Halloween Safety Tips

October 30, 2009

Pop quiz . . . Which holiday finds more pets straying or dying than any other holiday? According to Liam Crowe, the CEO of Bark Busters USA and dog behaviorist, the answer is Halloween. Yikes! Well, thanks to Bark Buster of Dogster's Dog Blog, here are ten tips that will help to ensure a safe Halloween for your furry little ghosts and goblins:

1. Don’t leave your dog outside. Even if you have a fenced yard, bring your dog inside where it is safe. If your dog is usually kept outside, bring him in a few times before the big night to get him used to being indoors. Your dog may be used to strangers, but so many little kids in costumes running about may be too much. Remember also that it is a natural instinct for dogs to protect the family from strangers, and on Halloween there will be no shortage of strangers.
2. Keep your dog restrained. If your dog is timid or scared, or if he tends to love people a little too much, it is best to put him in a separate room away from the front door to limit his excitability, aggression, and chance of running outside and becoming lost.
3. Reassure your dog. The best thing you can do for your dog when he is feeling unsettled by Halloween activities is to act as you normally would. By over-reassuring your dog or giving him an unusual amount of attention, you inadvertently can communicate to him that because you are acting differently, there must be something to worry about.
4. Have your dog get used to costumes. Your dog may see his family members as strangers once they don their Halloween costumes. Before the kids put them on, allow your dog to scent the costumes. If your costume has a mask, keep the mask off when you are with your dog because dogs can become confused when they can't see our faces.
5. Check your dog’s ID tag. Be sure identification tags are secure on your dog’s collar-just in case.
6. Keep candy away from your dog. Many candies-especially chocolate-are toxic to dogs. The severity of the toxicity depends greatly on factors such as breed, age, size, and how much candy was ingested. Problems may range from a mild upset tummy to vomiting and diarrhea, or even death. If you have any concerns at all, consult with a veterinarian immediately. If you want to keep your dog safe, make certain that sweets, including their wrappers, are kept well away from your dog.
7. Protect dogs from candles and pumpkins. Excited or agitated dogs can easily knock over a lit candle or pumpkin. Be sure those items are away from your dog’s reach, or consider a battery-powered candle that does not burn.
8. Think twice about dressing your dog in a costume. While some dogs might enjoy being dressed up, many don’t. Experiment first to see if your dog likes being in a costume. If so, fine-he’ll most likely enjoy himself and the extra attention it brings. However, if he shows any resistance, don’t do it. Dogs feel enough stress around Halloween without also having to endure the discomfort and peculiarity of wearing a strange costume.
9. Be prepared. If you take your dog with you while trick-or-treating, be prepared at all times. Do not let your dog approach the door of a house, and stay clear of possible gags or gangs of goblins who will gather at the door. Dogs do not understand that the person jumping out at you will not hurt you; they often think they can only help you by acting aggressively. Neither children nor adults in costumes should approach a dog without the owner’s consent.
10. Have fun but think of your dog’s safety. Finally, if you want your dog to be included in Halloween festivities, think about his safety much as you would the safety of a small child. Your dog does not understand Halloween, so he needs you to provide the guidance and safety that you always do.

Pumpkin Bones Recipe

October 28, 2009

Three Jacks Dog Bakery in Olmsted Falls, Ohio has a wonderful organic recipe sure to please our canine trick-or-treaters this Halloween. If you're too busy to bake these tasty treats, you can always purchase the doggie biscuits online at http://www.3jacksdogbakery.com/.

