Holiday Foods You Can Give Your Dog

Some of us celebrate Thanksgiving, some of us celebrate Friendsgiving and some of us just feast in gratitude. If you plan on feasting and including your canine friends, please remember: some of these foods can be shared with our four-legged loved ones and some of them can be dangerous.

Please remember that things like mac 'n cheese and cranberry sauce should be in small quantities. These are an "occasionally" treats because of the fat and sugar. Also, be careful about the pumpkin and sweet potatoes. Pumpkin and sweet potato dishes can have nutmeg in them, which is poisonous to dogs. The rule of thumb is to make sure you know what you are feeding Fido. Check the ingredients and make sure nothing sneaky is in the dish (sage, garlic, nutmeg, ect..) To make it easy for myself, before I start seasoning the heck out of everything, I set aside a small quantity of the unseasoned foods for my canines. I realize that setting aside a portion of unseasoned turkey is a difficult and unreasonable task. Especially since it needs to be thoroughly cooked before feeding it to anyone, two-legged and four-legged. I like to think of myself as a rational/ reasonable person, therefore after the turkey has been cooked, I simply remove the seasoned skin and bones from the meat I want to give to my canine companions. Everyone is happy and sane. And there are no emergency trips to the vet or GI mayhem. Let the holidays begin!!

Mental Stimulation for Canines

Over the years, as I have written this blog, I have often talked about the necessity of mental stimulation for a canine in addition to physical exercise. As dog owners, giving our dogs physical exercise is top on our priority list for canine health. But often, dog owners neglect the mental stimulation a dog needs on a daily basis-- and they need a lot. A domestic dog's wild relative-- a coyote, a wolf, etc. -- will spend the day hunting, scavenging and foraging for food. Our domestic dogs need the same sort of stimulation on a daily basis. Otherwise, we pay the price in unwanted behaviors that cause stress to the human- dog relationship.

When a dog is mentally bored, unwanted behaviors pop up: excessive barking, digging, escaping, inappropriate chewing and other destructive behaviors. The dog is bored. This can also lead to a mental decline in happiness, aka canine depression. Mental enrichment on a daily basis stimulates and assists a dog's brain growth, improves problem solving skills, builds confidence, builds social skills and engages a dog in their natural, instinctive behavior.

There are quite a few ways you can mentally stimulate your dog. I suggest your rotate through a variety to keep monotony at bay. Here are some examples of  mental enrichment:

• Social-- Dogs need to play with other dogs! Whether it's a scheduled play date with your neighbor's dog or at a doggy daycare, rotating in dog-dog interaction is essential. Unless, of course, your dog is aggressive towards other dogs. 
• Cognitive-- These enrichment games provide thinking and problem solving for your dog. There is a wide variety of interactive toys on the market. You can also play games that provide nose work like hide-and-seek or treasure hunts. In addition, it's never to late to teach an old dog new tricks! Give your dog opportunities learn new commands and tricks. 
• Environmental-- Try giving your dog a digging pit by placing a kiddie pool filled with sand in the back yard. Then, bury toys in it! Or, give your dog an obstacle course that has tunnels and objects to jump over or climb under. We have a favorite at the daycare that involves old tires!
• Feeding enrichment-- This one is more of a subcategory of cognitive. Instead of giving your dog their food in a bowl, give them an opportunity to work on their hunting and foraging skills. Their is quite a few canine puzzle food dispensing toys out there that make your dog work for their food. Or, you can hide food under rugs or blankets. Other ideas include: Kongs, lick pads and sniff mats. 
• Toys-- These include remote or wind-up toys, flirt poles and chew toys. Chewing is an excellent way dogs relieve stress!
• Sensory-- Chasing Bubbles! Or, try a hide-and-seek game of spreading peanut butter in different places around the outside of the house (alternative: splashing low-sodium chicken or beef broth). 

As you can see, there are many ways you can do to mentally enrich your dog's life. Remember to rotate activities to keep life interesting and mentally challenging for your canine. I hope this blog spurs ideas for you and inspires. For more ideas, you can visit "8 DIY Enrichment Games for the Canine Mind".

A Dog Friendly Garden

Thinking about planting a garden? If you are the type of person who has always wanted a garden, but has a dog and are not sure if the two can co-exist together, here are some helpful tips!

