign of flaky skin, you need to give your dog regular baths to wash away the flakes before they start to accumulate.  Giving your dog a bath once a month during the winter season and twice a month in the summer time will help clear up the problem for good.  Always use warm (not very hot) water to bathe your dog.  Use a mild shampoo like regular baby shampoo and massage it thoroughly into his skin.  Make sure that you rinse and dry well.

2.  If using a regular baby shampoo does not get rid of the dandruff, try using a pet dandruff shampoo that contains sulfur or salicylic acid.  Leave the lather on for about 5 minutes to give the active ingredients time to work.  Medicated shampoos are available online and in pet stores.  Do not use medicated shampoos intended for humans since they can be harmful to your dog.  In addition, to prevent the dandruff from getting worse, do not use shampoos that contain insecticide such as most flea shampoos.  These shampoos leave your dog’s skin very dry, even those with added moisturizers.

3.  You may use the same colloidal oatmeal soap that people use for dry skin to help relieve flaking.  Oatmeal soap is great for dogs with dandruff because it moisturizes dry skin.

4.  You can spray your dog’s coat with an oil rinse, available online and in pet stores.  Spraying him with an oil rinse helps lubricate the skin and lock in moisture.  This is especially important if you live in a dry climate.

5.  You can also rub your dog’s coat with the same moisturizing lotion or cream that you use on your hands; this gets the moisture down really deep.

6.  Regular grooming is also necessary in order to help distribute natural oils evenly over your pet’s dry skin, which helps keep dandruff down.  You need to choose a brush that is not too harsh.  Test the softness of the brush by rubbing it on the back of your hand to see if it hurts.  If it is soft enough to use on your own head, then it is going to feel good for your dog.

7.  Some generic foods do not provide the full amount of vitamins and minerals that your dog needs in order to maintain a healthy skin.  Switching to a high quality name brand food will help eliminate the problem.  Sometimes, dandruff occurs because dogs are not getting enough fat in their diets.  You need to consult with a vet before giving your dog any kind of supplement.

Dogs and Sprinklers… Is this a good mix?

Well, as the summer pushes ahead, I often wonder if Archie will make it a day without diving into the sprinkler with his little sister, I’m starting to think the sprinkler addiction has possesed him.  Not only does he try and attack the sprinkler, he barks at it like he’s trying to protect the family.  It’s hilarious to watch, yet irritating when the kids want to run through… but, the sprinkler lends complete entertainment for the entire family.  I’m thinking I need to get Arch his own towel.

Your dog, your car buddy

I know, this is definately not the safest of behaviors, but Archie insists (actually, I feel guilty always leaving him), on making car trips with me.  We go to the grocery store, we go to Target, we go to the bank and to the dry cleaners together.  I run the errand and he stays behind to ‘guard’ the car.  He’s like an extra security system for the car.  Anyone gets close, he feels the urge to bark and act obnoxious (but all in fun as he’s completely harmless).  

Anyway, with all our car traveling, I’m contimplating getting him Doggles (sunglasses for dogs).

You can pick them up at Four Leg Identity, but I’m not certain he’d keep them on.  Archie’s somewhat finicke, and not always wanting to have articles of clothing on.  hmmmm.

Does your dog have gas?

So, earlier today I was working in my office when Arch decided to spray his lovely ordor everywhere.  I felt as though I couldn’t get away, but WHY is it so toxic? Archie doesn’t eat much but his own dog food… but sometimes he doees rumage outside in the weeds (who knows what he gets in to), anyway, it always baffles me when he does fart because his diet is so consistent (for the most part), well, anyway, I decided to look into this a little further….

by, Kymythy Schultze, author of The Natural Nutrition No-Cook Book. 

When asked this question, I sometimes joke to the person inquiring that it’s good they’re going to start taking responsibility for their own emissions and stop blaming the dog! But seriously, frequent gas in your dog shouldn’t be ignored. It can be much more than just unpleasant aromatherapy.

First the question: What causes gas in dogs?
Unfortunately, there is not one simple answer as the reason can range from bad food to parasites to illness. To get to the, uh, bottom, of what’s causing gas in your particular furry friend, you first need to look at the whole animal. Is the dog healthy and in good condition other than having gas? If your dog is not in good health, then a trip to your favorite veterinarian (preferably one who practices alternative medicine) is in order. If your dog is in good health, other than occasionally clearing the room, then it may be time to try a few simple natural remedies.

