Dog Park Etiquette

Dog Parks can definitely be a fun place to take your dog for exercise and socialization. But, there is also a certain etiquette that must be followed to ensure you are not "That One Dog Owner" that all the other dog owners are whispering about. Etiquette is also to keep all dogs safe. Here is a list of  "Do's and Don'ts" that will make your trip to the dog park successful and fun.

• Pick up after your dog! Usually dog parks provide baggies, but sometimes you may need to bring your own. If you are unfamiliar with a new dog park, come prepared!
• Exercise your dog before going to the park. I know, this sounds weird and you are probably asking yourself, "Isn't the purpose of the dog park to exercise your dog?" A dog park is a place to bond with your dog. If you bring Fido to the park with pent up energy, you are just asking for a doggy meltdown. An overly excited dog + a million other dogs and wide open areas= OVER STIMULATION.
• A dog park is NOT a place to train your dog. Your dog should be trained beforehand. The reason: In case all mayhem breaks loose, you will have control of your dog. 
• Don't let your dog steal other dog's toys! It's OK if they are playing TOGETHER. But, stealing another dog's toy is an aggressive behavior that could result in a dog fight. 
• Take any pronged collars off before entering the dog park. Playing dogs can break teeth or get injured on these types of collars.
• Don't keep your dog's harness or leash on in the off-leash zone. This will just make your dog feel vulnerable and trapped when all the other dogs are zooming around. 
• Retractable leads are a HORRIBLE idea. These things are notorious for getting tangled around people and things. Not to mention, it gives your dog a sense of "freedom" that ends up hurting. How would you feel if you were running and ended up clothes lining yourself? OUCH. 
• Please don't bring children to the dog park or let your dog jump on people.
• Make sure your dog is over 12 weeks old and vaccinated.
• Do not bring a female dog in heat or pregnant to the park.
• Mixing small dogs with big dogs can be a bad idea. Some big dogs may view a smaller as prey. If you are an owner of a small dog and you encounter this problem, picking up your dog could cause an escalation. It mimics the "prey" being up a tree. 
• Don't let your dog be a bully! This includes those playful pups that keep trying and trying to play with a dog that doesn't want to play, mounting other dogs, overly sniffing another dog and running up to a dog right when they enter the park. This is all rude behavior in a dog's world.
• Take along water, not treats or food. Especially if your dog has resource guarding problems. If these guarding problems extend to you being considered a resource, the dog park may not be a place you can take your dog.
• Don't have the mind set that dogs will "work it out".  Resolve the problem before it gets out of hand.
• Do not be critical of another dog to it's owner! Handle your own dog and be responsible for your own dog's behavior. If your dog is encountering a rude dog, politely remove your dog from the situation without insulting the other owner. 
• If your dog is arthritic and old, please do not take him/her to the park. This will only make them feel vulnerable. It may also cause a dog fight. 
• If your dog seems scared, leave the dog park. Don't assume they will get over it. It could get worse. 

With all this in mind, your dog should return home from the park happy, healthy and TIRED.

10 Signs Your Dog is Stressed

Stress... Ughh. We all get stressed. As humans, we know that familiar feeling of strain or pressure that slowly creeps up on us. And, we have figured out ways to reduce our own stress (hopefully!). Prolonged stress can wreak havoc on our health and well -being. Our canine companions can also feel stress. Just like us, they need ways to reduce their stress or the body will respond through illness and disease. Unfortunately, we humans don't speak dog and dogs don't speak human. It's up the the canine owner to recognize the signs your dog is exhibiting through "dog language" that they are stressed.

To recognize the signs of stress in your dog, you must first know your dog's baseline behavior and body posture. Often, stress cues in your dog are very subtle and can mimic normal behaviors. It's up to you as the human to know your dog's normal communication behaviors and then differentiate when something is off a bit:

1. Pacing and Shaking: Dog's will "shake it off" when they are stressed. It looks a lot like shaking off water. An example of this is when you take your dog to the veterinarian and they shake immediately after getting off of the exam table. Shivering is also another cue, but can also be from fear. As for pacing, it's pretty explanatory: you dog will pace around an area. Usually it will be in a predicted path.... over and over again. 
2. Whining and Barking: With this one, you need to know your dog's baseline barking level. It will be out of the ordinary and you will need to pay attention to body language to know if it is an alert bark (like someone is coming up the walkway) or a bark/ whine of stress. 
3. Yawning, drooling and licking: Dogs will yawn when tired or bored, but a stressed out yawn will be more intense and prolonged. It may also be accompanied by a whine. Dogs will also lick excessively when stressed or drool.
4. Changes is eyes and ears: When a dog's ears are pinned against the head, it's usually a good indicator that they are stressed. Their eyes may blink rapidly and/or be wide open with the sclera (whites of the eyes) showing. 
5. Panting: Dogs pant when excited, hot or stressed out. It's up to you to decipher the environment to know which one. 
6. Changes is bodily functions: Some dogs immediately pee when meeting another dog to mark their territory or to relieve the stress/ excitement of meeting a new dog. Under stressful situations, dogs will also refuse food or lose function of their bowels. 
7. Shedding: All dogs shed. Some dogs shed more excessively than others. If your dog is shedding "more than usual", check to see if it is something they could be stressed about and assess other behaviors they may be exhibiting. Prolonged excessive shedding could be a medical issue and needs to be checked out by a veterinarian. 
8. Changes in body posture: Unless your dog has an orthopedic problem, posture is usually evenly distributed between all four paws. A stressed out dog will shift their weight to the rear legs and cower. Their body will be rigid and tail will be tucked between the legs. 
9. Avoidance or displacement behavior: When in a stressful situation, some dogs will try to "escape" by focusing on something else. This could include: sniffing the ground, licking genitals, turning away or completely ignoring the stressful object. When this happens, do not force your dog to pay attention to whatever is stressing them out. This could make the problem worse or initiate aggression. 
10. Hiding or Escaping: When a dog is stressed, they will often find a quiet place of solitude. Please respect the solitude. As with the avoidance or displacement behavior, if you force them to be in a stressful environment, you could initiate aggression. 

As I said before, you must know your dog's baseline behavior to know what is and isn't out of the ordinary for your dog. As a dog owner, you must also check your own stress levels. Often if the owner is stressed, the dog will be stressed out as well. The owner will be communicating "stress" to the rest of the pack (aka dog) and it can become a cycle of stress.  Here are a couple of tips to help regulate your dog's stress level:

• Regulate your own stress. 
• Mental and physical exercise: A bored dog that does not get enough exercise is a recipe for A) misbehavior B) aggression and C) stress. They need that daily exercise to get rid of extra energy!
• Remove your dog from the stressor. This can include providing a quiet sanctuary in the household. If your dog is in their sanctuary, please keep all humans (including children) out. Allow your dog to be by themselves if that is what they need. 
• Do not over comfort your dog. Sometimes, well intended love and attention can make the situation worse: The owner is reinforcing the stress behavior. If you are using treats or positive reinforcement during a stressful situation, make sure your dog is "working" for the treat by making them perform a command like "sit" or "stay". 
• If your dog is consistently stressed out, visit a veterinarian to rule out any medical issues. 

With all that said, please remember that prolonged stress will break down a healthy body! Take care of yourself and your four-legged family members. 💓

Canine Yeast Dermatitis

 Yeasts are a eukaryotic, single -celled microorganisms that fall under the fungus kingdom. They are normally present on the skin and in the body-- particularly in the gut where it helps to digest food. Generally, yeast does not cause illness. Yeast Dermatitis, however, is an infection on the skin or ears when there is an abnormal overproduction. It usually occurs in the ears, paw pads or skin folds and is itchy, red and irritated. If left unchecked and without treatment in the ears, it can lead to deafness. 

Symptoms:

• Red irritated skin
• Itching & scratching
• The appearance of dark pigmented skin
• Flaky or scaly skin
• Sores on the skin
• Musty Odor
• Changes in skin texture (aka: elephant skin)
• Hair loss, bald patches
• Head tilting and shaking the ears
• Hearing loss

Common Causes:

• An under active or over active immune system
• Allergens
• Food high in sugar & carbs
• Heat & humidity
• Poor hygiene
• Trapped moisture
• Frequent bathing
• Swimming
• A trapped object in the ear, ear wax or discharge
• Various ear drops

If you suspect that your dog may have an over production of yeast, it is best to contact your veterinarian for a check-up. If it is yeast dermatitis, your vet will most likely prescribe anti fungal medication. Preventative measures include: 

• Completely drying your dog after a bath or swim.
• Cleaning your dog's ears regularly with a clean cloth or cotton ball. 
• Providing your dog with a healthy food that is high in protein.
• Regular brushing to clear away dead skin & dirt.