music calms the savage beast

Well, your dog is likely not a savage beast, but does your pup get distressed in the car when going to the vet, on a long car trip or just to grandma’s house? I found a new CD developed to calm your dog while traveling. From Through a Dog’s Ear: Music to Calm Your Dog in the Car is a 74 minute CD filled with calming classical music for you and your dog to enjoy and relax.

For $14.98+shipping you will receive the CD plus a booklet which addresses three degrees of dog anxiety from no visible issues to moderate/extreme distress. A 20 minute “travel prep” can be played before you get in the car to set the stage for an enjoyable trip.

The remaining soothing tracks should help calm your nervous canine so you can both enjoy the ride.

If you do purchase it, please come back and let us know what you think…Happy traveling!

how you can be prepared for disaster

Being hurricane season we thought we would remind everyone that it’s easy and important to have a disaster or evacuation kit handy for those unexpected natural disasters. When you are lucky enough to be forewarned, you don’t typically have too much time to think about all you need to take with you but if you have a bag packed with as much as possible in advance for your dog, you can grab it on the run.

Here’s a checklist of what you may want to keep in your emergency evacuation dog kit:
1) medications - keep your spare meds here so you always have some ready
2) travel bowls - lots of great collapsable bowls on the market (we’ll be reviewing some in future)
3) travel crate - for comfy carrying and safe car travel
4) favorite toys - a must for boredom and to keep them feeling safe and secure
5) treats - keep a stash with your kit - it won’t be something you think of when you’re in a rush
6) leash - buy a spare to keep in your kit
7) first-aid kit - even just a few necessary items - antiseptic wash and bandages
small bag of food - again, you may not think of when in a rush
9) 3 days supply of fresh water - you can even buy some water jugs to keep near or in your kit
9) vet or animal hospital contact details - just in case you need to get a hold of them
10) list of dog-friendly hotels in the area - again, very handy to have just in case

Sometimes when you are evacuated you may expect to be gone for a few days but it may turn into a few weeks so be prepared for any emergency from earthquakes to hurricanes and flooding.

A little preparedness can go a long way to keeping your pet safe.

ride the bus with your dog

I am sometimes amazed at the lengths some local governments go to to keep their people and pets happy.

The dog friendly city of Boulder, Colorado recently debuted a public transportation pilot project for people and their dogs. In an effort to help reduce carbon footprints (and paw prints), Hop 2 Chautauqua is a dog friendly bus route from downtown to a popular park where parking is an issue. “We’ve been tossing around the idea of allowing dogs on the bus for years,” says Cris Jones, a transportation planner in the city.

A few rules exist; no dogs on the furniture, they must sit on a lap or the floor and no one is allowed to stick their head out the windows. Which is only a rule becuase the bus windows only slide open at the top.

Other progressive cities also welcome canines on their public transportation; Seattle has dog friendly buses, San Francisco allows dogs on Muni trains and streetcars, and Boston allows dogs to ride the subway.

Progress can be such a good thing. Happy traveling with your pooch - but don’t forget the poop bags!

four paws pimple ball recall

Just a quick note to let you know about an important recall from Four Paws. Four Paws, who offer a full line of dog and cat products are best known for their Wee Wee pads for puppies.

They have issued their own recall of the Four Paws Pimple Ball with Bell toys which recently resulted in the the amputation of a dog’s tongue. Due to an apparent design flaw, the second hole in the toy is sometimes missing or covered up resulting in a suction effect and in this case resulted in the amputation of the dog’s tongue.

The company has personally addressed the issue with the dog’s family and the Executive VP is heading to the manufacturing facility to address quality control issues. While Four Paws is under no legal obligation to recall the products, it appears they are being proactive and socially conscious.

If you would like to read more information on the situation here is an article from the Sun Sentinel in South Florida. And here is a link to the Four Paws website with refund information.

If you have this toy - take it away from your pup immediately and return it to Four Paws for a replacement.

top 10 must have’s for new dog owners

There is a maze of products out there for new puppy owners but here are the top ten most needed for your new pup and your sanity!

10) Chew toys. The first thing those little darlings want to do each day is play and chew. From furniture to ankles, they will bat around and bite anything in their way. A good quality, interesting chew toy is an essential. I have found that the Planet Dog (www.planetdog.com) toys are especially durable, bouncy and minty, too! They have a wide selection in various interesting shapes - strawberry & artichoke to name just a few. who knew!  And they are 100% recyclable and eco-friendly.

9) Soft training treats. Soft training treats have a few advantages over regular treats 1) they are small enough to give repeatedly (and you’ll need that) 2) they are moist so he won’t wander off looking for a drink. The best I have found are Simon & Huey’s soft training treats (www.simonandhuey.com). All natural and human grade  - super tasty and super healthy. 

