·         For dogs with sensitive skin no matter the reason, I love a tea tree shampoo.  They are inexpensive and easy to find, and I think a better deal then the more expensive versions you can buy in pet stores.  If your having problems getting the shampoo to wash all the way out of the dog’s coat, cut a small bucket of water with a third of vinegar and rinse the coat.  This will take any leftover soap out  of the coat and skin and give the hair a silky sheen.  The tea tree shampoo is a winner because it makes the dog feel great even after the bath is long over, even my vet was impressed with the result on my old Shih Tzu’s skin improvement.  They love the effect and it does relieve the impulse for the dog to scratch,   which only makes it’s skin feel worse in the long run.

· Flea dermises can be a little trickier to beat in the world of dog skin allergies, simply due to the fact so many of the flea treatments designed to kill fleas can be somewhat brutal to a sensitive skin as well.  The most common problem I have seen is flea collars, they seem to just reek havoc, especially on puppies and younger dogs.  Then there is the plethora of chemical bombs and various lotions and potions meant to napalm the tar our of those irritating little bugs, but unfortunately they dry and irritate the skin as well.  I have learned that lemon juice in the coat will seriously turn off a flea population, (and a vinegar rinse soothes the skin), and if you let it soak in the fur for 20 minutes after a bath it will really send their circus packing.  Another one of my favorite tricks is the powdered soap product “20 Mule Team Borax”.  Sprinkle that in you carpet and let it sit over night, then vacuum it up the next morning.  It doesn’t seem to bother the dogs/cats/kids any, but it is nuclear on fleas.

·  Once you find a shampoo your dog can stand, make sure the baths happen somewhat frequently.  At least once every two weeks, better if it’s once a week.  No fleas, no dander, no soap buildup with the vinegar, (which will also condition and hydrate the coat and skin).  Very win win for you and you dog.  Even your fussiest, dog hating guests will marvel at how they never notice your dog is even there.   Also very relaxing and stress relieving to have the grooming routine, after all quality time is why you have a pet in the first place and mine all seem to enjoy that I take the extra time to make sure their needs are being met.  Just stay away from cream conditioners, they are fine for people but really build up in a dog’s coat and can cause even worse problems with the skin.

·  The flea juice regime!  If you use it, bathe once a month and only put it in the coat a week after the bath.  Otherwise it won’t stick to the oils in the coat proper, which is how it works in the first place.  That’s how to get rid of fleas.  I have had better luck with frontline than anything else, and the Hartz or Sergentz products are terrible, but I use these guys as a last resort, mostly due to the cost of them. 

I have had huge success with these techniques in the past, as all but one of my six dogs has some form of dermises, and their comfort is very important to me.  Also it helps with my allergy induced asthma.  If you have any issues that persists, try finding a vet that specializes in skin issues.  I have a vet who does and he is worth the big bucks, and knows all about the latest greatest things in the skin world of dogs.  If things get out of hand a vet can get you a great prescription product if things get out of hand in the hair department, he can also tell you if you have bigger problems on your plate than just a little dandruff or a flea circus that refuses to pack up it’s big top.

Even long haired breeds, such as this show poodle, appreciate the protection these items provide their coat.  It keeps the animal clean and keeps the show coat from suffering damage and breakage while the animal is just hanging out being a dog. 

Then, there are dogs who do things they would never naturally do in the wild, (like fork over a freshly grabbed duck), and they aren’t exactly careful with their bodies if you have seen a lab play in the water lately.  These vests protect the dog from sticks and other unseen debris in the field and in the water that might otherwise cut the dog’s skin or cause it injury.  It is also an excellent emergency grab point should the dog go under the water and not come up, or suffer fatigue and not be able to get into the boat or onto the shore on it’s own.

Sometimes, like when out on the water boating, they may not appreciate it, but safety says it’s  a must if they want to go.  That’s just life, like it or not, and I have never seen a wolf or hyena of any kind in the wild out for a day of fun in the sun and margaritas on a Bay-liner.  Not to mention old ma nature doesn’t really care how many of her canines drown in the water every year, and most of us get pretty touchy about simply the thought of such a loss. 

