F A LL 2014 ISSUE 01
TIPS & TRICKS FROM DR.BURCH
featured
INSIDE A DOG WHAT DOGS SEE, SMELL AND KNOW
EXERCISE FOR DOGS produced by
FIND OUT WHAT YOUR DOG SHOULD BE DOING
1
LETTER FROM THE EDITOR
WELCOME This edition of The Sniffer is a keeper. Don’t let it out of your sight because if you do I can promise someone will swipe it. Not only is it the biggest one in our short history, but it is also crammed with specific information which will be of untold value to both you and your pup in so many different ways; food, entertainment and love. In this issue there are so many great tools on ways to finish off the season. If anyone asks me the following questions, I’m going to put my fingers in my ears and hum: “Didn’t the summer fly by?” “Do you feel autumn in the air?” “Have you shopped for fall yet?” No, no, and no. While summer may be coming to an end—there is still another month to enjoy the outdoors before winter. For me and Beef the fun just started, this time of year means we can go on long walks without roasting, play in the leaves and eat lots of PB cookies...Yes, Beef likes PB! All I have to say is: Happy fall!
UNTIL NEXT TIME,
featured
INSIDE A DOG by AmberMarie Lee What dogs see, smell and know. Find out what is going on inside of your dog’s head.
DOGGIE COOKIES by Lisa Meyer
At home recipe for peanut butter n’ carrots cookies that your dog will go nuts over!
DOGGIE DAY CARE by Pat Miller
Find out if day care is right for you dog, and questions you should ask when day care shopping.
Find out what your dog should not be eating!
EXERCISE FOR DOGS! by ASPCA
THE SCOOP HOUSEBREAKING A DOG by Kelly Roper
LTK interview with Dr. Mary Burch with specialized tips and tricks to house breaking your dog!
DANGEROUS FOODS by Amy Flowers
Find out waht random treats around your house can harm your dog, It is way more than you expect, begging won’t matter!
3
What dogs see, smell and know by Ambermarie Lee | illustrations by Joceyln Koss
T
he life of a dog is not as simple as one would expect it to be: life on four legs is contrary to life on two. Interested in what is going on in the body of your pet? Originally I would have said just the mind of your pet, but they are so much more advanced than humans and in-tune with their bodies that, it is only fitting to be put that way.
First lets forget about anthropomorphisms. Yes, dogs do dream and show desire/love but they are still not human in any way shape or form. The question is: does a dog prefer to wear or not to wear a raincoat in the rain? Have you ever been walking down the street to see that one person who has their dog in a matching outfit or all fancied up for no reason? Alexandra Horowitz, a cognitive scientist at Barnard College, came to the conclusion that dogs do not necessarily like the clothes but that they just do not struggle to wear them because they are subdued. A dog that “stands over” another dog is being dominant; therefore, the weight of the clothing is really just a feeling of dominance in the area for them. Dogs do not mind when becoming a little wet from the rain and or supporting “their” favorite football team, because for them it is all about the dominance, feeling as though they are the leader of the pack. German Biologist Jakob von Uexkull proposed umwelt: their subjective or “self-world.” Umwelt is meant to capture what life of an animal is actually like and if we want to understand life of an animal we must know what is important to that animal. She uses the example of a rose. Humans love roses they are a symbol given out as love and to a dog it means nothing to
5
them unless it has been urinated on, had an encounter by another animal or to have come in contact with another animal owner. This is a great example of the meaning of things. For one animal or human things can be totally different: Jakob calls these functional tones. Chairs are for humans to sit on, and yet we can train dogs to sit on them as well in which he would call a sitting tone. In comparison dogs have rolling tones. Dogs find it intriguing to roll on, and around other dogs urine and fecal matter and also dead and decaying objects. Then there is the controversy over the loving dog kiss. Researchers of wild canines; such as, wolves, coyotes, foxes and wild dogs have shown that puppies will lick the face of their mom when they return from a hunt in order to get her to regurgitate her food for them. No worries though, since the domestication of dogs the kisses have become a ritualized greeting--your pets are not asking you to vomit up your food. But for the record, our mouths taste great to dogs—dogs love sweet, salty, bitter, and sour flavors all in which we build up throughout the day on our faces. The difference between dogs and wolves is that dogs are able to gaze into human’s eyes where wolves will avoid all eye contact. The gazing of the dog into human eyes was one of the first steps to domestication. Dogs are canids and no other canid was fully domesticated other than the dog
because of this reason. The sniffer is what makes the dog. We see the world through our eyes and dogs see it through the smelling of their nose. Short, sharp bursts of drawing air through the nose is how a dog investigates the world. Just how good is their nose? Well, a human nose has about six million sensory receptors sites in it where as a Beagle has over three hundred million. “Dogs over all have more kinds of cells that are able to detect more kinds of smells than humans. For example a dog can detect a teaspoon of sugar diluted in a million gallons of water”, humans would never be able to do that. Dogs use their nose in many different ways than humans do; for example, dogs use their vomeronasal (part of a small bone in the nose where sensory cells sit) to smell many things that humans find disgusting such as fecal matter, urine and vomit in which they gather information from other dogs. With those scents they can gather information such as hormonal levels and preparing one for sex. They also tend to nuzzle against humans to gather information to confirm it is in fact whom they think it is. Dogs identify everything about humans from their scent. Humans reek to dogs. They cannot only smell our odors but also our emotions. Even some dogs have been found to smell out cancerous tissues that form in the human’s tissue before aware by medic. Territorial urine marking, believe it or not, is actually a myth. According to this Alexandra Horowitz only 20%
