Canine First Aid Kits

Holidays are right around the corner! If you are traveling with your pet, it is always a good idea to pack a first aid kit. You never know what Fido might get into while away from home. A first aid kit will at least somewhat prepare you for whatever gets thrown your way.

So what should you bring?
Things I probably wouldn't think of until it's  after the fact...

•  Pet First Aid book
• Phone numbers and address of an emergency vet clinic in the area you are visiting.
• Phone number of your personal vet.
• Paperwork! All of your pet's vet records and a photograph of your pet. It's helpful to store these kinds of things in a waterproof bag. 
• Leash and a muzzle. The muzzle is in case your pet is injured and tries to bite you. DO NOT muzzle your dog if he is vomiting or choking. 
• Extra identification tags

 

 Basic First Aid Supplies:

• gauze pads (non-stick!! Unless you want to be cutting fur.)
• adhesive tape
• antiseptic wipes
• blanket/ towels
• cotton balls
• hydrogen peroxide (this can be used to induce vomiting, but first CONTACT YOUR VET for proper instructions before attempting!)
• ice and heating packs
• non latex disposable gloves
• petroleum jelly
• rectal thermometer (A pet's temperature should not rise above 103-degrees F. and should not fall below 100-degrees F.) Here is a link for how to take a dog's temperature.
• scissors with blunt ends
• self-cling bandages (these will not stick to your pet's fur).
• sterile saline solution
• tweezers
• syptic powder (This is a powder that helps stop bleeding on minor cuts and scrapes).
• rubbing alcohol
• flashlight
• antibiotic ointment
• nail clippers 
• Benadryl (diphenydramine). This can be taken orally or made into a paste and applied to a sting. For dosage, please click here. I recommend writing your canine's medication dosages somewhere handy, for quick reference.
• Calendula cream (relief from hot spots and stings)
• socks (for torn foot pads)
• fine toothed flea comb (to find ticks)
• TREATS!!!! (Your dog will probably think this is the most important one.)

I know, it seems like a lot of stuff and hopefully, you won't need it. But, it's always better to be safe than sorry and most of this stuff can be used on humans too. ;)

 

Winter Proofing Your Dog's Paws

Winter can be a beautiful time to hike in the sparkly, cold wonderland. But, it can also wreak havoc on your dog's paws: cracking, trauma, frost bite, chemical burns and drying. This can hurt! We often don't think about it, but steps can be taken to prevent painful paws. Here's what you can do:

1. Prep the paws. Trim the hair between the toes and around the paws. This will prevent ice balls from forming. It is also especially important to keep your dog's nails trimmed. Long nails can cause the paw pads to spread out while walking causing snow to get packed in between the toes. 
2. Invest in some Paw and Nose Butter. Yes, there is such a product! Before you go out into the wild, gently clean your dog's paw pads with a warm wash cloth and apply a thin layer of butter. This will form a thin barrier between your dog's paw pads and the elements. Once you are done with your walk, wash your dog's paws with warm water and apply the butter again. This will help moisturize the paw pads and keep them from getting dried out.  You can follow the same steps for your dog's nose if you notice it is getting dry and cracked from the cold weather.
3. Invest in some dog boots. This is another layer of protection for your dog's feet. You can still use the paw butter to keep the paws warm, soft and supple. But the dog boots add the ultimate protection.
4. Stay away from de-icers and salt. Avoid areas that have had de-icer or salt spread. These substances can be toxic to pets and cause chemical burns. Once you are done walking, wash your dog's paws to make sure that there is nothing that Fido can lick off to make him/her sick and then apply paw butter!

Last but not least, here is a recipe you can use to make your own paw butter:

• 2 TBS Shea Butter
• 2 TBS Coconut oil
• 2 TBS Beeswax
• 1 tsp Sweet almond or Olive oil

Put all the ingredients into a pan and melt over low heat while occasionally stirring. Once it is all melted, transfer into a glass jar for cooling and storage.

p.s...This recipe can also be used as an excellent human body butter. :)

The Importance of Laying Down Turf Correctly in Doggy Daycares

 With the increased risk of upper respiratory infection during cold and flu season, I have decided talk about what we do to try and keep our facility as clean as possible. One of the most important things we do is shovel all snow off the yards. We never let snow sit very long. The staff gets here at 6am and if the yard is not green, then they are out there before we open shoveling. Why? As pretty as snow is, it is not good for it to sit in a yard full of dogs. The turf we have was installed professionally with a drainage system underneath. When snow sits on the surface for a long period of time, this taxes the drainage system and causes a higher risk of bacteria. Snow also can cause the dogs to slip while running which increases chance of injury. Last, but one of the most important reasons, it makes it impossible to disinfect. The only yard we do not shovel is our biggest yard and that is because it does not get the traffic the other yards do. We only use that yard for a few hours a day and can shut it completely down. The dogs can have a snow day in that yard.