• Get to know your dog's personality: Is your dog a sunbather? A loyal companion that sticks by your side? A runner that uses your yard as a race track? Observe your dog's personality and how he/she uses your yard. 
• Avoid anything formal that sticks out: You will want your garden and yard to be a cohesive unit that flows together. That one thing that sticks out like a sore thumb, will of course, draw your furry friend's attention!
• Establish Pathways for your racetrack: If you have the kind of dog that runs and runs and runs and runs, they have probably established some worn paths in your yard. Keep these paths, but make them part of your landscaping. It's best not to build your vegetable garden right in the middle of your dog's racetrack. Unless you want them running right through your garden! BUT, if the only good spot to build your garden is through their racetrack, there are some options:
• Reroute the path: Dog's tend to avoid running through shrubs and tall grasses. You can use this to your advantage. Plant shrubs or tall grasses in strategic places that will force your dog to change course. Before planting, always do your research to find out if what you are planting is toxic to dog's if accidentally ingested.
• Install a fence: plant your garden in a raised bed or in containers. You can also install a small fence around your garden as another barrier. 
• Provide a digging spot and a sunspot: If you have a digger, try establishing a designated digging spot. You can build a sandbox for your furry friend and bury the coveted chew toys in the sand. Reward your dog for appropriately digging in the right spot. If your dog is a sunbather, provide the perfect sun spot for relaxation, warmth and rest.

•  Minimize the need for Pesticides:  Pesticides can end up being a hospital visit for a curious pup. Last summer, a friend of mine's dog ended up in the emergency vet clinic for getting into some strawberries that had fallen onto the slug baited ground. One way to minimize the need for chemical warfare is to "companion garden". Certain plants grow better together and provide protection to each other. Other plants are lifelong enemies. There are a lot of great books out there as well as links to get you started on the "know how".
• Know your vegetables: Some vegetables can be toxic to dogs, some can be grown and added to their dog food! Here is a list you can print out for frequent reference: 

With a little creativity and research, you can have the best of both worlds: A garden and a dog!

Seven Alternatives To Rawhide Chews

   

    

The above video, by Rodney Habib of Planet Paws, has been circulating around Facebook for quite a while. I am sure most of us have watched it. I also am guestimatting that most of us have also given our dogs rawhide chews. I know I have! Until one of my dogs inhaled a huge chunk of it and then hacked it up hours later. It made me realize that a rawhide is like playing Russian Roulette with your dog. It's only a matter of time until that twisted hunk of hide becomes an obstruction in your furry friend's stomach. And let's face it, watching the above video and actually seeing how a rawhide is made is somewhat cringeworthy. GROSS.

Dogs need to chew on things. It not only cleans their teeth and is a natural way to strengthen their jaws, but it also combats boredom and relieves stress and anxiety. For puppies it also alleviates the pain that comes along with teething. Today, I have made a list of seven alternatives to a rawhide chew. I think some of them you will find somewhat surprising!

1. (I am inserting a shamless advertisement plug in here.) KONGS We love kongs here at Bark City and we offer frozen kongs to our doggy clients! Kongs can be stuffed with hunks of meat, peanut butter, favorite treats, the list goes on and on. At Bark City, sometimes we stuff them with a mixture of cottage cheese, green beans and a protein, and sometimes it's a yogurt mixture... basically, whatever suits our fancy and is seasonal.
2. Frozen Fruit and Veggies: Yep, you can give your dogs frozen apples, sweet potatoes, bananas and or carrots. Don't bother with chopping them up. Just toss the whole fruit (or veggie) in the freezer. This is a great option for summer months to keep your dog cool.
3. Dehydrated Yams You can make these yourself if you'd like. There are a bunch of recipes out there on the world wide web. Basically, you slice up a yam and dehydrate it (or cook it on a really low temperature in your oven). There are also a lot of companies out there that make them for your convenience. 
4. Deer antlers Deer antlers are a great alternative and last forever. They are good for aggressive chewers if you choose the right size for your dog and still monitor your aggressive chewer. Basically, you should always monitor your dog while they are gnawing away at something. 
5. Himalayan Dog Chews What the heck are these? Basically, a Himalayan Dog Chew is a hardened hunk of cheese. These chews were born from an ancient recipe for a snack chewed by the people of the Himalayas. It is traditionally made from yak and/or cows milk. Once your dog has officially chewed it down to a 1" chunk, you can microwave it into a puffed up treat to give back to Fido! 
6. Fish Skin Bones The name of this treat is kind of misleading if read wrong. No, you are not giving your dog fish bones. What you are giving your dog is something that looks similar to a rawhide bone, but is instead made of fish skin! We all know how good fish oil is for our precious pets! ..also...p.s... Honest Kitchen makes some dried fish skin sticks. They are called "Beam Talls".
7. Raw knuckle bones Basically, you just go to your local butcher and ask them for dog bones. These should not be cooked, because that is what causes bones to splinter off and cause choking. These bones should be raw, hefty and will have a bit of flesh left on it. Raw butcher bones provide your dog with minerals, proteins, enzymes, and essential fatty acids. Your dog will love you forever.