of urine was recorded as mark making. Mark making is actually just their way of communicating with other animals to show recent victories, interest in mating and information about themselves. Dogs will sometimes scratch the ground after urination in order to add more information from the pads of their feet or to help waft away their information. Rumor also has it that giving a dog a bath is an insult to them. What we think smells good on a dog apparently is repulsive to them. Dogs love the way they smell and rolling in fecal matter is a way to help out with their identity. Their genitals, mouth region, and armpits are good sources of information to other dogs when inquiring about who they are. Again, to understand what is going on inside of a dog, we must understand the umwelt that all things in the world have scents and odors and that is how dogs identify them. How dogs communicate is very interesting. It is all about their eyes, ears, tail, and posture. We as humans think they are normally only communicating when we notice that they grunt, yelp, moan, whine, bark, howl or yawn; however, it is so much more than that. The biggest form of communication for dogs is through their body language. Dogs may not vocalize a lot compared to humans but their hearing in phenomenal in comparison to ours. Dogs don’t necessarily understand words but they understand the stress and tones in our words. High pitch sounds are
naturally interesting to dogs and that’s why most humans end up talking to dogs in their baby voices. Animals are only meant to make sounds in order to secure their survival in the wild. “Dog barks begin at 70 decibels and stream to spikes of 130 decibels, in comparison 130 decibels is up where thunderclaps and plane takeoffs.” There are three different types of barks: stranger bark, isolation bark, and a play bark. A stranger bark is the lowest pitch and harshest bark--most humans find it aggressive. An isolation bark is higher pitched with a variation from low to high and humans tend to find it fearful. Play barks are high frequency with combination of one after another. A dogs vocalization is different than humans in the way that, when we are angry or aggressive we are loud and high pitched, and dogs are reverse. Horowitz says, “Their silence can be one of their most endearing traits. Not muteness: absence of linguistic noise. There is no awkwardness in a shared silent moment with a dog: a gaze from the dog on the other side of the room; lying sleepily alongside each other. It is when language stops we connect most fully.” Seeing through a dogs eyes is much different then through a human’s eyes. “While there is variation among dogs, most dogs’ eyes are situated more laterally on their head sin the manner of other quadrupeds, allowing a panoramic view of the environment: 250-270 degrees, as contrasted to
THE SNIFFER | FALL 2014
7
humans’ 180 degrees.” Dogs do not only have a better view than us humans do but they also gather more light then we do. People can see things directly in front of their faces, but it isn’t seen as sharply focused as seen by us. Higher flickerfusion rate then humans explains why dogs do not seem to have any interest in watching television. Their flicker fusion rate also helps them see more in the world than we can; for example, they see where the Frisbee is going to land before we could by a few minutes even seconds. Dogs do not care for the world through vision, they prefer it through scents but a dog can be trained to see it as we see it. A curb is pointless to a dog it is just there until they are trained to see the curb. Seeing dogs are a prime example of how dogs can be trained to see the world as we do. Dogs are actually seeing us; in fact, they will gaze at us and are reading our minds, feeling our emotion. Not only can just humans be Anthropologists, but canines are also considered it as well. An anthropologist is a scientist who deals with origins, physical and the cultural development, the biological characteristics, and social some customs of beliefs of the human mankind. It is believed that dogs understand us better than we understand our own selves. “Dogs are able to anticipate us—and, they seem, to know something essential about us and others.” They take in all our information from scents and their gaze. Dogs do not necessarily understand what W-A-L-K means but they take in all the information going on around them to be able to understand that they are going for a walk. Therefore, we can consider dogs Anthropologist’s because they study and learn everything about us. “ They observe a meaningful part of our interaction with each other—our attention, our focus, our gaze; the result is not that they can read our minds but they recognize us and anticipate them.” There is a quick comparison between dogs and wolves. Wolves travel in packs with the one dominant one who leads the pack. “Wolves seem to learn from each other not by punishing each other but by observing each other. Dogs, too, are keen observers—of our reactions.” Dog owners must become the dominant one using a stern
voice and harsh punishment in order to show them who is boss, and also to show them dominance, you are in charge! Take your dog for a smell walk--not just a normal walk: let them go out and gather information. Train your dog thoughtfully. The most important thing for dogs to learn is the importance of its owner and from then on things will only go up hill. Let the dogs be dogs: allow him to sniff genitals and roll in smelly things because it is how they understand the world. Let your dog smell: don’t constantly groom them--their smell is who they are. Lastly, study your dog to find out whom it really is. Spy on it, play with it, give it things to do and again look at its actions. With all this information she believes you can really get to understand your dog and have a better understanding of what goes on in their world. Look at all of your dogs actions and try to figure out what is going on in their cute little heads. Every time they smell, cocks their ears, go on walks, and bark sit and study the surrounding area taking in every sound, scent, and movement to try to figure out what they are thinking. Take in consideration that they are a canine and not a fuzzy human pet.
WANT TO KNOW MORE Alexandra Horowitz, a cognitive scientist at Barnard College, wrote #1 New York Times Bestseller The Life Of A Dog to help dog lovers around the world understand why their dogs do what they do. The life of a dog is not as simple as one would expect it to be: life on four legs is contrary to life on two. This 352 page book is a very informative quick read for those interested in what is going on in the body of your pet. It is a great investigation about not only your pets actions, but also an analysis about how much more advanced they are than humans and in tune with their bodies that it is only fitting to be put that way.
There are so many myths about dogs being color blind, and marking their territory that people just believe them because people are so stubborn and set in their ways that they do not want to know differently. People want to see their pets as human beings because, in my opinion, it justifies a lot of wrong doings. If your two-year-old child had an accident in the house you wouldn’t punish them because it was an accident, but if your two-year-old pet has an accident in the house they are scolded yelled at and looked down upon. So, if you are to see your pet as your child I feel as though you would be less likely to get upset about things that they do. And will love and cherish your pet, but nonetheless have a great bond. Remember Their silence can be one of their most endearing traits. There is no awkwardness in a shared silent moment with a dog. It is when language stops you and your canine connect most fully.