In the past, I have blogged about the bacteria and health risks of dog poop, what to look for in doggy daycares and why daycares should take the collars off of their dogs in the facility. All of these are important health and safety measures. But, I had yet talked about turf in daycares. When turf is laid directly upon the ground without a properly installed drainage system, it becomes bacteria's best friend. Eventually, this can lead to sick dogs....like Kennel Cough.  When you are searching for the right doggy daycare for your furry family member, ask the daycares about how often they clean their turf and how it is laid upon the ground. A good drainage system can not only help with clean-up, but it will also help prevent spores and bacteria from building up within and under the synthetic grass.

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Rest: Why It's Important for Canines

REST! It's underrated. Over the years we have changed our nap schedule numerous times and have learned this is a very important part of the program. All of our daycare options have a nap program. We understand owners want a tired dog after a day of play with their buddies. BUT, it's important that exhaustion is not the only measure of success when you bring your dog for a play session. Our approach to your dog's day in off-leash play is to balance physical exercise, mental activities, and rest periods. All three are equally important components to keeping your dog safe and healthy when socializing with other dogs.

Physical exercise is the most obvious benefit of off-leash play. It's what most pet parents think about when they drop their dog off. But for your dog's health, we also consider it important to provide mental stimulation, which allows your dog to think and use the brain during the day. Mental work builds confidence and self-control in your dog. Like play time, it will also cause your dog to be tired. Your dog will need rest in order for the brain to process all that is learned. This is why we include rest periods as an important component of our health and safety program for your pet. Dogs that get overly tired are less tolerant and more grumpy (just like humans!) which increases risk of injury.

Research studies report that dogs need 12-18 hours of sleep per day. Dogs that require amounts on the higher end of the scale include:

•  Puppies
•   Senior dogs
•  Giant and large breeds
•  Dogs in active households or with extreme exercise routines
•  Dogs that attend dog daycare multiple days per week or are staying away from home for long periods of time. 
•   Dogs participating in sports like agility, fly ball, or rally-o.

Sleep habits of dogs also differ from humans. Napping on and off during the day is a normal pattern for dogs.  We offer formal rest periods during play visits to mirror a canine's normal pattern and to allow dogs to reach deeper sleep levels. Providing a private, quiet area for rest periods allow dogs to reach the restful deep sleep levels they need to stay healthy and happy.

Dogs may take natural rest breaks during our current playgroups, but it is rare that a dog will relax and enter a deep sleep. Most dogs napping in the playgroup are in light sleep and very alert. This allows them to jump up whenever something exciting happens. They do not reach the restful sleep stages needed to keep their brain healthy. In fact, Nineteenth century sleep deprivation studies performed on dogs confirmed degenerative changes in their brains resulted from lack of rest. We include formal rest periods as a part of our play sessions to help ensure the long-term health and mental well being of your dog. Your happy and healthy dog is the most important measure of our success. When it is time to take a nap all dogs will be provided with a quiet, comfortable place to rest. This is a much needed break before starting the next activity. We feel this down time is vital to healthy dogs and helps your dog get used to learning how to relax during the day.

DIY Pumpkin Dog Biscuits

If there is one ingredient every dog owner should have in their cupboard, it should be canned pumpkin. Keep in mind that when I say canned pumpkin, I do not mean pumpkin pie filler. That item contains ingredients that are toxic to your dog. I mean the 100% canned pumpkin. Or, if you want to get fancy, you can roast your own pumpkins and freeze them for later use. Adding a bit of pumpkin to your dog's diet is great for their health. A bit of canned pumpkin helps with both diarrhea and constipation. And, it's loaded with nutrients. Specifically, fiber and beta-carotene which the body converts to vitamin A. You do want to make sure you do not feed your dog too much pumpkin. Too much Vitamin A can be toxic to your furry family member. The right dosage is about a couple teaspoons per day for a smaller dog and a couple of Tablespoons per day for a big dog.

Pumpkin seeds are also a great addition to your dog's diet. They are filled with protein, amino acids, fiber, iron, copper, phosphorus, magnesium, calcium, zinc, potassium, folic acid and niacin. PLUS, they act as a natural deworming agent! Pumpkin seeds contain an amino acid called cucurbitin which paralyzes and eliminates worms. According to Dog Naturally Magazine,you should give your dog raw, organic pumpkin seeds that are not salted. Some dogs will eat them whole, but if your dog will not, you can grind them up and add them to their daily food. As a dewormer, you should feed your dog about 1/4 tsp per 10 lbs of body weight once or twice a day until parasites are gone.