Ingredients
4 cups organic brown rice
2 organic eggs with shells
3/4 cup organic steel cut oats
1 cup organic canned pumpkin
1 teaspoon organic ground cinnamon
3/4 cup organic low-fat buttermilk
2 teaspoons organic ground rosemary
1 tablespoon organic blackstrap molasses
3/4 teaspoon sea salt
4 tablespoons organic shortening

Preparation
Mix dry ingredients in a large bowl. Mix liquid ingredients in food processor, leaving egg shells in. Combine wet and dry ingredients in bowl. Knead until well-mixed, about five minutes. Roll dough to 1/4-inch thickness on rice flour-covered pastry board. Cut with 1-inch, small-bone-shaped cutter. Bake at 325 degrees for 15 minutes, then for 10 minutes at 300 degrees, then for 10 more minutes at 250 degrees. This recipe makes about 320 pumpkin bones, depending on the size of your cookie cutter. Recipe may be cut in half.

CARING FOR YOUR SENIOR (Entry #3 - "Helping to Sooth Achy Joints")

October 24, 2009

According to Heidi Booth, DVM, dogs age differently, depending on their size, breed, health and genetic predisposition. In an interview with DogWorld magazine, Booth states, "In general, we consider dogs to be seniors around the age of 7; however, this does vary. Typically, smaller dogs (less than 20 pounds) live longer, not showing their age until 10 to 12 years. Medium-sized dogs (20 - 55 pounds) begin to age at 8 - 10 years; large dogs (55 to 10 pounds) at 6 - 8 years, and giant dogs (100 plus pounds) at age 5. "

Thankfully, Japanese spitzen fall right in between the small to medium size, so they tend to live at least twice as long as the giant breeds. So, when your JS does start to feel her age, one of the things she will probably feel first is an aching in her joints. Just like humans, dogs can suffer from arthritis, which can sometimes be debilitating. And, also like humans, the treatment of the symptoms are similar.

Lisa Hanks, a freelance writer from Newport Beach, California, offers some helpful insight on this topic:

An older dog naturally becomes more stiff and inflexible as its body, muscles and joints deteriorate. Watch your dog closely and identify which actions are difficult for it, then take measures to make them easier.

Achy joints often flare into arthritis. Difficulties standing up, walking on hard floors, jumping on the couch, climbing stairs or going for a walk, may mean arthritis has set in. You might also see a stiff gait and lameness, or grouchiness at being touched on the back or hips.

"Easing your dog's discomfort with soft beds, ramps to go up stairs and adequate room temperatures are a few ways to make movement easier on arthritic dogs," Heidi Booth says. Consider providing a heating pad or self-warming cushion to warm old joints, especially during cold weather.

The best ways to relieve arthritis pain are providing regular exercise and maintaining a healthy weight, as well as using prescribed anti-inflammatories, chondroitin, and other nutraceuticals and supplements. "Newer tools in the battle against arthritis are massage, acupuncture and hydrotherapy," Micah Kohles, DVM of Lincoln Nebraska states, "These can all provide a benefit, but must be initiated under the care of your veterinarian."

Keep your achy, arthritic dog warm and comfy with heated, orthopedic beds or therapeutic blankets. If you must go out in the wet and cold, put a coat or sweater on your dog. Make getting around the house easier by installing ramps to access the couch, bed and car, and by placing nonslip mats on slippery floors.

For advanced arthritis or hip problems that impede your dog's walking ability, invest in a support sling, harness or a rear-end cart. A stroller or bike trailer is a great way to take an impaired dog outside for fresh air. "Some-times dogs become wobbly on their feet, especially their hindquarters, and this can indicate muscle weakness or neurological degeneration." Booth says.

Before my BlackJacks passed away, he was given daily supplements, such as glucosamine with shark cartilage. This has been proven therapeutic for arthritis, and helps to slow it's progression. An occasional injection of an NSAID, such as Adequan, Rimadyl, Etogesic, Metacam, or Deramaxx, also works wonders - especially in cold weather when his joints may hurt slightly more than usual.

Unfortunately, there is no cure for arthritis, so the best we can do is try to treat the symptoms and make our furry loved ones as comfortable as possible.

Can Dogs Get the Swine Flu?

