JULY TIPS 2010
Happy 4th of July! Does your dog agree?
Many dogs have Loud Noise Phobias and the 4th of July Fireworks can cause stress in your canine friend. Here are some tips for overcoming the amount of anxiety your dog maybe under during this Holiday.
- Behavior Modification - This technique takes time and involves playing a recording of thunder or loud startling noises. Start out very gradually and at low levels. Praising your dog for remaining calm is important. You want your dog to feel that this is a normal situation which they can remain calm. You can pick up CD’s at many stores that are of rain/thunderstorms for human relaxation. Isn’t that ironic, relaxation!
- For this Holiday making sure your dog is in a safe place great example their den-like structure, the crate. Make sure the crate is in a calm place and covering 3 sides to make it more of a den helps many dogs feel more comfortable. Make sure whatever bedding is in the crate will not harm your dog if they get so excited that they destroy and possibly ingest the bedding.
- Leave the radio on or other normal noises in the room to distract from the fireworks outside.
- Some of the same techniques that we use for separation anxiety may work here as well. One is to use a Kong toy filled with peanut butter and frozen. This will occupy your dog for several hours trying to get the peanut butter out since it is frozen, thus creating another good distraction.
- Lastly some dogs have such high anxiety for loud noises that medication can be helpful. Contact your veterinarian for recommendations.
Enjoy the 4th of July and don’t forget about the safety of your canine friend
Chris’ Top Summer Tips to Keep Your Dog Cool!
With July and August being our hottest months, it is important to keep your dog in mind when it comes to keeping them cool. Here are some tips to beating the summer heat and preventing life threatening conditions such as heat stroke in your dog.
- Exercise your dog early in the morning or later at night. Pick the coolest times of the day to exercise your canine friend and yourself. I keep recommending plenty of exercise and I’m a firm believer that dogs need vigorous exercise, but this is the time of the year to back off on the intensity.
- Let your dog check the weather. Allow your dog to step outside and feel for itself just how hot it is. Instinctually your dog will understand why the walks are shorten, or simply come back inside where it is safe. Depending on the age and health conditions of your dog they may not be able to stay outside with the heat.
- Watch for signs of dehydration. Dogs can’t sweat. They cool off by panting, so an overheated dog will drool excessively. They will become lethargic, their eyes will be bloodshot. If you lift the skin over the neck, it will take longer than usual for the skin to fall back into place. If you look at the gums they may appear really hot red at first then pale as the dehydration worsens. The gums may also become very tacky and dry following the excessively drooling. Seek veterinary attention right away if conditions worsen.
- Keep your dog hydrated. Different dogs have different needs when battling the heat. Keep in mind that darker coats absorb more heat than lighter coats. Also, overweight dogs, elderly dogs, and puppies will dehydrate faster. Always make sure your dog has plenty of fresh water available to them. Carry a bottle of water when going on a walk for your dog, and a collapsible dog bowl is a great investment.
- Dogs cool from the bottom up. When spraying your dog with water to cool them down start with the paws and stomach areas, not just the top of your dog.
- Find ways to cool your dog. If you don’t have air conditioning, find other means for cooling you dog. Find a spot in the shade and set up a kiddie pool. Even those dogs who do not like water usually like the pool to cool off. You can even take a small bucket of water, place a few toys in it and freeze over night. Add the frozen cube of toys to the pool and look out, your dog will have so much fun licking the ice and trying to get their toys. Another idea is to lay down a wet towel for your dog to lie on, or simply set up a fan in front of a pan of ice.
- Let your dog dig. Dogs in the wild dig their dens not out of frustration but to keep cool. If your dog wants to dig, locate a shady area where it’s OK for them to dig.
- Never leave your dog in a parked car. The car retains more heat than an open area even with the windows open and parked in the shade. On longer trips, make sure you have water for your dog and keep the AC running.
- Use hot weather as an excuse to swim with your dog. Instead of walking your dog, take the dog on a swim! Swimming with your dog can be a powerful bonding experience for the two of you, similar to the walk.
- Consider your dog’s housing. If your dog is not kept inside where it is cooler, do they have plenty of shade for the entire day? Remember their dog house is confining and does not allow ventilation, so natural shade is required.
Share some ideas to keep both you and your canine friend cool this month, send me an email message and I will share next month your ideas!
AKC’s Canine Good Citizen (CGC) Program (Article from the AKC Website) “Welcome to the AKC's Canine Good Citizen® (CGC) Program. Started in 1989, CGC is a certification program that is designed to reward dogs who have good manners at home and in the community. The Canine Good Citizen Program is a two-part program that stresses responsible pet ownership for owners and basic good manners for dogs. All dogs who pass the 10-step CGC test may receive a certificate from the American Kennel Club.
Many dog owners choose Canine Good Citizen training as the first step in training their dogs. The Canine Good Citizen Program lays the foundation for other AKC activities such as obedience, agility, tracking, and performance events. As you work with your dog to teach the CGC skills, you'll discover the many benefits and joys of training your dog. Training will enhance the bond between you and your dog. Dogs who have a solid obedience education are a joy to live with-they respond well to household routines, have good manners in the presence of people and other dogs, and they fully enjoy the company of the owner who took the time to provide training, intellectual stimulation, and a high quality life. We sincerely hope that CGC will be only a beginning for you and your dog and that after passing the CGC test, you'll continue training in obedience, agility, tracking, or performance events.
AKC's Canine Good Citizen® (CGC) Program is one of the most rapidly growing programs in the American Kennel Club. There are many exciting applications of this wonderful, entry level that go beyond the testing and certifying of dogs.
Many other countries (including England, Australia, Japan, Hungary, Denmark, Sweden, Canada, and Finland) have developed CGC programs based on the AKC's CGC Program. A CGC Neighborhood Model has been established, police and animal control agencies use CGC for dealing with dog problems in communities, some therapy dog groups use the CGC as a partial screening tool, and some 4-H groups around the country have been using the CGC as a beginning dog training program for children.
A number of specialty (one breed only) clubs give the CGC at their annual national dog show. Dog clubs have discovered that the CGC is an event that allows everyone to go home a winner. Veterinarians have recognized the benefits of well-trained dogs and there are some CGC programs in place in veterinary hospitals. State legislatures began recognizing the CGC program as a means of advocating responsible dog ownership and 34 states now have Canine Good Citizen resolutions.
In a little over one decade, the Canine Good Citizen Program has begun to have an extremely positive impact in many of our communities. This is a program that can help us assure that the dogs we love will always be welcomed and well-respected members of our communities.” For more information and evaluation locations contact www.akc.org/events/cgc or for evaluation preparation contact me through my website.
Why it’s Important for Dogs to Follow Commands Before Eating Domestication means that dogs don’t have to hunt for food, but they still have to work for food. In the dog world, waiting is a part of who they are. Dogs have to wait to eat; they don’t just get a free meal. When they’re little, puppies work for food by waiting for their mom. This is a form of psychological exercise, and it’s very important for a healthy state of mind. Waiting for your dog to show calm-submissive energy before they get fed is much like their mom or the pack leader would do. Any signs of negative behavior such as aggression or nervousness will mean no meal until a calm-submissive behavior. Feeding a dog in a negative state only reinforces that state of mind. A good routine to get into is as follows:
Morning and evening, project calm-assertive energy before you give your dog affection. Then walk your dog to exercise their body and allow them to explore the world. When you get home, prepare their food. While you fill the bowl, ask your dog to sit or down and wait. If they sit quietly and project calm-submissive energy with no negative behaviors, place the bowl of food in front of them and tell them it’s OK to eat. From the dog’s perspective this is how nature intended them to live.