Now that I have you all amped up to add pumpkin to your dog's diet, it is time to have a bit of fun with the pumpkin! You can do a lot of fun, creative things to keep the monotony at bay. Like baking biscuits. These biscuits are really easy to make. They have four ingredients (five if you count water). All you need is:

2 c. of pureed pumpkin

1 tbs. of canola oil

5 c. of flour

1/3 c. dry milk powder 

approx. 1/3 c. water

  

 

Step 1: Throw all your ingredients into a bowl.

 

Step 2: Start by mixing with your spoon. Eventually, this will become difficult and you will need to work it together with your hands. You should end up with a ball that looks something like this: 

If your dough is not forming together, you may want to add a bit more water. Only add SMALL amounts at a time. Remember you can always add more, but you can't take it out! Too much water and you'll have a sticky mess. Don't worry if you have a few crumbs in the bottom of your bowl:

Step 3:  Flour your surface and start rolling out your dough.

Step 4: Take your favorite cookie cutter, cut out shapes and place them on a greased cookie sheet. 

Step 5: Bake at 350 for approx. 10-15 minutes, or until they start to turn golden brown. Once golden, you can either take them out of the oven or turn off the oven and leave them in until the oven cools. Leaving them in the oven will result in a crunchier treat. 

But, that's not all! For more pumpkin treat ideas, check out these recipes:

• Pumpkin Spice Sorbet
• Chicken and Pumpkin Frozen Kong

Frozen Kong Ideas

A Kong has limitless options on what you can stuff into it. As long is it isn't something potentially poisonous to dogs like onions and chocolate. The easiest way to fill a Kong is to turn it upside down (biggest opening facing upward) inside a coffee cup. The coffee cup holds it in place while you spoon in the filling. Filling options can be as simple as a favorite canned dog food or can be a mixture of household ingredients that you have on hand, such as:

Roasted Sweet Potato and Peanut Butter:

1/2 roasted sweet potato with out the skin
3/4 c. of peanut butter
1/4 c. of flax seeds
1/2 cut oats
~ Mix all the ingredients together and spoon into an ice cube tray. Place in freezer. When frozen, you can take an individual cube out and place in the Kong.

Coconut Banana

1 cup of plain yogurt
1 tsp. of coconut oil
1 sliced banana
 ~ Mix all ingredients together and stuff into your Kong. Place Kong into freezer until frozen.

 Chicken and Pumpkin

1 jar of chicken baby food (You could also substitute any other meat baby food)
1 cup of plain yogurt
2 Tbs. canned pumpkin (remember to make sure your canned pumpkin is not pumpkin pie filling!)
~ Mix all ingredients together and stuff into your Kong. Place Kong into the freezer until frozen.

All of these recipes are just examples of what can be mixed together and have been portioned out for a regular sized Kong. There are Kongs available for small breed dogs. These recipes would probably fill multiple small breed kongs.

There are lots of recipes out there and I will start pinning some of them under our "Dog Treats" board on Pinterest! Pupsicle recipes can always be used inside of a Kong and vice versa. These recipes will keep you dog cool and busy on hot days!

Common Canine Poisons (and what to do)

We all try our very best to keep our dog happy, healthy and safe. But, did you know that there are more than 100,000 cases of pet poisoning in the US each year? Many of these poisonings happen with everyday items that we humans use and don't really think about in regards to pet safety. Here is a list of the most common household items that cause canine poisoning:

• Common Human Foods: Foods like chocolate, xylitol, grapes, etc... can be toxic to you dog. Before you feed your dog any human food, please do your research on what is and isn't toxic for your pet. Just because humans can eat it, does not mean a dog can safely ingest.
• Insecticides: This could be a mosquito spray, bait stations or even flea/ tick treatments. Please be aware of what is within your dog's reach or what you spray onto their fur. Licking off these insecticides could can be toxic.
• Mouse and Rat Poison: Aside from just eating the poison, ingesting a rodent that has been poisoned can also be toxic to your pet.
• Common Human Medication: Tylenol, Advil, Antidepressants, etc... all of those things that we use for our aches, bumps, fevers or prescriptions. 
• Household Cleaners: Just because your cleaner is "natural" does not mean it is safe and nontoxic to your pet. Do your research and keep all cleaners safely put away where your pet can't reach. 
• Fertilizers: including bone meal, blood meal and iron-based products can be toxic to your pet.
• Vitamin D:  Yes, this vitamin is needed in your dog's diet. But, too much vitamin D can be toxic. Please do not supplement your dog without veterinarian approval.
  
