People Foods Good For Dogs

We have heard that most “people food” is not good for dogs. “But my dog likes table food”, you say. Well, there are some table foods that are good for dogs. You can feed your dog: melon, berries, bananas, vanilla or strawberry yogurt with no artificial sweeteners, ground flax seed, salmon, pumpkin, squash, peas, sweet potatoes, green beans, eggs, brewer’s yeast, apples, carrots and oatmeal. Peanut butter and cream cheese can also be given to your dog. These foods have nutritional value for your dog.
Lean proteins such as cooked chicken without the skin and bones, turkey, fish and pork as well as diluted broth are fine for your dog as long as the meat is cooked and you are easy on salt and seasonings.
Dog food is formulated to give dogs the nutrition that they need. If you like to feed your dog table food, try to keep it in moderation. For more information, click here!

How To Clean Your Dog's Teeth

Dog Allergies

If your dog is scratching a lot and you don’t see any fleas, he may have skin allergies. Dog allergies can be identified by itching, hair loss and redness often followed by skin infections. Some dogs may even develop ear infections from the allergies. What should you do to help? You must first try to identify the cause of irritation. This could be anything from food, shampoo, residue from plants or an allergic reaction to fleas.
There are many different treatment options to help with allergy symptoms. The first option is to treat your dog to cool oatmeal baths, Epsom salts, or medicated shampoos. The second option is allergy shots. Dogs can be tested and treated with immunotherapy, just like humans. The third option is Corticosteroids; they work by reducing inflammation. Over the counter oral antihistamines such as Benadryl can be used to help control the symptoms. Just remember, if one type of treatment does not work for your dog, try another. All dogs are different and can respond differently to treatments. For more information click here!

Canine Companions PSA - Amy and Silvija

Service Dogs

What is a service dog? A service dog assists people with disabilities. It helps them to be as independent as possible, in spite of their disability. These dogs are specially trained to open doors, turn on light switches, and many other things. Service dogs can assist people with mental as well as physical disabilities. They can pull a wheelchair, carry a backpack, pick things up, or help a person dress. They can help someone walk, who has problems with balance. They can even save someone’s life by dialing 9-1-1 or getting help. A service dog can be the eyes for a blind person, or be the ears for a deaf person.
The most common breeds of dogs used for service are Labradors, Golden Retrievers and German Shepherds. Other breeds are used, but these are the most common due to their temperament, intelligence and versatility. These dogs are placed in a home to begin their training as puppies. Our local 4-H program had opportunities for this. The family will teach the puppy basic commands as well as socialize him. When he is about a year and a half old, the puppy will go back for formal training. At this point, he is screened for hip issues or other health problems. If he has any hip problems, he will immediately be eliminated from the program. It is important that a service dog be in optimum health.
A service dog is an awesome gift to a disabled person. For more information go here!

How To Trim Your Dog's Nails

Help, My Dog is Overweight!

Is your dog overweight? Overweight dogs are prone to health problems. The extra weight puts stress on their, joints, heart, lungs, liver and kidneys. It is just as dangerous for your dog to have the extra weight, as it is for humans. But you can control this.
When you feed your dog, make sure you are giving him the instructed amount on the dog food bag. Read the ingredients label on the dog food and make sure the food has nutritional value. You can divide the instructed amount written on the label in half; give half to him in the morning and the other half in the evening. This will help prevent his stomach from getting too acidy because of being empty too long. Do not feed your dog from the table. Limit the amount of food scraps he is getting.
Monitoring the amount of food your dog is getting along with regular exercise will help keep your dog from becoming obese. For more information, click here!

Choosing A Dog House

Dog Houses come in all shapes, sizes and designs. They can be constructed out of wood, metal or plastic. You can buy or make dog houses to look really nice, but the important thing is whether your dog will use it. It is important to consider the climate where you live. If your dog will be exposed to a lot of cold weather and rain, you want to choose a dog house that is insulated and waterproof. If your dog will be out in the heat, you want to make sure that the house is well ventilated.
You will also want to think about whether your dog is an older dog or a younger dog. An older dog might have some arthritis issues that need to be addressed in the design of the dog house. You will want to think about how he prefers to lay and what would be the most comfortable design for him.
Before building or buying a dog house, you will want to measure your dog. The dog house should not be too big or too small. It should be easy to clean. Some dog houses come apart so that they can be cleaned to keep your dog from getting sick. The door size should be about ¾ of the dog’s ground to shoulder measurement. The length of the house should be the same as the width of the house. The height should be 25-50% taller than your dog’s head. Make sure to consider the measurements so your dog will not be too cold in a dog house that is too big for him or too warm in a dog house that is too small. For more information, click here!

