A Dog Fountain vs. a Really Big Bowl

There are always new pet products coming out, and some of them I can do without. But I love it when I find a product that makes it quicker and easier to do routine pet care tasks. Here are five products that make  life with dogs a whole lot more convenient.

1) Dog Water Fountain — With both dogs and cats in the house, I sometimes feel like I’m constantly filling up water bowls. I’d been thinking of trying a dog water fountain for a while, and I finally spotted one on sale at a local pet store. The price was too good to pass up, so I decided to try it. It has a receptacle that you fill with water, then the water flows through a filter and into the bowl and back again. It’s constantly moving, so it’s kept fresh, and the pets seem to love fountain water more than water from a bowl.

2) A Microfiber Dog Towel — I’ve used a microfiber towel for my own hair for years, and I never go anywhere without it. I love how it sucks the water right out of my hair after a shower, and I hate how long it takes my hair to dry I don’t use it. Recently, I spotted doggie microfiber towels, and decided to give them a try. I was amazed at how much drier I could get my dogs after a bath, and how much less waterlogged my bathroom was from their post-bath shaking.

3) Waterless Dog Shampoo — Baths are great, but they can be a big production. What about times when you have company coming over and your dog could use a bath, but there’s really no time to throw Fido in the tub? Or, what happens when your pooch rolls in something on a walk and “give dog bath” wasn’t on your to-do list that day? A good-smelling dry dog shampoo — my favorite scents are lavender and grapefruit — can really save the day.

4) A Training Treat Pouch — Training is so important, and treats are a big part of training. But do you ever  get tired of forgetting where you set the treat bag or sticking crumbly, meaty dog treats in your pocket? (Ick.) A treat pouch will clip onto your pants, and you can wear it behind you, so it’s not so easy for the dog to see exactly where the treat is coming from.

5) Flushable Doggie Bags — Ah, one of the most inconvenient things about walking dogs — poop bags! Plastic grocery store bags are free and easy to come by, but then where to dispose of them? There aren’t a lot of public trash cans along our walking route, so we’ve gone through a number of outdoor dog bag trash receptacles. Inevitably, they  get blown over by the wind, the lid comes off or we forget to empty them on trash day. Biodegradable doggie bags that are also flushable solve that problem!

Do you have any dog-related products you can’t live without? If so, please comment & share!

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The problem is, many dogs don’t welcome that type of greeting from someone they don’t know, and it can seem downright scary. Worse, if you don’t understand dog body language, you might miss the signals the dog sends to let you know he’s uncomfortable. That’s when a bite could happen.

Well, it’s National Dog Bite Prevention Week 2011, so the American Veterinary Medical Association and other organizations have been trying to spread the word on how to prevent dog bites– and a very important part of that is understanding how to approach unfamiliar dogs.

A dog behaviorist, Sophia Yin, DVM, offers a helpful blog post on how to greet dogs appropriately and how to recognize signs of fear and anxiety in dogs. It’s one of the best explanations I’ve seen on how a dog might interpret in-your-face greetings from a strange person — and on how to meet a new dog in an unthreatening way. (The cartoon illustrations of dog body language are great, too!)

As dog behavior consultant Jennifer Shryock, of Family Paws Parent Education Programs, points out — it’s all about respect for dogs. (She proposed a name change to “Dog Respect and Awareness Week.”) She points out that it’s often people who love dogs who are the worst offenders when it comes to approaching dogs in a way that does not respect their space and comfort level. I agree — in fact, we recently had a houseguest who isn’t really a dog person, and I secretly admired the calm, cool and almost aloof way she greeted my dog. A lot of dog people could learn from that. I was talking to a trainer recently who lamented, “We always want something from dogs.” In other words, many of us just can’t let them be. As Shryock wrote, many people put “their needs before the dog’s comfort and stress.”

But the good news is that we, as responsible dog people, can take the time to become dog savvy and to learn to greet new dogs in an appropriate way. And, when we’re out in the community with our own dogs, we can help educate others.

Photo credit: Flickr, Greencolander

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1) Make sure they’re always wearing a collar with tags. It sounds so simple, but just about every week on Facebook and in e-mails I see pleas to help find beloved dogs who have gone missing and aren’t wearing collars with tags. Even if a dog or cat is microchipped, which is an excellent safety measure, too, not everyone knows to take a found pet to a veterinarian or shelter for scanning. In fact, some people assume a pet without a collar is a homeless stray.