THE SNIFFER | FALL 2014
9
INTERVIEW WITH DR. MARY BURCH
Our very own Kelly Roper aka LoveToKnow sits down with Dr. Mary Burch, certified dog specialist to give us the ins and out of housebreaking your dog!
TRAINING METHODS LoveToKnow (LTK): Dr. Burch, a new puppy presents us with a lot of joy, but also with a
crate. If you are at home on the weekend, how long does the dog go between trips outside? How about at night? Does the dog sleep in the
lot of training challenges. Housebreaking always seems to wind up
crate or in your room? Is the dog in the crate all day when you are at
at the top of the list. What's the best way to begin housebreaking a
work? Is the soiling occurring during the night or when you are at work?
brand new cute loving puppy? DR. BURCH: There are several methods that can be used to housetrain your new
For a puppy, several hours in a crate can exceed his limit when it comes to bladder and bowel control. Start over with controlling the diet
puppy. The most commonly used methods include: crate training,
and schedule, provide frequent trips outside after every meal, a final trip
very frequent trips outdoors, and paper training.
outside at night before you go to bed, and a trip outside should be the first thing you both do in the morning.
While there are pros and cons of each of these methods, each of them can be successful if you follow a few simple rules.
If you have a long work day, consider having someone come and take the dog outside for a mid-day break.
-Control the diet -Keep a consistent schedule - This pertains to trips outside,
Clean the crate and any bedding so it is free of any scent from urine or
feeding and exercise.
feces. If you think your dog is stressed out when you are gone, you can
-Provide regular exercise - Exercise helps with motility
consider leaving him with a safe, interactive toy.
-Reinforce your puppy with praise for "going" outside -Finally, keep your puppy's developmental level in mind. Puppies
Depending on the size and age of your dog, you could consider taking
don't have good control of their bladder and bowels just yet, and
a break from the crate and trying your pup in an exercise pen or a
they need more frequent trips outdoors than mature dogs.
room secured by baby gates while you are gone. Whatever you do,
LTK: Is crate training helpful to the housebreaking process? Many of our
don't punish your dog for accidents. Continue to give a lot of praise and treats for a "job well done" outside.
visitors report that their puppies are just as willing to soil in their crate as they are anywhere else in the house. Is there a way to address that issue? DR. BURCH: It's so frustrating when a puppy owner tries to do the right thing by
INSIDE OR OUTSIDE? LTK: Many of our readers also ask if they can train a puppy to use puppy pads indoors while they're at work and still train him to go outside after
crate training a puppy only to have it soil its crate. Dogs that come
they get home. Is this possible, or will it just confuse the puppy about
from pet stores, shelters or other situations where they have been
what's acceptable potty behavior?
confined for long periods will often soil their crates. This happens because they have previously had no other choice but to eliminate
DR. BURCH: In some cases, this could be tricky because you're reinforcing two
in their kennels. I would suggest starting over with housetraining
different options for the puppy. Ideally, the pup would simply be
and crate training. As a first step, do an assessment of how well
housetrained to go outside. However, sometimes we have situations
your dog can control his bladder and bowels when he's not in the
that require a creative approach, and using the puppy pads indoors
combined with learning to go outside can be a good solution. In
DR. BURCH: There is hope for adult dogs that have a history of not being
particular, this would work well for a puppy owner who works long
housetrained, but the investment of time and work to fix this problem
days and is unable to take the young puppy outside every few hours.
will require some tenacity and determination on the part of the owner.
It would also work well with a small breed living somewhere with brutal winter weather. The puppy pads would provide the humane option
Basically, you should approach this situation as though the dog is a
of allowing the puppy to relieve himself in an acceptable location
very young puppy. After a vet check to rule out medical problems,
indoors. When the pup is more mature, the owner may choose to make
begin with very short times between outdoor trips. Can the dog
outdoors the only option by gradually fading the use of the puppy pads.
control its bladder and bowels for an hour? Two hours? Regulate the dog's diet and feeding schedule. After every meal, go outside for
TRAINING EXPECTATIONS LTK: How long should it really take to housebreak a puppy? DR. BURCH: The length of time it takes to housetrain a puppy can vary greatly based on the puppy's age and learning history, as well as your
exercise. Use praise to reinforce the dog for urinating and defecating outside. Depending on the dog and how long you need to be gone each day (For example, do you have a 10 hour workday?), consider giving the dog an acceptable indoor bathroom option. This will be a less likely choice for a large or giant breed. Consider a dog walker if you are gone for a long time.
consistency. An eight-week-old puppy is very different developmentally than a five-month-old puppy. With regard to learning history, if your
Finally, if you are devoted to this dog and your work schedule is
new 12-week-old puppy came from a responsible breeder who was
getting in the way of getting the housetraining under control, consider
already working on systematically housetraining the litter, this puppy
taking a few days off so you can try an intensive several day long,
would most likely have a good head start on housetraining basics.
around-the-clock training session.
With some puppies, it takes three to four weeks for housetraining, and
LTK: Is there such a thing as an untrainable canine when it comes
with others, training can take four to five months or longer if the dog
to housebreaking? Some of our readers often say they've tried
has had a less than ideal situation before coming to you.
everything and yet their pet still soils in the house. Do you have any advice for people in that situation?
LTK: What is the best way to handle house accidents, from a training standpoint as well as proper cleanup to prevent the pup from being drawn back to the area to soil again?