What Goes in Must Come Out
The most important factor is food and this includes your dog’s regular diet and any treats they receive. Your dog could have food allergies or the food may be of poor quality. We’ve probably all heard the expression “Garbage in = Garbage out” and it applies to your canine friend as well as yourself. If your dog’s diet contains any ingredients that interfere with normal digestion they may experience stomach problems, including gas. And don’t forget to examine treats that are given. From my experience as a canine nutritionist over the last two decades I find a fresh food diet creates the healthiest dogs I’ve ever seen.

Real species-appropriate food is easy for dogs to digest and utilize. I’ve fed my own Newfoundland dogs this way for about 20 years now and we do not have any problems with gas (good thing too with a dog the size of a Newf – we’d blow out the windows!). To learn more about preparing a simple meal of real food for your dog check out my book “Natural Nutrition for Dogs and Cats” as it explains exactly how to go about doing it correctly. Even if you’re not willing to prepare your dog’s meals, you should definitely focus on finding a better source of nutrition to help eliminate gas.

Some dogs, even on a good diet, will occasionally get into something they shouldn’t and let you know about it the odiferous way. Here are few natural remedies to try:

1. Peppermint – tear up a couple of leaves of this herb into their food.
2. Nux Vomica – this is a homeopathic remedy and should be given away from food.
3. Enzymes – these help to breakdown undigested food.
4. Probiotics – flora found in the digestive system; these “good guys” help knock out the “bad guys.” Look for the non-dairy variety.
5. Massage – relax your dog onto his back and gently massage the midline of the stomach, and yes, it does help to coo and talk calmly!

Do not try all of the above at the same time or you’ll never know which worked best. But, do try them, as they are all gentle and effective ways to allow your farting furry friend back into the fold!

Will I hurt my dogs feelings if I don’t let him sleep with me anymore?

Well, I’m officially frustrated when Archie jumps into bed.  Maybe I should lighten up some, but we just purchased a new dog bed for him and feel he should embrace his new throne….. but why do I feel like I’m hurting his feelings? Is this possible.  Well, I did some research and look what  I found…

I train dogs and specialize in analyzing dog behavior through body language and gestures. Through a lot of experience and knowledge, many things about a dog’s intentions or mood can be deduced, but as good as I would like to think I am at what I do, reading a dog in this way is about as primitive a form of “communication” as a game of charades is.

First, no one knows whether animals experience emotions, and if they do whether they are perceived or “felt” in the same manner we experience them. So when we talk about our convictions about animal emotions, I think we should step back and realize that we are talking more about our own brains than the dog’s brain! People get “invested” in this argument because THEY have strong feelings or possess a paradigm about how animals think and feel, but only a dog knows what its own paradigm of reality is like.

On the one hand, it is rather egotistical of us to think that dogs or other animals must think or feel in ways similar to us. Considering that dogs have different instincts than us, different goals and different strategies for obtaining those goals, a difference sense of time and causation, a totally dissimilar anatomy and physiology for the most part–considering they have much smaller brains, evolved in a different environment than we did, communicate differently than we do, are hunters and carnivores unlike us, go through developmental stages unlike humans, reach maturity within a year or two unlike us, live a life that is 1/5th to 1/6th the length of the average human life, (and I could go on for pages)… how likely is it that they have evolved to think or feel emotions in a manner that is in any way similar to the way we do?

Some people point out that all mammals share similar structures– more specifically that they all have a limbic system of some sort, which is involved in the generation of emotions–you fail to consider that the similar structures do not necessarily perform similar duties, no matter how closely related the species may be. Our distant cousins, the apes, have opposable thumbs, but that does not give them the dexterity of a human hand. Wolves, dogs and humans all have urinary tracts, but only the first two use them to scent mark and communicate information. Virtually all mammals share a tongue, but unlike dogs who use it to regulate body heat, we will not die if ours is removed.

Seemingly analogous anatomical structures differ in their function in various animals, but more importantly, dogs lack many of the additional anatomical structures and abilities which humans possess. It has been made clear through numerous experiments that dogs are not good problems solvers, especially in situations that demand logical connections, memory, generalization, or imitation.

(In the Coppinger’s “Dogs,” there is a fascinating story of how foxes and dogs and other canines where kept in kennels inside a larger chain link fence that surrounded the compound. In order to escape, an animal had to not only open its own cage, but had to somehow get through the locked gate in the fence that surrounded the facility. Dogs would routinely escape their cages, only to be stuck for the night inside the perimeter fence. On the other hand, wild canines (I forget if they were foxes or wolves) knew how to open their cages, but never did so until one evening when a careless worker left the outer gate open. On that night, numerous foxes or wolves escaped. They had waited for months, hiding the fact that they could open their cages from their humans handlers–until the open outer gate provided the opportunity for them to escape! No dog ever did this. It is beyond their mental abilities to put that many concepts together!)