2) Keep canines and cats secure in the car. How many times have you gone for a drive and seen another driver with a pooch on her lap? Yeah, it might look oh-so-cute, but it’s distracting and dangerous. Fortunately, there are more options than ever for those of us who love to travel with our pets but want to keep them, us and everyone else on the road, safe.There are crates, harnesses that attach to seat belts and barriers that keep pets in the back seat. Whole Dog Journal has an excellent article on driving safely with your dog.

3) Be savvy about common household poisons. There are plenty of items commonly used around the house — some of which are safe for humans — that can be deadly to pets. Some are obvious — think chocolate left out in the kitchen — and some are less obvious — think cocoa mulch sprinkled in the garden. The WebMD Healthy Dogs Guide offers a guide to the top 10 dog poisons.

4) Teach your dog lifesaving commands. It’s true that “shake”, ”roll over” and “give me a kiss” are fun tricks to teach a dog, but first make sure your dog has mastered the most important commands — those that could literally save her life. For safety’s sake, every dog should be rock solid on “come” (good for getting your dog away from a possibly dangerous situation and back to safety at your side, at the dog park, on a hike etc.) as well as “wait” (good for making sure your dog doesn’t scramble out of the car before you can get her leash on or out the front door to go chase squirrels) and “drop it” (in case your dog picks up something questionable while out on a walk).

5) Prepare for injuries and emergencies. Learn doggie first aid, have a pet first aid kit in your house and even practice family fire drills that include your pets. Many pet stores periodically offer pet first-aid classes, and the American Veterinary Medical Association has a guide to pet first aid. MyPetHealthGuide.com offers  a handy pet fire safety checklist.

Photo credit: Jason Hargrove, Flickr

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I’ve been involved with animal welfare for years, and when I read my fellow K9 Cuisine blogger Roxanne Hawn’s post on pet food ethics this week, it touched on one of my pet peeves: people who approach animal lovers specifically to start a debate about pets vs. people. (By the way, you can take Roxanne’s survey about this issue here.)

It bothers me when people start this argument, first because I strongly dislike this type of hierarchical thinking and also because it’s a false dichotomy. You don’t have to choose whether to care about animals or people, you can care about both. In fact, most of the people I know who volunteer on behalf of animals are very compassionate people all around — if they weren’t, they wouldn’t choose to spend their free time helping in the community.

Also, there’s a vast array of ways in which people choose to spend their time, energy and resources — some of which benefit causes and many of which do not improve the world in any way. For example, the average American adult watches 2.8 hours of TV per day, but does less than 15 minutes of volunteer work per day …  funny, I’ve never heard of someone approaching someone else and saying “How can you sit there watching ‘American Idol’ when there are people suffering in the world?” The average American eats many thousands of excess calories per year, many in the form of soda and junk food, but I’ve never heard anyone say, “How can you eat those Fritos when there are children starving in the world?” But something about using spare time to ease suffering and increase joy in the world by helping animals seems to invite scrutiny and criticism. Go figure!

In addition, many of the programs that benefit animals benefit people as well — a few of my favorites include Pets for Vets, which matches adoptable pets with U.S. veterans who could use companionship and the health benefits of having a pet, as well as a number of local charities, including pet therapy organizations and pet food pantries. As a foster parent for my local shelter, I’m reminded whenever I get a photo or e-mail from an adopter that every time a rescued animal is successfully placed in a loving home, the human family benefits greatly too. For example, when my husband and I visited one of our former foster dogs and his family recently, we heard wonderful stories about how this former death row dog, a gorgeous and happy black Lab mix, has formed a special bond with one of the children in the family — a little boy with autism. The dog stands by the boy, refusing to leave his side, whenever the neighborhood bully is near. The boy takes photos of the dog and adds speech bubbles — one said “I love you.”

I wish that those who are tempted to pick a fight whenever they see someone devoting time and energy to an animal-related cause, or to their own pet, would slow down, take a step back and take a look in the mirror: what is really behind your objection to others caring for a sentient being? And could the time and energy you’d spend arguing online or proclaiming that “people are more important” be better spent devoted to making the world a better place in whatever way you see fit? Maybe after a few hours of working in a soup kitchen, distributing blankets to the homeless, or whatever your activity of choice is, you will begin to feel an affinity for all others who are trying to do good in the world. As Albert Einstein said, “Our task must be to free ourselves … by widening our circles of compassion to embrace all living creatures and the whole of nature in its beauty.”

