I tell my clients if they don’t want their dogs jumping on them that upon entering the home turn with back to dog and ignore dog until he/she has calmed down. It must be repeated for about 10 days. Voila, no more jumping!

Here’s what Adam Katz has to say:

“Pretty much everybody is familiar with the concept of
consistency as it relates to dog training. But frequently,
dog owners don’t keep it clear in their head. Consistency
means that your dog perceives the same outcome to a behavior–
every time he does the behavior– until we’ve burned it
into his brain as a conditioned response.

Example: While you’re getting ready for work, your dog gets
excited and jumps up on you. And you use one of my techniques
to correct the behavior.

Later in the day, you’re talking with a neighbor while your
dog is running around in the front yard. You’re so engrossed
in your conversation with your neighbor, that you don’t
realize your dog has come over to you, jumped up with his
front paws on your gardening pants, and now you’re scratching
behind his ears… still engrossed in your conversation with
your neighbor.

Unfortunately, your dog will never extinguish this unwanted
behavior, because he’s not receiving clear communication
from you. One time, he’s getting corrected for jumping up.
Another time, he’s getting his ears scratched for jumping up.
Your dog can’t tell the difference. In his mind, he’s willing
to give it the “old college try” because he figures there’s
at least a 50% chance you’ll rub his ears if he jumps up.

Now, you may be asking, “But Adam… what if I want my dog to
jump up on me at certain times?”

Well, the answer to that question is: First we need to teach
your dog that an unwanted behavior is always unwanted.
Unless, of course, we tell him it’s okay, first.

But we need to be consistent about only letting the dog
jump up when we first tell him it’s okay– and with a
command that is the same, every time. If your “it’s okay to
jump up on me” command is “Jump up,” … then you will now be
consistent about correcting your dog for jumping up on you,
if you say any other phrase or if you make any body movement.
Even if you say the words, “Jelly Bean!” – You’re still
going to consistently correct your dog every time he jumps up…
because you haven’t given the “it’s okay to jump up on me”
command, first.”

Enjoy your dog,
- Adam Katz

Animal health > Pet food safety > Recalls > Kroger

Kroger Co. recalls 10 varieties of pet foods sold in 19 states

December 19, 2010

The Kroger Co. has issued a recall for certain pet foods sold in their grocery stores in Alabama, Arkansas, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Michigan, Mississippi, Missouri, Nebraska, North Carolina, Ohio, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia and West Virginia.

The food is being recalled because of the potential for contamination with aflatoxin, a toxin produced by Aspergillus molds. Illness from ingesting aflatoxin is called aflatoxicosis, and signs of illness can include lethargy, loss of appetite, vomiting, fever, jaundice and severe or bloody diarrhea. Liver disease and damage can occur.

According to the statements, the company has established a Customer Recall Notification System to help customers determine if they are affected by the recall. The following products are affected:

* Pet Pride Cat Food sold in 3.5 lb. packages with a sell by date of OCT 23 11 DP and OCT 24 11 DP under the following UPC code: 1111088128
* Pet Pride Cat Food sold in 18 lb. packages with a sell by date of OCT 23 11 DP and OCT 24 11 DP under the following UPC code: 1111071357
* Pet Pride Tasty Blend Poultry & Seafood Cat Food sold in 3.5 lb. packages with a sell by date of OCT 23 11 DP and OCT 24 11 DP under the following UPC code: 1111088152
* Pet Pride Tasty Blend Poultry & Seafood Cat Food sold in 18 lb. packages with a sell by date of OCT 23 11 DP and OCT 24 11 DP under the following UPC code: 1111074580
* Pet Pride Kitten Formula Food sold in 3.5 lb. packages with a sell by date of OCT 23 11 DP and OCT 24 11 DP under the following UPC code: 1111071903
* Old Yeller Chunk Dog Food sold in 22 lb. packages with a sell by date of OCT 23 11 DP and OCT 24 11 DP under the following UPC code: 1111074566
* Old Yeller Chunk Dog Food sold in 50 lb. packages with a sell by date of OCT 23 11 DP and OCT 24 11 DP under the following UPC code: 1111074563
* Kroger Value Cat Food sold in 3 lb. packages with a sell by date of OCT 23 11 DP and OCT 24 11 DP under the following UPC code: 1111000018
* Kroger Value Chunk Dog Food sold in 15 lb. packages with a sell by date of OCT 23 11 DP and OCT 24 11 DP under the following UPC code: 1111071559
* Kroger Value Chunk Dog Food sold in 50 lb. packages with a sell by date of OCT 23 11 DP and OCT 24 11 DP under the following UPC code:1111000108