So, yes, we can point out that dogs have a limbic system like humans, and that it is catacholamines such a seratonin, GABA, norepinepherine, and dopamine that regulate the way an animal feels, but we do not know whether these same chemicals occur in dogs in the same proportions found in humans. We do not know that the canine nervous system reacts and “feels” these chemicals in the same way as in humans. (Remember, as similar as we may be, chocolate is a treat for humans and Ibuprofen is a miracle of a pain killer, but both substances in moderate amounts can kill a dog!)

Most importantly, humans have additional brain features such as pre-frontal lobes and a vast network of ganglia dedicated to thinking and making connections between stimuli which dogs lack, or do not have in such a highly developed form. These structures of the human brain add layer upon layer of enhancement and meaning to the primitive “fight or flight” type emotions (fear, anger, etc.) generated by the amygdala, one of the prime components of the limbic system. This enhanced processing power of the human brain refines and associates basic emotions with thoughts, images, and other sensory data to create complex pathways and patterns of interconnected thoughts and associations in our brains that a dog is certainly not capable of experiencing.

Outwardly, also, we see few examples of dogs emoting as humans do. I have never seen a dog laugh in ten years of working with dogs. When people tell me their dog smiles, I think of the “smile” on the face of a newborn human infant–usually a dependable sign of gas pains, but certainly not a response to humor! And dogs are incapable physically of exhibiting even one of the most basic and universally understood of human emotional gestures: crying and the creation of tears.

The claim that we can recognize emotion in a dog seems particularly silly to me when I contemplate the fact that we cannot even reliably recognize emotions in a fellow human! People often cry when they are happy. Many hide their feelings behind a stark poker face for an entire lifetime, while others cannot contain the mildest feeling without acting out. As a public school English teacher, I read clear understandable passages to 12th graders who have no idea what they mean! Many students pretend to be listening, but they are not. And some of us hear voices telling us we are being watched by aliens. So how anyone can claim to “know” a dog’s inner world–what it may be thinking or feeling–is beyond me! According to Freud, I do not even know all that I am thinking!!!

We live in a time when there are two competing and opposite views of dogs: One is the Walt Disney view (better know in the scientific community as anthropomorphizing), in which our dogs hug and “kiss” us, and love us and miss us, and are basically reduced to midgets in dog suits. The opposing view is best exemplified by the Behaviorists, who will not admit anything that cannot be measured, tested, or directly observed–where dogs end up as empty robot shells. (Interestingly, the most successful methods we use to train dogs are based on this view, including Operant and Classical Conditioning.) Somewhere in between is the dog–a species in its own right, with its own characteristics and ways of perceiving–a noble and lovable companion animal and worker that is neither human nor robot.

Only when we stop trying to make dogs into something they are not, stop trying to attribute to them the qualities we WISH they had, but also allow that there is more there than the behaviorists’ war-cry of “What you see is what you get!”–only then will we be honoring and valuing these animals for what they are instead of for what we dream them to be. They are dogs–a wonderful enough creation without the fanciful embellishments!

Having said all that, I defend the right of any dog owner to indulge in the fantasy that their dog loves them and is responding to them in a human manner. I indulge in such imaginings myself. But when we fail to realize that they are just imaginings, and not reality, that is when we do a disservice to ourselves and our pets. Barry “A dog cannot be bad, it can only be a dog.”

Can your pet sense pregnancy?

So, I’m often intrigued by how intuitive our pets can be and just recently started thinking about our dog, Archie and whether or not he can sense my pregnancy.  Although it’s still early, I often wonder.  Anyway, here’s what I found…

by Nikole Gipps, animal behaviorist

Yes. We don’t have scientific proof that pets sense their owners’ pregnancies, but I’ve seen plenty of examples of this in my ten years as an animal trainer.

Your pets probably don’t understand that in nine months a new baby will be joining your family, but dogs and cats do detect differences in your mood, posture, behavior, and body chemistry that clue them in to the enormous changes you’re going through.

Your dog and cat will pick up other signs, too: They’re masters at reading body language, so they’ll notice when your movements start to get more awkward. Pets are also highly attuned to changes in your daily routine — say, if you’re not taking your dog for runs as often as you used to, if you’re spending more time on the couch, or if family members are treating you with extra care.

It’s common for dogs to go on alert and become overprotective of their expecting owner from the very beginning of her pregnancy. I’ve worked with dogs that growled, barked, or blocked doors with their bodies to prevent other family members — even the baby’s father — from coming into the same room as the mom-to-be.

