Houndog News

Ways to help your dogs aching joints

The single most helpful thing you can do is to keep your dog at a healthy weight. Extra weight adds extra pressure on joints and the surrounding tissue. If your dog already maintains a healthy weight she is probably still capable of a gentle exercise routine.

Dogs should be encouraged to move at least gently unless your vet has advised otherwise. Just as humans need to ‘move it or lose it’, canine muscles and joints need action to keep operating and maintain strength. Being active will help rather than hinder. You just have to remember to manage the way you exercise your dog. Shorter play sessions in a smaller area can help discourage extreme movements.

Ensure surfaces are not slippery as dogs with already painful joints can do a lot of harm with sprains on the wrong surface. Short play sessions on the carpet may suit your pooch. Giving a dog the option of a soft but supportive place to sleep is a must and you may even consider an orthopedic dog bed.

Laser, massage and physical therapy are available for dogs too. There are also doggy hydrotherapy centres now. The water is warm, floatation vests are usually available and your dog can get a ‘dry-off’ afterwards. Choose a location where the staff are well trained because they should be able to help assess what types of program will suit your dog best.

Seek veterinary advice on types of drugs or supplements available to help joints and joint pain.

Leah & Angela OMeara

Hound Dog Day Care (Specialists in Dog Minding & Dog Boarding, Pet Sitting Brisbane & Doggy Day Care Brisbane)

DERMagic for Dogs

If you are dog owner looking to reduce the amount of chemicals used on your dogs coat DERMagic may help you achieve that. Perhaps your dog has sensitive or dry skin which tends to promote itchiness. Maybe his skin is irritated and you want something with a perfectly balanced pH.

They offer shampoo bars as well as liquid to suit your style of dog bathing. Bars wont spill, last a very long time and allow you to keep an extra hand free whist washing. The products are certified organic and safe for both puppies and adult dogs. There is a selection of varieties to choose from in the shampoo and you go on line and view all the ingredients. Salves and lotions are also available and all products carry a 30 day money back guarantee.

The concept of these products came about when DERMagic founder Dr. Adelia Ritchie was desperate to help her own dog from a skin disease which was making her dogs life intolerable. When successful in bringing her dog from the brink of euthanasia, back into a condition worthy of the showring, Dr. Ritchie’s friends encouraged her to launch the product to the marketplace and help others.

Whether you are looking to repel fleas or restore irritated skin for your dog, you can check them out at

https://dermagic.com.au/pages/about

You’ll also find a plenty of videos via the site

Houndog do not have an association with DERMagic. We are just keen to support businesses creating those products that keep dogs best interests at heart.

Leah & Angela OMeara

Hound Dog Day Care (Specialists in Dog Minding & Dog Boarding, Pet Sitting Brisbane & Doggy Day Care Brisbane)

Would your dog benefit from a FitBark?

Some of the first wearable digital equipment for dogs was merely for tracking in case they became lost. This has now extended to devices which can monitor your dogs activities and even sleep in great detail.

FitBark is one of these products and it boasts some hefty information output. You can monitor your dogs activities, how long she sleeps, set goals, gather points towards those goals, compare progress and much more. Perhaps you have used it to gather stats on what your dog is up to when you are not around or would like a before/after comparison to find out whether their separation anxiety has reduced since introducing measures to treat it.

Not only can you peruse the stats of your dog’s movements but you can also compare them against other dogs of the same breed that are also using this equipment. The tool is motivating for the human who has the bonus of syncing the unit with their smartphone via Bluetooth (you need internet connection for this). The idea of this product is to keep both of you active and healthy. One of the many benefits promoted to owners is being alerted to your dog’s health e.g. if there is a change in activity output even though your routine with her has not changed.

The unit comes with a 60 day money back guarantee and you can check them out at

https://www.fitbark.com

If you have road-tested a FitBark let us know your thoughts.

Leah & Angela OMeara

Hound Dog Day Care (Specialists in Dog Boarding Brisbane, Pet Sitting Brisbane & Doggy Day Care Brisbane)

Dog turf wars

Is your dog a breed that has been designed for protection or alerting you to company arriving on your plot? Or is your dog being territorial becoming an issue? Many people enjoy having a dog as an alarm to intruders but your dog probably doesn’t know who is ok and who is not.

If your dog is feeling obliged to play guard dog it is important you act as if you are in charge of the door, guests, the gate etc. Perhaps some of her response is directly related to her genetics.

Make yourself the source of the ‘good things’ in life (food, play, walks and meaningful stimulus) to help reduce her taking charge of security on her turf. The less something belongs to you, the more she things it belongs to her. This includes toys, visitors, space etc.

When dogs need to look to you for things such as permission and direction they will be encouraged to trust you to take charge in other ways. Your dog doesn’t have a filter that tells her who to let in and out when it is not a regular visitor. If she alerts you to a situation, arrive there take control and give her some direction – permission to go ‘off-guard’ if you will. If a dog’s energy is not reduced when you claim the space then you may need to decide whether you are going to manage the situation (e.g. access, leash, muzzle) or employ some training tactics. Don’t take a gamble on safety. Visitors will also be looking for cues that you will control the dog or they may not be comfortable to venture in.

