Winter Cold and Your Dog

Winter is a wonderful season and a lot of dogs love to romp and roll around in the snow.

But as fun as winter is, we have to be careful to watch out for our furry friends. Our dogs depend on us for everything and it is up to us to keep them safe while they are enjoying the winter. This is especially true these days with many places experiencing some of the coldest temperatures they have ever had!

Deep Snow

One thing that helps is shoveling or snow blowing a path in your front or back yard so your dog can easily walk/run or find a spot to relieve himself. It’s also easier for you to spend time outside with your dog and of course pick up after him.

For higher energy dogs, consider building a snow hill for him to run up and over. It’s a great way to burn energy when the weather is too cold to go far.

Frigid Temperatures

Not all dogs are created equally when it comes to the cold weather. Northern breeds certainly have an advantage in the winter time. Knowing your dog’s needs and tolerances will help you make the right decisions.

When temperatures plummet, do the following:

• If necessary, buy an appropriate coat for your dog
• If necessary, buy booties for your dog
• Shorten your walk and choose a route closer to home
• Keep your dog moving during the walk
• Watch for lifted paws or limping (if this happens, hold your bare hand over your dog’s paw for a few seconds to relieve the cold)
• Wipe your dog’s paws when you get home

Going for shorter walks more often will ensure your dog’s physical needs are being met while keeping them safe from the cold.

Always check on your dog frequently when he’s outside alone. Listen for barking or scratching at the door to ensure you know when your dog wants to come inside.

Never leave your dog outside alone for long periods of time without proper shelter and a heated bowl to keep his water from freezing. Snow is not an adequate replacement for fresh water.

When all precautions are taken and you put your dog’s needs first, the winter is a wonderful and fun season you can enjoy together!

Canada Day and your dog

As you gear up to celebrate Canada Day this year, please remember that fireworks and dogs don't usually mix well. They can be very traumatic for your dog. Most dogs aren't exposed to fireworks very often and therefore never get the chance to get used to them.

Outdoor Celebrations

If you are going to an outdoor event, it's best to leave your dog at home. Take him for a nice long walk before you have to leave. This is a good day to leave him on leash during your walk just in case you hear an unexpected fireworks around your neighborhood. Some people just can't wait until the evening to start the fun. Play some classical music to help keep him calm him if the fireworks can be heard from your house. 

House Parties

If you are having people over, make sure you are aware of where your dog is at all times. Even just the loud noise of people having fun can make some dogs anxious. Just be aware of how your dog is feeling and act accordingly. Take turns between having him outside with your guests and being inside the house in a safe place. If it's hot remember to have access to cold fresh water and shade at all times.

Remember not to baby your dog or use a high pitch tone to calm him if he does get anxious. It's important for you to assure him there is nothing bad going on. You can use distraction (a game, a toy or a treat) or take that time to bring him inside for some quiet time.


Keep this information in mind for any big celebration or party. They are all the same to your dog!


Have a safe and happy Canada Day!

Moving with your dog

 

Whether you are moving across town or across the country, it can be a stressful process. All the planning and preparation is time consuming and tiring!

Even though dogs do not understand the concept of moving, they can sense that something is up.

Luckily, there are a few ways we can help our furry friends go through the moving process a little easier.

Keep your dog’s regularly scheduled activities

Even though you will likely have less time for your dog than usual, she is a creature of habit so keeping up with her daily walks and feeding times will help keep her feeling happy and secure. And a nice walk will be good for you too!

Involve your dog in the packing process

While your pooch won’t really help you pack, she can keep you company. Play some upbeat music to liven the mood. Let her smell the boxes and the items being packed. Tell her all about her new house and neighborhood. While she won’t understand what you are saying, she will understand your tone. If you are feeling good, so will she.

What you can do on moving day

On the big day take the time to walk and feed your dog as usual. It is a good idea to have a friend or family member doggy sit while you go from one home to another. When it is time to introduce your pooch to her new surroundings, take her for a walk around the neighborhood before going inside. Make sure her bed is already set up and waiting for her. Take her in each room and have her dinner waiting for her. All the familiar smells will help her feel at home.

Long distance moves

If you are moving out of the city or country, you will need to do additional preparation. Ensure your dog has had a recent checkup at the vet. You want your dog to be up to date on her shots and in tip top shape to travel. If she is on any medication, make sure you are given enough to last until you find a new vet in your new location.

Flying

If your dog does not wear an ID tag, have one made. Make sure you plan far ahead and know all the information you need to know to get your pooch safely on the plane and to your destination.

Driving

If your dog does not wear an ID tag, have one made. When you get to a new area, google where the nearest veterinary office is in case of emergency. And travel with a pet first aid kit.

My dog's big move

The summer of 2021 my two girls experienced an epic move from one province to another. They lived in our travel trailer from June 1st to November 11th. We travelled all around our new province, camped in 26 provincial parks, hiked on numerous trails, explored beaches and new areas, and drove for hours and hours. Through it all we kept their walking and feeding times as consistent as possible.