Seeing Eye dogs wear clothing to identify them as required by law, police dogs wear protective gear to do their jobs as safely as possible.  And some dogs just love to feel fabulous, and will dance if you hold their dog collar above their heads, barking and throwing a fit until they can have their special necklace back.  There are many reasons to sit back and give in to the fact that these animals are no longer wild at all and are officially a permanent part of our human world.  We are just going to have to get used to it, and once we do it can be a whole lot of fun for everyone involved.

That Thing They Do…

What to do when you can’t

afford to ship them to Mars.

Top 10 habits that just make them killable and you would, except for that face!

· Barking– This can be especially aggravating if you have a small dog in an apartment and your neighbors are climbing down your neck.  Often times your only resort is to remove the dog from the situation during the times it is alone at home, such as to a dog day care, or a retired parent’s house, because mostly these dogs bark because they are alone, and dogs are not good typically about being alone.  If you are desperate and have no such recourse in your area, devocalizing the dog is kinder than having it end up homeless, and I have had success in the past with some of the corrective collars.  If you are one of those people that locks your dog up outside all night though, forget it.  That is going to be one unhappy dog until you welcome it into your home for real.

· Chewing– Is often a puppy problem that some dogs just never grow out of, but I have never had a serious problem with an adult dog as long as it had enough chewing items of it’s own.  But one of my big keys to success is all of the dogs know that number one: I am the boss end of story, and number two: they can stay out of the boss’s things, believe me they DO know the difference.  This doesn’t keep them out of the garbage if left un-checked but they will learn that they have their own items and they need to play with their toys not yours.  I give serious dog jail time and the occasional spanking for cord chewing, even in puppies and they do pout for a time.  Young dogs and puppies should not be set up to fail at the situation by being left out unsupervised for long periods, but should be kenneled when you are away, in with their toys of course, and seriously scolded for chewing in front of you.

· Aggression– It is insanely tragic to find your cuddly little pup has turned into the flying fangs of doom.  All dogs have the potential to be aggressive and/or bite, this is not a breed specific issue, though aggression can be hereditary.  Toy poodles can be just as evil as pit bulls, and you have a lot to loose by not being the boss of the situation.  Anything from strangers to pet groooming.  The best prevention is making sure you never back away from the pup when he is young.  If you suspect your dog may be dangerous, I can’t stress enough to get professional help and do it as soon as you can, and I recommend Caesar Milan’s program for training your dog.  He has great success with these sorts of dogs.

· Digging-Geez this can be frustrating, and dangerous if the dog is digging to escape a fence.  If that is the case, and electric or invisible fence should do the trick.  If not, the dog can either be kenneled when you are unable to supervise them, moved inside, or even  in the absence of that, tenacious diggers can be given a sand box and taught they can dig and play in their sand box without being in trouble.   Extra exercise and dog training can also help curb this issue.

· Separation Anxiety– Causes a subset of behavior problems that range this entire list.  These are some signs that your dog has true separation anxiety

· Dog becomes anxious when owner or other pets prepares to leave

· Misbehavior occurs in the first 15-45 minutes after owner leaves

· Dog wants to follow owner around constantly

· Dog tries to be touching owner whenever possible

Usually the dog starts as a puppy who cries for attention. Easy to feel sorry for, and we want to comfort, this becomes a dominance game and an ownership issue later in the dog’s life.  I would correct any of these attention getting behaviors immediately, crying with a light cheek pinch to distract the dog and redirect the energy in a more positive direction.  Medication should be a last resort, tons of exercise and not giving in to the dog’s tantrums is a must and you are in for a long haul.  Here are a few of the dog training techniques.

· House Breaking Issues– This is a big time no go in my house, but that doesn’t make my younger kids perfect.  Dogs urinate on various things for various reasons, and understanding why the dog is doing it’s thing is a big factor in how you should react.  If the dog is shy, or nervous, it is displaying a submissive response and I have learned the hard way that scolding and punishing does no good at all in this situation.  But if that little brat looks you straight in the face as he lets it fly, watch out I’m coming to get him!  There is a big difference in behavior and you should know it when you see it.  Also, don’t make the mistake of having only one dog and thinking you have to catch them in the act.  Dogs older than 6 months will have a good idea of why you are rubbing their nose in that carpet, and they do know why they are spending time in dog jail.  Neutering males young is a must.