The more visual and physical access a territorial dog has to seeing outside of your property and the more she is allowed to patrol it e.g. verbally tell off passers by, the more difficult it will be to reduce her desire to guard his turf. When someone passes she thinks her reactivity has scared them off. This, with repetition cements in her mind that she is doing a great job and is rewarded each time someone passes.

Leah & Angela OMeara

Hound Dog Day Care (Specialists in Dog Minding & Dog Boarding, Pet Sitting Brisbane & Doggy Day Care Brisbane)

The first 3 golden months of your dogs life

The reason the first 3 months of your dogs life is so important is that after this age a dog tends to be much more wary of things they have not yet encountered. The idea is to help them adjust into our world of very strange sights and sounds during this period by exposing them to a range of things they may encounter through the remainder of their life. Care needs to be taken that exposure to the above is done in a fashion as not to overwhelm them. We want pups to be curious but able to build confidence. Meanwhile we need to create opportunities for a pup to have exposure to people of varying ages and races, crowds, umbrellas, cats, the sound of crying babies, the benchtop blender, rainy days, motorcycles…get the picture?

Folks concerned with taking their dog out whilst still awaiting their final vaccinations, speak to your vet. Puppies don’t do long walks like adult dogs do so you may wish to carry your pup down the street in order to keep up some of his education minus the exposure to infection.

The definition of socializating your dog is not just to be social around other dogs and humans, but being able to live in comfort around a human environment and all those things which it involves.

Puppy classes are a wonderful way to help your pup ease into the world and a great way for him to be handled by a number of different people and to practice all important play with similar aged dogs. He needs repeated practice play-fighting with puppy buddies so he can learn how to adjust his bite pressure. Speak to the hosts early on to determine any vaccines or worming required prior to joining a class.

Leah & Angela OMeara

Hound Dog Day Care (Specialists in Dog Minding & Dog Boarding, Pet Sitting Brisbane & Doggy Day Care Brisbane)

Helping your dog weather the storm season

The best approach with dogs if they are fearful of storms and thunder, is ‘not’ to sooth them with your voice as you would a child. If your dog is stressed and we coo to them things like ‘it’s ok boy’ or ‘you’ll be alright poor thing’…our vocal tones can be construed as being anxious ourselves. Instead just go about what you were would usually be doing indoors and act as if there were no storm. If your dog wants to be close to you that is ok but when an animal is anxious we should avoid petting them which can simply reinforce their current mental state.

You can buy recordings of thunder to help acclimate your dog because you have the option of gradually building up the volume over time. The other bonus is that you can control when the training takes place. You won’t be able to replicate the same feeling in the air as a real storm but a recording is a good start.

You may have also heard about products a dog can wear to help ease anxiety during storms. They come under a variety of names like thunder jackets, thunder coats and thunder shirts. These types of products work by applying gentle pressure to a dog’s torso. The science reports it is similar to the way infants can feel more secure with constant gentle pressure when swaddled. Thunder coats will not work for every dog but many manufacturers have a lot of faith in their product and often offer a money back guarantee. A quick caveat – Please do not hug your dog through a storm as a means of applying pressure.

If using a new product see the manufacturers instructions for correct fit, amount of time a product can be worn and how often to check e.g. for irritation or rubbing on the skin.

Make certain your dog is wearing a means ID so you can be contacted if she is lost. If she is micro-chipped and her collar has gone she can still be easily identified.

Leah & Angela OMeara

Hound Dog Day Care (Specialists in Dog Minding & Dog Boarding, Pet Sitting Brisbane & Doggy Day Care Brisbane)

Getting your teen involved with your dog

Many families understand the extent of pleading when it comes to the kids asking can they get a dog but a lot of the care ends up being chores completed by the adults. This is for good reason as a responsible person needs to be in charge but ideally owners can still find age appropriate ways for kids to be involved. A dog is not just a play-thing and providing care is a wonderful way for growing kids to build confidence and develop maturity.

The best time to discuss who is going to be doing what is before the dog arrives. Have a family meeting and talk about what kinds of rules will be in place and where poochy will sleep. Be descriptive and let the kids know exactly what costs will be involved for Mum & Dad and the amount of time it takes to feed, groom and exercise a dog. Confer about where the dog will be if the family takes holidays.

A great way to encourage bonding and a sense of responsibility is to create opportunities for teens to be involved in a dogs care. For teens this can include some feeding and changing water, taking their turn with poop patrol, some grooming, exercise, coming along on some vet visits to see what goes on and most importantly training. Whether it’s trick training or general manners, all family members need to know how the dog will be treated. If a trainer visits the house it is preferable to invite all family members along. If you join an obedience club check with their rules as to whether e.g. both Mum and teenage son can come along to classes or observe and alternate etc.

