Saturday, June 26, 2010

Top 5 Mistakes Dog Owners Make



1. Not enough exercise

Dogs need exercise every day, mental and physical. Without it they cannot be the animal they were born to be. Many owners make the mistake of thinking that if they have a “big backyard” that should be good enough and they don’t need to walk their dog every day. I call this the big back yard myth. A yard size means nothing to a dog without the pack leader (you are the pack leader) there to initiate the exercise. Dogs need different amounts of exercise depending on the dog’s energy level. A medium energy level dog needs a minimum of 45 minutes of structured exercise a day. High energy dogs need even more!

2. Thinking of dogs as humans

As much as we want our dogs to be our babies, they are not humans. They have different needs than people do and if we don’t acknowledge them being dogs we are selfishly depriving them of the primal things they need to be healthy and happy.

3. Giving affection at the wrong time

Most dogs do not lack for affection. The problem is, while dogs like affection, too much at the wrong time can actually hurt them! Has your dog ever been afraid of a noise or person and you say something like “It’s okay baby, they won’t hurt you.” ? While owners have the very best of intentions they are unknowingly telling their dog to be afraid! Affection to a dog means ‘good’, ‘right’. If you pet your dog when they are scared you are saying “Good dog, that’s right, be afraid.”

4. Not having a good feeding routine

Dogs’ bodies are set up to eat at specific times. It is good for their digestive systems and their minds to eat at certain times, rather than having food in the bowl 24/7. Dogs should be hungry when they eat and should have a routine of respecting the pack leader before they get their food.

5. Projecting the wrong energy to your dog

An example of this is that often when our dogs get excited and bark we shout at them. This to them is also excitement. They don’t hear your words; they hear your excited energy and it simply feeds their excitement.

For a personal in-home consultation with you and your dog, call Julie at 340-2824

Sunday, June 13, 2010

Summer Safety



Now that schools out and warm weather is here there are some important things to think about to keep your pets safe this summer.





Summer Safety List

  • Keep your dog out of parked cars

No more taking Fido on car trips to wait while you run into the store. Even with the windows down a dog can die in a hot car in less than 10 minutes! And in just 5 they can begin to go in to heat shock.

  • Protect the paws

You may not notice how hot the side walk and black tops are getting beneath your flip-flops, but your dog sure is! Do your walks in the morning or evening to prevent damaging their paws on hot cement. Also consider some doggy foot wear if you enjoy off road paths with your dog. Goat-heads and other painful weeds could be just waiting to make their way into your pooches paw.

  • Check for pests

Late spring and summer are also when parasites show up to make a home in your dogs coat. Make sure you treat your animal with a vet prescribed flea and tick repellent and always give them a good brushing after an out door adventure.

  • Be ready for the 4th!

The week before and after the 4th of July are full ones for local shelters. Fireworks are foreign and scary to dogs. Many families will leave for a firework show only to come home and find their beloved pet has made it over, under, or through [!] a fence. DO NOT LEAVE ANY PET ALONE while there are fireworks going off. Remember that people set off fire works days before and days after the actual 4th of July so be ready.

  • Vacation safety

If you are going on vacation without your pets this summer be sure to make accommodations for them and plan ahead. If you leave them with a friend leave several emergency contact numbers, your vets number, and a 24 hour vet number. Question the person you will leave your dog with about where your dog will sleep, play, and be when they are not at home. Check to make sure they have proper fencing to keep your dog safe and question them on their dog handling skills. It is better to be overly cautious than to come home to a missing pet.

  • Watch for over heating

Dogs can over heat quickly, remember they are packing a heavy coat around. Don't leave your dog outside in the heat. Always make sure they have shade and plenty of water. Dogs only sweat slightly from their paws so panting is how they cool down. Light panting is normal for dogs in the summer, but don't let your dog get so heated they are shaking with panting. If your dog does get too hot remember they cool from the bottom up. If you need to cool your dog down fast lay them on a cool wet towel or gently wet their stomach to help cool them off.

  • Be careful where you let your dog swim

Swift moving canals can look fun to your dog but the current can be too strong for them. Make sure you pick safe places for your dog to swim where they can easily get in and out of the water. Remember that as they swim they will get tired and not be as strong as they were when they first went into the water, that is the point when your dog is at risk for being swept under by a strong current. Chose places that have shallow, slow moving water rather than fast rivers or canals.

*Plan ahead for the safety of your pet this summer and you will both enjoy the season!

Wednesday, June 9, 2010

Kids and Dogs


I get a lot of calls about kids and dogs and how they relate to each other. They are actually very similar. Both needs rules and boundaries, both can get over excited and have a hard time calming down, and both are drawn to each other. If you have kids and dogs together in the same house it is important for the children to be accountable for following certain rules where the dogs are concerned. In this way both the children and dogs can live peacefully and respectfully together.


Here are my families rules that we all obey for the safety of our dogs and us.


(Some of our rules may be more strict than your home needs because of how many and how often we have foster dogs come through but it is a good idea to agree on a set as a family and post them for everyone to see.)


Dog Rules


  • no wrestling or rough play with the dogs

  • dogs need to be in their kennels before friends come over

  • always use the gate when going in and out the front door

  • no teasing dogs

  • no playing in the back yard alone with the dogs

  • stay off the floor with the dogs

  • remember: no talking, touching or looking at new dogs or ours when first coming into the house.

  • no excitement of fighting around the dogs

Monday, June 7, 2010

Summer Reading!

Here are some really great books to add to your summer reading list. I recommend ALL of them. They will help you understand your dog, yourself, and how to have a happy, healthy pooch!

Dogspeak-Paul McGreevy
Great book on body language of dogs and how to respond to it


The Art of Racing in the Rain- Garth Stein
This is a touching fictional novel about a clever dog named Enzo.


30 Days to A Well-Mannered Dog- Tamar Geller
Helpful trainings tips for pet owners



Be the Pack Leader- Cesar Millan
This is a wonderful all around book to understanding your dog, you and your relationship. I highly recommend you add it to your personal library!