Affected products have an expiration date of October 23 and 24, 2011. Customers who have purchased any of the recalled products should return them to the store for a full refund. Customers with questions should contact Kroger Co. at (800) 632-6900.

Skin growths are lumps of tissue that are within the skin or can be felt under the skin. Dogs can develop small bumps (papules) or larger bumps (nodules) on their skin. These lumps and bumps are fairly common occurrences, especially in the older dog.

Very often the word “lump” brings the word “cancer” to mind. However, there are many other causes of lumps. A skin growth or mass may be a malignant or benign tumor, an abscess, a cyst, a hematoma (blood-filled mass) or a reaction by the skin to an allergen (hives). Lumps are often benign accumulations of fat called lipomas. However, all lumps should be evaluated for the possibility of malignancy.

What to Watch For

Any new lump or bump should be evaluated right away, especially a lump that is rapidly growing, is warm or painful, is ulcerated or bleeding, is irregular in shape or is well attached to the tissues under the skin.

Dogs & Fireworks: 4th of July Tips For Dog Owners
A dog’s hearing is 10 times more sensitive than a human’s, so the fireworks are likely to cause your dog some anxiety, stress and fear.
Here’s what you can do in the hours leading up to the fireworks.
Plus, what to do if you notice your dog is overly stressed by the loud noises and bright lights.
Dogs And Fireworks

As a responsible dog owner, you should do everything in your power to protect your dog on this night filled with loud bangs, pops and sizzles.
Since fireworks typically only happen once or twice a year, the sounds and lights are likely to catch your dog off-guard, confuse him a bit (or a lot!), and possibly make him nervous and on edge the entire evening.
Remember, your dog’s hearing is 10 times more sensitive than yours!
If you want to enjoy the fireworks and you have a dog, here are your options:
#1 If you’re thinking of taking your dog outside to watch the fireworks with you…
Think again! You and your dog will have a much more enjoyable evening if you leave the dog at home.
Plus, wherever there are fireworks displays, there are usually people setting off their own personal fireworks — including sparklers and firecrackers. Aside from the danger associated with your dog being in the wrong place at the wrong time (dogs & fire simply don’t mix), the mass hysteria, loud noises and repeated flashes of light are likely to have a traumatic effect on your dog.
Whatever you do… don’t leave your dog in the car!

#2 If you live close to a location where the fireworks are set off in your town…
Your best bet is to keep your dog indoors (preferably in a crate, if he’s already accustomed to spending time in a crate). Leave your dog indoors somewhere where he is likely to do the least amount of harm — to himself, and your house!
You should also turn on the TV or a radio — with the volume turned up loud — to make it less likely that he will be able to hear the fireworks outside.
Since the flashing lights can scare your dog just as much as the loud noises, be sure to close all the curtains and blinds inside your home and turn ON all the lights in the room. This will make the bright lights from fireworks less noticeable to your dog. Plus, closed curtains and blinds offer a small degree of sound-proofing in your home, lowering the high pitched sounds a tiny bit.

#3 If you’re staying home with your dog…
Without a doubt, the best place for your dog on this night is inside the house. Preferably your house — a place that your dog is already familiar with and a place where he feels comfortable.
Ideally, you would be in the room with him to monitor any stress or anxiety which might arise. Odds are, there will be none, and you’ll simply be enjoying a night at home with your dog. But you never know.
Some dogs exhibit no signs of fear in their early years, then as they get older suddenly become terrified by the loud noises and bright lights. (This is often due to a change in their hearing, as different tones & pitches begin to sound differently to them.)