Buying a Dog Bed

There are many different types of dog beds. When buying a dog bed for your dog, you will need to consider the size and health of your dog as well as the way he likes to lay. Does your dog like to sprawl out or does he prefer to curl up in a ball? Does your dog like to hang is head over the arm of the couch? Then he might prefer a bolster bed that has sides to it. Do you have an older, arthritic dog? You might want to think about a memory foam dog bed.
We found this out the hard way. We bought a fluffy bolster bed for our boxer, Zoe. Due to a bad leg, she was unable to get out of it, once she was in it. We returned the bed and exchanged it for a memory foam with a bolster pillow around the back of it. It has worked out quite nicely. Zoe loves it. For more information, go here!

Best Dog Breeds for Elderly

Most of us are well aware of the benefits of having a dog for a companion. But how do I know which breed is best for my elderly parents? After assessing the health of your aging parents, you can help them decide how much care they are able to give a dog. There is one large breed that I would recommend for an elderly person; a Greyhound. Because of their gentle nature and low energy, these dogs would make a good pet for the person that prefers a larger dog. But most of the time, the smaller breeds are easier for an elder person to take care of. Some of the preferable smaller breeds are Chihuahuas, Cocker Spaniels, Dachshunds, French Bull Dogs, Miniature Poodles, Shih Tzu’s, Yorkshire Terriers Pekingese and Pug, to name a few. Typically, a dog that is a year and a half to two years old is a good age. At this age, they are past many of the puppy stages of potty training, etc. and yet they are still young enough to not have too many health issues.
A smaller dog breed is easier to cuddle and hold on your lap. A larger breed could very easily knock someone over. It is also important to consider how much energy is going to be too much. If the dog is rambunctious and requires a lot of walking, it is important to decide if this is something that an elderly person will be able to do. Many small breeds are high strung and tend to be noisy. Some people prefer to have a barking dog that will alert them when someone is around. These are all factors that must be considered when adopting a dog. For more information, go here!

Dangerous Gardens for Dogs

As many of us have planted summer vegetable gardens and are starting to enjoy the fruits of our labor, we need to be aware that many of these fruits and plants are harmful to our dogs. For instance, apples, apricots, peaches, wild cherries, plums, balsam pears, prunes and other similar fruit can cause diarrhea and vomiting. This includes the stems, seeds and leaves. The seeds of most fruits have cyanide in them that is poisonous to dogs as well as humans. Avocados, broccoli, almonds and macadamia nuts are toxic to dogs as well. Many garden plants such as corn plants, onions, grapes and tomato plants can also be very dangerous to your four-legged friend. These fruits and plants can make your dog very ill. As we enjoy our gardens, we need to make sure we have proper barriers to keep our dogs out. This will help to prevent fatal consequences. For more information
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Is All Dog Food Created Equally?

Zoe was just a puppy when she began to develop large bumps around her neck. She scratched and scratched at them until they became infected. Our veterinarian put her on antibiotics and steroids which took care of the problem temporarily. It wasn’t long before we noticed a pattern. We began questioning the ingredients of the dog food we were feeding her. We discovered the food we were feeding her had corn in it. Zoe was allergic to corn based dog food. We started using a holistic dog food that has no corn or fillers in it called Canidae. It made a big difference. The out of pocket price is a little more, but it meant less visits to the vet. All dog foods are not created equally. To find out more, Click Here!

