Breaking Up a Dog Fight

If you own a dog, there is a good chance you will at some point have to break up a dog fight. Especially, if you often take your furry friend to the dog park. Dog fights can be scary and can result in injury to you or your dog if you are not mentally prepared to deal with one. The worst thing you can do is A) Scream at the top of your lungs. This only escalates the situation. B) Grab a dog's head and/ or neck area. This will result in you getting bit. and C) Keep a hold of the leash, if your dog has one on. This will result in entanglement and possible injury to one of the parties involved. If your dog has a leash on and is in a fight, the best thing you can do is immediately drop the leash. So, what should you do if you happen to find yourself in the middle of a dog fight? First and foremost, keep your cool. Next, here are some helpful tips:

When it comes to dog fights, the best thing to do is recognize the situation before it arises by knowing how dogs communicate. Usually, there is one dog that is the aggressor and the other dog is merely on the defense. Once you recognize which dog is initiating the fight, use the above techniques to stop that dog. Once that dog is stopped, the other dog that is just protecting itself, will most likely stop. Other methods of stopping a dog fight are to spray the dogs with water or bang an object that will make a loud noise. But, these tips are only really useful if you are at home and have access to such things that will spray water or will make a loud noise. Once you have broken up the fight, check to see if the dogs want to keep fighting or have calmed down. Dogs that want to keep fighting, may have underlying behavioral problems.

A dog owner can usually notice aggression problems within their dog when their dog reaches puberty: 6-9 months old, when the become socially mature: 18-36 months old or if they are not spayed or neutered. Even low levels of aggression should be taken seriously. If not successfully dealt with, low levels can eventually escalate into an out of control problem. Here are some signs that your dog will exhibit when they are aggressive:

• Growling
• Lip biting
• Snapping
• Lunging

A dog that is often the target of another dog will show these signs of fear:

•  Crouching
• Tucking of the tail between the legs
• Licking the lips 
• Backing away

It is important for a dog owner to know the difference between play posture and true aggression. In order to deal with aggressive behavior, the owner must start training right away by:

• Sidetracking the bad behavior with a good behavior
• Give verbal cues followed by action. Example: If your puppy bites your hand, immediately say "Ouch!" and stop playing.
• Give your dog a time out right when they exhibit aggressive behavior.
• Don't engage in aggressive roughhousing. Some puppies have a low arousal threshold. Playful roughhousing can quickly result in aggressive fighting with these types of puppies.

For more information, please see these links (or look for your own!):

How to Safely Break Up a Dog Fight, The Whole Dog Journal: http://www.whole-dog-journal.com/issues/5_12/features/5505-1.html

Yes, There is A Smart Way To Break Up a Dog Fight, The Dodo: https://www.thedodo.com/yes-there-is-a-smart-way-to-break-up-a-dog-fight-1488888838.html 

How to Safely Break Up a Dog Fight, The Dogington Post: http://www.dogingtonpost.com/how-to-safely-break-up-a-dog-fight/

Free Or Scheduled Feeding For Your Dog?

 How often and how much should you be feeding your dog? There are two schools of thought when it comes to mealtimes: Free feeding or scheduled feeding. Both have pros & cons and it really depends upon  your lifestyle as well as your dog's personality & health. Which ever way you feed your dog, it is important that you are feeding them a high quality dog food that is recommended for your dog's specific breed. It is also recommended that you only feed the recommended daily amount to avoid obesity. 

Free Feeding

Free feeding is easier on the owner, for sure. You don't have to worry about getting home at a specific time to feed your dog. Believe me, animals are creatures of schedule. They know when dinner time is right down to the second. Free feeding is also good for active pets and puppies that need the extra calories. 

The downside of free feeding is that there is an increased risk for obesity if you do not monitor how much food your dog is getting in a day. It also diminishes the structure hierarchy of the household-- Your dog may not realize that you are the one providing the food. In addition, it will be harder to notice appetite shifts. An appetite shift can often be the first clue of a health problem with your dog.  Finally, if your dog is a gobbler, you may want to steer away from free feeding. Gobbling up a bunch of food at once can lead to gastric dilation volvulus which is a life threatening condition.

A few rules of thumb for free feeding to help combat the cons listed above:

• Designate a specific area for feeding. 
• Only feed the recommended amount a day.
• If you have a gobbler, try dividing the recommended amount and disperse throughout the day. 
• Caution: Canned and raw food cannot be left out for long periods of time. This leads to harmful bacteria growth. If you want to add canned or raw food to your dog's diet, give it to them at a time when you can take it away soon afterward. 