Photo credit: Flickr, normanack

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Get a Head Start on Summer Health

Before summer hits, I like to make a trip to the vet to get my dogs’ annual heart worm test and stock up on heart worm preventative and spot-on flea medication. I also buy skin-soothing natural shampoo, since Gobo tends to get itchy skin in warm weather. If your dog gets seasonal itchy skin, it’s important to consult with a veterinarian before the problem gets out of hand to determine a cause and treatment options. Some skin issues can be diet related, so a consultation with a holistic veterinarian about diet, early in the season before itchiness becomes a problem, could help stave off summer misery for your dog. According to my dogs’ holistic vet, a change in diet can take some time to get results, so starting early is always good. Gobo’s summer skin problems improved  a lot after we transitioned him to a raw diet a few years ago. In addition, picking up some canine sunscreen is a good idea since dogs can get sunburn just like people.

Give Some Thought to Summer Grooming

Should you make a grooming appointment for a so-called summer cut the first time the temperature soars? Some experts advise against giving summer cuts because the dog’s coat can help protect the dog from the sun and may even keep some dogs cooler. That said, it depends on the dog. I get summer cuts for Maddie because she seems to prefer it and I think it keeps her more comfortable during hot days. If you plan to do a summer cut, consider making an appointment before temperatures spike to uncomfortable levels.

Stock up on Summer Accessories

There are plenty of accessories out there that can help keep your dog happy and comfortable during the summer months. Pet water fountains are fairly inexpensive and provide a constant flow of cool water that might encourage pets to drink more. It’s also good to have collapsible water bowls and/or a pet canteen with a bowl attached to help you keep your dog hydrated when you go places — such as the dog park or a dog-friendly cafe — on warm days. Another accessory to consider is a cooling bed. Dogs sometimes ditch their beds in favor of lying on cooler tile or hardwood floors in summer. A cooling bed is a way to give your dog the coolness of a hard surface combined with comfort.

Do you have any getting-ready-for-summer tips to share? If so, please leave a comment!

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A dog's routine should include playtime

Dog experts often say that dogs love routine. They enjoy having structure, knowing what’s coming at a certain time and what’s expected of them.

I can see that with my dogs — Maddie, especially. She always tries to keep us on track, especially about mealtimes. She will get up and start walking from us to her food bowl and back when it’s about the time she usually eats. And she’s always at the front of the pack when she realizes we’re about to do something that’s part of her normal routine. Maddie loves little adventures — a trip to a new park to take a walk, for example — but other than that, prefers her days be predictable.

Here are some activities that are important parts of a dog’s daily routine:

Meal times. When I first got Maddie, I used to free feed, but she got chubby, so we instituted breakfast and dinner. Now we feed raw food, so there’s no choice but to have specific meal times. Feeding at specific times gives dogs something to look forward to, and allows for hand feeding if needed as part of a training protocol. For Maddie, meal time is one of the highlights of her day!

Daily walks. Of course, daily walks are another high point of a dog’s day — and, if you like fresh air and exercise, of a human’s too. We shoot for a long morning walk and a pre-dinner walk (though I confess to wimping out on the afternoon walk sometimes when it’s cold or rainy!) But I think our dogs are happiest when they get two walks per day.

Daily playtime. I don’t always do this at the same time every day, but I do try to work in some playtime with the dogs every day. In nicer weather, that can be tossing a ball in the back yard. But even when it’s cold out, pulling out the squeaky toys for five minutes of silliness can lift canine (and human) spirits.

Regular training. You don’t necessarily need to set aside huge chunks of time for training. Daily training can be as simple as practicing some commands your dog already knows.

Daily chewing. Dogs love to chew, so it’s a good idea to provide something for your dog to chew on every day. In fact, a trainer we have worked with recommends exercise, training and something to chew on as the three things every dog needs daily. Maddie and Gobo love bully sticks, Kongs with treats stuffed in them and also raw frozen rib bones.

But, too much routine can make life boring, so it’s a good idea to mix things up a bit, too. Take a new route on your daily walk, teach a new trick during training or schedule a play date with your dog’s best canine pal.