· Begging– Lets face it, you are the reason this works.  So, if you made the monster it stands to reason you can unmake it.  I know it is hard, but begging is not really a natural behavior, and it can cause some other issues with your dog believing you are in fact the boss.    And it can lead to obesity besides.  All and all not the worst of the behavior issues, but it is important to remember that food is not love and we have to show them affection with the time we spend with them, not what we give them.  It helps too if you don’t allow the dog to stare at you at the table, which is rude in anyone’s book.

· Chasing-You can’t train a dog to be something it’s not and it’s a fact that even my 16 year old blind Shih Tzu would chase anything she could smell was moving.  Prevention is the best medicine in this deal, leashes, fencing, and making sure the dog will come when called no matter what can ensure you aren’t a star in your own canine Greek tragedy.  It is my rule of thumb that even though I have a fenced property away from the road in the woods, my dogs are not allowed outside unsupervised, that goes for the Flatcoat as well as the Shih Tzus.

· Jumping up on People-This is both irritating and dangerous, older people and small children can get hurt my a big dog that just wants to say hi.  This is really why they do it, dogs just to show a person how happy they are to see them.  Some dogs will just need a knee at them, but I am a big believer in that you should scold them big time for it, so they will get the idea it isn’t getting them a positive form of attention, or a game.

· Getting into Forbidden Places-Like the trash!  Big no no in my house because goodness only knows what my trash might contain at any given time.  This goes for the table and counter and anything else a dog might get into.  This will sound rough, but I use a mouse trap to scare a dog pilfering my rubbish.  Don’t get any crazy “sledge hammer to a fly” ideas, no sewer rat traps on Yorkies, but a mouse trap will scare and maybe even grab a big dog by the nose.  Sure, it can hurt if it pinches the nose wrong, but I have known way more dogs that have gone into surgery because they ate a piece of trash and developed an obstruction, then the zero dogs I have ever even herd of getting permanent damage from my mouse trap.  The deal maker for me is that obstructions are killers, mouse traps aren’t, and it won’t take long for the dog to figure out there is nothing worth finding in that trash, or on the table, or in your bed…

It can be a rough deal, working through these issues, and you both at some point are going to want to take each other’s faces off, but if you stick with it, and be the boss your dog needs you to be, you guys will both be winners in the end.

Tricky Dog

Tummies

A practical look at dog food allergies

and intolerances.

How do navigate the

confusing world of dog food allergies

Dog Food Allergies and food intolerances are very different issues from each other,  So knowing which you are dealing with is a must.  Intolerances to a particular food type are typically vomiting and diarrhea, whereas allergies are mostly manifested in dry itchy skin.   Dog food allergies make of for roughly 10% of all dog allergies, and are the 3rd most common allergy issue.  This problem can pop up at anytime in the dog’s life, but usually shows up between 2 and 6 years of age.  Symptoms besides the dry itchy skin are frequent yeast infections of the ear canals, and skin irritations not responding to steroid treatment.  This allergy problem affects pets that have been on the same diet for a long time, most over 2 years eating the same type of food.  Once you are sure your pet has an allergy, not any other issue, you must begin the process of elimination to weed out which of the food ingredients is the culprit.

Most common Ingredients Dogs are allergic to in commercial dog food

• Beef
• Chicken
• Fish
• Eggs
• Soy
• Wheat
• Corn
• Milk 

So…. Now What do I do?

Once you are sure the dog has a food allergy and not another problem, you can begin to isolate the specific ingredient causing the problem. Sometimes that is just as easy as switching the dog to a Lamb and Rice formula dog food. Other times it means picking ingredients and only feeding the dog beef and corn for 12 weeks to see if that has an effect. If the dog is fine after 12 weeks, add another ingredient, like chicken. You get the idea, eventually you will run into the cause of your dog’s allergy and can thus eliminate it from the dog’s permanent diet. Just be sure not to feed the dog any treats or table food, just it’s special diet and plenty of water, or these items will spoil the test. 12 weeks seems like a long time but most studies have shown that the vast majority of dogs will manifest the allergy in this amount of time, whereas a much smaller amount manifest in 3 or 8 weeks. A vet can also help by administering a blood test which will determine whether or not the dog has a suspected allergy.  Sometimes these can be tricky to track down, did you get dog insurance?

