My Life As A Dog Trainer

Make Halloween Safe For Your Dog

Tammara — Fri, 30 Oct 2009 23:21:55 -0500

Repost from last year with important info that no one should miss - I thought it was worth sharing again!

When I was young about the only participation there was for dogs on Halloween was to walk along side their family while they went door to door. I remember one time when my brothers and I were trick or treating and we had our dog Tippy with us. A collie mix, she looked a bit like Lassie, she never left our side, which meant running along side our bikes, waiting for us to come down a slide, or walking with us and standing on the steps with us at homes as we rang the doorbells on Halloween night. One home was so delighted at her lining up with us across the top step awaiting the door to open that they went to their kitchen and returned with a handful of treats for her. I was more excited over that handful of treats for Tippy than I was for my bag of candy.

Now a days you can go into almost any store and find costumes for pets along side the displays set up for children and adult costumes. Companies make Halloween themed treats and treat bags that hang around the dog's neck or attach to their leash. It is a whole new way for the dog to be a part of the event if it is dressed as the bumble bee along side your child dressed as a smiling daisy.

I have received no less than 25 emails in the last couple of weeks of dogs dressed up in costumes. Emails loaded with pictures of dogs dressed as vampires, cows, hot dogs, coffee beans, Jedi knights, and lions. I've seen some really cleaver ones, but my favorite picture by far is this one of dogs dressed as little ghosts. I have seen it for years and still love it. I have no idea who the dogs are but it is definitely popular on the Internet. Wouldn't you just love to open the door and see these little trick or treaters?

Along with all the fun though there are many dangers. The first one is the fact that a lot of the costumes could be dangerous. Many could choke a dog if left in the costume and put into a crate or back seat while traveling. Dogs can start playing and become tangled up.

You also need to watch embellishments on the costumes that could be chewed and swallowed.

Make sure to keep the candy up and out of the way. Too much sugar isn't good for anyone and dogs can get very sick, not to mention the dangers from chocolate, foil wrappers, chemicals in some products, and raisins.

Another real danger is from older kids playing pranks and doing more tricks than treats. Dogs and cats often become the object of a prank that can turn out to be harmful or even deadly. This can be a danger for other animals such as horses, goats, and chickens. So as much as you can, light your yard all night, watch your dog after you let it out into the back yard to use the bathroom, and keep them inside all night. Many, many pets are stolen this time of year, especially black dogs and black cats. The use of these animals for horrid pranks and Halloween props is such a problem that for many years shelters have chosen to suspend the adoption of black cats in particular and some black dogs for many days prior to Halloween. So keep them up safe!

While we think it is fun to open the front door and see The Incredible Hulk, Beetle Juice and a football player all lined up at the door, this can be alarming to your dog. The masks and costumes are strange and unfamiliar and can cause a dog that has always been happy and friendly to become fearful and protective. Don't put your dog in a situation that could cause it that much stress nor cause harm to others. Keep them in a another room for the duration of the trick or treat hours. If you do decide to allow them in the room watch out for them bolting out the door - especially cats that may not be used to you standing so long and so often at the door.

Watch out for curious hounds that are interested in the smell of the pumpkin burning on the porch! It only would take a second for a flame to catch all that fur on fire.

The most important thing is to be safe. Taking extra precautions will never lead to you saying later "If only..." So be extra cautious. Keep them safe, keep the children safe, drive more aware and slowly as you go through neighborhoods and have a Happy Halloween.

One more thing that is different about Halloween is that the once only seen at Easter time Peeps can now be found as little ghosts instead of chickens or bunnies. I must say they are as fun in a microwave as the others (little thing my brothers started when they were young - they get big and sticky like a roasted marshmallow in the microwave). It may not be considered everyone's idea of progression, but shopping for a costume for my dogs (especially for Therapy visits) in almost any store and having a few microwaved peeps along side fresh roasted pumpkin seeds at the end of October is definitely a fresh and fun idea for me!

Have a fun Halloween! (Make it really fun and go find some of those pumpkin flavored treats for your dog and I know you are wanting to microwave yourself a few ghost peeps - make sure you watch them grow!)

Till later...woofs!

Dog Makes Internet Purchase

Tammara — Fri, 30 Oct 2009 23:11:58 -0500

This is a quick post, couldn't resist sharing this one!

