The Puppy Checklist

A list of some must haves for anyone with a new pup.  These toys and bones will help keep your pup busy and out of trouble and the extra yummy treats will have them begging to learn.



 

Kong (Classic) - can be filled with a mixture of wet and dry dog food

or other healthy snacks



  

Kong (goodie bone) - can be stuffed with large crunchie treats



 

Tricky Treats – can be filled with kibble or small treats for hours of challenging fun

 

Megalast Bone – much like the goodie bone this toy can be stuffed with all kinds of treats (comes in three sizes)





Fleecy Cleans – a rope toy that's safe and durable for puppies to play with

Marrow Bone – a safe bone for puppies to chew that can by stuffed with food (look for bones that are pre-cleaned of marrow and meat for young pups)

Elk Antler – a safe delicious chew with no odours, no stickiness and no staining

Nylabone – these bones are safe for puppies to chew, just be sure to get the right size for your dog



Purebites – a delicious, healthy training treat for dogs of any age

Zukes Mini Naturals – a yummy bite sized semi-soft treat perfect for training

  Try freezing any toys/bones that can be stuffed with wet/canned food to make them last twice as long!



Know what your dog is thinking!

Sorry it's been sooo long since my last post...I'm back to regular posting so keep checking back :-)

How to read your dog’s body language

Is your dog trying to tell you something?  Dogs communicate to each other in large part through body language.  Understanding this language can not only help you understand your own dog but will also allow you to better predict what other dogs are thinking.  Here’s an overview of the general signs and signals to watch for.

A Confident Dog

A confident dog stands tall with their head held high and ears perked.  Their mouth may be open but relaxed, their tail is relaxed as well and may have a gentle sway or curl to it.  This dog is safe to approach.

A Playful/Happy Dog

In a happy or playful mood your dog will show similar signs of a confident dog along with their tail wagging excitedly.  When trying to engage play, dogs will very often display something called a ‘play bow’.   A play bow is when a dog stretches their front legs forward along the ground with their back end up in the air most likely wiggling along with the tail.  This is a sure sign they want to play!

A Submissive Dog

A submissive dog shows signs by holding their head low, ears are held flat toward the head and their tail is held low or tucked underneath them.  Some dogs will roll on their backs and sometimes even let out a little piddle, this is called a ‘submissive pee’ (not to be confused with housetraining issues!).  A submissive dog will often sniff the ground as if they are distracted or don’t even notice you are there; this is a way to avoid conflict and let you know that he/she doesn’t want any trouble.  A submissive dog is usually safe to approach but be gentle as they are likely more nervous then you.

A Fearful/Fearful Aggressive Dog

A fearful dog will not usually look you in the eyes and will often have their tail tucked between their legs.  They will approach you, if at all, with caution and a tense look, head down and ears pinned back.  You should use caution when approaching a dog in this state.  Rather than approaching directly it is safest to be patient and allow a fearful or submissive dog to approach you on their own time.  A fearful dog is often underestimated and can be the most dangerous where bites are concerned.  A fearful aggressive dog will have many of the same characteristics but may also bark, bare it’s teeth and lunge toward you, backing away right after a lunge.  Do not approach a dog in this state even if the owner tells you ‘he/she’s just scared’.

A Dominant/Dominant Aggressive Dog

A dominant dog is an over confident dog.  They will try to assert themselves over other dogs and people.  They will be the first to approach you and demand attention.  These dogs are often called ‘jealous’ as they always want attention over everyone else.  A dominant aggressive dog is very easy to spot, they will stand firm and look you straight in the eyes with ears pinned back and tail straight up.  They are often leaning forward and threatening by showing their teeth and possibly letting out a growl.  This type of dog should never be approached.  If your dog acts this way toward you or others contact a professional to help you with this immediately.

An Anxious Dog

Often when a dog whimpers or whines they are feeling anxious.  A common sign of an anxious dog is a ‘stress yawn’; this is when a dog whines or whimpers in the middle of a yawn.  Some dogs will do this for something as simple as needing to go out for a bathroom break but it can also be a warning signs.  An anxious dog can very easily become nervous or fearful and it may be a very clear signal of your dog feeling uncomfortable.  A common example of this behaviour is when a dog becomes overwhelmed by many children surrounding them.  If your dog lets out a ‘stress yawn’ it’s best to cut the visit short, it’s always better to be safe than sorry.