And as one of girls is epileptic, we made arrangements with our vet to have enough medication to last the whole time we’d be on the road.

They are now settled in their new home with 10 acres of woods to explore.

Happy moving!

 

Stress and Your Dog

We all experience stress in our lives from time to time.  And our dogs are no different.  They can experience stress from any number of things.

Some common causes of stress for dogs are:

• Change or lack of routine
• Loud noises inside or outside the home
• Living with anxious and highly stressed humans
• Isolation and lack of proper  socialization
• New or different situations
• Lack of physical exercise and mental stimulation
• Fear of something
• Harsh and unfair corrections
• Loss or addition of family member

How to Recognize Stress

Not all dogs experience stress from the same cause. So you have to keep in tune with your dog and watch for the obvious and less obvious physical signs that your dog is stressed.

Common Signs of Stress:

• Cowering
• Pacing
• Whining/Barking
• Avoiding eye contact
• Yawning
• Panting
• Drooling
• Shaking
• Chewing or licking obsessively
• Sniffing
• Refusing food
• Hiding or running away
• Aggressive behavior
• Seizures

Subtle Signs of Stress:

• Pupils dilated
• Licking lips
• Furrowed brow
• Veins more prominent in face
• Tense muscles
• Sweaty paw pads

How to Deal With Stress

If it is possible to leave or remove your dog from the stressful situation, then do so. If you cannot then try to remain as calm as you can. The calmer you are, the more likely your dog is to follow suit. Just as with a fearful dog, you do not want to baby a stressed  dog and reinforce their feelings. However I have personally found a slow firm massage or stroking does help my dogs when they are stressed.

How to Avoid Stress

A well balanced dog gets plenty of exercise, has many different experiences, visits many different places and meets new people and other animals. This doesn’t mean a balanced dog will never be in a stressful situation, but the number of potential causes of stress should be less.

Dogs are good for our health

We love our dogs and our dogs love us back, in more ways than one. They are also improving our health. Recently there have been more studies and information on the health benefits of having a dog in your life.

Dogs Improve Your Mood

I don't know about you, but I find it very hard to be in a bad mood when I have a tail wagging at me, or those big brown eyes full of love and devotion looking up at me. It makes my heart swell just being around my dogs. And I'm not alone. Petting a dog can put a smile on anybody's face.

Dogs Reduce Your Blood Pressure

There have been studies saying that petting a dog can actually reduce stress and lower blood pressure. Dogs live in the moment. They don't dwell on the past or worry about the future. When we are with our dogs, they allow us to live in the moment with them.

Dogs Increase Your Activity Level

When you have a dog or dogs in your life, you are guaranteed to increase your activity level. Walking is the most common form of exercise we do with our dogs. But some dogs also make great jogging and/or swimming partners. And most of us could pitch for a major league baseball team with all the practice we get at throwing balls! And let's not forget good old fashioned playing. Everything we do with our dogs keeps us young at heart, agile and healthier.

Dogs Improve Your Social Life

Dogs have this way of bringing people together. Most people are naturally drawn to dogs and often will spark up a conversation with someone walking with a dog. This is especially true in your neighbourhood. You are exposed to people every day and often conversations will naturally occur with them over time. You never know, you may develop a friendship with someone. Or at the very least discover some really nice people in your neighbourhood.

Dogs Provide You with Companionship

You are never alone with a dog around. They are always ready to be with you, whether to walk, play, cuddle or sit contently at your feet. Dogs don't care what you look like, what you're wearing or how much you talk. You'll never be judged by your dog, only loved unconditionally.

Dogs Make You Laugh

They say laughter is the best medicine. Well you can count on your furry friends for that too! Dogs can be silly and they don't care who is looking. So smile, laugh and enjoy the benefits of your dog's silly antics.

Dogs Enrich Your Life

So next time you see your beloved dog, give him an extra pat on the head, a longer walk or that special treat or toy he loves to say thank you for making you a happier healthy person.

Summer heat and your dog

Summer is a wonderful time of year but you must be vigilant and practice common sense and caution when it comes to your dog. That sounds so easy doesn't it? But you'd be surprised how uncommon common sense is!

Your dog's well being is your responsibility so please take it seriously. Keep in mind that even young dogs can be affected by the heat but be extra careful with your senior dogs.

To shave or not to shave

You may think that shaving your dog's coat in the summer is the right thing to do. But that is not necessarily the case. Yes dogs with long hair can benefit from a summer cut to keep it manageable. But shaving any dog down to the skin exposes her to possible sunburn, insect bites and increases her risk of skin cancer. Her coat is designed to keep her cool in the summer and warm in the winter. Dogs with double-coated fur naturally have different coats for the seasons, thus all the shedding! You can help nature along by brushing your dog often and using the proper tools for your specific breed.