Other dogs will treat their pregnant owner with more attention and care than usual. One woman I worked with had a difficult pregnancy and ended up on bedrest. Her dog refused to leave her side and had to be forcefully pushed outside to go to the bathroom. My own dogs waited patiently for me while I waddled through the park at a slower-than-normal pace.

Because they aren’t as socially involved, cats are less likely to go through these sorts of behavioral changes. Three of my cats couldn’t have cared less about my pregnancy. The fourth decided that my warm, vibrating belly was the best invention since cat food. I’ve heard other cat owners report a range of responses from uninterested to more loving and protective. But keep giving your cat attention and love during your pregnancy, as neglected cats may become more aggressive or act out by urinating where they’re not supposed to, like in your bed or laundry basket.

To help prevent problem behaviors, try to stick to your pre-pregnancy routine as much as you can, and ask family members and friends to help when you’re not up for a run in the park or a long brushing session. I advise clients to develop a plan for their pet while they’re in the hospital, just like they’d develop a birth plan. Line up a caretaker for your pets and write down your pets’ schedules for that person.

To help your dog understand that you still love him, be careful of the messages you send through your body language. Pregnant women often unconsciously place their hands over their stomachs, and dogs read this closed-arm posture as saying “I’m unavailable” or “step back.” Open-armed postures, on the other hand, send dogs the message to “come here.”

If your dog or cat starts seriously misbehaving during your pregnancy, or if you don’t have experience preparing pets for a new baby, it’s a good idea to get help from a professional trainer. Many offer “baby readiness” classes or individual training sessions to help pets adjust.

If you stay on top of any potential behavior problems, having pets during your pregnancy and afterward can be a wonderful thing for you and your baby. Studies have shown that spending time with a domesticated animal can improve mood, reduce depression, lower blood pressure, and even help you live longer. So enjoy!

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Interesting Dog Facts… You might be amazed at some of these

So, I’m always intrigued when I learn new things about dogs.  I just came across Weird Dog Facts and thought I would share with you.  Take a look.  I’m sure many of these will amaze you and even shock you! Enjoy!

It is a myth that dogs are color blind. They can actually see in color, just not as vividly as humans. It is akin to our vision at dusk.

Dogs DO have better low-light vision than humans because of a special light-reflecting layer behind their retinas

A German Shepherd guide dog led her blind companion the entire 2100 mile Applachian Trail

If never spayed or neutered, a female dog, her mate, and their puppies could product over 66,000 dogs in 6 years!

Dogs’ only sweat glands are between their paw pads

Like human babies, Chihuahuas are born with a soft spot in their skull which closes with age

The breed Lundehune has 6 toes and can close its ears

Teddy Roosevelt’s dog, Pete, ripped a French ambassador’s pants off at the White House

President Lyndon Johnson had two beagles named Him and Her

Franklin Roosevelt spent $15,000 for a destroyer to pick up his Scottie in the Aleutian Islands

In Roman times, mastiffs donned light armor and were sent after mounted knights

The Russians trained dogs during WWII to run suicide missions with mines strapped to their backs

A dog’s mouth exerts 150-200 pounds of pressure per square inch … with some dogs exerting up to 450 pounds per squre inch.

A one year old dog is as mature, physically, as a 15 year old human

The U.S. has the highest dog population in the world France has the 2nd highest

The average city dog lives 3 years longer than a country dog

87% of dog owners say their dog curls up beside them or at their feet while they watch T.V.

Dogs can be trained to detect epileptic seizures

15 people die in the U.S. every year from dog bites

In 2002 alone, more people in the U.S. were killed by dogs than by sharks in the past 100 years

Gidget is the name of the Taco Bell dog

Newfoundlands are great swimmers because of their webbed feet

Basset Hounds cannot swim

Greyhounds are the fastest dogs on earth, with speeds of up to 45 miles per hour

Bingo is the name of the dog on the side of the Cracker Jack box

The bible mentions dogs 14 times

Three dogs survived the sinking of the Titanic – a Newfoundland, a Pomeranian, and a Pekingese

The Labrador Retriever is the #1 favorite breed in the U.S., Canada, and the U.K.

Obesity is the #1 health problem among dogs

An estimated 1,000,000 dogs in the U.S. have been named as the primary beneficiaries in their owner’s will

An American Animal Hospital Assoc. poll found that 33% of dog owners admit to talking to their dogs on the phone and leaving answering machine messages for them while away

Dog’s nose prints are as unique as a human’s finger prints and can be used to accurately identify them

At the end of the Beatles’ song “A Day in the Life”, a high-pitched dog whistle was recorded by Paul McCartney for his sheepdog

70% of people sign their pet’s name on greeting and holiday cards

58% put pets in family and holiday portraits

There are only 350 Cisky Terriers in the world – perhaps the rarest breed

The phrase “raining cats and dogs” originated in 17th century England when it is believed that many cats and dogs drowned during heavy periods of rain.

