Choosing a Shelter Dog

You have decided to adopt a shelter dog--- Congratulations! You have chosen to save a life and provide a second chance for a dog that has had a bad turn in life. There are certain things you must do before you adopt and things you will need to do once your dog is part of your family.

Before You Adopt: 

• First and foremost-- decide how many dogs you want, because you will want them all when you walk into that shelter. Stick to that number. 
• Decide what kind of dog you want. Do you want a small dog or a big dog? And active dog or a laid back dog? An adult dog or puppy? You will want to try to find a dog that fits your lifestyle. Stick to the plan. If you are planning on getting a small dog, don't come home with a Great Dane. 
• Research, research, research-- Do you know what you will be feeding your dog? How much exercise your dog will need? What things are essentials for getting a dog (bed, bowls, leash, crate, ect...)? What vet are you going to use? What do you need to do to get a dog license in your city? What kind of paperwork do you need to adopt a dog? Buy those things.
• Lay down ground rules for your humans before the dog comes home. There should also be rules for your new four-legged family member and all humans should stick to these rules. Will your new dog be allowed on the furniture? Where will he eat? Who will feed him? Bathroom schedule? ect.... The more consistency and less stress in the household, the better.
•  Do you have other animals in the house and how are you going to transition them?  

At The Shelter: ** First and foremost: Remember that a shelter is a stressful place for animals. Any animal you are considering will be under some amount of stress.

• Ask Questions: Don't be afraid to ask questions about animals you are interested in adopting-- Why is this dog at the shelter? Are there any medical issues? If so, consider whether you have the financial means to take care of the vet bills. Has it had a temperament test?
• Watch and assess the dog you are considering from a distance: Is it sitting calm and watching? Is it engaging with people in friendly manner? Is it exhibiting signs of stress (pacing and whining)? Do you have a super-excited dog on your hands (jumping, barking, ect)? Is there aggressive traits, such as lunging, growling and charging? Is this dog fearful (won't approach you, hunching and hiding)? 
• Walk up to the kennel and watch the dog's language. 
• Take the dog to a quiet room. Does the dog pay attention to you? Or is he trying to hide and ignore you? Try to gently pat the dog, how does the dog react? Offer the dog a toy or treat and see what happens. Do they take it gently? Growl? Ignore? 
• Take the dog for a short walk (if the shelter will allow): How does the dog react to surroundings? Are they barking at everything and pulling at the leash? Are they hiding behind you and fearful?

 All of the above will help you assess the dog's personality and temperament, but will not give you a perfect guarantee. Remember, to keep your two-legged family lifestyle in mind as well. If you choose a dog that is scared and fearful, you will need to give them a little bit more patience and a longer time to transition at their new home and to new surroundings. A fearful, scared dog will not do well in a home of people who like to throw parties. If you have small children, you may not want to get a big, adult dog that likes to jump up on people. 

Once Home:

• At first, limit your dog to one area of the house and slowly open up new areas as they get used to things. 
• Keep you dog on a leash while in the house for the first few weeks while he learns house rules. BUT, never leave your dog on a leash unsupervised.  
• Do not leave your rescue dog unsupervised with current household pets. 
• Limit the amount of guests you bombard your new dog with for the first few weeks. Remember that your rescue dog is coming from a stressful situation (the shelter) to a new stressful situation (a new home) and learning new rules.
• Establish the rules and keep consistent with the rules. Consistency is key with all dogs. 
• Remember that accidents will happen and that training is lifelong---Consistency and patience!
• Dog's are den dwellers-- provide a crate for your dog, but do not use it as a punishment box. A crate should be their private den that allows them to retreat from stress.   

 Last but not least, remember that whether you are getting a purebred puppy or rescuing a shelter dog, ENVIRONMENT PLAYS A HUGE ROLE in a dog's behavior. A shelter dog can come from deplorable conditions and through love and patience become the best family dog ever. You can also have a dog that comes from a perfect breeder and become a nightmare if left with humans that have no idea how to communicate and train a dog. Pets are an unwavering commitment of time, love, money, patience and responsibility. 
 

What To Do When Your Dog Vomits

Let's face it, if you own a dog or cat, you are used to vomit. Usually when an animal throws up, it is benign-- your animal is trying to expel something unwanted from their stomach. But when the throwing up suddenly becomes unrelenting, it could be a sign of a serious condition that ranges anywhere from head trauma, toxin exposure, obstruction, cancer or a myriad of other conditions that a veterinarian will need to diagnose. So how are you to tell when it's time to go to the vet? Let's look below:

First you need to decide if your dog is vomiting or regurgitating food:

Pay close attention to these signs in order to easily tell your veterinarian for a quicker diagnosis. Whether it is vomiting or regurgitation, if it is happening frequently, you should probably seek a vet.
If it is not frequent, then you can administer these steps:

1. Do not give your dog food and take away the water bowl for 12-hrs after "the incident".
2. Give your dog ice cubes to lick or 3 Tablespoons of water every 1/2 hr.
3. After 12 hours, reintroduce the water bowl with clean water (you may want to go as far as washing the water bowl).
4. After 12- 24 hours of initial vomit, give your dog a mixture of rice and chicken. The ratio of rice per chicken should be 1 part chicken: 5 parts rice. Do not over do the feeding though, only give your furry friend 2-3 teaspoons as a test run. If no vomiting occurs, give 2-3 teaspoons every hour or two. 
5. If no vomiting happens after a day of the chicken/rice diet, you can return to a normal diet.