Following are some great tips for things you can do beforehand, and things you can do on-the-spot the moment you notice a change in your dog’s stress level…

Some Things You Can Do Ahead Of Time To Prevent Anxiety

Here are a few precautions you can take way ahead of time to prepare your dog for this stressful night:

Make sure your dog has his collar and ID tags on. In the worst case scenarios, dogs have been known to chew through crates, doors, and even jump out of windows due to their anxiety.
Spend some one-on-one time with your dog in the hours leading up to the fireworks. The more personal attention your dog receives from you, the less likely he will be to resent being left alone later that evening.
Let your dog outside to “do his thing” right before it gets dark and people start setting off their own fireworks.
Exercise your dog by taking him on a longer-than-usual walk or by participating in some active play with your dog. This will tire him out and make him less likely to over-exert himself later if/when he becomes stressed from the sound of fireworks.
Give your dog a relaxing rub-down or doggie massage an hour or so before dark. This will put him in a calm frame of mind early, which will help him to handle whatever stress might come later.
Give your dog a bath (assuming that your dog finds baths an enjoyable experience). Better yet: use an aromatherapy dog shampoo in a scent that is calming to dogs. (My favorite: Spa 4 Paws)
Play a rigorous game of catch or fetch with your dog in the early evening hours, to give your dog a chance to burn off some energy and tire him out a bit. This way, he’ll have less drive (and energy) to become overly excited later, once the fireworks start.
Add some cooked (plain) potato or white rice (plain) to his regular meal that evening. Just like with people, carbohydrates will make a dog fuller and sleepier than usual. A tired and well-fed dog will be less anxious.
Plug in one of those popular in-home air fresheners that release calming aromatherapy scents into your home. Or, use some other type of aromatherapy tools (candles, home diffusers, heat lamps, etc.) to fill your home with a relaxing aroma with the addition of Essential Oils. Some good choices: Lavender, Juniper, Chamomile, Bergamot, Frankincense, Sweet Orange. (More about dogs and aromatherapy.)

If you plan enough in advance, you can ask your vet for some dog anxiety medicine, or order something like Pet Calm pills or spray.

How To Calm A Nervous Dog On The Spot

The moment you notice that your dog is becoming overly excited or anxious by the loud noises and bright lights, try one of these:
• Distract your dog with some of his favorite things. Your best bet is to pull out that one special thing that your dog only sees a couple times a year. It will be such a welcome surprise to him, that he’ll become fixated on it, and less on the loud noises and flashing lights. (For our dogs, that would be a pressed rawhide bone — a rare treat in our home.)

• Interact with your dog in a low-key game of indoor catch. The interaction with you, and the act of participating in a a dog-friendly activity will likely distract him from the fireworks.

• Give your dog a KONG toy, stuffed with goodies. If it’s tasty enough to your dog, he will likely lose interest in the noises and lights and become fully focused on this special dog treat. Need ideas for new things to stuff inside?… Try these one-of-a-kind Kong recipes!

• Try introducing a brand new toy or treat (hopefully, a long-lasting chewy one!) to your dog. Perhaps he’ll be more interested in the surprise smells that are in his face, than the surprise sounds that are in his ears.|
• Do not soothe your dog too much or “baby” her in times of stress. This will probably only make the problem worse. Instead, be cheerful and in control. Also, don’t punish your dog, as this will only make him more anxious and nervous.

You could also try some basic aromatherapy for dogs. Or stick some ear plugs into your dog’s ears.

THANKS TO THE FUN TIMES

Courage Update: Vet Kennel Attendant at Center of Animal Cruelty Case Terminated
Citing death threats from angry members of the public, hospital administrator Gilbert Velasquez of the Southern California Veterinary Specialty Hospital has confirmed the termination of Kimberly Nizato, the California woman charged with tying a German Shepherd out and leaving it to starve for five weeks. In a statement issued last week, Velasquez had indicated that the hospital intended to continue Nizato’s employment after she proclaimed her innocence in a private conversation. Hospital officials reversed that decision when evidence led to formal charges in the case and Velasquez began receiving death threat calls.

