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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Do You Know The Safe Way To Stop A Dog Fight?

by with No Comment Dog HealthDog owner lifeDog TrainingPet Care

Within my many years of dog training, trust me I have gotten in the middle of plenty of dog fights and I have gotten bitten.

It is just a knee-jerk reaction to try and pull the dogs apart but you have to realize that they are in a full red zone and they’re hyper focused on fighting the other dog so if you do get bit they don’t realize it. Your hands have so many tendons and ligaments and if you get bit bad enough, it will never heal correctly.

While this is going on, you scream for help if you are on the street alone and no one is with the other dog. As hard as it is, try to take a deep breath so you can analyze which dog is on top.

Once you figure it out, then the dog that is on top, you grab their back legs and pull back towards the middle of your chest just like you would be lifting the handles of a wheelbarrow. Once you pull the legs back you have to be ready to jump back because most likely the dog will tried to turn around and bite you because you’re interrupting them from winning the fight. If your dog is on top then you are able to grab their leash or their collar and say, “No” firmly and pull back with a snap and release.

Once you pull the dogs apart that will give you enough time to either grab a stick or anything that makes a lot of noise and start banging the ground and stand your ground so you are able to show the other dog that you are not afraid of them.

If you walk around a neighborhood that has a lot of stray dogs then please walk with an airhorn or a Pet Corrector for your own safety!

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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. 

how not to pet a dog

Please Do Not Hit Your Dog!

by with No Comment Dog HealthDog owner lifeDog TrainingPet Care

Have you ever hit your dog and then the dog cowers away from your hand?

Look I know that there are times when your dog makes you mad and I understand.

Growing up, unfortunately my family thought that it was okay to hit the dog on the butt when they were not listening and it made the dog hand shy, meaning as soon as a hand is coming towards them, they get scared.

If you hit your dog, the dog can either be afraid of people’s hands or they can get aggressive because they think they are going to get hit and they have to stick up for themselves. Even children’s hands looks scary to them.

When you adopt a dog, you will be able to tell if a dog has been hit by the way they act when you go to pet them. Please pet the dog by putting your hand out for them to smell first, of course if they are not reacting aggressively towards you. Then pet the dog from under the chin instead of on top of the head.

A dog’s memory is amazing. Anything that happens to them within 4 – 9 weeks of their lives is engrained into their minds. If they were abused, for example, by a tall man that wore a hat, then every time they see a tall man with a hat, they get scared and either cower towards that man or get aggressive. Please be patient!

Through my 21 years of training I know that tone inflection and the leash are the most important and you will gain control!

Please take a look at my tone inflection video on Dog Mystic Academy YouTube Channel.

hot pavement

The Heat Can Burn Your Dog’s Paw Pads

by with No Comment Dog HealthDog owner lifeDog TrainingPet Care

When the temperature outside is over 80 degrees it’s causes the pavement to become very hot.

Please take the time to put your hands on the black pavements to see. If it is too hot for you then it will definitely be too hot for your dogs paw pads. If your male dog does not want to sit down because it is to hot for their testicles then it is unsafe for the walk.

It can cause burns on their paw pads and then they will be limping around. Also, the dogs do not sweat out of their body, they regulate their body temperature from panting and you can cool them off by dipping their paws in cold water.

Walk them on the sidewalk or the grass or just wait until it gets cooler.

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!

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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.

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How Do You Get Your Dog Used To Wearing a Collar and Leash?

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PATIENCE IS A VIRTUE.

Please be patient with your pup

When you first get a new puppy, you can not expect the dog to be used to walking on a leash or even having a collar on. It should be done in a step by step process. If you force the dog to try and walk then they will fear the collar and that can cause problems for the future.

First thing you need to do is put the collar on the dog. Even if they are scratching at their neck, it is totally normal because they are not used to having something around their neck. Once they are used to the collar then you can get them used to the leash.

Do not put the leash on the dog and always expect the dog to be excited to walk with you. Most puppies will just lay down and refuse to walk. The best thing to do is to put the leash on the dog inside the house and let the dog walk around with it while you are home, so they get used to having the leash dragging behind them. After about 2 days, then you can try taking the dog for a walk.

Once you try taking the dog for a walk, grab a squeeky toy to get the dog excited. Start walking with the dog on the leash while squeeking the toy and telling the dog to come. As soon as the dog starts walking with you, give the dog plenty of praise, “good girl or boy come on.” Do it for a short amount of time the first time and progressively get longer each additional time. Once your dog starts walking you will be able to enjoy a long walk with your dog.  Just Be Patient!!!!