• Household Plants: Some plants are safe for your pet. Other plants-- lilies, azaleas and oleander (plus more) are not safe. When gardening or bringing home a new plant, please check to make sure it is safe for your pet. 
• Chemical Hazards like antifreeze and paint thinner are common poison. Always have these items out of reach and make sure there is no leaking upon the floor or a surface your dog can lick. 
• Heavy Metals: Lead can be found in some paint, linoleum and batteries. Zinc poisoning can happen from dogs ingesting pennies. 

• Pet Medications: Sometimes a pet can  accidentally take too much medicine. Or, it may be a medicine for the pet sibling. In any case, always make sure pet medication is properly put away and you are paying close attention to who is getting what and how much is being administered. 

 So what do you do if you think your pet has been poisoned? First and foremost, before any poisoning happens, you should have your emergency veterinarians phone number in an easily accessible place. You don't want to be fumbling around on your phone searching for a number during an emergency.

1.  Call your veterinarian or emergency vet. If you are really unsure whether or not any poisoning has happened, you may call ASPCA Animal Poison Control (APCC). The phone number is: (888) 426- 4435. They do charge $60 for a consultation. 
2. Gather any remains of what your canine has ingested and place into a ziplock bag to take to the vet's.
3. If your dog has vomited, you will need to gather the vomit in a ziplock bag to take to the vet's. 

Safety Tips to Prevent Poisoning

• Always keep all medications and household cleaners out of reach and inaccessible to your pet. This may mean placing baby proof locks on your cabinets. Even child proof bottles are not safe for your dog. 
• Always follow guidelines on flea and tick products.
• Research your people foods to know what is and isn't ok to feed your dog. Keep all human food out of reach of your dog. 
• Rodent killer should be locked away in metal cabinets. Remember to let all neighbors know if you are using a rodent poison, so they can keep their furry family members safe as well. 
• Buy pet friendly plants for your home. ASPCA has a list of plants available on their website. 

Keep Your Dog Cool

Summer is right around the corner and it's getting hot. Dogs don't sweat like humans do. The only way they lose heat is through the little pads of their feet or by panting. Therefore, it's really important to take extra measures to keep your pooch cool in the heat.
1. Exercise your dog in the early morning or evening when the temperatures are a bit cooler.

2. Give Fido a summer haircut!

3. Invest in a kiddie pool for your back yard.

4. Be mindful that pavement can get REALLY hot! Try not to have your dog walk or lay on pavement in the heat. Dog booties can help provide a barrier from heat on your dog's paws. This will help them remain cool and prevent heat blisters from hot pavement.

5. Ice pops! Not for you, but for the dog. Make sure they are specifically made for dogs. Human ice pops have too much sugar or may have ingredients that are poisonous for you dog. You can buy dog ice cream/ pops at certain retailers in your area or you can make them at home. We have a ton of recipes pinned onto Pinterest that you can check out here.

6. If it's just too hot out and you are stuck inside, play a game with your dog to occupy their mind and keep them out of trouble. Here is a list of mental stimulation games for your dog---> click here.

7. And finally, always watch for signs of dehydration and heat stroke:

• Drooling excessively
• lethargic
• eyes are bloodshot
• appears pale
• If you lift your dog's skin and it takes longer to fall back into place

7. NEVER leave your dog in the car on a hot day.... NEVER. 

If  you suspect your dog has heat stroke, call your vet immediately! Also remember that dogs can get sunburned. If your dog has short fur, bald or very light skinned apply sunscreen.

How to Stop Leash Pulling in Canines

Leash pulling can be one of the most frustrating and difficult behaviors in your furry friend, because dogs naturally want to explore and are reflexively opposed to restraint. Basically, trying to train your dog to walk politely on a leash means you are working against your dog's natural instincts. But, it can be done and it should be done. You just need A LOT of patience and commitment.

Before I begin, I think I should clarify the difference between "polite leash walking" and "heeling". Heeling is a competitive exercise in which you are training your dog to walk close to your left leg. In this post, this is not what we are aiming at, but rather we want a polite leash walk (aka loose leash walk): The leash is slack. Your dog is not yanking and coughing around the block. Rather, you and the dog are casually walking from A to B. You are both interacting with each other and your dog is able to sniff and explore. It's a happy experience for both of you!