Walk

Walking with your dog during the summer is so enjoyable. On those really hot days, do the following:

• go when it's cooler (early morning, late afternoon and evening)
• bring water
• have your dog walk on grass if possible
• walk slower than normal
• stop and rest in the shade
• shorten your walk
• use your judgement, sometimes it's just too hot to walk

In short, pay attention to your dog and adjust your walk accordingly.

Car

It is shocking and extremely sad that dogs are left in hot cars year after year despite all the constant warnings. Opening the windows a crack is NOT good enough! Hot cars and dogs don't mix period. Leave your dog at home; this is not the appropriate time of year to bring them along on your errands.

If you have to take your dog somewhere in your car, run it for a few minutes ahead of time to cool it down. Turn on the air conditioning and always bring water with you.

As cute as it is to see a dog enjoying the sights, smells and sounds with his head stuck out the window, it really is very risky to allow this. Your dog could be seriously injured or even killed if you have to suddenly break. Or he could be hit by debris or any number of things. It's just not worth it. Instead open the window a crack, just enough for some wind and smells to come in.
 

Backyard

Always have fresh water available and encourage your dog to lay in the shade. You can cool him down with a hose, invest in a kiddie pool or a fill a bucket. Never tie your dog up somewhere they cannot access grass, shade or fresh water.



Sign of overheating

Take action immediately if your dog is experiencing any of the following:

• rapid panting and excessive thirst
• pale gums
• is lethargic
• weakness
• nausea and diarrhea

If your dog is showing any of the above signs of overheating, try to regulate his temperature with some cool water. Call your vet for further instruction.

Your dog relies on you to keep him safe. Show him you are worthy of such an important responsibility.

Enjoy the summer!

Play Time

Dogs love to play, with other dogs, with humans and with toys.

And playing with your dog can be equally fun for you. It's a time to bond, to act foolish and most games provide an opportunity to use many basic training commands.


What is the best way to play with a dog? Like a dog of course, with enthusiasm!

Here are several different games you can play with your dog.

Hide and Seek

This is a fun game for you and your dog. Get your dog to sit and stay while you hide. Here is a game that allows you to practice your basic commands. First hide is places that she'll find you easily and work up to the more difficult places. When she finds you get enthusiastic about it. Let her know she's done well!

Find

Take one of your dog's toys. Let her smell it and then put her in a sit and stay while you go into another room to hide it. Again you are practicing the basic commands. If the toy has a name then tell your dog "Find the name". Or you can just say "Find" or "Find your toy". If your dog doesn't find the toy you can give her a hint by pointing to the right area. And when she does find the toy, make sure you praise her and tell her what a good dog she is.

Fetch

This game is a favourite among most dogs. Some can go for hours playing fetch while others lose interest after a few tosses. To change things up, once you throw the fall or Frisbee you can start running in the opposite direction. When your dog retrieves the object, she will then start chasing you. You can also hide after you throw the ball to give your dog the task of finding you after too. Or the good old throw and retrieve is just fine too.

Tug of war

You can either use a tug of war rope or make your own out of an old t-shirt. Make sure this is a game that you always win. If your dog is too big or strong for you to win this game, it's a good idea to skip this one and play other games.




Puzzle games

There are a number of interactive toys that challenge a dog's mind. Many of them are puzzle like and you hide treats in little compartments. The dog has to figure out how they open to get a treat. You can make your own game by turning a bowl upside down and putting a treat inside it. This will also challenge your dog's mind how to get it out.

Tricks

There are many books available for teaching your dog tricks, from simple to downright complicated. Always start with the easy tricks to set your dog up to succeed. Remember to always end on a positive note. If you are getting frustrated because your dog doesn't understand the trick, it won't be fun for either of you. Remember all dogs are different and will learn at a different pace.


Obstacles

Lead your dog on leash over or around obstacles such as trees, rocks, picnic tables, etc. that you find in your neighbourhood or your local playground. It's not only fun for your dog; it teaches her to trust you and enforces your leadership.

So play and have fun!

Do you brush your dog’s teeth?

Oral health is just as important for our dogs as it is for us. Did you know that dental disease can lead to problems with your dog’s organs? And in most cases, by the time you find out its too late; the damage has been done.

We brush our own teeth on average 2 to 3 times a day. And yet many people have dogs for years and never brush their teeth. How could a dog possibly have fresh breath!

I admit I have been guilty as the rest, but have recently turned over a new leaf and have been brushing both my dog’s teeth every day for the past several months.

While you may not be able to avoid an extensive teeth cleaning at your vet’s office all together throughout your dog’s life, you can certainly prolong the need for it. And you will be contributing to your dog’s overall health.

So how did I do it?

Here are some tips to help you to make brushing your dog’s teeth an enjoyable habit.

1. Pick a time of day that you consistently have time.
   
   After dinner was the perfect time as I always make a tea and relax a little. So I started putting my brushing kit in the same place as I keep my tea to remind myself. Turns out that not only did I start remembering on my own, my dogs got used to the routine and started waiting for me after dinner.
   