Finding something your four-legged friend can chew on that isn't your shoes, furniture or door frame is a must for keeping mental health (and their teeth and jaws healthy!), but please don't give your dog a rawhide. Instead opt for one of these alternatives. If more people start turning away the rawhide, eventually companies are going to have to follow suit and make better alternatives. Plus, really...rawhides are gross.

How to choose a Pet Boarding Facility

We would all love to bring our four-legged friend with us on vacations, but sometimes it is not feasible. When that happens, you have to find someone to take care of your dog. There are many available options. It's up to you to find the right choice for your specific dog. All dogs are different and what will work for one, may not work for another.

Of course, we would LOVE for all dogs to come to Bark City!! (We think we are the BEST!!! Haha.) BUT, we also recommend you do your homework and decide for yourself. That is why I am going to post what you should look for in a boarding facility, what are big red flags and what questions you should ask when shopping around.

What Should I Look For In a Kennel?

• SUPERVISION-- This is an important one. Whether or not the facility is partially kennel free or totally kennel free. When you have a bunch of dogs together, things can escalate pretty quickly. Dogs, like people, can get over-stimulated, tired and CRABBY. To minimize the chances of injury due to crabby dogs fighting, daycares should offer plenty of opportunities for dogs to rest. For more information on why it's important for dogs to rest click here.
• Animals should look content and stress-free.
• Proper bedding and water.
• SANITATION-- Living and play areas should look and smell clean. They should also be free of waste and urine to prevent diseases. Please look around the daycare and pay close attention to how their turf is laid down. Turf needs to be laid down correctly with proper drainage and shoveled in the winter. To learn more about proper turf installation click here. If the daycare does not have properly laid down turf (or snow isn't shoveled), it becomes a breeding ground for bacteria which eventually leads to sick dogs.
• TOUR THE FACILITY-- All daycares should allow impromptu tours. If you ask and they act all sketchy or have a bunch of excuses on why you can't... BIG RED FLAG!
• Always ask the daycare owner how they train their staff. The staff should be friendly and know all the animals by name. They should also know all details involving each dog's specific care and are TRAINED IN LARGE GROUP PLAY SETTINGS. Training and staff education does matter!
•  Well managed dog play groups. Does the facility separate their dogs into groups such as little dogs, big dogs, elderly, ect... ??
• Dogs should not be wearing collars in the facility. This is a huge safety hazard when dogs are playing. A paw could become entangled, a jaw caught or it can become a choking hazard. Click here for a handy article on why daycares should be collar free.
• 
  Safety Issues- bent wires or jagged edges on fences, areas where dogs can crawl under something and become stuck, unsupervised time with other dogs. 
• Kennel size and cleanliness. 

 Questions to Ask Before Boarding:

• Are all dogs immunized?
• How does the facility handle a dog that suddenly has diarrhea, vomiting, won't eat, kennel cough or gets a minor injury (like a small cut or broken toenail)? 
• How does the facility handle a dog that needs medical attention? 
• Is there a vet associated with the kennel?
• Do they accommodate dogs with special needs or individual diets?
• Has there been any incidents of Canine parvovirus at the facility? This virus is EXTREMELY contagious and hardy. It can live in soil for over a year!
• Is there grooming services available?
• Is my dog able to bring his/her own bedding, favorite toys, ect...? 
• How does the facility handle a dog fight or a dog that becomes irritable and aggressive? (Dog behavior can change when the dog is away from his/her parents!!)
• Is there a quiet area free from disruption that my dog can sleep and rest? 
• If the facility is kennel-free 24-7, how is the night supervised?  (Remember that a tired dog can become a crabby dog....)
• How are dogs identified? 
• How do they keep track of dog medications?