Understanding what your dog is saying can be very useful information and give you a greater chance of avoiding dangerous situations.  The dog park is a great place to observe these signals in action.  Many dog bites could be avoided if we only knew how to recognize these signs.  Take some time to familiarize yourself and share your knowledge to help keep everyone safe.

Oaklee, Pluto & Charlee looking quite relaxed after a great run in the snow! 

Winter Proofing Your Pup!

Bundle up for walks
Most dogs love the snow but some need a little help to keep warm on the super cold days when out on a hike.  Short haired breeds like Greyhounds, Boxers or Chihuahuas as well as many other small breeds could wear a coat to keep them comfortable.  Go for a sporty water resistant type coat to keep your pup warm and dry in the snow, sleet and rain. 

Don't forget the paws
Winter weather can be tough on paws of all breeds.  Not only the cold but the salt and and ice can make the pads dry and sore.  There are a few options to keep your pups paws on good shape:

• Booties.  You can find dog booties in all shapes and sized at your local pet stores.  You can have the staff help you find the right style and size for your pup.  Make sure to find a good snug fit to prevent loosing one in the snow.  Practice getting your pup used to them in the house.  Use treats and games to slowly get him/her used to walking in them.
• Pawz.  These are a great alternative to the old standard booties.  They are sold as 'the world's only disposable and reusable, waterproof dog boot'.  They are made of rubber like a balloon and fit on like a sock.  Most dogs don't mind the feel of them at all as they can still feel the ground beneath them.  It keeps the paws dry and protected from the salt as well.  Check out this site for more info http://pawzdogboots.com/
• Paw Balms.  These are a blend of natural or synthetic oils and waxes you can apply to the bottom of your pups paws before a walk.  It helps prevent irritation from salt and also helps prevent snow clumping up in between the pads causing discomfort.  Be sure to wipe paws clean after each walk as it can sometimes leave a waxy film on your floors.  There are many different types available at your local pet store.  Here is a link to one of my favourites http://www.drmaggie.ca/products_paw_protector.html

Cold weather danger
Most dog owners are familiar with the dangers of antifreeze but it never hurts to be reminded.  Be diligent of spills or any containers that may be laying around this time of year as it is said to taste sweet and dogs will often be drawn to it.  If you suspect your pup has gotten into some antifreeze take them to the vet immediately.

Dry Skin
Much like us, dogs get dry skin this time of year due to indoor heating and freezing outdoor temps.  If your dog is itching and scratching and you have eliminated the possibility of fleas there are several things you can do to help.  Feed a high quality food preferably with fish or fish oil in it.  Use a moisturizing oatmeal based shampoo but avoid too many baths as this will only dry the skin out more.   You can also add a supplement like fish or flax seed oils to their food as long as they eat it up right away, you don't want oils sitting around on kibble that's left out all day.

Following these tips will help your pup enjoy all that the winter season has to offer!

What is normal dog behaviour?

So your dog is nipping at your hands, barking at the kids, digging in the backyard, chasing everything that moves and jumping up on guests. Congratulations, you have a puppy!  These are all examples of 100% normal puppy behaviour; it is our job to teach them that it is not acceptable in the human world.

For the first 8-10 weeks your puppy lives every minute with his/her littler mates.  Throughout this time they learn from their mom and each other what is acceptable behaviour.  This play is significantly rougher than what we would call acceptable.  Once the pup is brought into our home, although the surroundings are completely different, their understanding of “play” stays the same.   We are after all, to them just giant sized litter mates.  We often unknowingly encourage these undesirable behaviours by playing games like tug-of-war (if you let them initiate the game and win), or chasing your pup and/or letting your puppy chase you (or your kids) around and nip at your pant legs.  Rough games like wrestling and allowing them to nip at you only encourages these unpleasant behaviours.  These games can also blur the lines of who is leader in the new family pack.