Till later...woofs!

Your Dog's Toys Could Be Killers - Check The List

Tammara — Thu, 17 Sep 2009 12:51:11 -0500

On September 16th, The Washington Toxics Coalition along with the Michigan-based Ecology Center announced that they had tested over 400 Pet Products for toxic chemicals that could cause a host of problems to our pets including liver failure and cancer. The products tested were ones specifically designed for the dog to chew or put into its mouth.

Over 28% of the products tested had lead levels higher than what is allowable in children's toys. Other toxins such as arsenic were found in the toys. Some dog tennis balls were on the list, a very common toy for pet owners to buy.

According to the study it did not matter whether the toys were from China, other foreign countries, or America.

To learn more about the study visit: Washington Toxics Coalition.

To find out if your dog's toys are on the list and how they tested visit: HealthyStuff.

When looking at this list, make sure you click on the title of the toy to see what the results were of the test. I was sad to see one I had bought had arsenic and it was manufactured by a reputable company. Yet, I was pleased to find many were safe. I wish there was a database of ALL of the toys, but until then I guess you should stick with toys you know that are safe just like parents must do for children. I hope they will get a lot of support for this study and continue to add to the list.

Till later...woofs!

Are You Being Safe When You Walk Your Dog? Bet You Aren't!

Tammara — Fri, 11 Sep 2009 03:21:07 -0500

Are you being safe when you walk your dog? Think you have all the bases covered? Read and find out, your dog depends on it. Every detail here is important.

You should be aware of the surface where you are walking your dog. Hot surfaces are not only uncomfortable and can burn, but can warm your dog's body temperature dangerously high in already warm temperatures in the air. During cold seasons beware of salt and ice meting substances on the road which can be irritating and toxic for your dog. Grass may be better on your dog's pads and cooler, but you should watch out for hidden glass, and metal objects. Grass is not created equally either, especially if your dog may have topical allergies or if that grass has been treated with toxic chemicals. So be aware of where you are walking and plan ahead.

You should not be taking your dog on a walk using a prong collar, choke chain, or other harsh device. Instead let go of the "old school" mentality and embrace newer, more humane training tools like an Easy Walk Harness by Premier Pet Products. If you have been using one of the above collars, then don't get defensive, take a deep breath and look into an Easy Walk Harness, really, if you truly want a great device and you want your dog to enjoy your walks, then get one. Once you know better, do better.

You shouldn't be using an extendable leash unless your dog is good at walking on a leash in general. Use a regular 6 foot leash instead. Using an extendable leash when your dog is not predictable and might decide to lunge or break into a run will cause you and the dog much harm. I know someone who actually had her shoulder pulled out of socket when she was pulled to the ground using an extendable leash. By the time she knew what the dog was doing and reacted he had a good momentum going and there was just no way to stop what was about to happen. If she hadn't held on the dog would have ran into traffic. I know of a young dog that ran out on it's extendable lead and the locking of the lead pulled the dog back with such force that it pulled the dog backwards and it broke her leg. So, if your dog isn't reliable on a leash then use a 6ft leash versus an extendable one.

Does your dog have on a collar with current and easy to read tags? I believe dog's collars are like clothes for people. There are different clothes for different purposes. Your dog should have collars for different purposes. My dogs have collars they wear around home, for therapy, when they will be playing (a breakaway collar), when traveling, and when walking.

The collars my dogs wear when we travel have tags with phone numbers of family members in case there should be an accident and we weren't able to respond to the need of the dog. They also have a "copycat" tag that states TN Rabies #xxxxx due mo/day/yr. Another that says the dog's name, reward if found, & their microchip #.

When walking they have a tag with as many local numbers as possible, their rabies tag, a tag with our vet's info and their microchip #, another with their name and "Reward If Found", and yet another that says "This animal is neutered (or spayed) and is microchipped". Yes, five tags. However, should my dog become lost then they are a walking billboard that says "YES, I have lots of info on my collar and my owner has taken precautions - read my info, help me!". If anything, all those tags should raise curiosity for someone to want to see what they all say! You may want to add other information such as info that the dog is diabetic, needs heart medication, etc. I would add that info to the Vet info tag. To save room don't list the vet's name, just put something like: Vet's #xxx-xxx-xxxx, chronic illness, meds needed. I would also make that one a very visible red colored tag.