Spot and Stain remover. Sorry but it’s necessary. Before you are able to train your dog to share their excitement outside, they will share it inside - invevitably on your favorite rug. I found that good, old Resolve Spot and Stain remover is the best. It even gets out stains you didn’t get to immediately (behind the sofa?). Don’t forget to blot and not rub.

7) Healthy food. With all the food recalls last year, food manufacturers are getting better at regulating themselves but they have a long way to go. A listing of “by-product meal” can be any part of the chicken from feet to intestines. I found some exceptionally healthy food through a company called Pet Lane.

6) Dog shampoo. Not people shampoo but dog shampoo. People shampoo is PH balanced for people and not for dogs and it can dry out and damage your dog’s skin. The resulting itchiness can cause scratching and irritation and set the stage for bacterial infections. So wash that muddy puppy but use the right shampoo - I like Happytails sparkle & shine shampoo (www.happytailsspa.com) - their products are all natural and luxurious.

5) Good scooper. It’s a necessity. I tried buying lots of cheap, plastic ones but once I spent a few extra dollars on a metal/wood one, I was sold. I have been using it for years now and it hasn’t let me down (nor broken my back). The Scoop Pooper by Flexrake has served me well - each and every day. I use the scoop & spade. Find it at www.petsmart.com.

4) Training classes. Don’t wait until your puppy is 4-5 months old to learn the best ways to train him. You will want to understand a dog’s perspective from the very beginning. I unexpectedly found exceptional training at my local PetSmart but have also heard excellent success with Bark Busters (www.barkbusters.com) - great for behavioral issues at any age, too.

3) Crate and blanket. While I loathed the idea of putting my dog in a crate (or “cage”) it really is necessary for your sanity and for their happiness. My dogs loved it and really considered it home. Besides being an effective housebreaking tool (because dog’s are generally reluctant to have accidents where they sleep), it can also help to reduce separation anxiety, prevent destructive behavior (such as chewing furniture) and to keep a puppy away from potentially dangerous household items (i.e., poisons, electrical wires, etc.). Be sure to choose one that will grow with your dog. And don’t forget - never use it for punishment.

2) Training booklet - While there is a vast array of training books on the market, which, if you’re like me, you don’t have the time to read all 300 pages, I found a 23 page booklet loaded with pertinent and concise information. Way To Go! by Patricia McConnell (www.patriciamcconnell.com). A PHD certified applied animal behaviorist, Dr. McConnell has been working with treating serious behavioral problems since the eighties and now has a collection of useful booklets, DVD’s and more. She is truly an expert on the subject!

1) Taste deterrent. All the wood in my kitchen at ankle height has seen better days before the puppy chewing began. It’s partially a boredom thing and partially a teething thing and partially and new taste sensation for puppies but regardless, there had to be a better way. And there is…a bitter way to be exact - Grannick’s Bitter Apple (available at major retail stores, even Walmart). I’ll warn you, it doesn’t always work for everyone but our lab tests in Henry’s Lab had a tremendous success rate and showed that this is the one product most likely to deter your pups from chewing on your furniture - and even their own coat.

Don’t forget to see the Puppy Survival Kit in Henry’s Store for a great gift for yourself or a friend who is a new puppy owner! It’s chock full of the perfect (and necessary) products - you’ll thank me later.

Check out some other great top ten lists (like Top 10 Smartest Dogs and Top 10 Most Dog Friendly Cities in America) at toptenz.net.

what can I do about my overweight dog?

According to Parade.com “experts say that nearly 45% of all pets in the US are overweight and at risk for health problems such as diabetes, heart disease, arthritis, high blood pressure and cancer.” There can be many reasons for dogs to be overweight but there are some simple things you can do to help change the situation. Some may seem obvious but they do work.

1) Cut down on the dog food.
Some overweight dogs, like people, have slow metabolisms - and then again, some are just lazy (and we love them for it!). But cutting down on their food and feeding them weight control dog food can be all it takes to put them back on track. Be sure you measure their dog food each time you serve up. Also, check out the Dog Pause dog bowl reviewed in Henry’s Lab for help in slowing your dog down when he eats.

2) Use vegetables for treats.
My dog, Jess loves carrots. My dog, Henry loves green beans. I didn’t know until Jess was 25 pounds overweight and I offered her carrots and she loves them! They are crunchy, chilled and delicious. Why not?  

3) Take your dog for a walk.
Obvious, but necessary. Dogs don’t usually exercise on their own so you need to help them get going. Go play in the park, take them on a run, or just chase them around the house. You should aim for getting your dog to play for around 30 minutes twice a day (or as much as you can). It’s also good for your health!

4) Don’t feed your dog from the dinner table.
Encourage them to stay in another room with their favorite blanket or toy. You will be less tempted to share and your dog can’t give you those big eyes.

My Jess was 25 pounds overweight and I followed these steps and I’m happy to say she is now at fighting weight! There isn’t always a complicated answer to overweight dog issues - sometimes it’s just a bit of common sense.