Does your dog have a routine? Do you throw in new things every now and then to keep life interesting? Please comment & share!

Photo credit: ginnerobot, Flickr

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So, how to deal with muddy paws? Here are a few tips:

Get an extra-large textured mud mat. Place it in front of the door where your dogs come in from the yard or walks. Here’s an example of a mud mat that’s large enough for even a big dog to fit on. Since many dogs like to prance when coming in from outside, small mats often just won’t work.

Train your dog to sit on the mud mat and wait for you to wipe off her paws. Some dogs don’t like to have their paws touched, so it might take patience. The Michigan Humane Society has a great guide on how to get your dog used to having her paws wiped off.

Keep a grooming mitt by the entryway. There are many styles of grooming mitts available, and they can be great to keep by the door for wiping off muddy paws. I like the Spotless Paw microfiber grooming glove, but there are many others out there. For extra cleaning power, spray the glove with a dog grooming spritz before wiping off paws.

Consider a washable car seat cover for your car. When we bought a car a few months ago, I decided that this time the back of our car wouldn’t be covered with dog hair, so I bought a hammock-style seat cover. It’s durable and great for keeping mud off the car’s upholstery too. For added protection, I throw a blanket in the back too, so most of the mud gets on that.

Keep grooming wipes in your house and car. Grooming wipes are a great option for muddy paws, and many come in scents, too, to freshen your dog up even more. As a bonus, the grooming wipes also can be used to swipe away any dirty or stinky spots on your dog’s coat too.

Do you have any tips for dealing with muddy paws? Please comment & share!

Photo credit: Dennis from Atlanta, Flickr

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1. Gourmet dog treats! Sure, your dog probably gets treats all the time. But Valentine’s Day can be a good time to sample all the fun, fancy dog treats that are out there. Our local natural pet store has all kinds of special treats for V-day — doggie cookies with red and pink icing and funny sayings. There’s also doggie wine and doggie beer. Here’s to your pooch!
2. Get pet insurance and/or or set up a fund today for vet emergencies. Of course, we always hope disaster won’t strike for our four-legged friends, but the time to think about a medical emergency is now, rather than later!
3. Give plenty of belly rubs. This is pretty self-explanatory. Most dogs love belly rubs and would welcome getting them more often. Here’s a great belly rub video for inspiration. Yay, belly rubs!
4. Make sure your dog has proper ID. None of us wants to think our dog could ever get away from us, but it happens to the best of us. Groomers and pet sitters can lose dogs. Dogs can manage to get away after a car accident. I recently heard about a dog owner who slipped on some ice while walking, and his newly adopted dog got scared and bolted, dragging the leash. To increase your chances of being reunited with your dog, proper ID is crucial. Consider a microchip, but also make sure your dog is wearing a tag that includes a cell number. Some owners take it a step further and get their number embroidered onto the collar in case the tag falls off.
5. Always make time for a walk. Daily walks are great bonding time for you and your dog and an excellent way to get exercise and a change of scenery. Shake things up a little by taking a walk somewhere new. Check out a nature center, a hiking trail, a lake, a beach — or even an urban area. Your dog will love you for it!

Photo credit: Champi NL, Flickr

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Love it or hate it, snow can be a challenge for those of us who have dogs. That goes double for massive blizzards, like the Blizzard of 2011 that has been pouring huge amounts of snow on many areas across the country.

But blizzards can be a good reminder to be prepared and think ahead about what you might need to have on hand and what you’ll do to get through extreme weather with your pup. Here are some things to think about before the next storm strikes:

Are you stocked up? Even if you usually feed dry food, it’s a good idea to have an emergency supply of canned food on hand, too, just in case you ever need it. In addition to stocking up on food, it’s a good idea to have bottled water and plenty of stuff for your dog to chew on, too. My dogs especially love bully sticks and frozen raw bones, but Kongs are good too because you can always have them around, then just fill them with whatever dog-friendly staple you have on hand (canned dog food, peanut butter, cheese etc.) Having plenty of stuff to chew on will help give your dog a way to work out some of his extra energy.

