herm_sprenger

THE PRONG COLLAR IS NOT INHUMANE!

by with No Comment Dog HealthDog TrainingPet Products

There are plenty of dogs that do not need the prong collar, but some are very dominant, whether small, medium, or large.  Think about it, if you are giving your dog leash corrections and they are not phased at all and they do not mind getting their neck yanked back more than a few times, then that is when they can use a prong collar to make them respond faster.

There are plenty of people and trainers that are totally against the prong collars.  They just see the collar and think that it is going to harm the dog.  IT IS NOT!  

There are proven facts that the choker collar has caused damage to the trachea because when the dog gets fixated on something then they will pull and choke themselves to try to get to the object even though it is hurting their throat.

Whereas, the prong collar reminds them of their mom because when there is one puppy extremely hyper and causing trouble, what the mom will do is grab the puppy the scruff of the next, with her teeth, pull them back either off the ground or off their front paws, give them a growl until they calm down, go limp, and submit, then she will put them down!

Anything that happens to them in between 4 – 9 weeks of their lives is ingrained into their minds.  They remember everything!

Once they have the prong collar on it is not tight and you can get your fingers underneath.  As soon as you give a snap, release leash correction, they feel the prong collar and it reminds them of their mom and they stop their bad behavior quicker than the regular collar or the choker collar.

THE PRONG COLLAR IS NOT HURTING HIM AT ALL!

PLEASE DO NOT BUY THE PRONG COLLARS FROM AMAZON AND PETCO! THEY ARE NOT MADE RIGHT AND IT EITHER IT COMES APART OR IT IS IMPOSSIBLE TO GET THE PRONGS OFF TO RESIZE!

PLEASE GET EITHER A TITAN PRONG COLLAR, A TOP PAW PRONG COLLAR, OR A HERM SPRINGER PRONG COLLAR

PLEASE WATCH THE 2 VIDEOS BELOW TO SEE HOW TO GET THE PRONGS ON AND OFF AND HOW TO PUT THE QUICK RELEASE COLLAR ON:

garlic

Is Garlic Safe For Dogs?

by with No Comment Dog HealthDog owner lifeDog TrainingPet CarePet Products

Garlic contains compounds that can cause anemia if ingested in extra large amounts. Anything that is in excess is not good for the body, whether it is a human or an animal

Small amounts of garlic per body weight is good for the dogs. It actually helps with fleas, mosquitoes, and ticks. It’s supposedly gives the bugs a nasty taste to deter them.

Garlic also builds the immune system. It detoxifies the liver, helps fight infections, and is good for cardiovascular health.

pit with salad on head

Do You Think Obesity Is At An All Time High With Our Pets?

by with No Comment Dog HealthDog owner lifeDog TrainingPet CarePet Products

Unfortunately obesity is it at all time high for people but it’s also affecting our pets.

Our pets do not live as long as we do so let’s start feeding them nutritious food, stop feeding them people food because the seasoning and sodium is not good for their body, and they need exercise just like we do.

No matter what, if we are eating the same thing every single day of course we’re going to get bored so you have to add some nutritious things to the food just too give more flavor.

You can add: chicken, vegetable, beef, or bone broth, 100% canned pumpkin, sweet potatoes, or any vegetables they like.

Please take a look at the ingredients in the bag of food that you are feeding your dog. If the first ingredients are corn and a meat by product, IT IS NOT HEALTHY! If you feed your dog Pedigree, it is like feeding your dog McDonald’s every single day.

Just remember that exercise and dog training is mental and physical stimulation for your dog. It keeps us all healthy and creates a lasting bond with your dog!

xylitol

Why Is Xylitol Dangerous For Dogs?

by with No Comment Dog HealthDog owner lifeDog TrainingPet CarePet Products

Xylitol causes the dog’s pancreas to raise the insulin in the body to unsafe levels.

The glucose goes to the muscle and fat cells and leaves all the other organs totally drained. The sugar is needed for the brain to function properly and without it the brain cells start dying, which can KILL your dog! Wow that is scary! Especially for small dogs, they will be affected quicker then larger dogs.

When a dog has low blood sugar (hypoglycemia), the dogs go into shock first. They stand in one spot and are off balance, then they become limp and go into a seizure.

Put some honey on your finger and rub it in their mouth and on the tongue to stabilize the body and gives you time to rush to the vet!!

Please read the ingredients before giving your dog peanut butter and any other human snacks.

no chocolate for dogs

Why is Chocolate Dangerous To Dogs?

by with No Comment Dog HealthDog owner lifeDog TrainingPet CarePet Products

When dogs have toxicity to chocolate, it’s the chemicals in the chocolate that they are reacting to.