   
2. Pick the right toothbrush for you and your dog.
   
   Not all dog toothbrushes are created equally. Try different kinds to see what feels the best and allows you to brush your dog’s teeth for the longest time. There are some really cool and fancy looking ones but they felt quite awkward to me and kept slipping through my dog’s teeth. I found that a simple brush works best for us. You can also get a finger brush if you prefer.
   
   
3. Make sure your dog likes the flavor of the toothpaste you choose.
   
   This is very important. If your dog doesn’t like the taste of the toothpaste, he will not be waiting every day for you to brush his teeth. My dogs both love the peanut butter and vanilla ginger flavors. And there are many more to choose from. You will pretty much know the second your dog licks it if he likes it or not. If not, move on. You want your dog on board with this. Never ever use human toothpaste!
   
   
4. Make it fun for you and your dog.
   
   Okay it’s not going to be as fun as going to the dog park, but a little enthusiasm goes a long way. Get a little goofy and let your dog think this is a great thing to do!

I go over my dog’s teeth twice and then end things with a dab of toothpaste for them just to lick and enjoy. It’s good for them and ends things on a positive note!

Happy brushing!

Dog First Aid - Cuts and Scrapes

Your dog cries out and is all of sudden limping and bleeding.  What do you do?

The way dogs tear around it’s not a wonder that they sometimes get scraps and cuts. If you have a pet first aid kit it will help make it easier to deal with if the time ever comes.

First, be cautious when examining your dog’s cut. Even the most docile and sweet dogs can react if they are in pain.  If your dog starts lifting his lip when you touch around the area of the wound, it might be a good idea to muzzle him for your own safety.

Now assess the wound(s).

• Is the wound a scratch, cut or an open wound?
• Is it bleeding?
• Is it dirty?
• Are there any objects in the wound?

Minor Cuts and Scratches

If the wound is dirty, clean it right away. Once you are ready, wash the wound with a saline solution or antibacterial wash if possible. If you have no cleaning solutions, use warm water with salt.

Once the area is clean you can dry and cover it with a clean cloth or gauze. If you have some anti-bacterial cream or something along those lines dab some on the wound with a cotton ball or a q-tip before you wrap it.

Most minor scratches and cuts will heal on their own with no infection and don’t really require to be wrapped. You may want to trim the fur around the cut so you can keep an eye on it and also to ensure it heals properly.

For open and bleeding wounds, apply pressure using a clean cloth, towel or gauze. Hopefully the bleeding will stop after a few minutes of applying pressure. If not you will have to continue to do so until you get to the vet unless you are able to make a tourniquet. Deep cuts may or may not require stitches; your vet is the best to judge that.

If there is anything embedded in the wound, leave it there and let your vet take care of it. You could do more damage trying to remove it yourself.

See Related Articles – Dog First Aid – DIY First Aid Kit

Dog First Aid – DIY First Aid Kit

It’s a good idea to have a first aid kit at home and when you travel just in case you have an emergency with your pet. You can buy one and many courses have them included. Or you can just as easily make your own at home.

You want to be prepared for anything so get yourself a Tupperware storage bin and keep it in a safe place that is accessible to you but out of reach of curious young hands or paws.

Here are some essentials for your first aid kit:


• Pet first aid book
• Emergency Numbers
• Gauze
• Self-Adherent Bandages
• Digital Thermometer
• Hydrogen peroxide
• Eye dropper
• Blanket or a couple of old towels
• Paper Towels
• Wipes
• Pair of gloves
• Tick remover
• Scissors
• Tweezers
• Tongue Depressor
• Muzzle
• Vaseline
• Disinfectant Soap
• Cornstarch or Flour

Include any other items you can think of that might help you and your pet in the case of an emergency.

Stay tuned for a series of articles to help guide you through different situations with your dog.

Animal Friendly!

You already know how much I love dogs! But the fact is I love animals. I have always loved animals. But like most people I have lived my life in the dark about the ugly truths concerning animal testing on products that I use every day.

But thanks to the internet and all the passionate people out there who make it their business to get the message out, I am in the process of changing how I buy products.

Obviously most companies feel testing their products on animals is a necessary and normal practice to ensure they are safe for humans. But I’m sorry, I just don’t buy that. I really can’t imagine it’s necessary with today’s technology. And luckily there are a growing number of companies that agree! I’m discovering many cruelty-free products and I am happy that I can make my own choice. I feel good supporting these companies and hope that you will too.

I know I am only just scratching the surface but it’s not about being perfect. It’s about learning and doing what I can.

Want to know more? I really like the website “Cruelty Free Kitty”. But you can do your own research and find hundreds of lists and articles on this subject. Or you can get to know the symbols that companies use to proudly display that they are cruelty-free, however not all companies use them.

Happy Shopping! Here are a few of the products that I’ve purchased and love to use.

Dog Books for Kids

Any child who grows up with a dog is a very lucky one! Kids can have such wonderful relationships with dogs, but it’s crucial that they learn to respect them as animals.