Do you have an alternative plan for exercise? I love winter walks, and my husband and I and are dogs are often the only ones in our neighborhood who can be seen walking around on cold days. But at times — such as when the temperature has dipped to extreme lows, or there’s a ton of snow on the ground or the sidewalks are icy and treacherous — it’s really not safe to go for long walks or jogs outside with your dog. If you want ideas for how to work out some of your dog’s excess energy on those kinds of days, check out a post I wrote last year on indoor fun with your dog.

Are you ready to have fun? If your dog is one who loves snow, and you have a safe place to play, such as a fenced-in back yard, a blizzard can be a great chance to have a good time with your dog. Just be sure to keep your play session fairly short and get right out there with your dog and supervise the fun — and take lots of pictures and/or video. Check out this great photo gallery of dogs having fun in the Great Blizzard of 2011.

Make sure your dog is properly outfitted. If necessary, make sure to put an appropriate coat and possibly dog booties on your pooch. If you have a young Siberian Husky, you probably won’t need to buy him a dog coat, under normal circumstances. However, many dogs, including very short-haired, thin and older dogs, probably need a coat. Here’s a great article from Whole Dog Journal on how to shop for a dog coat.

Watch out for dangers. Severe winter weather brings dangers that might not be present at other times, so it pays to be aware. Of course, watch out for antifreeze and never let your dog eat snow in any area that could possibly be contaminated with antifreeze or any other substance. Watch out for salt, which can chap delicate paws. And, if the floor inside your house is at all slippery, put a rubber mat inside your door — both to protect your floor and make sure enthusiastic dogs coming in from outside with wet paws don’t slip and get hurt.

Do you have any tips for surviving a blizzard — or having fun in one — with your dog? Please comment & share!

Photo Credit: HeffTech, Flickr

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Did Gobo's Grandpa Look Like This?

Yesterday, I got an e-mail telling me that the results of Gobo’s DNA test were in. I eagerly opened the report — and you should have seen the shock on my face when I saw the results.

You see, when we adopted Gobo from a rescue, he was listed as an Australian Cattle Dog Mix. It made sense. He doesn’t have the body shape or pointy snout and ears, and he’s bigger than an ACD, but his entire body (except for his dark grey ears) is covered with the distinctive speckles — known as ticking — seen in the breed. Also, his coat has the length, texture and feel of an ACD coat — it’s very coarse and water-resistant. He also has the little white star that some ACDs have on the forehead.

With all of those physical similarities between Gobo and an ACD, I was almost 100 percent sure the breed would show up by name on his DNA test results. However, I’ve been told by people who have been there, done that that these test results often contain a surprise. So, my official guess for Gobo was Australian Cattle Dog with German Shorthaired Pointer (his shape and size make me think of this breed, and his ear shape, too) and Beagle (the surprise element, which I just picked randomly and because he has velvet-soft ears.)

But here are Gobo’s actual results:

• Gobo is the son of a Doberman Pinscher Mix and a Rottweiler mix.
• His grandparents were a purebred Rottweiler and a mixed breed on one side and a Doberman Pinscher Mix and a mixed breed on the other side. (This means he’d be 25 percent Rottweiler with a mix of a bunch of other breeds thrown in.)
• His great-grandparents were two purebred Rottweilers, possibly a purebred Doberman Pinscher and the rest mixed breeds.

And here are some photos of Gobo:

Gobo Smile

Gobo Running

Gobo After a Bath

As a dog-savvy friend wrote when I shared the results, “I’m not at all surprised to see the Doberman/Rottweiler influence, but I’m surprised nothing substantial came through that would have given Gobo his coloring.”

I e-mailed the company that manufactures Wisdom Panel to ask if I could interview an expert who can explain Gobo’s results to me a little better. If/when I hear back, I’ll update the post. In the meantime, the Wisdom Panel FAQ offers a long explanation for why a dog might look nothing like the detected breeds: In part, “Many parts of the canine genome are likely to be unobservable or hidden with regard to trait determination.  This can happen for any number of trait-determining genes. Simply put, a mixed-breed dog could be a mix of 3 or 4 breeds but have few traits evident from one or more of these breeds.”

I’m no expert, but my guess is that at least one of Gobo’s mixed breed ancestors was part Australian Cattle Dog, and that Gobo inherited his coloring and coat texture from that dog. Again, I’m no expert, but it’s my understanding that the gene that causes ticking is a dominant gene, so maybe that played a part? What do you think? Were you surprised by Gobo’s results?

Photo credit: Flickr, arne.list

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