Fetch and hide-n-seek are better games to play that most pups find just as much fun.  To play a good game of hide-n-seek requires two people.  While one is playing with the pup or giving them a treat the other person should sneak away.  Once the person hiding is out of the pup’s sight call him/her and encourage them along using whistles and silly noises to find where they are hiding.  This is a great game to encourage your dog to always be aware of where you are.    Tug is okay to play if you make sure you start and end the game.  Use one tug toy only that is kept out of reach when you are not playing.  This way you aren't allowing them to boss you into playing whenever they want with whatever they want.  Be sure to have some treats with you so you can encourage your dog to 'drop it' and when you are done playing say 'all done' and put the toy away until next time. 

Be sure that you are very consistent in teaching your puppy what is acceptable and what is not.  If your pup is corrected for jumping when company comes over, but rewarded when you get home by being picked up from a jump they will never learn.  Consistency is the key,  ddesired behaviours should be rewarded and undesirable ones ignored or redirected.  Keep these tips in mind and don't hesitate to call in some extra help if your pups a little much to handle at times.

                                                            Play time!

Give 'em Something to Chew On!

Dogs need to chew.  Chew toys should be safe, appealing, and virtually indestructible.  Here are some of my favourite things to keep your pup busy and out of trouble!

Toys such as the Kong (rubber hollow chew toy) or Goodie Ship (rubber chew toy with holes) can be filled with a mixture of wet and dry dog food or other healthy treats.  Try freezing these to make them last twice as long.  The Nylabone (solid nylon toy) can be soaked in broth to make it home attractive if your pup’s not too fond of it on its own.  One of my favourite toys on the market to keep your dog busy and out of trouble is called the Tricky Treat Ball. This is a treat dispensing ball that can be filled with kibble and /or treats (Charlee Bear treats work well) to keep your pup occupied.  Some pups need a little help figuring out just how to get the treats out but will be playing on their own in no time.  Dogs need jobs so making them work for their food keeps their minds engaged.

Bones are great if you know which ones are safe.  Natural uncooked butcher’s bones (smoked is ok but cooked are more likely to splinter) can be messy but are considered safe for most chewers.  Marrow bones are the strongest; most dogs can’t get through the actual bone just all the good stuff in it.  These can then be reused to stuff with food and/or treats and freeze much like you would do with a Kong.  Some other options are Bully Sticks (most pet stores will know what you are referring to by that name) and natural pressed rawhide sticks.  Try to stay away from bleached rawhide as well as the type with knots on the ends. 

It's always best to monitor your pup when chewing on any type of bones just in case he/she decides to bite off more then they can chew!

Yummy Carob Treats!

Ingredients:
1 cup peanut butter
2 eggs, slightly beaten
1 cup milk
2 cups whole wheat flour
1 tbsp. baking powder
1 cup carob chips
 
Directions:

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.

Beat eggs with peanut butter, then add milk and combine well.

In separate bowl, combine flour and baking powder.

Combine the dry mixture with the peanut butter mixture. Mix well.

Stir in carob chips.

Drop by rounded teaspoons onto lightly greased cookie sheet, leaving about 1" in between cookies.

Bake for 20 to 25 minutes, or until biscuits look just barely "dry" in the middle and are baked through.
The biscuits will naturally harden as they cool.

Let cool before removing from cookie sheet

Dogs & Chocolate...Scary Stuff!

Now that Halloween has past, some of us have a lot of candy hanging around the house.  This is a better time than ever to remind pet owners of the danger of chocolate to your pets.

The Facts...
Chocolate contains a caffeine related substance called theobromine which can sicken or kill animals.  Dogs are most often affected by this due to their sweet tooth and a nose that leads them right to it.  In many cases chocolate is more likely to give a dog nothing more than a sick stomach but if ingested in high enough levels it can be fatal.  The type of chocolate, the size of the animal, and the amount of chocolate ingested are all factors in how dangerous it can be.  Unsweetened baker's chocolate contains 8 - 10 times more theobromine than milk chocolate and white chocolate has very little therefore is least toxic. 

Overall it's safest to keep chocolate clear from anywhere your pooch may find it.  Carob is a perfectly safe alternative and most dogs love it too.  If you are making some homemade treats and want to make them extra special add some carob chips to the batch, your dog will love you for it!

                                               Our Friend Atticus