Spring is on its way, opening up countless new opportunities to have fun with your pet. While springing into action, however, it’s important to remember that in addition to fun in the sun, spring also brings some seasonal hazards.

North Shore Animal League America has assembled a collection of helpful springtime tips for you and your pet. We want to help you keep your pets happy, healthy, safe and in the pink.

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Make sure your pets are protected with flea, tick and heart worm treatments and are up-to-date on vaccinations. Keep a file with your pets’ medical information and keep track of necessary follow up shots and appointments.
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Keep identification on your pet at all times and make certain that the information is current and legible.
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Is your dog eating grass? Unless it’s been treated with fertilizer or pesticide, don’t worry. It could mean he has a bellyache, or it could just be his natural instinct to aid his digestion.
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Springtime means spring showers and sprinklers which can leave puddles of standing water. Try not to let your dog drink out of puddles, as standing water can be filled with bacteria leading to gastrointestinal upset or ailments.
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Recreational swimming is a great way to cool off, but can be dangerous. Never leave your pet unattended near swimming pools or lakes.
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Nothing beats a leisurely spring ride in the car. If you’re taking your pet with you, make sure he is properly contained. Don’t put him in the back of a pick-up truck where he could fall out or let him hang out of open windows where debris can get in his eyes or he could get hurt.
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Goin’ fishin’? Keep bait and tackle secured, as they can be extremely hazardous to curious pets. If your pet gets accidentally hooked, seek immediate emergency veterinary attention. DO NOT try to remove the hook yourself.
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Cool breezes feel great, but open, unscreened windows can be dangerous for your pets. Make sure they can’t get to windows where they can fall or crawl out.
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Just like us, our pets have allergies too. If you notice obvious signs of allergies like swollen eyes, frequent scratching, fur/skin conditions or sneezing, you may want to take your pet to the vet to explore those allergy symptoms.
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Grooming is not just about vanity. Keeping your pet clean and groomed prevents skin irritations, fleas and ticks and keeps his temperature regulated. Make sure his nails are trimmed but not too short.
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The outdoors is not the only thing pets get a fever for in the spring. Springtime is mating season! Make sure your pet is spayed or neutered so that they don’t contribute to overwhelming pet overpopulation problem.
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Certain common spring plants can be extremely hazardous to your pet. Many can cause gastrointestinal upset if ingested and some can even be deadly.

Why should I use a pet sitter?
There are many reasons for choosing
to hire a pet sitter.
1.Your pets stay in the comfort of their
own home.
2.Your pet experiences less stress~no
other animals~no parade of strangers.
3.They don’t need special shots.
4.Your pet receives one on one
observation, love, pampering, and
attention while you’re away
5.They are not exposed to other
animals that may be ill.
6.We bring in the mail and water plants
and pets at home are a crime
deterrent.
7. You don’t have to impose on friends
or family to care for your pet. You can
rely on a professional.
8.Your pet deserves the best.

Please don’t leave your dog at home all day while you’re away. Have a professional pet sitter give your pooch that midday walk!

Pet Sitter and Dog Walker

I need ideas on how to educate people about the advantage of pet adoption vs puppy mills. Do you know that there are still hundreds of people that have no idea what a puppy mill is? So this is short and sweet, just send me ideas and I’ll compose a blog and share it. I’ll also work on implementing all viable ideas. That’s it!! Put on your thinking caps.

Doggie Love

My dog Brooklyn is always there for me with unconditional love so I decided it was time for a new toy. I had seen the doggie bubble blower that blows bacon flavored bubbles..Yes, I said bacon flavored bubbles. What dog could resist? While watching the Animal Planet show “It’s Me or the Dog” I was amazed at how much fun the puppies were having chasing the bubbles as they sniffed away.

I set out to find the bubble blower for my dog. With help from facebook friends I found the site and immediately ordered it. Two days later it arrived. I was so excited. What fun Brooklyn and I were going to have. I opened the package as quickly as I could and began blowing bubbles in the air waiting for the fun to begin. OH no, after one sniff he looked at the bubbles as though they were aliens. He then looked at me as if to say, “What are you doing?” After a few more bubbles he got up and went outside. Mmm maybe he’ll like them if we’re outside and he can really run after them. So I followed him outside and began to blow more bubbles. Oh dear, he gave me that look again. Okay, I may not be as smart as my dog but I got the message: He HATES the bubbles.