Dogs have no sense of “time”

Humans have kept dogs as pets for over 12,000 years

The largest breed of dog is the Irish Wolfhound

The world’s smallest dog breed is the Chihuahua

The St. Bernard is the heaviest

Only dogs and humans have prostates

But dogs do not have an appendix

Every dog on earth likely descended from a species knows as the Tomarctus – a creature that roamed the earth over 15 million years ago

The oldest known breed is likely the Saluki – originally trained by Egyptians to help them track game.

In 1957, Laika became the first living being in space via an earth satellite … while JFK’s terrir, Charlie, father 4 puppies with Laika’s daughter

An African wolf dog known as the basenji is the only dog in the world that cannot bark

There are 703 breeds of purebred dogs

Dachshunds were originally bred for fighting badgers

The world’s smartest dogs are thought to be (1) the border collie, (2) the poodle, and (3) the golden retriever … while the dumbest dog is believed to be the Afghan hound

A dog’s smell is more than 100,000 times stronger than that of a human’s … which they need because their eyesight is not as keen as a human’s.

Dogs judge objects first by their movement, then by their brightness, and lastly by their shape

Chocolate contains a substance known as theobromine (similar to caffeine) which can kill dogs or at the very least make them violently ill

George Washington had thirty six dogs – all foxhounds – with one named Sweetlips

All dogs are identical in anatomy – 321 bones and 42 permanent teeth

Smaller breeds mature faster than larger breeds

Female dogs are only ready to mate – “in heat” – twice a year for a total of roughly 20 days

Puppies sleep ninety percent of the day for their first few weeks

Rin Tin Tin was the first Hollywood dog star … and he really signed his movie contracts – all 22 of them – with a pawprint

The Wizard of Oz’s Toto was played by a female Cairn Terrier named Terry

Up until the late 1800′s, Collies were known as Scottish Sheepdogs

Dogs have two times as many muscles to move their ears as people

The longer a dog’s nose, the more effective it’s internal cooling system

An elderly woman was saved by her 12 pound Yorkshire Terrier who fought off an 80 pound Akita and survived with only 9 stitches

U.S. Customs dogs “Rocky” and “Barco” were so good at patrolling the border that Mexican drug lords put a $300,000 bounty on their heads

Dogs are all direct descendants of wolves

Wolves and dogs can mate to produce fertal offspring

Female wolves have been known to travel great distances to regurgitate full meals for their hungry pups

Cerberus was the tri-headed dog that guarded the underworld in Greek mythology

Female dogs bear their young for 60 days before they’re born

Dogs’ sense of hearing is more than ten times more acute than a human’s

Humans can detect sounds at 20,000 times per second, while dogs can sense frequencies of 30,000 times per second.

The earliest dog fossil dates back to nearly 10,000 B.C.

Bloodhounds are prized their ability to single out and identify a number of scents simultaneously

Dalmatian puppies are born completely white.

The Ancient Chinese carried Pekingese puppies in the sleeves of their robes

Boxers are so named because of their manner of playing with their front paws

All breeds of dog have been found to attack livestock – from 3 month old puppies, all the way up to thirteen year old poodles

A dog’s heart beats up to 120 times per minute, or 50% faster than the average human heartbeat of 80 times per minute

The oldest dog on record – a Queensland “Heeler” named Bluey – was 29 years, 5 months old

Davy Crockett had a dog named Sport

Dogs were first domesticated by cavemen

Dogs live 15 years on average

Many foot disorders inn dogs are simply an issue of long toenails

More than 5,000,000 puppies are born in the U.S. every year

More than 1 in 3 American families own a dog

Average body temperature for a dog is 101.2 degrees

The Girl Scouts and Boy Scouts both offer merit badges in dog care

Dogs are natural pack animals

They are naturally submissive to any creature with higher pack status – human or canine

Dogs instinctively require the pack leader’s approval

Dogs with little human contact in the first three months typically don’t make good pets

The Chihuahua was named after the state in Mexico where they were discovered

After birth, puppies’ eyes do not fully open until they’re about 12 days old

Their vision is not fully developed until after the 1st month

Dog Bowls… and Cat Bowls!

Ultra Hip and Ultra Cool Dog Bowls and Cat Bowls from Vurv Design! These bowls are wall mounted or free standing! Sleek design, extremely sophisticated and so much fun!