Always remember to TRUST YOUR GUT when choosing the right facility for your dog! A boarding facility may not be right for your dog or your favorite facility is booked and you can't get your dog in, there are always other options: hire a person to stay with your dog in your home or theirs (there are professional dog-sitters out there!) or find a friend, relative or neighbor that absolutely loves animals. There are options out there!

How To Choose A Dog Breeder

Last week, I discussed the pros and cons of choosing a pure bred dog vs. a shelter dog. There are benefits and drawbacks to each choice. If you have already decided against adopting a shelter dog, and have your heart set on a pure bred, it's REALLY important to research your breeder and choose a reputable one. This will help ensure that your puppy has minimal health problems, is properly socialized and is not coming from a puppy mill. Below is a list you should go through while researching dog breeders:

• First and foremost, make sure you have chosen a dog that fits your lifestyle. Remember, each breed has it's inherent traits, but that does not mean there are not pure bred dogs that stray from that norm. Nothing is set in stone. Choosing the right breed just helps point you in the right direction.
• Do not buy a puppy from a pet store or website. Reputable Dog breeders will not sell their puppies through a pet store. Most likely, these puppies come from a puppy mill which is a large-scale commercial dog breeding facility that favors profit over well-being. 
• A reputable dog breeder will screen all potential buyers. They won't just give a puppy to the first person to fork over the cash. They will ask you questions about your home life, what you like to do, how you will raise the puppy and most likely make you sign a contract. They want to minimize the risk that this puppy will end up in the humane society.
• Ask the breeder about early socialization for the puppy. They should be socializing every puppy before re-homing. 
• Get referrals.
• A reputable dog breeder should allow you to visit multiple times. When you visit, look at the living conditions. Are the dogs in healthy living conditions that help foster physical and psychological health? Do the dogs appear to be healthy? There should be no signs of malnutrition, sores or illnesses. Are the dogs socialized? Is the interaction between the breeder and dogs positive or are the dogs showing signs of fear, ect...? Look at the dog's language! Visit the mother to see what kinds of behaviors she exhibits as well as her interaction with the breeders.
• A dog breeder should provide you with a written contract and health guarantee. They should also show you records of vet visits with health screenings for the puppies and parents along with proof of OFA and CERF certificates. 
• Breeders should explain potential genetic problems your pure bred may encounter. 
• Provide documents of the parents and grandparents. There should be no crossbreeding and certainly no inbreeding. 
• You should not be required to only see one particular veterinarian when you sign a contract. In addition, interview the veterinarians that the breeders have been using along with any other local vets. Veterinarians have a wealth of knowledge with it comes to local animal "gossip".
• Breeders should be specializing in one specific breed or just a few and there will not always be puppies available. You may have to be put on a waiting list.

In addition to all of this above, you should make sure your breeders provide the paperwork for the puppies and parents as well! Here are a couple of links that will tell you what kind of paperwork to expect:

Dog Papers and Registration, RaisingSpot.com, http://www.raisingspot.com/adopting/dog-registration-papers

AKC Facts and Stats, American Kennel Club, http://www.akc.org/press-center/facts-stats/puppy-buyer-fact-sheet/

A Puppy "With Papers" from a "Registered Breeder", Some Thoughts About Dogs, http://leemakennels.com/blog/dog-breeding/a-puppy-with-papers-from-a-registered-breeder/

Recognizing An Unethical Breeder, Pit Bull Chat, https://www.facebook.com/notes/pit-bull-chat/recognizing-an-unethical-breeder/161253470577118/  

Next week, I will be writing about how to choose a shelter dog! Stay tuned!

Coconut Peach "Ice Cream" (or Kong Filler)

I'm a lady of convenience and when it comes to making things, I like to make it as easy as possible. Especially, when it comes to making summertime treats for myself AND my dog. I don't want to be using two separate bowls, with separate ingredients. To me, that equals MORE dishes and MORE prep. That's why I like to make things that my furry love and I can both enjoy. Hence, coconut, peach "Ice cream" (or Kong filler!). It's super easy to make and even easier to enjoy!