DR. BURCH: No matter what the owner seems to try, after several months, some dogs are still not housetrained. Well before the several month mark, a dog that has seemed impossible to housetrain should have a good
DR. BURCH: Whatever you do, don't punish your dog for a housetraining accident.
veterinary work-up. Once the dog has a clean bill of health showing
By punishment, I mean any harsh corrections including hitting the dog,
there is not a physical problem, a good tip would be to consult with
rubbing his nose in urine, or screaming/yelling. If your dog has an
an animal behaviorist or experienced dog trainer. Look for someone
accident, simply clean it up without making a fuss. Use a cleaner with
who would be willing to observe your dog, complete an assessment,
an odor killer that will remove the scent so the dog is not likely to use
and develop a behavior plan for you.
the "marked' spot as a bathroom area in the future. For carpeting, blot up any liquid before cleaning the area. If you catch the dog starting to squat before urinating or defecating, pick him up and immediately rush
A BLUEPRINT FOR SUCCESS
outside. If he does the job outdoors, give him praise and attention.
As you can see, it takes patience, a positive approach, a real
Remember that when it comes to housetraining, prevention is the key.
plan tailored to your pet's current abilities and persistence to properly housetrain any dog. Use Dr. Burch's tips and
HOUSEBREAKING ADULT DOGS
expertise to make your mission successful.
LTK: Many people adopt adult dogs only to find they aren't properly housebroken. This situation all too often winds up with the dog being returned to the shelter. Is it possible to fully housebreak an adult dog that wasn't properly trained as a pup, and if so, how should they go about it?
11
r e t t u B t Peanu N’ Carrot
s e i k o o C e i Dogg
Recipe and Photographs by
Linda Meyer
HEY GUYS,
the carrots Especially…….he loves Gizmo also likes carrots. to the ter. They lend a sweetness shredded in the cookie bat for kies coo are sugar. These recipe, because I didn’t add all are ey need added sugar. Th dogs, and dogs do NOT they love it. about the peanut butter,
I’m company every day when My sweet boy keeps me the baking. Granted, he is in the kitchen cooking and y can drop something so that the underfoot hoping that I y’re the son rea y t’s not the onl do clean up duty, but tha of cute. He’s also 9 pounds nds pou 9 there.Gizmo, he’s It’s dogs pass by on the street. of obnoxious when other n by plex, or fear of being eate called the Napoleon com , crib this s rule mo irrel. Giz all things bigger than a squ a d nee all all things edible. We and he is first in line for a ed my canine friend deserv Anyway, when realizing rite emade and full of hi favo little treat... Something hom ly carrots.There are serious things, peanut butter and on spo a ng ching Gizmo eati few things funnier than wat ite Qu r watched a dog eat it? full of PB. Have you eve I’m easily amused. amusing, but then again,
d rice pletely off the cuff. I use This is a recipe that is com I used s. dog corn is not good for flour because wheat and oon of lacer, and I put a tablesp apple sauce as an egg rep The e the peanut butter flavor. maple syrup in to enhanc . ked wor y the afterthought, but grated carrots where an Hope you all enjoy! Linda & Gizmo
k Time: 14 minutes
Prep Time: 25 minutes | Coo Yield: 2 dozen cookies
Ingredienr ts 2 cups brown rice flou 1/2 cup oat flour 1 teaspoon baking powder 1 teaspoon corn starch 1/2 teaspoon salt 1/2 cup peanut butter 2/3 cup apple sauce 1 tablespoon maple syrup 1/3 cup grated carrots
Instructions
1. Preheat oven to 350° h parchment paper 2. Line a cookie sheet wit wl. ts together in a medium bo 3. Whisk the dry ingredien syrup in a large mixing apple sauce, and maple 4. Put the peanut butter, y. bowl and beat until cream e. bin g the 5. Add the carrots and com and combine, keep addin the peanut butter mixture to r flou the of 1/3 d Ad 6. ugh forms a ball. tely combined and the do flour by thirds until comple h a cookie cutter. red surface and cut out wit flou a on h ug do the of lf 7. Roll out ha the mixture is gone. d cut out the cookies until an h ug do the l rol to ue Contin fore serving to your dogs. s and cool completely be ute min -14 12 for ke Ba 8.
THE SNIFFER | FALL 2014
13
DOGGI DAY By Pat Miller, CPDT-KA, CDBC
Miller,, is WDJ’s Training Editor. Miller lives in Fairplay, Maryland, site of her Peaceable Paws training center. Pat is also author of several books on positive training, including her latest: Do Over Dogs: Give Your Dog a Second Chance for a First Class Life
IE
T
he term “doggie daycare” has become the new a panacea in recent years for all manner of canine behavioral ills such as behavior. Does your dog engage in destructive chewing? Annoying loud barking? Rude greetings? Poor canine social skills that drive you mad? Mouthing and biting? Separation anxiety? Just send him to doggie daycare, and all will be well. You hope.
DOG daycare can improve some dogs’ behavior, and aggravate others... how do you decide whether it’s right for your dog? I’ll admit I’m as guilty as the next trainer of suggesting a daycare solution for a huge percentage of my behavior consult clients. The fact is, many of today’s canine companions suffer from a significant lack of exercise, stimulation, and social time with their own kind. A good daycare provider can go a long way toward meeting those needs. But daycare is not the one-size fits-all answer that we would like it to be; there are many factors to take into consideration before enrolling your dog in your friendly neighborhood doggie hangout.