I would like you to notice three details in the above paragraph: Walking from A to B, Exploring and Interacting. It's not natural for a dog to want to walk in a straight line from A to B. They want to explore and SNIFF. Allowing your dog to do so, will help them with any pent up mental and physical stimulation that is built up in their body. Thus, equaling a better behaved dog. BUT, your ultimate goal is to get from A to B.... or rather start at A (home) and get around the block back to A (home). However you want to read it. Interacting is the last element. Most people, when they take their dog on a walk, don't really interact with their dog. It is a chore to them and they do it to get it done. A dog owner needs to change that mentality and interact with their furry family member during the walk. It is a time to train and build a positive relationship.

So let's begin:

• The first step to walking your dog is to mentally prepare yourself. Before you leave the house, be aware of your body language and mental energy. Dogs are amazing and can pick up on any stress, negativity and frustration in your body. Make sure you keep this a positive experience. You need to be confident in your body language and energy. 
• The collar should be placed at the top of the neck, instead of at the bottom near the shoulders. Dogs are built to pull with the chest and shoulders. Placing the collar near the shoulders, just reinforces the instinct to pull.
• The leash should be short and loose. No retractable leashes. The farther you have your dog away from you, the harder it is to communicate. This ultimately leads to a lack of control.

Two Training Methods:

1. REWARD. It is best to train your dog when they are hungry. So opt for right before breakfast or dinner. Start with your furry friend right next to you on the leash and take a step. When your dog steps with you, give them a treat. With each step, reward your dog. Gradually, through subsequent walks, build up the steps between treats.

2. PENALTY YARDS. Let's say you are out in the yard and you have set up a point "A" and "B". At point B there is a really good treat. Start at point A and take a step. If they do not pull on the leash, take another step. Continue on this way. When they pull on the leash, immediately go back to point A and start over. This communicates to the dog that when they pull on their leash, it takes them farther away from their goal.

They key to training is to be consistent. Allowing your dog to pull you to a specific spot every once in awhile will backfire on you. Each time you allow, you are using variable reinforcement, which will build more staying power into the pulling behavior. Before you know it, you will have your dog pulling you every which way and you will be frustrated, because you will have to start training at square one again.

Last, your training sessions should be no longer than 45 minutes. Puppies should have shorter sessions. If your dog seems bored, losing attention or making mistakes, it's probably time to take a break. Training should be fun and rewarding in order to build a positive relationship with your dog.

10 New Year's Resolutions for Dog Owners

We always set New Year's Resolutions for ourselves, but how often do we do it for our dogs? Or rather, for us to be better dog owners? This is Bark City's top 10 Resolutions for Dog Owners:

1.  Weight Management-- Obesity in dogs can trigger a whole slew of health problems. Diabetes, arthritis and cardiovascular disease are just a few. You should be able to feel your dog's ribs, but not see them. If you see them, Fido may be too skinny. One way to keep your dog's weight under control is to minimize the human table scraps and keep them on a healthy dog food. Read labels and opt for a higher quality dog food that is easily metabolized by your dog. One website that I use regularly is The Dog Food Advisor . This website has extensively researched a multitude of dog foods and rates them based on ingredients and health. 
2. Grooming -- Keep up on matted fur, parasites, dental hygiene, toenails, ear infections and hot spots. All of these (and more!) can  lead to health problems and more vet bills if not kept under control. A regular washing of bedding is also a must. 
3. Good Manners-- Bad habits in dogs can lead to safety issues for you, others and your dog (or other dogs!). Food aggression, Toy hoarding, leash pulling, aggressive fence running/barking at walkers are just a few common bad habits. Please be conscientious. If you are having trouble teaching your dog good manners, consult a professional. 
4.  Play!! -- Bonding with your dog is a must! Make time in your busy day to work on training, play tug-o-war and other mentally stimulating games. 
5. Organize -- Microchip your dog, have adequate ID on your dog's collar, keep all vet records easily accessible, have a first-aid kit ready at home and in your car, and keep your dog license up to date. 
6. Regular Physical Exercise -- Let's face it, it's important to slow down and take a break from our busy lives to just walk around and notice our surroundings. Physical exercise can be very stress relieving for you and your dog. 
7. Keep up on your vaccinations and heartworm medication.  'nuff said.
8. Help Others-- Consider donating time and/or money to your local animal shelter.
9. Start a pet savings fund -- Set aside a small portion of each paycheck for a pet savings fund. All those pennies may eventually save the day when a big emergency pops up. 
10. Learn Canine Body Language -- Dogs don't communicate the way humans communicate. We speak different languages. Please don't attribute human emotions onto your pets. This leads to behavior problems and a lot of frustration that can be easily avoided. Dog's are wonderful animals that deserve to be understood in the language nature gave them. 

We at Bark City hope your New Year brings you joy, slobber and lots of wagging tails!!