And don’t forget to give your dog lots of love - much better than treats.

what everyone should know about dogs and daffodils

Severe gastrointestinal disorder, convulsions, shivering, hypotension, dermatitis, muscular tremors, and cardiac arrhythmias. Sounds like a disease, doesn’t it?  Well, your dog could have these symptoms if they eat a daffodil.

Those lovely everyday flowers you have in the vase in your home or around your house can be detrimental, even fatal if your pup decides to nibble on it.

The ASPCA has compiled a list of the most frequently encountered dangerous and toxic plants for pets:

ASPCA’s TOXIC PLANTS LIST

You can also sign up to receive a Pet Safety Pack which includes an Animal Poison Control Center magnet and a pet rescue window decal to alert rescue personnel that pets are inside your home. And best of all, it’s FREE!

So when you’re doing your landscaping, you may want to have a look at the list to be sure you aren’t putting your pup in harms way. But if you think that your pet may have ingested a poisonous substance, contact your local veterinarian or the ASPCA’s 24-hour emergency poison hotline directly at 888.426.4435.

new friends

I’ve always been wary of the mixture of dogs & kids – especially very young kids.  And now we have a pair of both items I found myself warily watching the dogs whenever the girls got within 6 foot of them.  Jess, after an initial bottom-sniffing, I was pleased to find out was a real mother to them & gave out kisses at every opportunity.  Moreover, she let them pet her with no outward signs of panic. 

Henry was somewhat more skittish around them.  If they came near him he would trot away & hide in another room, only coming out when their micro attention spans had switched to destroying another item of furniture or seeing just exactly how far mommy’s patience will stretch.

Recently though, there has been a distinct warming between the two camps up to & including allowing our oldest to hug him without getting that same look in his eyes that Gromit had when confronted with the “wrong trousers” (in fact Henry has many gromit-like qualities…but that’s for another day).  Of course there had to be a reason.  Dogs & over-excited 3 year olds don’t become buddies overnight.  I found the reason to be, of course, food related.  Henry, while never being a glutton, has always had a weakness, shall we say for human food – table scraps & the like that which we’ve always said we would not give.  It turns out that our girls have been “supplying” both dogs with liberal amounts from every meal they have, meaning that in the last month alone Henry has had everything from waffles (& syrup) to pasta, chicken (a favourite), Mac & cheese, oatmeal, tinned peaches, green beans (which he now demands at every meal) & pizza….to our knowledge!

Last weekend I walked into the living room to see Henry lying on the floor with our oldest using him as a pillow while she watched Wonder Pets.  I think we’ll be ok.

pet sitting services

Summertime is wonderful time for holidays but if your plans don’t include taking your four legged family members, you can ask a neighbor to take care of them or check out a pet-sitting service.

A few questions to ask a pet sitting service to be sure you find a reputable one:
1) The obvious - are they full licensed, bonded and insured?
2) Ask for a minimum of three recent references - and call them.
3) Are they available 24/7 by phone and email? So you can check in on your babies.
4) Do they run criminal background checks & train all pet sitters? Just to be sure.
5) Do they schedule a meet-and-greet with your pet prior to your vacation to establish a comfort level & familiarity?
6) Will the sitter have any trouble walking, playing, feeding, cleaning and so on according to your instructions?
7) Does the service have emergency procedures? Does the sitter have experience with first-aid training or administering medications?
Do they have a backup plan for your sitter if he/she cannot make it for some reason?
9) Is the service a member of the Pet Sitters International or the National Association of Professional Pet Sitters?

Some questions may seem silly and obvious but you really cannot be too careful who you leave your babies with. So go and enjoy your time away with the peace of mind that your pup is being well looked after.

Planet Dog strawberry toy

It’s minty & buoyant and is ranked a four out of five on the chew-o-meter rating. Planet Dog produces durable, non-toxic, recycleable toys for big chewers. We tested them in Henry’s Lab and here’s what Riley’s Mom had to say…

“I actually had to take this away from him at night so he could go to sleep! I did find that the strawberry was a bit large for his little mouth at the time*. But now that he is three months old and 25 pounds, the “strawberry” is a better fit for his mouth. The main problem is that while the idea of putting treats inside a toy is a great idea in theory, my puppy didn’t and doesn’t really quite understand what he’s supposed to be doing with it. I haven’t tried anything pasty yet, such as peanut butter, as I am a new Mom to a puppy and would like to check with my vet first before giving him anything other food specially designed for puppies, but he does get excited when he hears me shaking it!”

UPDATE: We are happy to report that Riley has finally found the treats inside!

*Also, a note on the size…it is very important to buy toys that puppies cannot swallow as they like swallowing all kids of things. So if the toy is a little too big in the beginning, don’t worry, he’ll likely soon grow into it.

Henry’s Lab ranking:
     

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