Dog Books for Kids is an absolutely wonderful website filled with dog education for parents and kids. The site is cute, colorful and offers books, downloads, pictures and puzzles all about dogs.

“A Puppy’s New Home” is a series of fun and educational books to teach kids about different dog breeds. Your children will meet Louie the Labrador Retriever, Max the Golden Retriever and Bella the Bichon Frise to name a few. Each book has dog and youth interacting to easily identify with and learn about dog behavior, health and specific breed information.

It’s essential for kids to learn how to interact with dogs when they meet them; or to respect a dog’s space when they are eating, sleeping or playing with other dogs. Educating families on dog body language will help decrease the number of dogs that end up in shelters through no fault of their own.  Help ensure your kids and dogs can be with each other safely and they will have the friendship of a lifetime!




Be sure to subscribe to see more exciting ways for you and your children to learn about man’s best friend.

Bone Voyage

Going on vacation is always fun! But leaving our furry friends behind isn’t.

It would be great if all of our dogs could go with us every single time! But it just isn’t always possible is it?

Bone Voyage offers the next best alternative for your dog; a home away from home with people who love dogs!

Bone Voyage is run by long time dog lover Christine Thomson who has a network of care providers around the city of Ottawa that take personal care for your dog while you are away. Your dog will live in a guest home and be treated like one of the family.

Each care provider is carefully screened before chosen to join the team. They decide what kinds of dogs they would like to look after (size, breed, personality, energy level, etc.) and you will be matched based on an extensive questionnaire you fill out about your dog. Once a suitable care provider is chosen by Christine, a meeting is set up between you, your dog and the caregiver at their home. If you are both happy, you can book your dog’s stay right away. If you are unsure for any reason, a different care provider will be chosen. You both have to be comfortable and you won’t pay a cent until you are.

This past summer I contacted Bone Voyage for our sweet senior dog Bear. As a three dog household it was only feasible to bring the youngest two on our fall vacation to the East Coast. As promised on the website, I was contacted within a couple of days of filling out the information about Bear. Among many things you can specify if your dog would like the company of other dogs or children while being cared for. Soon after I was told there was a family that would be a good match for Bear’s needs and they wanted to meet him.  The meeting went very well and we all decided to go ahead on the spot.

The family Bear stayed with were so nice and took wonderful care of him. It gave me peace of mind knowing he was with loving people. And although I missed him like crazy, I knew he was being taken care of just as if he was at home. No noisy kennels or being left alone for hours on end or all night long. And it was comforting seeing pictures of Bear on Facebook while we were away. He even had a couple of other guest dogs throughout his stay which was really nice for him.

If you live in the Ottawa area and find yourself having to leave your dog behind during your next vacation, business trip or even for just the night, be sure to consider Bone Voyage. I’m glad I did!

Website: http://bonevoyage.ca/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/bonevoyage.ottawa

My Sweet Bear

Living with an Epileptic Dog - What to do if your dog has a seizure

If you’ve ever experienced your dog having a seizure you know how unsettling it is. You feel helpless but you aren’t entirely. There are things you can do to ensure your dog’s safety and yours. My most important piece of advice is to try and remain calm (I know easier said than done). The first time my dog Effie had a seizure, I had no idea what was happening and I panicked. If I had known more about seizures, it would have been a lot less stressful.

If your dog experiences any of the following, he may be having a seizure:

• Disorientation or staring into space;
• Bumping into things, stumbling on his feet;
• Temporary blindness or paralysis;
• Collapsing on the floor (drooling, jerking, shaking, paddling motions).

If your dog is having a seizure, do the following:

• Clear the area around your dog of sharp items or anything that could potentially harm him;
• Block any open stairways;
• Remove your dog’s collar if possible (but avoid getting too close to the mouth and head);
• Take a video of the seizure for your vet;
• Document all the information you can (when it occurred, how long it lasted, whether your dog was conscious or unconscious, shaking, drooling, paralysis);
• Call your vet if the seizure lasts longer than 5 minutes or if your dog has more than one in a 24 hour period.

Dogs are disoriented when they come out of a seizure and it takes time for them to get back to normal. It could be anywhere from 10 minutes to several hours depending on the dog. During this time they may not recognize you. If that happens, use a soft welcoming voice but give them space. They will come around. Other dogs seek comfort and reassurance after a seizure. Give them the reassurance they need whether it’s a massage, a cuddle or a particular food. Most of you will instinctively know what will help. Remain calm and do any required clean up quietly.

If and when you decide to put your dog on medication, make sure you and your vet are on the same page. They will need to ensure that the medication dose reaches and maintains a safe therapeutic level by doing blood tests. So it’s more expensive at the beginning. Once the level is reached and the dose of medication is established, you can do blood work just once or twice a year. Life does happen but try not to miss a dose and never stop the medication without first discussing with your vet. Typically once you start your dog on an anti-seizure medication, he will be on for it for life. Any changes to the medication whether it be the dose or trying a different one should be discussed with your vet.