Chocolate contains a chemical component called theobromine, which is similar to caffeine.

Since eating chocolate essentially causes a “caffeine overdose” in dogs, you can expect to see symptoms that mirror this.

Common symptoms of chocolate toxicity in dogs include:

Diarrhea

Vomiting

Drooling

Hyperactivity

Rapid heartbeat

Agitation

Tremors

Seizures

If these symptoms arise please take your dog to the vet, especially small dogs. My dog Saphire, growing up, ate a whole chocolate cake but she was a 100 pound Rottweiler! Every dog is different and their bodies are all different. Small dogs do not have as much tolerance as a big dog.

You can induce vomiting by using a baby medicine syringe and squeeze a small amount of hydrogen peroxide in the dogs mouth. Keep the dogs face straight and DO NOT LIFT THE DOG’S HEAD TO THE SKY BECAUSE THEY CAN CHOKE! Close the mouth and rub the throat so the dog automatically swallows the peroxide. Once they throw up then take them to the vet if you notice any symptoms!

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Did You Know That Taking A Dog Through An Agility Course Will Give Them Confidence?

by with No Comment Dog HealthDog owner lifeDog TrainingPet CarePet Products

When a dog is nervous and scared of plenty of things, going through an agility course together with them builds their confidence because they are doing it with you. Doing agility is a relationship builder. You are both learning together.

I found some information on how agility competition started from thebark.com:

The sport originated in England nearly 30 years ago as half-time entertainment at the prestigious Crufts Dog Show. John Varley, a member of the show committee, approached veteran dog trainer Peter Meanwell about creating a dog jumping competition, loosely based on horse show jumping. The demonstration proved so popular that Crufts asked the participants back, and agility was born. Agility aficionados can now be found around the world, from Argentina to Yugoslavia.

In 1985, Ken Tatsch was a CPA in private practice when he went to Crufts and saw agility for the first time. The following year, he founded the United States Dog Agility Association, Inc. (USDAA). Today, it is an international organization and boasts more than 25,000 registered competitors and more than 200 different breeds of dogs, including mixed breeds.

About the time Tatsch was organizing USDAA, fellow agility pioneer Charles “Bud” Kramer founded the National Club of Dog Agility, which was later adopted by the United Kennel Club (UKC). New venues soon followed suit, including the North American Dog Agility Council (NADAC), which promotes safety, and Canine Performance Events (CPE), for the more casual agility competitor. The Teacup Dogs Agility Association (TDAA) features scaled-down agility equipment for dogs measuring 16.5 inches and under at the withers. TDAA founder Bud Houston of Ostrander, Ohio, also created Just For Fun (JFF), which offers team play over the course of eight weeks, much like bowling leagues.

You can either take the dog to a dog park that has an agility course, on Amazon they actually have agility course items that you can buy, or you can make your own at home.

You have to do the course with them. Make it fun and exciting. Because they’re having a really good time then it gives them something to look forward to and it increases their confidence because they’re able to do it.

Plus it’s good exercise for both of you!

If interested in classes, Clean Run maintains an agility instructor/school directory on its website, www.cleanrun.com, which is a good starting point. 

blue green algea

PLEASE BE AWARE OF JELLYFISH & BLUE GREEN ALGEA WHEN LETTING YOUR DOG IN THE BAY OR BODY OF WATER

by with No Comment Dog HealthDog owner lifeDog TrainingPet CarePet Products

What Causes Blue-Green Algae?

*IT IS ACTUALLY A BACTERIA OFTEN FOUND IN NON-FLOWING FRESHWATER DURING HOT SEASONS

*Nutrients such as phosphorus and nitrogen

*Stable, slow-moving, or stagnant water

*Hot temperatures

*Intermittent exposure to high light intensity

If the jellyfish affect us then they will definitely affect the dogs. The jellyfish sting hurts and itches and is so uncomfortable.

Scan the water before you allow them to jump in so they don’t get stung by a jellyfish or step on Sharp rocks.

Be Aware & Present!

The so-called “algae” is not actually a type of algae but a bacteria known as cyanobacteria. Cyanobacteria isn’t visible to the naked eye, but it often gives the appearance of algae when it clumps together in bodies of water.

If your dog jumps into the water with the algae/bacteria, get them out of the water as soon as possible. If you know that they have swallowed some water, please wash them off with clean water and call your vet.