If you are running or walking away from home and travel to a beginning destination in your car, then you should have water and a bowl available in your car. If it is warm out, then have a way to keep the water cool. Also, you should have a doggy first aid kit in your car that includes items that you can use to respond to the removal of a tick, treating a cut, and anti-histamines in case of an allergic reaction to an outside source. I also have the homeopathic treatment Arnica in case of a sprain or bruising injury, insect bite, or wound injury in my first aid kit.

Another new device on the market that would be helpful at home or while out and about is the SpotLight GPS Pet Locator (on twitter at @PAWGPS). While this device is designed to help alert you and find your dog should it disappear from its home, the "safe area" could also include your walking area. Then should you become separated from your dog you can immediately be notified of your dog's location.

Now, what I am about to tell you next is probably the most important thing you need to make sure you are being safe when you are walking or running your dog or dogs. What if you became ill or injured while on your walk, jog, or run and you were separated from your dog? For those of you that use a Springer device and cycle with your dog, what would you do if you had an accident and your dog broke away before you could react? Worse yet, what if you were fatally injured? Who would know your dog was missing, who would know that you had pets at home needing care? Who would know who you were? How long would it take to identify you should there be an emergency situation? Do you always carry complete identification as you go out the door for a quick walk, run, or bike ride with your dog?

Cyclists, runners, and walkers are all in danger of being fatally injured by automobiles. No matter how safe you are, there is always the possibility. There is a product called "Road ID" that helps you and those you love should you become severely or fatally injured. Professional cyclist Levi Leipheimer is a spokesperson for the company and has a very good commercialon tv about RoadID. You probably wouldn't think the product applied to you if you weren't a cyclist or runner, but you're wrong.

They offer a comfortable and easy to wear bracelet that contains all of the emergency information you would want on your body should there be an accident. The new ones cost under $30. They have products for your wrist, shoe, ankle, etc. The information can be on the product or they have an interactive version with a phone number for first responders to call for all of your emergency contact information. I contacted the company's founder Edward Wimmer not long ago through Twitter (you can follow them @RoadID) and suggested they gear a product toward dog owners running and walking their dogs and he informed me it was "in the works". I was thrilled and am anxious to see what they do.

The information you include will help you the most if you prepare ahead. List an emergency contact person that not only can care for your needs but can immediately call someone else you have predetermined will be your pet's caretaker should the need arise. That person should have a key to your home, know where you keep all of the records of your pets, and have a detailed source that tells them the vet contact information, specifics on each animal, and their medication and feeding schedules. You can even include a cash, a prepaid gift card or prepaid credit card for expenses. Also, if you do walk or run with your pets you should have a memo board on your fridge or other easy to see and find area where when you leave with an animal you make a note that you have taken the dog with you. That way when your caretaker comes into your home they are immediately aware that you had an animal with you and it needs to be found if it wasn't found with you.

With this system your immediate family can see to your needs and they and you know that your animals are being cared for by someone you trust. It takes a burden off of those that need to tend to you and is a loving and necessary thing to do for your pets. This will be a big responsibility so consider who you request to do this task.

It seems like a lot of information here, but most of the items once put into action are there for you and require no further effort on your part, and others should just become good habits. With all of this information you not only are being safe when you walk/run with or without your dog, but you are being safe for you, and considerate of those who care and love you, and any pets you have at home. Preparation will make all the difference in the event of an emergency.

I hope to see you out walking with your dog and YOUR Road ID soon! Be careful and enjoy your time together.

If you know someone that cycles, runs, jogs, or walks with or without their dog, or a professional dog walker, please share this blog post with them through the "add this" or "share this" buttons to the bottom or right of this post. It's a caring thing to do! When you order your Road ID, tell them you are a dog owner, so they will get that product out on the market soon!

Till later...woofs!

God and Dog - Very Well Said

Tammara — Fri, 04 Sep 2009 10:56:54 -0500

This morning I had an email waiting in my inbox from a client of ours. We have known her family and her two dogs for many years. She knows me well, and sent me a link to a video with the simple message of "I thought this would make your day." It did, thank you Edith.