All you need is:
- A bowl full of frozen or fresh peaches (you can also do other fruits to your liking)
-A can of full fat coconut milk
- 1/4 cup pure maple syrup (not that gross corn syrup-y fake stuff)

Then, all you do is puree all the ingredients in your blender and freeze.

If you want to stuff a Kong with this mixture, you freeze it until it is thick, but still able to pour. Then, take your Kong and place it upside down in a cup to hold it in place and pour. Place it back in the freezer until the mixture is completely hard.

If you want this for yourself, I suggest you occasionally stir the mixture while it is freezing to avoid large ice crystals. I like to make this treat on a day when I am at home. 😉

For other variations of this treat, you can look at these:

• Maple Bacon Ice Cream (this post also talks about why I use 100% pure maple syrup in my recipes)
• Pumpkin Spice Sorbet (this post talks about the health benefits of pumpkin and cinnamon for your dog... or yourself )

As always, please remember that this and other "ice cream" recipes are occasional treats and should not be substituted for a high quality food specifically made for your dog's size and breed.

Dog Collar Safety In Daycares

At Bark City, we have a "No Collar Rule" while the dogs are in the daycare. When two dogs are playing and have collars on, they can quickly become entangled. Teeth, jaws and feet can get caught.  Once the entanglement happens, things can escalate quickly. A dog can start to panic: twisting, turning and pulling to get free. This can result in an injury to the area of the body that is trapped. In addition, there is the risk of the twisted collar on the dog cutting off the oxygen supply resulting in asphyxiation.

Outside of a dog care facility, collar safety is a must for owners as well. There are three basic types of collars: Each collar serves a different purpose and should be used at the appropriate time. I am using examples found on 2 Hounds Design, simply because they had images of the three types of collars I am want to discuss:

This type of collar is called a Martingale Collar and is often used with dogs that have a smaller head than neck. Owners often use them when walking a dog, because the dog cannot slip out of the collar and run away (which is also a safety risk). It is recommended that these collars only be used when an owner is walking their dog with a leash. Martingale collars have no quick release and cause the biggest threat for entanglement. If you need a martingale collar for walking your dog, you should also purchase a quick release collar for supervised off-leash play.

This is a quick release collar. Notice the buckle has that nifty pinch release? This collar is what should be used when outside with your dog in off-leash scenarios... like a dog park or playing in the backyard with another dog while supervised. The buckle provides a quick way for the owner to release an entangled collar.

And last, but not least, the harness. A harness is a great solution for the dog that is "still learning". There is nothing around the dog's neck that could cause potential suffocation. BUT, another dog could still get entangled which can still cause injury. A harness also needs to fit properly, otherwise the dog could still slip out. When buying a harness for your dog, you should do some research on what kind of harness to buy and how it should fit. You should also ask an expert to help you initially fit the harness to your dog.





All in all, the general rules when it comes to collars are:

• If your dog is going to doggy daycare, make sure they take collars off! If they don't, your dog should not go to that daycare. 
• Double up on your collars-- use the appropriate collar for the situation.
• If your dog is unsupervised with another dog, "no collars" is best. If your dog is not trained well enough to handle no collar, they should always be supervised while wearing a quick release collar. 
• Learn the power of recall training. 

Fancy Dog Cookies

These fancy dog treats are relatively easy to make and have lots of good things in them. Valentine's Day is a little under a month away, why not start plotting a gift basket full of these cookies for your favorite canine friend? Here is the recipe: 

Ingredients
1/3 c. rolled oats
2 1/3 c. unbleached flour
1/4 c. pumpkin seeds
1 Tbsp. flax seeds
4 carrots
1 apple
1/2 c. peanut butter
1 tsp Better Than Bouillion Vegetable base
1 Tbsp honey
1 egg
4 pieces of bacon (cooked)
1 Tbsp bacon grease

Step 1:
Using your food processor with the grating blade, grate the carrots and apples. Transfer them to a medium sized bowl.
Step 2:
Swap out the grating blade on your processor for the standard blade. Add the rolled oats, pumpkin seeds, flax seeds and bacon to your processor. Grind them up. Add them to the carrot apple mixture.
Step 3:
Add the remaining ingredients to the medium bowl and mix. Once everything mixed thoroughly, transfer to a floured surface. Roll out your dough. Cut out shapes with a cookie cutter and place on a greased cookie sheet to bake at 350 for about 15 minutes. When the cookies are done, you have a choice to make: For a softer cookie, take them out of the oven. For a crunchier cookie, leave the cookies in the oven, but turn it off. Let them cool down together.