Younger children can begin learning to care for the family dog too but are usually not yet strong or mature enough to do be taking responsibility so you should supervise them closely through feeding and play routines. Adults will still need to monitor older kids to ensure they are living up to their agreed tasks around care.

Leah & Angela OMeara

Hound Dog Day Care (Specialists in Dog Minding & Dog Boarding, Pet Sitting Brisbane & Doggy Day Care Brisbane)

Loose leash walking with your dog

This may just be one of the most common things dog owners research on the Internet. You’ll find ‘many’ ways to approach loose leash walking. Rather than describe all those approaches in this brief blog let me tell you a few things about loose leash walking on which you can rely…

You think you are out on a walk. Your dog thinks you are out exploring.

Walking by your side in a straight line is not as enjoyable as some other adventures for your canine who would wander all over the place if he were exploring without you.

If you have already built up the idea that being close to you is a good place for your dog to be, well done.

Moving in the direction the dog wants to go whilst he is pulling will reinforce pulling. Yes, even if it is a few steps.

Factoring in places where she is allowed to pause and sniff is kind. To him, that is the whole idea of being out. If your dog goes jogging with you this part will matter a whole lot less to her.

Identify why your dog is pulling. He may just need to eliminate and this can happen once the body gets moving. Allow his relief and then carry on. Letting a dog repeatedly mark along the way is not advisable.

Even if your dog never poops on a walk, carry poop bags.

Find a way to walk that suits you. Some folks want their dog heeling right by their side and others and happy to give them a couple of feet on the leash. I don’t think it matters if your dog travels a little behind, side or ahead however if they are in front you’ll need to let them know when you are changing direction. I prefer to look at the energy of the dog to determine whether I mind them travelling out front. If the tail and ears are relaxed I am just fine with this.

The average dog walk with the average human rarely meets a dog’s daily exercise requirements but it is important bonding time and great for body and mind.

You can have a differing style from walking your dog to your partner but being consistent will help your dog know what you want from her.

Leah & Angela OMeara

Hound Dog Day Care (Specialists in Dog Minding & Dog Boarding, Pet Sitting Brisbane & Doggy Day Care Brisbane)

How to get the most from your Dog Groomer

When deciding which groomer to use, ask them about their breadth of experience and whether they have any special skills. I wouldn’t recommend making your choice purely based on price because this can vary around the degree of experience and quality of the clip. Speak to them honestly about your dog. Has he been groomed regularly before? Does he have any nuisances when it comes to e.g. nails or ears. Dogs presenting particular issues may need a longer appointment. Any difficulties will present themselves quickly so you might as well be ‘up front’ if you are aware of any. Ask the groomer their opinion.

Your dog cannot sit quietly with a magazine and coffee so a crate-trained dog is going to have a much happier time at the salon. This is the ideal safe place for him to be placed whilst waiting or if there is an interruption. Brushing a dog from a young age (yes, even before he needs it) is a great way to acclimate him to the sensation. Gentling and handling his entire body will help him at the vet as well as the groomer and this must start whilst he is young. Being used to a bath will also help him relax at the salon.

Once you’ve chosen a groomer with a certificate or qualification let them know you are happy to listen to any requests or concerns they may have. Booking your dog in on a regular schedule is the best way to get your value. Don’t wait until he’s disheveled, matted or getting uncomfortable. A grooming regime is ideal to prevent these problems and will keep the coat looking top notch.

If you simply rock-up and ask for a teddy bear look you might end up with anything because styles are open to interpretation. An expert groomer told us that sometimes a client requests a type of clip, which doesn’t actually exist. Taking along an image as an example will give the groomer a better idea of what you actually want.

Leah & Angela OMeara

Hound Dog Day Care (Specialists in Dog Minding & Dog Boarding, Pet Sitting Brisbane & Doggy Day Care Brisbane)

Dogs to dig or not to dig

There are a number of reasons dogs dig. A hole can provide a cool spot in summer and a warm spot in winter. Sometimes dogs are attracted to the soil if they are deficient in certain nutrients or there may even be remnants of something attractive under the ground.

Other times a dog will just dig to entertain himself or expend energy but please note that where he digs is important. If your dog only digs immediately at the fence it’s probably an escape attempt.

I believe it is a good thing to have a place where your dog is allowed to dig seeing it is a very natural thing for a dog to do. We were lucky because when we got our new dog our existing dog had already begun a type of cubby in the allocated area.

There is absolutely no point in rousing on a dog for digging in the wrong place unless to catch him in the act. You can drop a few nuggets of his poo into the holes and he won’t dig there any more. A sand pit just for him is an ideal place to encourage your dog to dig. You can even hide the occasional toy in there for him to find.

Dogs will be dogs. Some love digging more than others. Provide lots of exercise and remember that dogs can’t join a quilting class to keep occupied.

Leah & Angela OMeara

Hound Dog Day Care (Specialists in Dog Minding & Dog Boarding, Pet Sitting Brisbane & Doggy Day Care Brisbane)