If for some reason your dog continues to vomit, it's time to see the vet. If you notice any of these signs with vomiting, please see your veterinarian RIGHT AWAY:

 
A sick, vomiting dog also runs the risk of dehydration or shock. It is a good idea to frequently check for these symptoms while Fido is under the weather:

Again if you notice any of these signs, seek veterinarian advice. Your dog may need to have IV fluids administered. Once your dog is on the mend, it is good to take preventative measures to avoid more mishaps:

• Diet changes should be gradual. 
• Monitor chew toys for broken bits and pieces that your dog may want to eat. These can cause obstructions.
• Dog bones and raw hide bones are a prime culprit of obstructions and vomiting. 
• Try to keep your dog from scavenging. This can cause a serious case of "garbage gut".

Remember, a dog throwing up every now an then is perfectly normal and there is no need to panic. A dog throwing up constantly, should go to the vet. Always be watchful of what your dog is doing (and eating!) to keep your pup's stomach as even as possible.

Helpful links:

• Vomiting in Dogs, Pet MD: http://www.petmd.com/dog/emergency/common-emergencies/e_dg_vomiting
• Dehydration in Dogs, Pet MD: http://www.petmd.com/dog/emergency/common-emergencies/e_dg_dehydration
• Vomiting in Dogs, Doctors Foster and Smith:http://www.peteducation.com/article.cfm?c=2+2090&aid=3574
• Dog Shock, Recognition and Emergency Treatment, Vet Info, https://www.vetinfo.com/dog-shock-treatment.html 

5 Steps for Canine Heart Health

Heart disease affects dogs differently than humans. A heart disease that is more common in humans-- coronary artery disease-- is quite rare in dogs. What is more common in dogs is congestive heart failure, which is the weakening of the heart muscle. But, there are steps you can take in order to help maintain your dog's heart health:

1. Diet: Your dog needs a balanced, high-quality food. Period. They key is to research and figure out what kind of diet is recommended for your dog's breed. Yes, different breeds need different diets. If you are going the kibble route, it's always wise to research whole foods that can be mixed into your dog's kibble. It is also important to keep your dog's weight in check. Obesity puts a great strain on a dog's heart. So, maintaining an ideal weight is key. 
2. Cardio Exercise: One way you can keep your dog's weight in check is with regular cardio exercise. Not only do dogs love it, but it also strengthens the heart muscles. Plus, a tired dog = a dog that is less likely to cause mischief!
3. Prevent Heartworm: Heartworm is a parasitic worm that is transmitted by mosquitoes. Once your dog has heartworms, it is extremely costly to treat and can cause irreparable damage: inflammation of the blood vessels, restricted blood flow, pulmonary embolism and heart failure. Luckily, there is a preventative which comes in the form of a monthly chew tablet or topical and a 6-month injection. For more information on heartworms, you can click on this link.
4.  Dental Care: Proper dental care is a must and I have a blog post right here to give you handy recipes for "dog paste" as well as tips on keeping those teeth somewhat pearly white. Remember, most human toothpaste is toxic to dogs. There is a strong connection between dental health and heart disease: all that plaque, tartar and gum infection can enter the bloodstream causing heart disease. And, dental care is one of the most commonly overlooked areas of canine health, because... well, it's a pain in the butt to brush your dog's teeth! 
5. Regular Vet visits: Just like all us humans should go to the doctor regularly for system maintenance, so should dogs. 95% of heart disease is acquired, but some of it is genetic. There are some breeds that are more likely to get heart disease. Luckily, there is a relatively new blood test: Cardiac ProBNP test. This test measures the peptide hormone which is released when the heart is pushed beyond capacity. This test could be a valuable tool in our toolbox in identifying and maintaining heart disease. If you have concerns about heart disease in your canine, it is always best to be upfront with your vet and to discuss treatments, supplements and diet changes before administering anything. 

With all that said, here is a nifty graphic of signs of heart disease:

And, last but not least, here is further links to promote your own self-knowledge:

• Promoting Cardiovascular Health in Dogs, Whole Dog Journal: https://www.whole-dog-journal.com/issues/8_2/features/Canine-Cardiovascular-Health_15693-1.html 
• 8 Ways to Keep Your Dog's Heart Healthy, i Heart Dogs: https://iheartdogs.com/8-ways-to-keep-your-dogs-heart-healthy/

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Canine Distemper and Rabies

 What is distemper? What is rabies? Is there a difference or are they the same thing?