Of course I was disappointed and I thought back to the Kong toy that he didn’t like either. All my pet sitting and dog walking clients like their Kong toys. That’s it!! I’ll use the bubble blower with my pet sitting and dog walking clients. My “other” dogs will like the bubble blower. I know my Labrododdles will love it. I’m still a little sad that Brooklyn won’t play with me but I know I’ll get to play with my other “furry friends”.

How to Identify and Treat Food Allergies

Is your companion itchy?  Does she have digestive difficulties?  These are some of the most common issues that cause guardians to seek veterinary care for their companions.  Sometimes it is difficult to get to the bottom of those troublesome itches and tummy upsets.  They may be a sign of food allergies or sensitivities. 

The most common symptoms of allergies are:

• excessive scratching
• licking
• paw chewing

Additional symptoms of allergies:

• chronic ear infections
• respiratory symptoms such as coughing or nasal congestion
• eye discharge
• vomiting
• loose stools & diarrhea
• inflammatory bowel disease

Many holistic veterinarians also believe that seizures, arthritis, asthma and chronic urinary tract infections can be caused or complicated by food allergies.

If you and your veterinarian have ruled out other causes of your companion’s itchiness such as fleas, mange, ringworm or infection, then changing the diet may help alleviate the itch.  If tummy troubles are the predominant symptom, a diet change may help this as well.

Controlling Allergies with a Raw Food Diet

Many dogs with food sensitivities and allergies have seen dramatic improvements by switching to a raw food diet.  It’s a good idea to stick with one protein source when you begin the new diet, and then switch to another if symptoms do not begin to subside after 10 days on a raw food diet.  Often the change to raw food and elimination of grains is all it takes to begin to see improvement.  If symptoms persist, however, then switch to another protein source for another 10 days.  Duck, buffalo and turkey are often good proteins to use for an allergic animal.

If you typically mix kibble with raw, it is best to eliminate the kibble component of the diet until symptoms subside.  Then find a high-quality kibble, preferably grain-free, that contains the same protein you are feeding in the raw diet.

Essential Fatty Acid (EFA) supplementation with high quality fish oil can be beneficial for both itchy skin and digestive troubles.  EFA’s aid in reducing inflammation and support the health of both the skin and the lining of the digestive tract.

Keep in mind that any secondary bacterial or yeast infections must be treated during the switch.  Hot spots must be closely monitored as infection can easily ensue.  These must be controlled with bathing and topical treatments while the animal’s immune system is recovering.

Resources:

Natural Veterinary Medicine by Susan G. Wynn and Steve Marsden

Herbs for Pets by Gregory L. Tilford and Mary L. Wulff

I found this to be informative and felt a need to share it.  My dog has allergies,  but not from his food, from something that is air born. I know this because his constant scratching starts the minute I walk out to my car and see the yellow pollen on the windshield.   A vet can do an allergy test on your pet but it is very expensive and some vets don’t even offer the service. (Mine does not)

So I am now on a quest to find out what works for my dog. Of course each dog is different but if you can offer any advice regarding non-food allergies PLEASE LEAVE A COMMENT. I tried Children’s Benadryl ( which my vet told me to continue using) but it didn’t help.  Last year I used a hard to find Shampoo, NuSal T and it seemed to work but I only found it at the end of the pollen season. I’m starting the use of this shampoo again and we’ll see what happens.

So, as of now, no more trips to the groomers for a while I’ll be doing the washing. Brooklyn will love that!  He doesn’t like to go to the groomers and besides he can pay me back for that bath that he dislikes so much. And pay me back he does. Shaking water on me as many times as possible until I’m wetter than he is. I swear he’s smiling as he watches me jumping back to TRY to avoid getting wet.

Below are a few of the symptoms of allergies:

• excessive scratching
• licking
• Red Eyes