Effie is currently taking 30 ml of Phenobarbital every 12 hours. In order to keep the time as close as possible we decided on 7am and 7pm. I bought a pill organizer and have the two doses in every day so I don’t have to rely on my memory. I set a reminder in my calendar for every night just in case. It sounds scary and overwhelming but we’ve gotten use to it.  I try to look at it like this … when you adopt a dog you have to feed him every day to keep him alive and healthy. Well this is no different. And to date Effie remains seizure free!

June 2016 update: The month of April 2016 was a tough one for Effie as she had four seizures. After the last seizure our vet consulted with a neurologist. It was recommended to us increase her dose of Phenobarbital to 60 ml every 12 hours. We agreed and she has not had another seizure since.

April 2017 update: Effie is still getting 60 ml of Phenobarbital every 12 hours. However in the past year she has had several seizures. They have been minor enough that we are leaving the dose as is for now and closely monitoring her and keeping track of her seizures to look for patterns.

Related articles:

• Living With an Epileptic Dog - Effie's Story

Guest Article - 9 Things I’ve Learned from Being a Dog Walker

Having been a dog walker for about 2 years I wanted to share my experience because it has taught me many things, challenged me, helped me grow, taught me invaluable skills, and made me more self-aware. I’ve used the lessons that I’ve learned far outside of dog parks. Professional dog walking involves many things beyond scooping up the poop, scratching bellies, and taking brisk walks in the sunshine. There are good days and bad days and it’s all part of the experience. Some days are easy and humorous and some days are sad and heartbreaking. Toronto is a great place for people and dogs and people with dogs! Although, I’m sure every dog owner wishes for more off leash trails and dog designated areas in their neighborhood. The things I’ve learned aren’t exhaustive and there are plenty more to come! But if you are still reading I hope you will enjoy what I’ve got so far:

1. To be a dog walker you must really enjoy being outdoors. Bad weather is not for everyone. Clear sunny days make you feel like you hit weather jackpot. But summer only lasts for a couple of months in Toronto and fall, winter, and spring bring the nasties. I.e. snow storms, freezing temperatures that hurt your skin, slush, mud, non stop rainfalls, etc.
   
   
2. Being taken for a walk in the middle of the day is like the moment you board the plane to go on a tropic vacation for dogs. They are always happy to see you, can’t wait to get into car, meet other dogs, and get to the park to run around. Dogs just don’t have the “I don’t feel like a walk today” attitude which can make you enjoy working with dogs more so than with people! Although, other behaviours can be more challenging to deal with.
   
   
3. Getting a dog to listen to you and do what you are asking them to can be hard or not! Every dog has a unique personality. Some learn the recall very quick and others take more time. Taking the time to understand each dog’s unique needs and their response to different commands, response to being around other dogs, and what they value helps build strong communication with them. Strong communication, positive reinforcement, and creating clear and consistent expectations really help create a common ground for communicating and understanding one another.
   
   
4. Dogs do not necessarily take on personalities of their owners. Don’t judge a dog by its owner. Or vice versa. Actually, don’t judge at all!
   
   
5. Certain behaviours can be very challenging but they also create an opportunity to develop skills and to tackle reactions and emotions that arise. Practicing and growing patience is one of the invaluable skill here.
   
   
6. Many people will have their own take on the “right way” to manage people and dog situations. Have a conversation, share your thoughts, ask questions. At the end of the day, let go. That’s what dogs would tell you to do if they could talk.
   
   
7. Some days are great but others you spend being stuck in traffic, complaining about construction permits, and just not being in the mood to face up to challenging human and dog behaviours. Days like these come and go.
   
   
8. Yes, dogs do need to be walked. Getting outdoors is important for physical and mental health. Being out and playing with other dogs allows them to get daily exercise, energy, socialize with others and be less grumpy or restless!
   
   
9. You and your dog don’t speak the same language yet it doesn’t stop you from being best buds. Great companionship isn’t rooted in words alone.

Mila xx

Posted on June 14, 2015

Website is: http://www.pawtheory.com/
Instagram: https://instagram.com/paw.theory

Living With an Epileptic Dog - Effie's Story

On February 14th, 2014 my husband and I adopted an 18 month old Husky mix stray from Iqaluit. She would make us a three dog family. It took some time but she was an amazing addition to our pack. Her name is Effie and she’s sweet, playful, goofy and very affectionate.

That October we headed out on our vacation with our two youngest dogs. That night in a motel far away from home we were awoken at 2 am with a thud. When we turned on the light we discovered Effie on the floor in a pool of drool shaking and paralyzed.  We didn’t know what was going on.

After what seemed like ages we located the number of an emergency vet in the area. The technician on call said it sounded like a seizure. She talked to us until it subsided which again seemed like forever but in reality was under 5 minutes.  She told us if it ever happened again we should take a video for our vet to see and to write down everything about it including the length, the intensity, the symptoms and how long before she’s back to normal. I don’t think I’ve ever been so scared in my life. After the seizure Effie was very anxious to go outside. We had to bring her out about four times. And she was extremely hungry. We finally settled her down around 4am and had all had a very restless sleep. Our vacation was off to a rocky start and we still had another long day of driving ahead of us. We didn’t know what to expect. As it turns out she was fine the rest of the time. We chalked it up to reacting to her first trip, the long drive and unfamiliar surroundings. It was soon forgotten, until four months later.