Here I have broken it down for you in Layman's terms:

Please note: I did not put ALL the symptoms for rabies on my list. There are two different phases of rabies: Furious and Paralytic. The names pretty much describe the symptoms, both result in death.
PRE-EXPOSURE VACCINATION is the only thing that will protect your dog from rabies and distemper. If you think you (or your dog) have been bitten by a rabid animal, wash the wound with soap and water for about 15 minutes immediately. The Rabies virus is very fragile and will most likely be killed by the soap and water before it travels through your body to the brain. BUT, you still need to call your local doctor/ veterinarian for post-bite treatment and protocol.  You don't want to mess around and take chances. There is a Post-bite vaccination for humans, but not for domestic animals. If your dog is not vaccinated, he/she will have to be placed in quarantine for approx. 6 months and normal vaccination protocol will be administered. If your dog shows signs for rabies, euthanization will take place. A diagnostic test for rabies involves taking tissue samples of the brain from at least two locations and requires the animal to be euthanized. Distemper cannot be transmitted to humans. There are two types of distemper: Feline and Canine. Canine distemper cannot be passed to felines and vice versa. Rabies on the other hand, can be passed to any animal including humans.   

Reference:

World Health Organization: http://www.who.int/mediacentre/factsheets/fs099/en/

Pet Education.com, Rabies in Dogs: Symptoms, diagnosis, treatment and vaccination: http://www.peteducation.com/article.cfm?c=2+2102&aid=347

Pet Poison Helpline, Distemper and Rabies: http://www.petpoisonhelpline.com/uncategorized/distemper-and-rabies/

Monkeysee.com, YouTube video series: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oBn385Mun6A

Remedy's Health Communities, Rabies: Signs and Symptoms: http://www.healthcommunities.com/rabies/symptoms.shtml 

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Caring for Client Animals with Potential Exposure: http://www.cdc.gov/rabies/specific_groups/veterinarians/potential_exposure.html

Six Ways To Reduce Holiday Stress In Your Canine

 The Holidays are right around the corner: Holiday shopping, meal planning, parties, guests, you name it. It can be a stressful time of year, especially for our furry family members. They don't know about holidays or what the big excitement is about, all they know is that energy is up and their human companions are stressed out. This in turn, causes them to be frantic and stressed out as well. Here are signs of stress in your animal companion:

• Loss of appetite
• Lack of energy and interest in things they used to love
• Lip licking and yawning
• Boisterous behavior  or excessive whining
• Hiding and cowering when you call to them
• Chewing on furniture and things they are not supposed to chew on when they haven't done that in ages.
• Velcro dog-- basically following you around EVERYWHERE and being right under your feet all the time.
• They seemed to have forgotten they are potty trained. 

These behaviors could also be an underlying health problem. It's a good idea to take your dog to the vet, just to rule out something physical.  Once you have ruled out something biological, here is what you can do to help ease the tension in your dog:

1. Stick to your routine: Routine is very important to canines. It brings comfort. Make sure you are feeding your furry loved one at the same time(s) you would each day and walk/play with them at your normal times. 
2. Physical Exercise: It's easy to cut corners on physical exercise when things are coming at you from all directions. But physical exercise is not only good for you, it's good for Fido. Setting aside a regular time everyday to exercise will help reduce stress in both of you and will be good for bonding/ strengthening trust in your relationship. Plus, your dog will be less likely to engage in destructive behavior.
3. Mental Exercise: Giving your dog mental exercises every day helps keep boredom at bay. A bored dog = a dog more likely to get into trouble! You can challenge your dog with enrichment puzzles or brush up on some training behaviors. All of this will help reduce stress and keep your dog happy.
4. Enlist Help: If you are just too busy to keep a normal routine with your pet, you may want to think about enlisting some help! You can hire someone or recruit a family member to take over walking and feeding the dog at the normal time. OR you can opt for your dog to come play at a doggy daycare. Personally, we think Bark City Doggy Daycare is the best. 😉
5. Manage Your Own Stress: Often your dog will figure out your stressed before you have figured it out. If your dog is a walking around mental health case, chances are you are too. Dog's don't know why you are stressed, they can sense you radiating that energy and it makes them nervous! Maybe it's time to sit down and evaluate the stress in your own life and find ways to calm down and BREATHE.
6. Quiet Sanctuary: If you are having a party or lots of guests, set aside a quiet room away from all the chaos for your dog. Put the kennel (aka personal sleeping den) in that room with their favorite toys, water, ect. This is a place just for them. People are not allowed.

The Holidays are stressful for humans and furry family members. Taking steps and precautions to minimize stress is a must.We can't avoid all the hustle and bustle, but at least we can try to be a lion tamer. Happy Holidays everyone!