Once you have the wherefores and the whys worked out, you then have the choice of preparing a homemade diet or a commercial one. Both methods have pros and cons, but the choice will largely come down to your ability and lifestyle, as well as your budget. Prescription dog foods are expensive, but homemade dog food meals are inconvenient and time consuming, and they require a lot of research as to your dog’s specific needs to make sure it is getting all the nutrition in requires. Breed, age, and activity level will be factors as well to bear in mind as you quest for the perfect palate for your pooch.

A Hair Affair…

A quick look at great breeds for those allergic to dog hair and dander.

Try this innovative look at some unusual breeds that really fill the bill as best friend, (if not always a furry one!)  Their abilities and talent might

just surprise you.

SMALL BREEDS

· Shih Tzu– Playful, loveable little lions convinced they alone own the universe.  Might seem an odd pick, but as their hair is continually growing they don’t shed.  As such they also have a strict grooming requirement, and this contributes to their being very clean dogs with little or no dander.  A Tea Tree shampoo weekly bath will keep these guys at the top of you’re A list.  Great dogs for tough biker guys,   ( these dogs LOVE a ride!) these dogs are very go everywhere do everything anytime kind of dogs, and think for sure they are pit bulls.  Mine ran a neighbors Rottweiler out of our yard on several occasions as it attacked my father’s 90 lb Golden Retriever.  The Shih Tzu was 16 at the time, and blind in both eyes.

· Chinese Crested– For those enjoying a toy dog with a nose, these fun little dogs are cuddly, capable pets who adore their owners with a special zeal. The Hairless variety doesn’t carry the labor intensive coat of the Shih Tzu, and can be substantially easier to keep flea free.  A sweater, a movie, and a lap is all it takes to keep these guys happy all winter long.  A unique little dog attracting lots of attention, they go everywhere in style.  Active and light weight, they are welcome throughout as comical little entertainers, and are at home in palaces or apartments alike.

LARGE BREEDS

· Poodles– Don’t mistake these guys for Grandma’s lap pet, weighing in at over 65+ lbs Standard Poodles are nobody’s cupcake.  Broken hearted guys who miss being out in the bird hunting world will be delighted to find that a poodle hits the water just as fast and hard as any black lab ever has, they are a very old breed of hunting water retriever originating in Germany.  They are also the hypoallergenic dog of choice, which is the reason they breed “labradoodles” at all.  They will also take a burglar’s face off if they feel their family is being threatened, and they are a great family dog.  Poodles put simply love an active, outdoor lifestyle with their humans, no goofy haircut required.

· Kerry Blue Terrier– Gentle, loveable, and intelligent, this breed is really a jack of all trades.  They look somewhat like a Giant Schnauzer.  Used originally as ratters, earth dogs, fighting dogs, retrievers, herding dogs, trackers, and cart pullers, these guys really can do it all.  A curly terrier coat makes this breed a great pick for those wishing a low impact dander and shed factor.  Obedience classes early in life make for happier Kerry Blues later in life, these dogs can be a great family pet in addition to everything else they have been asked to do through the ages. They also enjoy an active out door lifestyle and make great jogging partners for their lucky owners.

Dos and Don’ts of Success

I Don’t– Recommend a “labradoodle” or any other kind of mixed breed dog.  The guarantee of a purebred dog is that you know exactly what kind of a pet you are going to get and there is no guarantee that a mixed breed dog will have the right genetic makeup in the fur department.  For the socially conscious among us, purebred rescue is a great way to go to find a new friend.

I Do– say spend hours in a breeders home in an area the dogs spend most of their time.  Trust me on this, the breeder will want to know the dog and you can live happily ever after together too.

I Do– Bathe my dogs weekly.  A huge factor in your success will be how clean the dog and your home is kept.  Vacuum daily and bathe the dog weekly.

I Don’t– Want you to think dander is your only issue, because some people are allergic to saliva and or urine.  If that is the case, none of the dog breeds mentioned here will help you avoid that.

I Do– Hope you and your whole family make sure the breeds you have interest in fits your lifestyle, and I hope you have fun learning as much about them as your can.  Having allergies in your life is only one of many factors you need to consider.