Effie’s second seizure happened but this time it just was a normal Sunday. She had gone to the dog park as usual and had a great time. On the way home in the back of the car just as they arrived home she started to seizure. She came out of it and ran into the house and then a second wave came. She had the same symptoms as last time. This time I took a video and documented the information for our vet. Again it was all over within 5 minutes and Effie was back to normal not too long after.

We decided with our vet to keep Effie medication free at that point since she had only had two seizures and they were four months apart. We ordered blood work to rule out things like liver or kidney disease, or a brain tumor. Thankfully the tests all came back negative. And I found out that ruling everything else out is how epilepsy is primarily diagnosed. That and the dog’s age as epilepsy most commonly develops when a dog is between 2 and 3 years old. Effie was right in between.

I started doing a lot of research to find out what possible triggers could be. We really wanted to keep Effie off medication if possible. It was worth it to avoid anything we could that might be a possible trigger. We were hopeful it would never happen again.

But a little over a month later we came home from work and Effie was in the middle of a seizure but this time it was different. It wasn’t stopping and there was drool in a different location which indicated she must have had a couple of waves. I called the vet and they said to bring her right in right away. She was on her bed so we lifted the whole thing up and put it in the back of the car. This time she also urinated on the bed. The technicians met us out front with a small stretcher and they put Effie on it and restrained her. My emotions were all over the place. They put her on IV and gave her Valium and also started her on Phenobarbital which is a fast acting anti seizure medication. We agreed that we couldn’t avoid it any longer. They monitored her until closing time and we brought her home unsure of whether we’d end up calling the emergency number. We were on edge and slept with one eye open but she made it through the night. She was getting 30mg of Phenobarbital every 12 hours and had no other seizures.

Two months later and still seizure free, after much research and discussions with our vet, we decided to switch Effie to a different medication called Potassium Bromide. It's a slower acting medicine that takes about two months to get into the system at a therapeutic level. Some vets prefer this medication because it isn't processed through the liver and believed to be less harsh on the body long term. We wanted her on that medication. So for two months we gave her both medications and then tested her blood to ensure the Potassium Bromide level was within the safe therapeutic level. When the results came in she was within the safe range.  It was time to start weaning her off the Phenobarbital. There is no one correct way to do this between vets so together we settled on cutting the dose by a quarter every two weeks so within two months we would be only on Potassium Bromide. Everything went as planned and we were feeling very optimistic the day we gave her the last dose.

Unfortunately the very next evening at 3 am we heard the thud. We had been given a syringe with Valium that you put in the back end so we used it right away. It seemed to work very quickly but she did have another small wave. The seizure was less intense with less drool. But we were back to square one and very disappointed. After a conversation with our vet we decided to up the Potassium Bromide by .25 ml and try to wean her off the Phenobarbital once more. This time a seizure came before we got to the end of the weaning off period.

We came to the conclusion with our vet that Phenobarbital is the medication that works for Effie. We wanted her seizure free so we were thankful that we found a medication to do that, even if it wasn't the preferred one. Though we were told that there is no guarantee she would never seizure again no matter what medication she is on.

Living with an epileptic dog has been a learning experience to say the least. We have had our share of anxious moments but with the support of our vet and each other we have navigated through it and would never trade our amazing Effie for anything.

Stay tuned as I share more information I’ve learned about seizures.

Related articles:

• What to do if your dog has a seizure

Helping Shelter Animals

Have you ever wondered how you can help shelter animals? There are many ways you can help.

Adopt:

Do you have room in your heart and home for a shelter animal? If you are able to give a shelter animal a second chance at a great life you will both benefit. Numerous studies say people living with animals are happier and healthier! And you will never find a more loyal companion. Take the time to read the article “Things to Consider BEFORE you get a dog” before making a commitment to a new furry friend. The last thing anyone wants is for you to end up back at a shelter because you didn't realize what you were getting into.

Donate money:

Consider giving a onetime gift or even a small monthly donation. Shelters often run on donations alone. It takes an incredible amount of money to house, feed, provide medical attention and run the facility.

Volunteer your time:

If you have time to donate to the shelter you could apply to:

• walk dogs
• clean cages
• transport animals from other locations
• take photos of the animals for their website
• groom (you will have to be a trained groomer)
• spend time with the animals

Donate items:

Shelters are always in need of the following:

• clean sheets
• blankets
• towels
• supplies from your pet store (food, collars, leashes, toys, clothing)

     
Social Media:

Use your social media sites to share posts of adoptable animals, happy tails and fundraiser events.

Take part in a fundraiser:

Do you have technical, organization or marketing skills? Approach your local shelter or visit their website, often the skills or volunteers they need will be posted.