15
WHO SHOULDN’T GO Not all dogs are appropriate daycare candidates. Just because they are a social species doesn’t mean all dogs get along with each other. Humans are a social species and we certainly don’t all get along! It’s important that you honestly evaluate your dog’s personality and behavior to determine if he has the potential to do well at daycare. If he plays well with others, is comfortable and confident in public, and doesn’t mind being separated from you, then daycare may be a fine choice. If any of those are questionable, proceed with care. If your dog doesn’t enjoy interacting with other dogs, he’ll likely find daycare a very unpleasant experience, and his dislike of dogs will probably get worse and worse. When the planets are aligned just so – with a well managed, highly trained staff and a perfect set of playmates – some dogs who are mildly fearful of other dogs may develop greater social skills and ease around their own kind. But many a dog-fearful dog has become reactive-aggressive as a result of being forced into proximity with other canines. Total immersion in dogdom is not an appropriate behavior modification or management plan for a dog who is intimidated by his own kind. Many dogs simply become less dog-playful as they mature, and a day at doggie daycare is not the fun party for them we imagine it is. Of course, geriatric dogs and those with medical conditions should not be asked to endure the rough-and-tumble play of dogs at a daycare center. Play groups should be comprised of dogs who are compatible in size, age, and play style, and all the dogs should appear to enjoy themselves. Undersocialized dogs who are environmentally fearful and/or afraid of humans also do not belong at puppy playschool. While a dog who was rescued from a puppy mill or a hoarder may feel more comfortable in the presence of a pack of dogs because that’s what he knows, he can be difficult, perhaps even dangerous, for staff to handle. If something should happen – he escapes, or is injured and in need of treatment – the situation goes from bad to worse. The escapee will be impossible to catch, and is likely to head out in a beeline for parts unknown. A fearful dog who must be cornered and restrained by strangers for treatment in an already high-stress environment is very likely to bite, perhaps with alarming ferocity as he struggles to protect himself from what he may perceive as his impending death.
Dogs who get picked on - or who seem to be in fear of being picked on - need to be moved to a group with fewer, smaller, and/or gentler play companions. Finally, dogs who suffer from separation anxiety are often horrible candidates for daycare. (For more about separation anxiety, see “Scared to Be Home Alone,” WDJ July 2008.) Owners of dogs with separation anxiety often hope their dogs will relax in the company of other dogs and humans, and trainers often suggest daycare as a solution for the dog who is vocal or destructive when left alone. But if your dog is at the extreme end of the separation-distress/anxiety continuum, sending him to daycare doesn’t make him any happier, and only makes those who have to spend the day with him (canine and human) stressed as well. True separation anxiety – in which the dog has a panic attack if separated from the one human he has super-bonded to – is not eased by the presence of other dogs or humans. Less severe manifestations of isolation/separation distress may be alleviated by a daycare provider. Be honest with your prospective provider about your dog’s separation-related behavior, and see if she’s willing to give it a try. Be ready to celebrate if it works, and look for another solution if it doesn’t.
WHO THEY WANT In contrast, if your dog loves to play with others, doesn’t have significant medical problems that would preclude active play, and has energy to spare, he’s the ideal candidate for doggie daycare. This professional service, offered by a high-quality provider, is the perfect answer to many a dog owner’s prayers. Perhaps you have a friendly, active young dog, and you just don’t have the time you would like to devote to his exercise and social exposure. You come home exhausted from a grueling day at work and he greets you with a huge grin on his face, his wagging tail clearly begging for a hike in the woods or an extended session of ball-retrieve. If you don’t exercise him you risk the emergence of inappropriate behaviors such as chewing, but you are just too tired, and you have to work on a project, due tomorrow. Daycare, even one or two times a week, can be the perfect outlet for his boundless energy, give him the social and dog-play time he covets, and relieve you of the oppressive guilt of not being able to take him for that hike. All prospective daycare attendees should be screened for their ability to get along
with other dogs in every type of circumstance. You may not know whether your dog is an appropriate daycare candidate until you show up for your interview and the staff assesses your dog. Note: if the facility you’re considering accepts your dog without an assessment, look for another provider. Even if your dog passes the assessment, daycare staff may advise you after a visit or two that your dog is stressed and not enjoying his play experience there. If that’s the case, you remove him from daycare, and/or inquire about possible behavior modification programs to help have more fun at dog play.
COST Cost is also an important factor, but don’t select your provider by cost alone; neither the lowest-priced nor the highest-priced facility may be suitable for your dog. Depending on where you live and the specifics of the facility, cost per day can range from a few dollars to $40 or more per day. Facility specifics vary. “The daycare may be operated out of a private home or a multi-staffed, full-service facility,” says Bennett. “Multi-staffed facilities are naturally costlier, but can offer a much wider range of services to meet the needs of individual dogs.” Speaking of services: In a full-service facility, trained staff members keep the dogs busy with indoor or outdoor play, or even, in some cases, happily munching snacks and watching movies made just for the entertainment of dogs. Activities might include hide and seek, tag, or anything that canine minds can come up with. Many facilities provide a variety of toys and balls to enjoy, and some even have swimming pools! Some also offer training, from good manners to agility and more. Good daycare centers also include rest time so dogs don’t get over-stimulated by having too much fun.
BE CHOOSY One of the pitfalls of suggesting daycare to clients is the dearth of high-quality providers in most areas. If you are considering sending your canine pal off to a professional dog-sitting facility for the day, you want to be confident that he’ll be as safe and happy in their hands as he is in yours. You should see each prospective provider’s facility (preferably when dogs are present), and talk to its manager and or staff. As you visit facilities and interview managers
and staff, observe the dogs that are present in the daycare centers. They should appear happy, not stressed. Staff should also appear happy, not stressed, and be interacting with the dogs. The environment should be calm and controlled, not chaotic, and your take-away impression should be one of professional competence as well as genuine caring for dogs. Trust your instincts. If anything doesn’t seem right, don’t leave your dog there. If staff says you cannot observe the dogs, don’t go. One of the most important things to ask about is the dog to staff ratio. This can range from 10 dogs or fewer per staff person to as many as 20 or more dogs per caretaker. “Obviously, the fewer dogs per person, the more closely supervised your dog is likely to be, and the less likely any canines are to get into trouble,” says Robin Bennett, co-owner of All About Dogs Daycare in WWVirginia.