 FROSTING!
Once every thing is  cooled, you can frost your cookies! To make the frosting you will need:

2 Tbsp cornstarch
2 tsp water
1 tsp honey
3-5 drops food coloring

 Mix all these ingredients together in a bowl. You won't be able to mix with a spoon, so be prepared to get your fingers messy. It will have that strange consistency cornstarch gets when mixed with a bit of water- Not a liquid, but not a solid. Once mixed, you are going to pick up a "chunk" of your frosting and place it on top of the cookie. From there, it will "ooze" over the cookie.

DONE! Add sprinkles if you wish!

8 New Year's Resolutions for Dog Owners

2020 is right around the corner and it is sure to be the year of leading a healthy, balanced lifestyle, so why not start with your dog? The little steps you take starting today, will help in give your dog a happy and healthy life. With all celebration, I have created 8 New Year's Resolutions for you:

1. Stay consistent on all the medical stuff: This means making sure your dog is taking a monthly heartworm medication, getting a flea/tick preventative, up to date on their vaccinations and yearly veterinarian check ups. It is also a good idea to do an overall body scan of your dog monthly to check for any unusual lumps or bumps. 
2. Brush those teeth: Like humans, a dog's mouth is the gateway to health. Dental problems can lead to a myriad of life-threatening infections. Online, there are recommendations ranging from brushing your dog's teeth everyday, to three times a week, to once a week. If you don't brush your dog's teeth, I think a good place to start is...well... just starting! You can also invest in dog toys specifically designed for cleaning teeth. But, these should not be a substitution for actual teeth brushing. IMPORTANT NOTE: DO NOT USE HUMAN TOOTHPASTE ON DOGS. A LOT OF HUMAN TOOTHPASTES ARE TOXIC TO DOGS. 
3. Learn 1st Aid for canines and pack a 1st Aid kit: This is especially important if you travel with your dog. But, let's face it, accidents happen at home as well. For more information, please check out this link. -----> click here. 
4. Exercise together...daily: I like to think of daily dog exercise as a daily meditation. Sometimes, it seems like a daunting task. But all in all, it is good for you to take time out from the daily grind and bond with your furry companion. It reduces stress in you and your dog. Which in turn, helps build healthy, sustaining daily behaviors. It's also a good idea to shake it up a bit. Yes, having a daily routine is good. But it can also lead to boredom and mental fatigue. Try going on a hike or a new enrichment game. Use some creativity! Remember, both mental and physical exercise are a must for your furry friend. It helps keep unwanted behaviors like chewing or dumpster diving at bay.
5.  Measure your dog's food: Obesity can also lead to a myriad of health problems. Investing in a quality dog food, measuring out the right amount and exercise will help give your dog a long, healthy life.
6. Update your info and microchip: If you have changed addresses, remember to update your dog's medical records. It's also a good idea to get your dog microchipped, because.... well.... collars fall off. Keep that microchip information up to date as well. 
7. Be a good neighbor: Pick up after your dog on those walks, and start working on those bad habits like fence running, leash pulling and excessive barking at everything. Keep in mind that even if your dog is "already trained", you need to consistently practice learned behaviors in order to keep them learned! Otherwise, your dog will slip back into old habits. Additionally, do not over train your dog. Keep the lessons at short 15-minute sessions at most. 
8. Keep up with your own mental health. You may ask yourself what does my mood have to do with my dog? Often, dogs will pick up on their caretaker's mood. If you are stressed, you dog will become stressed. If you are depressed, it will reflect within your dog. Your dog may not know why you are feeling these emotions, but they will sense them and it will in turn cause them anxiety.

With all that said, remember that change does not happen overnight. And nobody (human or dog) is perfect. Be kind to yourself and make small changes over a long period of time.  For more resolutions, click here!