My New Hobby Ends up Helping Shelter Animals

A few months ago I was looking for a new hobby. A friend had been crocheting and posted cute hats on Facebook and I thought it could be an interesting hobby. After practicing for weeks I finally got the hang of it. I wanted to incorporate my love of dogs so I found a free dog paw pattern and tried it. I was going to add paws on everything! Finally the time came to attempt a hat. Once I completed one I added my signature paw on it. Well I haven't looked back since. I've made over 40 hats in all different colors! It's so addictive!

This past National Cupcake Day I had an idea. I would sell my Paw hats in lieu of cupcakes to raise money.  I brought 17 hats to work and to my surprise sold 10 of them! That night I was able to donate $200.00 to a local shelter (I chose the shelter where my current 3 dogs were adopted from). The shelter liked my hats and asked to buy some from me. Of course I said no! I wanted all money from these hats to go back to the shelter so I got busy and donated 20 hats to them a few weeks later. They are currently having a Paw Hat fundraiser where they give away a hat for every $25.00 donation. How cool is that. I had no idea when I chained that first stitch that this would turn into something so amazing.

Now I'm "hooked" on helping shelter animals!!!

So get creative and help shelter animals! It feels so good. Read my tribute to Shelter Dogs.

Food and Your Fingers

Does your dog take treats from your hand gently or do you fear for your fingers? If you said the latter, you are not alone!

Sometimes a dog’s excitement will get the better of him around food. It’s nothing personal, but dogs do need to learn manners around food and our fingers.



To Chomp or Not to Chomp

Why are some dogs gentle with food and others not? There could be different reasons, such as:

• Excitement level
• Untrained
• Competition with other dogs

It’s best to address this as soon as you adopt your pooch. There are different ways to teach your dog to take treats or any food gently. Try all of them and see which one works best for you and your dog.

“Ouch”!

If your dog is nippy or if you adopted your dog as a puppy, you have probably used the “Ouch” method to soften his mouth around you. That comes in handy when giving him a treat. If he forgets and gets a little overzealous you can use the “Ouch” which usually will cause him dog to back off.

Closed Hand

Place the treat in your closed hand with your palm facing up. Bring your hand close to your dog’s nose and let him sniff your hand. Then slowly open up your hand and let him take the food out of it. Your fingers will be safe however this method is a little sloppy as you almost always end up with a wet palm.

Wave

Hold the treat with your fingers and bring it down to your dog’s nose. When you get close wave the treat past it around in a circle or up and down close and watch his nose follow it.  After a couple of seconds you can let them take the treat. If you wait too long, you will have the opposite effect.

Bear, Judique and Effie sit nice for a treat.

In all fairness my senior dog Bear was gentle from the day I adopted him and has never once compromised my fingers when taking food from my hand. My young Huskies are much more exuberant and excited around food. 

I practice recall often outside with them and since I really like my fingers, it’s important they accept treats gently. I often call them by name or whistle when they are the furthest away from me in our large back yard, so you can imagine how fast they come barreling towards me. They definitely live up to their Husky trait of being awesome runners. Suffice it to say when they get to me they are more than ready for their reward. I've used all three methods but I have to say the wave method worked for me almost instantly. When my timing was right, the dogs took treats so gently.  

Keep your fingers; teach your dog to be gentle!

Dog Poop Bags

There is something else we dog people can be sure of other than death and taxes. And that is dog poop!

Just like babies, dog poop and leave it up to us to deal with! And with the amount of poop we pick up over our dog’s lifetime it’s nice to know there are options out there to clean it up.

PoopBags.US offers a wide variety of high quality dog waste bags to suit any dog’s needs, big or small. And because they offer them in bulk, you can literally buy thousands of bags at a time for affordable prices. The shipping is free and many orders include a complimentary bag dispenser.

Now that 2015 is fast approaching, you can start the year off on a green foot by cleaning up after your pet with these Eco friendly bags.  Whether you prefer your bags on a roll or with a handle, they've got you covered. Pick up after your dog with the standard black bags or choose the assorted colors. Who says dog poop bags can’t be stylish.

PoopBags.US will soon be expanding to other dog related products so stay tuned.

The Doggie Chalet

When you go on vacation and have to leave your beloved dog behind, you want to ensure he is well taken care of. And your furry friend also deserves a vacation. If you are unsure of the traditional type of kennel or want to try something new there is another option.  The Doggie Chalet  is a family owned cage free boarding business that operates in the Northern New Jersey area.

The Bradley family, a husband and wife team provide cage free boarding in their home. And with a certified dog trainer in the house, you know your dog is in good hands. He will probably go home with some new and improved doggie manners. All you have to do is supply his food and a leash. The rest is taken care of. Your dog will have access to a home environment, other dogs and a dog park.

Pick up and drop off services are available for clients in the NYC, all New Jersey and PA areas.

It’s always hard leaving our dogs behind. But knowing there are many different options available to us makes it a little easier.