Before I share the video with you I want to share a few other thoughts. I have seen references to the spelling of God backwards spelling Dog. Years ago in a Christian bookstore I saw bookmarks that had a cute dog on it and it said Dog on top and underneath said Disciple Of God. So it isn't just the dog people using the concept.

We don't know who first started calling the Canis lupus familiaris a "dog". You can find all kinds of opinions of what word it was derived from, instead I prefer to believe it was coined from someone that noticed how the traits of a dog, their unconditional love, forgiving, and protective nature were symbolic of God. In turn they used the letters of God and formed the word we all use, Dog.

I have used myself and taken part in presentations to children with Therapy Dogs to help them better understand the concepts of unconditional love and forgiveness by using a Dog. No matter how I tried, it would never go over in their hearts and heads if I used a person, but use a dog to explain it and they all get it. We all do.

Whether Wendy Francisco meant to teach you the concept of God by introducing you once again to Dog, or the other way around, to teach you to be kinder to Dog because he is a loved creature of God, the words and video are perfectly put together. We get it, in the way we need to when we see it.

I hope you will share it with others, and share this blog as well. We both want to bring a better understanding, higher regard and love to the wonderful creature we all know and love as Dog.

To order the CD, t-shirts and other items relating to this video visit www.WendyFrancisco.com.

To share this blog, please hit the "add this" button in the right hand side bar, or the "share this" button below and you can choose to email, facebook, twitter, etc. this post easily. Thank you.

Now, enjoy the video and I hope it makes your day!

Till later...woofs!

Heartworm Medicine Recall - Verbac Iverheart Plus - Is It True?

Tammara — Mon, 24 Aug 2009 13:45:53 -0500

This morning I received an email message stating that Verbac Company's Iverheart Plus was being voluntarily recalled. The reason for the recall is that there is not sufficient amounts of the heartworm medicine ivermectin in the lots recalled to sufficiently prevent heart worms in dogs that take the pill weighing 85 pounds or more.

Knowing that this could be a panic email and the link in the email did not take me to a valid recall announcement by the company I did some googling and binging on my own.

Verbac has an amazing number of websites, one for the company, one for veterinarians, one for each product, etc. So I hit all the main ones that I thought would answer what I was looking for:

The homepage for Iverheart: http://www.iverhart.com/

The Virbac Site: http://www.verbac.com At this website I went to the Press release section and could find no information on the recall.

The Virbac Corporation Site: http://www.virbaccorp.com Which then gives you more choices of other websites, to other links to press areas and still no info as of the writing of this post.

Since this is a voluntary recall then that means no one is making them do the recall. They are doing it themselves, so of course there were no other sites to visit other than the ones ran by Verbac. As of this writing there was no information anywhere that I could find about this recall on any website ran by Verbac.

I did find the Corporation's phone number: 800-338-3659 and I couldn't get anyone in customer service to just answer if the product had indeed been recalled. Not even a yes or no, instead I was transferred to an answering line that told me if I left a message that I would get an answer no later than the next business day.

I don't use the product, but I do have clients that do and I wanted to get the correct and true information about this recall. I couldn't find anything except a link to VIN News that first reported the recall as far as I can tell.

Here is the original link from a news source about the recall: http://news.vin.com/VINNews.aspx?articleId=13680

I did call three Veterinarian offices and no one had gotten any information from the company about the recall that I contacted.

You would think with the prevention of heartworms, a fatal condition, a condition that is difficult and dangerous to treat, that if this recall is true the company would definitely be putting information on their website for their consumers. You would think the veterinarians would know. Is it that they are trying to contact vets that actually got the lots of the Iverheart Plus in question and have them quietly contact anyone that bought the product? According to the VIN News article they are not even contacting the Veterinarians, they are contacting the Distributors and asking them to check and see which Veterinarians bought those lots and contact them.

If that is so, then wonder how many recalls have occurred by other companies that we trust and if a Distributor didn't contact the right Veterinarian, then your vet couldn't contact you then you didn't know? Being a Rescue Director I have occasionally received donations of Heartworm Preventive for our rescue dogs. Usually it is from someone who has had a dog pass and they do not want the preventive to not go to good use. So sometimes these preventives (not prescription medication) travels through many hands after it reaches the first consumer. How is someone to know that didn't originally buy this product?