“The benefits of dog play are numerous, it’s well worth the effort to help your dog be as happy, well rounded, and deserves to be.” Not even a rainy day can dampen the enthusiasm of most active young dogs for outdoor, social exercise! It helps when the daycare staff is also willing to go out and play in the weather - and towel the dogs off when they come back inside. There is nothing that can stop the fun! The principle of Doggie Daycare is simple – provide a safe & healthy atmosphere with lots of interaction, both with other dogs & people. Dogs can participate in group play, hang out with humans, or just lounge around. The point is that they’re not at home alone. Doggie Daycare is an enjoyable & healthy option to crating or leaving your dog alone. Make sure you do your research to find the right fit.
THE SNIFFER | FALL 2014
17
QUESTI to ask If anything doesn’t seem right, don’t leave your dog there. If staff says you cannot observe the dogs, don’t go. Dogs, by nature, are highly social animals. They form strong social bonds, which why we form such long-standing relationships with dogs. Regular play with other dogs builds your dog’s confidence and improves their ability to communicate & interact.
1
HOW DO THEY DETERMINE PLAY GROUPS?
2
WHAT HAPPENS WHEN A DOG GETS INJURED?
If you get the proper answer (play style, size, and age) make sure your observations of the groups playing support their answer.
Is there a regular consulting veterinarian who is available during all daycare business hours? If not, is there an emergency clinic available? Will they transport to your veterinarian if that’s your preference? Who pays the vet bill?
IONS 3
HAS A DOG EVER ESCAPED?
4
WHAT TRAINING DOES STAFF RECEIVE?
5
DO THEY GIVE TREATS?
6
WHAT IS THE ASSESMENT PROCESS?
7
HOW FREQUENT ARE INJURIES?
How did it happen, and what have they done to prevent future escapes?
What tools do they use? Staff members should be reading books by the growing list of positive, science-based authortrainers. If dominance-based television celebrities are held in high regard, run away fast.
Are the treats a type and quality that is compatible with your dog’s diet – especially if he has allergies or you are committed to high quality foods? Can you provide your own treats to give him, and if you do, can they ensure he gets your treat and not the others?
If they don’t assess, run away fast. If they do, be sure you’re comfortable with the things they tell you they will be doing with your dog, before you let them do it.
8
HOW FREQUENT ARE INJURIES?
9
HOW ARE INCIDENTS DELT WITH?
These should be rare. If they happen more than a few times a year, the facility has a serious problem.
Verbal and physical punishments, including shock collars, are totally unacceptable. There should be planned debriefings. Solutions include putting dogs in different play groups, or asking offenders not to return unless and until behavior modification has been implemented.
10
WHAT HAPPENS WHEN A DOG BITES?
11
WHAT VACCINATIONS ARE REQUIRED?
If your dog bites and is reported, he will likely have to be quarantined for a period of time and may trigger legal proceedings. Bites can happen. But if the facility you’re considering has a history of lots of dog bites, there’s a serious problem.
Don’t compromise your dog’s physical health by over vaccinating or administering unnecessary shots just to satisfy daycare. If they ask for vaccinations you’d prefer not to give your dog, consult your veterinarian.
These should be rare. If they happen more than a few times a year, the facility has a serious problem.
19
Exercise for Dogs Presented by ASPCA Photography by AMN
D
ogs are born to work for a living. They’ve worked alongside us for thousands of years, and most are bred for a particular purpose, like hunting, herding livestock or providing protection. Dogs’ wild relatives spend most of their waking hours scavenging and hunting for food, caring for offspring, defending territory and playing with each other. They lead busy, complex lives, interacting socially and solving simple problems necessary for their survival. The most common job for our companion dogs today, however, is Couch Potato . Dogs no longer have to earn their keep and instead have to adjust to our more sedentary lifestyles. They get their food for free in a bowl and are often confined, alone and inactive, for most of the day. This lack of purpose leaves dogs no outlet for their naturally active tendencies, physical and mental. This contributes to the development of behavior problems. Another problem modern dogs face because they rarely work anymore is a lack of opportunities to exercise. Some pet parents make the mistake of assuming that if a dog has access to a yard, she’s getting exercise. But your dog doesn’t run laps by herself in your yard—or do much of anything besides waiting for you to come outside or let her back inside. It’s the interaction with you that counts!
Before You Start Your Dog’s Exercise Program, check with your dog’s veterinarian before starting an exercise program. He or she can check your dog for any health issues that may be aggravated by exercise and suggest safe healthy pet-owner physical activities. Some size, breed and age considerations are should be addressed. Breeds with short or flat noses (brachycephalic breeds) can have trouble breathing when exercised vigorously, especially in warmer climates. Exercise is great for energetic young dogs, but sustained jogging or running is not recommended for young dogs (under 18 months) whose bones haven’t finished growing. Because large dogs are more prone to cruciate ligament injuries, arthritis and hip dysplasia, sustained jogging can be hard on their joints and bones, too. If you’ve got a large dog, make sure she’s well conditioned before you start jogging together. Once a dog reaches her golden years, osteoarthritis can cause pain and lameness after strenuous exercise. It’s much better to discover that your once-sprightly dog’s joints can no longer handle long hikes, for example, before you hit the trail.
21
Exercising Your Dog With today’s more sedentary lifestyles, dog parents are often challenged to find enough outlets for their pets’ considerable natural energy. Dogs are more athletic than us. But take heart—there are a variety of ways to exercise your dog, from activities that don’t demand much energy on your part to activities that exercise both you and your dog. Dogs’ need for exercise varies depending on their age, size, breed and individual traits. Most dogs benefit enormously from daily aerobic exercise (exercise that makes them pant, like fetch, tug, running and swimming), as well as at least one half-hour walk. Choose activities that suit your dog’s individual personality and natural interests. Experiment with the ideas below to see what’s most practical and enjoyable for her and for you.
