Firework Freakout

Will your dog be the Life of your 4th of July Party? Or a Party Pooper? Some dogs are not bothered by "Bams & Booms". If your dog isn't...You, Lucky Dog.

Maybe your dog hides under the bed, in a closet or in the bath tub. Maybe that's OK because they found a way to survive the show. Besides Fireworks only happen a few times a year.....depending where you live.

Some precautionary actions could save you some heartache and lower your dog's stress for the upcoming Holiday Celebration.

If your dog is crate trained. Use it. They will feel safe in their doggy bedroom. Be sure to walk your dog before crating so they can relieve themselves and not feel the pressure of needing to go while they are nervous.

Do not comfort or "baby" your dog if afraid. Dogs take their cue of how to behave from their owners. If you are acting "strange" by offering soothing words and gestures, your dog may interpret your actions as praise for being frightened or as confirmation that fireworks are truly scary. Do act normal and as "matter of fact" as possible. This will help your dog understand there is no reason to be worried.

If you have your dog with you while sitting under the flashing sky, make your dog lay down next to you. Keep a leash attached and be sure your dog is wearing ID tags should you become separated.

If your dog suffers from "Firework Phobia" don't not take them to the annual picnic or subject them to the exploding night sky. Keep them safe at home. Heaven forbid that your dog would be so scared that it runs away from you. Did you know that the busiest day for dog shelters is July 5th. Don't let your pet get lost or even worse hit by a car.

Want to stop the madness?! Recognize your dog's stressed behavior. Signs may include any or all behaviors: Panting, Drooling, Pacing, Hiding, Excessive Grooming. Condition them to loud startling sounds by getting them accustomed by slamming doors or dropping pan lids. Doing this helps them learn to recover quickly or not care at all. But don't think you can fix this is a week. Start now but in the meantime keep your dog safe.

Happy 4th of July no matter how you and your dog celebrate!

Out of the DogHouse LLC website www.ohiodogtrainer.net
Contact Dru Therrian 440.286.9070

What to do with Doggie Do-Do

 

I always, well, giving my best effort, pick up my dog's poop. My pockets are jam-packed with plastic bags to be prepared when and where ever the event takes place. I believe myself conscientious, especially when it happens on someone else's lawn and most definitely where people walk and play.

Now this just maybe a dog trainer thing but I have to ask "How many times have You put bagged poop in your coat pocket to carry home to throw it away?" Gross, I know! I do this often and must remember to get it out of my pocket before I hang up said coat!!

I couldn't tell you when dedication to dog poop began, maybe back in the 1980's? I suppose there are some laws in some states? But it is nice that it happens and frowned upon when it doesn't, especially in our own yard from someone else's dog.

At home I have a doggie poop receptacle for the bagged poop. It is actually a plastic fire hydrant. Every week it gets emptied into our main trash and goes away.

I got to thinking if there was something else to do about this poo rather than throw it away. A note: I haven't implemented these ideas (yet) and they may not suit my lifestyle but it is something to think about and for those of you inclined it may be a good solution.

Things to check out:

1. http://www.flushdoggy.com/ Flushable poop bags.

2. http://digester.ca/  Organic food waste digesters .

3. http://lifehacker.com/5959472/build-a-pet-poop-composter-using-a-garbage-can DIY Dog Composter

4. http://www.doggiedooley.com/ Store bought pet waste septic tank

 

It is still debatable whether the Composter or a Digester are good ideas. There are a lot bad things in any kind of poop and it takes a great deal of heat to kill the pathogens. It seems practical to make something good such as soil out of poop and food waste. But it will take dedication to make it work. Landfills are designed to take care of those problems. We don't recycle diapers?!!

The bottom line (literally) is:
No matter what you do with your doggie do-do, it is always best to pick it up.

Out of the DogHouse LLC website www.ohiodogtrainer.net
Contact Dru Therrian 440.286.9070

 

Picky, Picky

 

How long does it take for your dog to eat? Does the food disappear in a flash or does your dog totally ignore the food when the bowl is full?

I think it is great when the dog loves food. I would rather have the problem of slowing down the eating rather than waiting on the dog to be interested in their food.

If you are concerned about eating too fast you can change what you put the food in such as:

   

1. Spread out on a cookie sheet.

2. Pour into the cups of a muffin tin.

3. Float in water. 

4. Try a Green Interactive Feeder..

5. Train + feed.         

 

 

So the tougher problem is when a dog doesn't like their food. Sure taste is important. Your dog may have a genuine preference. But how many opened bags of food are you going to let sit in the cupboard and heaven forbid you buy a 50lb bag your dog won't eat!!

Speaking about what is in food, I am pretty opinionated about the ingredients. To me, I equate dyed dog food to Lucky Charms: All gimmick and not much nutrition. I am not saying you have to buy the most expensive food either. Just be a label reader and buy quality. Most important, know that dogs don't digest corn. Avoid wheat flour, they cause wheat allergies. Limit Sugar, as in peanut butter, molasses, potatoes and simple carbohydrates, which wreck havoc with the dog's natural yeast. 

 

A question to ask is "Are you part of the problem?" Have you created this picky eater? I say this because quite often the bowl gets filled in the morning, stays out all day with the dog nibbling at leisure maybe emptying it by the end of the day. Or the person will supplement with additional food to fill up the bowl for dinner. This may mean that the bowl is never empty. I call this Free Feeding. Which is a No-No.

 

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Teach your dog how to eat what is provided. Do this by tethering your dog on a leash in the same spot for every meal where you want the dog to eat. Think of this like a child in a high chair. Hopefully you have a convenient door knob near by to use. Why this way, you may ask? Because it's important to not let the dog walk away. The other part to make this successful it to take away the bowl after 15 min. This should be plenty of time for your dog to eat. Dogs are hunters and need to eat when the food is available. If it is always there then they don't have to work so hard, also problems can arise: Resource guarding and lessening your Leadership role. Why do they need YOU if they can have food whenever they want?

Want a healthy dog both in mind and body? Provide good, quality food, two times a day for an adult dog, three times for a puppy. Make the dog work for it by doing a Sit or Down command with a release to eat. A good eater is ready for a good day!

Out of the DogHouse LLC website www.ohiodogtrainer.net

Contact Dru Therrian 440.286.9070

 

Summer Time Safety

School's Out for the Summer...well not really for dogs but hey let's enjoy the months ahead safely by remembering these tips:

1. Hot temperatures + Hot Cars = Dead Dogs

2. Use a Natural Flea and Tick Repellent: Mist on Apple Cider Vinegar
(1:1 ratio with water in a spray bottle)

3. Offer plenty of cool water. Set up a child's wading pool for cooling off.

4. Walk your dog during the cooler temps of morning or evening.

5.  Dogs do not sweat through their skin. Resist shaving off your dogs natural Air Conditioner.

6. Warm weather + Parks = More Kids. Supervise children while they pet your dog appropriately. Help children to Not Reach to Pet on Top of the dog's head: Pet Shoulder or side of dog's body.

Just because it is vacation time doesn't mean you should slack in training your dog. Now you can use your Leadership, Structure and Rule skills in other fun activities. Summer in Northeast Ohio is fleeting so get out and have a great time with your dog.

 

Out of the DogHouse LLC website www.ohiodogtrainer.net

Contact Dru Therrian 440.286.9070