If you are home, you can induce vomiting by using a children’s medicine plunger applicator (which is recommended to always have) and put a small amount of hydrogen peroxide in it and squirt it in their mouth. PLEASE DO NOT LIFT THEIR HEAD HIGH SO THEY DO NOT CHOKE! This will make them throw up.

Unfortunately, we are not able to allow the dogs to drink the water in lakes and ponds like years ago. Toxic algae smells and looks like paint on the water.

Some symptoms of toxicity to Blue Green Algae is Diarrhea or vomiting, weakness, drooling, confusion, breathing problems, seizures, and even death.

PLEASE BE AWARE AND PRESENT IN THE MOMENT!

Coconut-Oil.jpg

Is Coconut Oil Safe For Dogs?

by with No Comment Dog HealthDog owner lifeDog TrainingPet CarePet Products

Coconut oil is good for people and it is good for Animals. It is an anti-microbial, antifungal, and an antibacterial.

Unrefined virgin coconut oil is best. This is the least processed form of coconut oil.

There are so many amazing uses. If your dog is sneezing then you can add just a teaspoon of coconut oil to their food or you can put it in the palm of your hand and have them lick it off.

It is fabulous for the skin and you can put it on the dogs top of the body. You can put it on the bottom belly side but there will be slimy oil all over the place. Trial and error from me, LOL!

Coconut oil:

? Supports metabolism and weight loss. 

? Improves digestion

? Boosts Energy

? Improves dog’s odor

? Supports dental health

WIGGLE BUTT

How to Stop a Dog From Piddling and What is Piddling?

by with No Comment Dog HealthDog owner lifeDog TrainingPet CarePet Products

Piddling happens when a dog pees out of excitement or fear.

Most of the time it happens when you come home.

As soon as you come in, THE MOST IMPORTANT, DO NOT make high pitch noises saying their name and saying you are home.

Most of the time the dog piddles when they are puppies.

You have some different options, all depending on what type of confinement and if you have a backyard to open the door or you have to walk the dog.

Every puppy is different, so please do not get mad because they have a sensitive bladder.

  1. As soon as you are ready to put the leash on, still just open the crate or playpen door without any noise.  Your excited voice will make them pee out of excitement.  For puppies that just can not hold it to get them outside, put a pee pad on the outside of the crate, so they pee as soon as they come out. Every puppy is different, so please do not get mad because they have a sensitive bladder. 
  2. If you live in a high rise, it is best to put a potty patch on the balcony, so you take the dog straight to the bathroom on the leash, so there are no accidents in the hallway or elevator.    
  3. If you have a backyard or you are using a potty patch on the balcony, do not greet the dog until you are on the grass or the potty patch, so they pee outside instead of inside.  Less clean up for you.  
  4. If your dog is a big jumper while they are peeing and peeing on you, put the leash on the dog so you can pull back on the leash and say, “Off” while getting the dog outside .  Once outside, use a shake can, which is a soda can, rinsed out, with a handful of pennies in it.  Keep shake can behind your back and your other hand holds the leash. When the dog jumps up, shake can in face and say, “Off” then put it behind your back again, so they don’t get used to the can. If they get used to the can then they will know that it is something that makes noise and it is not going to harm them.
    *The noise is reinforcing the off command.
  5. When people come over, have them ignore the dog for a couple of minutes. Then, when they
    greet the dog, tell them not to give direct eye contact and don’t raise their voice.  You can also have the person give the dog a treat and show the dog that you have the treat and give it to your company, so the excitement is directed to the treat.  It does not have to be a big treat.
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Dogs Can Do The Doggie Paddle In Water But Teach Them Where The Stairs Are

by with No Comment Dog HealthDog owner lifeDog TrainingPet CarePet Products

Swimming Is Such Good Exercise For Your Dog

Just Be Aware!

There are two reasons why dogs drown in a pool.

First a dog that is heavy in the back area like Bulldogs, sink faster then other dogs.  Not all bullies need a life vest but it is advisable. 

Second, if a dog is treading water at the end of a pool and then they get tired that is when they sink and can drown.

If you want your dog to swim in the pool, the first thing that you want to do is put the leash on the dog.  Bring the dog into the pool with you and let them swim around and then with the leash guide them to the steps and keep on doing that until they realize that is where they get out.

Repetition and consistency are so important to get the dog used to swimming in the water and swimming toward the stairs to get out. My suggestion is to always be outside with your dog when they are getting acclimated to swimming in the water.

Just remember that a dog’s psychology and a child’s psychology are very alike. They will try to push their limits as much as they can.