Exercise That’s Easy on You Giving your dog enough exercise doesn’t mean you have to be athletic yourself. If you’d rather not run around or take long, brisk walks, consider two approaches to a healthy way of exercising your dog: Focus on brain, not brawn. Exercise your dog’s brain with food puzzle toys, hunting for dinner, obedience and trick training, and chew toys instead of excessive physical exercise. Read, Enriching Your Dog’s Life and How to Stuff a KONG® Toy, to learn more about providing mental exercise for your dog. To learn more about training, a good source to reference is the book Training Your Dog and Clicker Training Your Pet. Focus on games that make your dog run around while you mostly stand or sit still. Games that fit the bill include fetch with balls, Frisbees or sticks, Find It, Hide-and-Seek, catching bubbles (using a special bubble-blower toy made for dogs, such as the Bubble Buddy™), chase (a toy on a rope or stick), and round-robin recalls for the whole family. (Please our bookWW, Teaching Your Dog to Play Fetch, Teaching Your Dog to Play Hide-and-Seek and Enriching Your Dog’s Life, to learn more about these games.) If your dog enjoys the company of other dogs, other easy options include taking her to the dog park, organizing play groups with friends or neighbors who have dogs or signing her up for dog daycare a few days a week. These options give your dog a chance to experience invigorating social play with other dogs.
Exercise for Playful Active Guardians On-leash walks Did you know that dog owners walk an average of 300 minutes per week, whereas people without dogs walk only about 168 minutes? Apparently, our dogs motivate us to stay active! On-leash walks give dogs lots of interesting sights and smells to investigate. They may provide enough exercise for some toy breeds, senior dogs and other inveterate couch potatoes. Use an extendable leash, like the Flexi retractable leash or the WalkAbout™, to give your dog more freedom to explore, and walk briskly for 30 minutes. To spice up your walks, vary your route once in a while to give your dog new smells and sights to enjoy. If your dog is old, not accustomed to exercise, overweight or has a health problems, start with a 10-minute walk each day and gradually increase the duration. For healthy young or middle-aged dogs, leashed walks alone probably won’t provide enough exercise. Keep reading for more suggestions for adding vigorous activities to your dog’s routine. On-leash running, inline skating or bicycling These are great ways to exercise a healthy dog and keep yourself fit, too. Teaching your dog how to walk without pulling on her leash is the first essential step to creating a safe and enjoyable on-leash jogging, inline skating or bicycling companion. If your dog forges ahead, pulls to the side or lags behind you when you walk, imagine the problems that could result when you’re moving faster! Constantly pulling on the leash can damage your dog’s throat, and it’s no fun for you either.
tips and and tricks tricks tips to life life in in the the fast fast lane lane to People are actually better suited for jogging or long distance running than dogs are. Even when hunting or herding, dogs tend to move in short, intense bursts of speed with intermittent stops. Playing dogs do this as well, stopping to sniff around, eliminate and enjoy the scenery. If you jog with your dog on leash, be careful not to overestimate her abilities and go too far. If she seems stiff, sore and exhausted for hours afterward, scale back next time. Also, be careful to check your dog’s paws after a run. Dogs get blisters on their pads, just like people get blisters on their feet. Dogs with white or light-colored footpads and some breeds, such as border collies, can
Did you you know know that that Did dog owners owners walk walk an an dog average of of 300 300 minutes minutes average per week, week, whereas whereas per people without without dogs dogs people walk only only about about walk 168 minutes? minutes? 168 be prone to this problem. If you usually run, cycle or inline skate on paved roads, avoid doing so on very hot days. Instead, you can find some soft surfaces that won’t injure your dog’s footpads, such as dirt and grass. Or if your dog’s footpads seem especially sensitive, you can purchase special shoes made for dogs, like Muttluks® dog boots (www.muttluks.com). If your dog normally gets to sniff around on your daily walks, she’ll probably try to do the same when the two of you are running, skating or cycling. You’ll have to teach her to pay attention to you during your outings. The best way to do this is by regularly rewarding her with small treats for not pulling. Pick the position you want her to run in and give her treats when she’s in that spot. Before you set off, give your dog ample time to relieve herself and sniff around. And after you finish your outing, you can give her another chance to eliminate and sniff before bringing her inside. Again, sustained jogging or running is not recommended for young dogs whose bones haven’t finished growing. It can also be hard on large dogs’ joints and bones. If you
have a young dog, check with her veterinarian to find out when it’s safe for her to start running. If you have a large dog, ask her veterinarian if it’s safe for him or her to run along side with you, as you go.
leash exercise Because teaching a dog not to pull on leash can be challenging, don’t hesitate to enlist the help of a certified Professional Dog Trainer (CPDT) in your area. A professional trainer will offer group or private classes that can give you and your dog lots of help with leash walking. Please see our article on Finding Professional Help to locate a CPDT near you. Additional tips for on-leash inline skating and bicycling Being on wheels when attached to a galloping dog can be a bit dangerous. Squirrels, bouncing balls, the neighbor’s cat and other things that might distract your dog aren’t just slight diversions. They could have you suddenly traveling at light-speed and spilling onto your face—or worse, spinning into the path of a passing car. So, just like with running on-leash, the first step to rollerblading
THE SNIFFER | FALL 2014
23
or bicycling with your dog is teaching her how to run beside you without pulling. Dogs often get more excited when running than they do when walking, so it will take extra training to teach your dog to stay in position at a run. If possible, first teach her this skill while running yourself, as described above, instead of skating or cycling. If you plan to cycle with your dog, it can be helpful to attach a Springer to your bike, a device that lets you attach your dog’s leash to the bike. The Springer has a coil spring designed to absorb and reduce the force of your dog’s sudden tugs if she lunges to the side, which will help you keep your balance and prevent your dog from pulling the bike over and causing a scene. It’s important that you monitor your dog’s physical exertion while you’re on a bike or inline skates. It’s easy to over-exert your dog when you’re on wheels while she’s running. To avoid this, start with short distances at first and gradually increase them as your dog’s endurance increases. If your dog starts to lag behind a lot, you may be pushing her too hard or she might not be enjoying your outings. Slow down or consider taking your dog with you only when you go for short distances.