Scheduled Feeding:

Scheduled feeding is definitely best for multiple dog households. You will know who is eating what-- Sometimes, there will be one dog in the pack that is a "food bully" whereas another dog will not be getting enough nutrients. Or, in another scenario, different dogs will require different food. In addition, you are more likely notice when there is an appetite shift. This will allow you to closely monitor for a health problem. Finally, it establishes a schedule & a hierarchy. It's easier to establish who's at the top of the pack--you! You bring the food! Dogs thrive on a consistent schedule.

The downside, it is a little more stressful for a dog owner, because you bring the food at specific times. It's more time consuming. Dogs are creatures of habit & will definitely let you know when it is mealtime. Be prepared for longing looks and whines if you are delaying the food! The other downside is that your dog may not be getting enough calories. As always, you will need to monitor how much your dog is eating.

A few rules of thumb for scheduled feeding:

• Adult dogs should be feed twice a day. If you have a gobbler, you could split it into smaller portions three times a day.
  
• Puppies should be fed 3-4 times a day.
• Feed the recommended amount. 
• Designate a specific area of feeding.

Choosing whether you free feed or establish a schedule is up to you and the type of dog you have. There is no right or wrong answer. The bottom line is to always feed your dog a high quality food that is meant for their breed and the correct amount. Last, whichever feeding style you adopt, be on the lookout for behavior changes and aggression around food. This will allow you to know when a health problem is arising.

Hypothermia in Canines

Hypothermia is a dangerous drop in body temperature and can be caused by more than just being outside in the cold for long periods of time. There are a lot of factors that play into whether or not your dog is at risk of hypothermia, some of them include:

• Very young or old dogs.
• Dogs under anesthesia.
• Smaller breeds, because they experience faster loss of body heat. 
• Diseases of the hypothalamus (example: hypothyroidism). The hypothalamus is responsible for regulating and maintaining body temperature. 
• Shock
• And... of course... if your dog has been out in the cold or the skin/ fur has been wet for a long period of time.

So, how do you know if your dog has hypothermia? A dog's normal body temperature is higher than a human's. The normal range is from 101-102.5F. When it drops to a human range of body temperature (97.6- 99.6F), they are in danger of hypothermia. In fact, if your dog's body temperature drops below 98F, you should seek a veterinarian immediately.

The first signs of hypothermia is excessive shivering and lethargy. You should also check for frostbite: When areas of the skin, particularly the tail, ears and paws, become pale, gray and/ or bluish. These areas can also feel cold or brittle and be painful when touched. Sometimes, the frost bit areas will also swell and form blisters. To check your dog's body temperature, click this link.

Here is a handy temperature chart. Remember if your dog is below 98F, TAKE THEM TO THE VET.

What to Do:
(Remember, if your dog's temperature is below 98F, seek a veterinarian immediately!)

1. Throw some blankets in the dryer to warm them up. Then, wrap your dog in the warm blankets.
2. Wrap a warm water bottle in a towel and place on your dog's stomach. Do not place the warmed water bottle directly on the stomach without wrapping it. This may cause a burn on your dog's stomach.
3. If your dog is alert, give him/her warm fluids to drink. 
4. Try to keep your dog still. Moving around will cause more body heat to be lost.
5. Take your dog's temperature every 10 minutes. Once your dog is at a normal temperature, take them to the veterinarian to check for long term damage. 

Winter can be a wonderful time to go out hiking and playing in the snow, but just because your dog has fur, does not mean they can withstand extreme temperatures. Always pay attention to the signs your dog is giving you that they may be cold. In addition, prepare your dog for cold weather. investing in a good dog coat and booties is always a good idea if you are going to be outside for a long duration of time. Lastly, never leave your dog unattended outside in the cold.

Additional links:

• Hypothermia: Keeping Your Dog Safe in the Cold, Cesar's Way, https://www.cesarsway.com/dog-care/safety/Hypothermia-Keeping-your-dog-safe-in-the-cold 
• Hypothermia in Dogs, Doctors Foster and Smith, http://www.peteducation.com/article.cfm?c=2+1677&aid=301 
• Low Body Temperature in Dogs, Vetary, https://www.vetary.com/dog/condition/low-body-temperature

5 Ways Your Are Ruining Your Dog

I've already written about 8 Things That Drive Your Dog Crazy, Top Ten Rules For Children Around Dogs and Why Socializing Your Dog With Other Dogs is Important. All of these are important topics to raising a well-rounded, balanced dog. But, one topic I have yet to write about are human behaviors that are downright ruining the dog. There are many of these behaviors, but I will just focus on the five most prevalent:

1. Yelling at an aggressive / barking dog: This just doesn't work, because your dog doesn't speak human. Dogs that are barking excitedly or fearfully are stressed out. When you yell at them while they are barking, you are just adding to the stress which ultimately leads to more barking. They basically think, "Oh, hey! Now I have my human barking too! Yes!" A better idea is to distract your dog from whatever is causing the barking with their favorite game. OR, even better, teach your dog how to bark on command. I know this seems counter intuitive, but if you are teaching your dog how to bark on command, you are also teaching the "no bark" command. 😉
2. Punishing Your Dog After The Incident. If you have discovered that your dog has chewed up your favorite shoes or exploded garbage all over the kitchen hours after the incident, it's too late. Your dog will not know why you are punishing them. Their memory is not that long term and they will associate the punishment with whatever is happening at the moment-- which could be you approaching them. You need to catch your dog exactly at the moment of action. At that point, instead of punishment, you should use redirection or a command such as "drop it". With a reward once the behavior is corrected. 
3. Comforting Your Dog When They Are Scared. Comforting = attention in the dog world. If you are comforting your dog when they are scared, you are basically rewarding their scared behavior. Be aware of the tone in your voice as well. Most humans will use a higher pitched, "baby talk" when trying to calm their dog. This just sounds like whining to your dog. Which, in turn, escalates their nervousness. A more positive way of helping your scared dog is to act normal during a scary event. You can even distract them by playing a game you would normally play. Just make sure you keep your own behavior in check (normal energy level and a calmness). Also, never force your dog to confront whatever is scary. 
4. Scolding Your Dog For Peeing On The Floor. There are many reasons why your dog may be peeing on the floor: territorial marking, health issues, not completely potty trained, ect. You must first assess why your dog in urinating inappropriately. One reason that often gets overlooked is Submissive Urination. Your dog is urinating on the floor to show you that you are in charge. In this situation, the worst thing you can do is stand over your dog, yelling at them and challenging them with direct eye contact. Instead, upon greeting them at the door, you should get down to their level by kneeling and avoid making eye contact or another option is to completely ignore until they are calm. 
5. Do Not Use Your Dog's Name In A Negative Way. Using your dog's name to call them before a bad experience will just make them avoid coming to you. Period. Example: Your dog hates baths. Calling them to come to you and then putting them in the tub is a bad idea. 

I hope these bring a little light into the world of a dog's mind. Please remember that if you make a mistake, it's ok. Just remember to move forward and do better next time! Speaking different languages often results in miscommunication. With a little insight, we can help your furry family member become a well adjusted, balanced family member. 

Top 10 Rules for Children Around Dogs

Cute picture of the child hugging the dog, huh? But, it is images like these that compel me to write a blog about teaching children rules for being around dogs. There are certain elements of respect that we would give humans that also should be given to dogs. If we follow these rules, accidental dog bites and injuries should be kept at bay:

1. Do not hug a dog. Yes, humans like hugs, but dogs don't and dogs are not humans! Hugs make dogs nervous. Dogs can be trained to tolerate hugs, but it's not really their cup of tea and they would rather you stay out of their personal bubble. 
2. No Running. Children must be trained not to run up to a dog. This could startle or scare the dog. In addition, children should not run in front of a dog even while playing with the dog. This could trigger the prey instinct in a dog and will often result in a child getting nipped in the butt or getting knocked down and bitten. 
3. Don't touch body parts. Dogs should be pet from head to the base of the tail in a stroking motion with the palm of the hand. Children should not pull ears and tails or be messing around with the legs, paws, ect... Yes, adult humans should train their dog to tolerate the legs, paws, ears, etc... to be handled for veterinarian examination purposes. This is for training not for child's play. 
4. Leave your dog alone while he/she is eating. Let's put it this way-- Would you like it if someone came up and placed their hand in your dinner plate? Probably not. Please, when a dog is eating, give him/her space to eat in peace.
5. Do not steal a dog's toys. Instead, teach your dog "drop it" if you really need the toy. But don't just grab it out from under them. It's rude!
6. Leave your dog alone while he/she is sleeping. Same as with eating--Would you really want someone messing with you while you are taking your much beloved nap? Probably not.
7. Loud noises hurt dog's ears. A dog's hearing is WAY more sensitive than a human. For Parents: You know how frazzled you get when your kids are running and screaming through the house? Now imagine that you can hear 4 times the distance and higher frequencies. That is a dog's hearing. A frantic, loud household= an over stimulated dog.
8. Do not tease your dog. They don't understand teasing and it's not funny to them. All it will do is build a level of distrust in your relationship.
9. Crates are safe places. Please train your children that if Fido goes to his/her crate, it's alone time. This is an area that should be comforting and quiet for them. 
10. Playtime has ended. Children should learn how to read their dog's language to know when playtime has ended. If your dog is walking away, they are done. On the flip side, Dog's should be trained to know when playtime has ended! 

 Please be consistent with these rules with your children. It will make your furry family member feel secure and safe knowing that "the pack" is being respectful of boundaries. In turn, this will reduce the risk of bites and injuries for the small two-legged family members.