October 14, 2009


Its all over the news and on everyone's minds - the Swine Flu pandemic. We know that it can be harmful to humans. The question is, can the H1N1 virus be harmful to our furry friends?

There is no clear cut answer, but if there were, it seems the answer would most likely be no.

According to Dr. Mike Richards of Mathews Veterinary Clinic in Mathews, Virginia, "I haven't heard of a case of a dog contracting swine flu, especially in this country," said Dr. Mike Richards. "Influenza research is changing; however, and it is recognized that dogs can get the flu. It is unlikely that a dog will get the swine flu, but there are reported cases of dogs getting the avian flu (bird flu). I would not be surprised to hear of a canine swine flu case eventually."
I was able to find just one report of an unconfirmed case of a dog contracting the H1N1 virus, which unfortunately proved to be fatal. The case took place a few years ago in Taiwan. Again, this case was unconfirmed.

Dr. Janet Tobiassen Crosby, DVM, states that there are two types of influenza viruses: Type A and Type B. The Type A viruses are found in humans and many types of animals, usually strains specific to that species. The type B viruses circulate widely among humans. Dogs and cats do have their own versions of influenza viruses. The canine influenza virus is an influenza Type A, known as the H3N8 virus.

Key Fact about Canine Influenza from the CDC: To date, there is no evidence of transmission of canine influenza virus from dogs to people and there has not been a single reported case of human infection with the canine influenza virus.

The good news is that a company based in Kenilworth, NJ called Intervet/Schering-Plough Animal Health announced in June that they have released the first vaccine for the canine influenza virus. The vaccine has been shown to reduce the incidence and severity of lung lesions, as well as the duration of coughing and viral shedding. It is administered under the skin in two doses, two and four weeks apart, and may be given to dogs that are 6 weeks of age or older.

Of course, in order to avoid spreading any type of virus, care should be always taken to use proper sanitation and personal hygiene in all cases of illness, and especially for the ever-changing influenza viruses.

According to Mohala Johnson of the Cheyenne Dogs Examiner, here is a list of some things you can do to help keep your immune system up to par. After all, if you don't take care of yourself, then who will take care of your dog?

~Wash your hands often
~Cover you nose and mouth if you sneeze or if someone around you does
~Be sure to eat a balanced diet
~Exercise (which you should already be doing with your dog)
~Stay hydrated, drink your fluids especially water, try drinking lemon water its good for your immune system, and you might like it.
~Get a full night sleep
~Take your vitamins, like vitamin C
~There is also a variety of food that you can eat to help you boost your immune system.

So, while dogs may be susceptible to their own version of influenza if not vaccinated, it seems that they are safe from Swine Flu for now, so hopefully this gives you some peace of mind. As always, if you suspect that your dog is sick, please contact your veterinarian directly for an examination and to discuss any questions.

TEACHING BASIC COMMANDS – ENTRY #10 ("Standing Ovation")

October 11, 2009

This is not something we have taught our dogs to do. However, I have seen Japanese Spitz standing and dancing on their hind legs and it is SO cute! (See dancing Japanese Spitz here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R-FrINJD1PQ) For those of you who would like to teach you JS how to stand in his/her hind legs, below is a helpful article I found by September Morn, a writer for Dog Fancy magazine.

Lure your dog into a standing position by holding a treat in front of her nose, then moving it straight forward. Stop moving it when your dog stands up, click or praise to mark the behavior and give her the treat as a reward. When luring a stand, position the treat so your dog's muzzle is horizontal. If you move the treat upward your dog will probably sit. If you hold it too low, she may lie down.

After your dog follows a treat lure into a standing position several times, phase ou tthe lure by moving your hand with the same motion, but without holding a treat. When your dog follows your hand and stands, click or praise, and reward with a treat. This becomes the hand signal that means "Stand"

Add a verbal cue, "Stand" or "Stand Up", saying it just before you make the hand signal.

Reduce the use of treats once your dog consistently responds to your hand motion or command.