With the Internet available aren't we suppose to get information quicker and have access to the true information and not hearsay? If it is true that this recall happened on Aug 14th as VIN News reports and the company does not have information on their websites that is easily obtained and found by an average consumer of their product then how can we trust them or can we trust any other company? Should it take a consumer hunting down a phone number on the internet and then waiting for 24 plus hours to hear a simple answer of yes or no?

VIN News reporter Jennifer Viala stated in her report that she could not get any information either from the company and only obtained the information when a distributor of the product shared the original "Urgent" recall letter from Verbac with VIN News.

I guess if you have the lot numbers listed in the recall by VIN News then you should call Virbac, however what if you have already treated your dog or dogs and no longer have the package. Guess you should contact your veterinarian and have a heartworm test done.

All I can say is that I wish we could rely on companies and not the FDA to save us and our pets.

Till later...woofs!

Pitbull LOVES Her New Friend - Video

Tammara — Thu, 20 Aug 2009 18:34:03 -0500

Someone sent me this clip and I thought it would be good to share with everyone, especially in light of all the Michael Vick exposure this week.

Let's give some time to the Pitkids.

Till later...woofs!

Don't Miss Meet The Breeds In New York - October 2009

Tammara — Wed, 19 Aug 2009 02:56:03 -0500

On October 17th and 18th Dog and Cat Lovers will have the opportunity to take part in an amazing event. There will be a co-sponsored event by the American Kennel Club and the Cat Fancier's Association held in New York City for you to Meet many different dog and cat breeds close up and personal.

According to the events website, www.meetthebreeds.com, "Meet the Breeds will be the the world's largest showcase of dogs and cats—on October 17-18, 2009, at the Javits Center in New York City. With 160 dog breeds and 41 cat breeds, plus demonstrations, shopping and children's activities, no pet lover will want to miss this unique and fun-filled event. Each breed will be presented in its own designated space, decorated to reflect its heritage, characteristics and unique attributes as a pet, while allowing attendees to literally "Meet the Breeds" by petting the dogs, cats, puppies and kittens and learning about them directly from the experts."

For more information, ticket ordering, and a Meet The Breeds game, please visit the website: Meet The Breeds. You can also vote for your opinion as to which species really does rule, the dog or the cat, on the website as well!

If you can make this event it will surely be a wonderful time for any animal owner and very educational as well. If you go, please share pictures and your experience at the event with us - we would love to hear (and share) all about it!

Till later...woofs!

This Is Charley - Learn & Share About Cerebellar Hypoplasia.

Tammara — Tue, 18 Aug 2009 14:17:51 -0500

OK, it is going to be a double play for cats from this Dog Trainer. Today I learned about a condition in cats and dogs called CH, or cerebellar hypoplasia. I had a small conversation via the internet today with a lady that owns a cat with this condition. She referred me to a video on YouTube titled "This Is Charley". I went to view the video and see what a cat with CH is like. I not only was educated about the condition but fell in love with Charley.

The lady that told me about CH and the video owns a CH cat herself named Roxy. She also told me that there are varying degrees of the disease and some cats have a really hard time and aren't as lucky as Charley or her cat to be able to live with the disease and function. Both the video and Roxy's mom suggested someone find a good veterinarian to help them if their cat or kitten has the condition. If you would like to ask Roxy's mom any questions you can follow her on Twitter at @CHCatMom.

Please share a link to this blog or the video and help spread the word that special needs pets can sometimes be the very best pet - just like Charley.

Till later...woofs!

Move Over Dogs, This Cat Has Talent!

Tammara — Thu, 13 Aug 2009 18:20:58 -0500

It is one thing for a cat to play around on the piano, it is another for it to do it so determined and thoughtful. This is so cool to watch. You've got to love that it is a rescue cat! Here is another musical video, only this time it is a cat in the spotlight and not a dog. Hey, we love all animals and feel it is about time to share the spotlight with the cat species, especially one so talented.

The first is a short video on the background of Nora, the piano playing cat. The second one is the original posted on You Tube, and the third is a sequel post. I especially love the sequel. There is a scene where Nora finishes a "piece of music" and as her audience claps for her she has a look on her face as if she is complete having had her original music appreciated by others. Priceless. Enjoy!

Till later...woofs! (hmmm, I guess today I should say "Till later...meow!")