Off Off leash leash exercise exercise Off-leash walking, running, hiking or bicycling in a large, safe fenced property or park or in a forest are ideal activities. Your dog can set her own pace, sniff and investigate to her heart’s content, stop when she’s tired and burst into running whenever she likes. Be sure to have your dog well-trained to reliably come when called before you give her off-leash privileges. For more information see Teaching Your Dog to Come When Called for training information. Dogs should be allowed off leash only in safe areas where regulations permit. As you would during on-leash activities, be careful not to overestimate your dog’s abilities. If she seems stiff, sore and exhausted for hours after exercising, you’ll want to be able to scale back next time.
Jumping Most dogs love to jump. You can make your own jumps from materials you have around the house, like cardboard boxes or a broomstick laid across two low pieces of furniture. At first, try using treats to lure your
dog over jumps that are just a few inches high. As your dog catches on, you can gradually raise the jumps a little higher. However, keep jump heights at or below the level of your dog’s elbows to avoid stressing her bones and joints. Also, avoid encouraging your dog to keep jumping if she hesitates or seems tired after a few minutes. She might be a little sore, especially if she’s over six years of age, and continued exertion could cause injury.
Dog exercise balls Dog exercise balls, such as the Boomer Ball® and the Best Ball, are made for soccer-style play. They come in different sizes and are made of hard plastic. Many dogs love to play with these, using their paws and nose to play soccer—with you, of course! You can also play soccer with your dog using KONG toys, which bounce in unpredictable directions because of their shape, or soccer balls made for dogs or humans.
Dog sports Sports like agility, flyball, obedience, rally obedience, musical freestyle and tracking can give you and your dog a whole new world of fun exercise and competition to explore. Activities for specific breed groups include herding, lure coursing, hunt tests and go-to-ground trials.
Swimming Some breeds are natural water dogs and require no training or acclimation to water, but even dogs who aren’t bred for water activities can learn to enjoy a swim now and then. Here are some tips for fun and safe way to go swimming with your dog: Introduce your dog to water as early as possible, preferably when she’s still a puppy. If you do, she’ll probably be more confident about swimming as an adult. Regardless of your dog’s age, make sure her first experiences with water are pleasant ones. Look for a quiet place with shallow water. With your dog on a long leash (about 15 to 20 feet long), start your dog at the water’s edge. Wade in with her and encourage her with play and praise. Never force your dog into the water, and don’t let her get in deep water over her head until you’re confident about her swimming abilities. Belly-deep is
deep enough at first. As she becomes more comfortable, you can toss a ball a couple of feet to encourage him and or her to venture in a little deeper water. If you swim with your dog, be careful that the two of you don’t get over your heads. Many dogs will try to climb on their guardian’s head or shoulders when they tire. Bring fresh water for your dog to drink. Even freshwater streams and lakes can contain parasites and even unhealthy bacteria. For boating or swimming in lakes, get your dog a well fitted canine life vest. You can use a long nylon lead to prevent your dog from swimming too far away or running off when she gets out of the water. Keep a close watch to make sure your dog doesn’t get tangled in the lead. Dog guardians who fish should take steps to make sure their dogs can’t access fishing lines, lures, hooks or bait. Keep your dog away from feces, dead fish and shellfish washed up on the shore, which can contain toxins and parasites. Make sure your dog has access to shade. Too much sun can lead to heat exhaustion or heat stroke. If you have a hairless or light-colored dog, ask her veterinarian about using sun block on her exposed areas like her nose, ear tips and stomach. Rinse your dog’s paws after visiting the beach to wash off irritating sand and salt water. Dry out your dog’s ears after playing in the water to prevent ear infections. If your dog has a heavy or soft coat—as do, for example, retrievers, collies and shepherds—be sure to brush her thoroughly after she’s dried following a swim. Soft coats can mat when wet and trap bacteria that can create local areas of infection called “hot spots.” If you have a swimming pool, keep it securely fenced off or covered with a sturdy pool cover when not in use. Never leave your dog unsupervised around an uncovered pool. Your pool should have graded steps, to give dogs and children a way out of the water. Dogs and toddlers cannot climb ladders. If your dog can’t get out of the water, she will soon tire and drown. Also, don’t assume that your dog will automatically know where the steps are and how to exit the pool. You need to show her and teach her several times.
Problems
from
No activity Dogs can be like young children. If you don’t give them something constructive to do with their energy, they’ll find something to do on their own—and you may not like it!
Some of the most common behavior problems seen in dogs who don’t get enough exercise and play are the following: -Destructive chewing, digging or scratching -Investigative behaviors, like garbage raiding -Hyperactivity & night-time activity -Unruliness: jumping and knocking stuff over -Excessive predatory and social play -Play biting and rough play -Attention-getting behaviors: barking/whining
25
THE SNIFFER’S DOGGIE 101
Who can resist those big brown eyes and cute doggie grin? Can a little reward from the table really hurt your dog? Well, that depends on what it is and what's in it. In fact, there's a lot of "people food" your dog should never eat. And, it's not just because of weight. Some foods are downright dangerous for dogs -- and some of these common foods may surprise you. Reviewed by Amy Flowers
Prepare for excessive vomit
Excessive poopin’ will happen asap
Weird spurts of energy followed by a lethargic pup
Seek emergency medical attention
Trust me, you don’t want your dog to eat this and flat line
27
produced by