Stop Dog Biting

If you have a dog that bites, this can be a very serious liability. A dog that is in pain, hungry or very stressed can end up biting someone. It is important to get this behavior under control immediately. You can start by earning his trust. Start spending time working with your dog and letting him take a treat out of your hand. It is crucial that you display confidence around your dog, so that he does not sense that you are afraid. While he is taking a treat from your hand, gently pet his face. Do this a couple of times a day, but only a few minutes at a time. You can eventually begin to increase the amount of time you are petting him while you give him a treat. If your dog tries to bite you, give him a firm “no” and leave him in the room alone for a minute to let him know that this is unacceptable behavior.
You also want your dog comfortable with other people. Put up a gate in another room and let your dog stay in that room while guests enter the house. Have your guests ignore him at first. One by one, have each guest get up and walk by the gate and acknowledge your dog as they toss him a treat. Do not let them linger near the gate. Using dog training to change behaviors takes baby steps. If you are persistent, he will warm up to you and your guests and be less likely to bite. To learn more Click Here!

Therapy Dog

Dogs are wonderful therapy and great stress relievers. They can make you laugh when your sad. They show you affection when you need it most without any expectations from you. My faithful friend waits for me to come home from work everyday. She waits right by the door. As soon as I acknowledge her, she begins to wag her stubby tail. It is not long before the stress of my day is a faint memory and I have turned my focus to my loyal sidekick.

There have been studies done about the calming affect of petting a dog. Dogs can be trained to visit convalescent homes and sick children. Dogs trained as therapy dogs are known as comfort animals. Comfort animals improve physical and emotional function in many patients while reducing loneliness. Petting and stroking an animal allows the patient physical touch and companionship. Therapy dogs frequently come in contact with people in wheelchairs or hospital related equipment. These dogs must be comfortable being around equipment especially if it makes unusual sounds. A therapy dog is trained to offer comfort to hospital patients and those in nursing homes and mental facilities. Therapy dogs change tears to smiles. Dogs offer unconditional love and a level of patience that no human could ever possibly give. Therapy dogs can give a great deal of comfort and companionship to the hurt and lonely. For more information, go here!

Training Your Timid Dog

Many dogs are fearful of certain objects, people or loud noises. Smaller dogs are proned to being timid and shy. This behavior can cause them to have an overly aggressive nature they use to compensate for their small stature. A timid or shy dog can only learn inside their comfort zone. So, training must begin where they feel safe and must be taught in small increments.


Dogs by nature are social animals that thrive in a pack. So, it is very possible that something happened in your dog's life to make him distrustful, even fearful. With a lot of patience, consistency and commitment your dog training will go a long way.

If your new dog is fearful of you when you walk in the room, try tossing small treats to the side of him as you walk in the room being careful not to toss them directly at him. Make your arrival calm, relaxed and pleasant. As you continue to do this, he will begin to associate you with good things.

If your dog runs away from you, try using some treats or a special toy to motivate him to walk up to you and take it out of your hand. Talk to him in a calm voice and encourage him to come get the treat. Eventually, you can pet him when he walks up to you before you release the treat out of your hand. Your persistent dog training will pay off and you will eventually be able to pick him up and hold him.

Socializing Your Dog

Does your dog go ballistic whenever he sees another dog? Does he try to chase bicyclists or joggers? Dogs need to be socialized as puppies. If your dog is not exposed to other dogs or other environments, he may act aggressive when another dog walks by. He may also try to chase joggers or people on bicycles.

In order to desensitize your dog, walk your dog on a leash regularly. Try to enlist the cooperation of a friend with another dog. Have your friend pass by in the opposite direction when you are walking your dog. If your dog reacts badly by barking, lunging, or whining; immediately turn your dog away and walk in the opposite direction. Keep doing this over and over until your dog can remain calm. Gradually introduce your dog to the other dog and allow them to sniff each other. For more information click here!

Dogs with Separation Anxiety

As you leave the house does your dog plunge into a state of panic? Separation anxiety is an anxiety disorder that is brought about by the dog's separation from the owner. Dogs are social creatures and need plenty of company and social interactions to keep them happy and content. No dog likes to be left alone for long stretches of time.
Separation anxiety can display itself in different ways. Your dog may constantly bark, or tear up furniture, or just shake. One thing is for sure, and that is that you need to deal with the problem or it will continue to get worse.This should be an important part of your dog training.
A good way to make your dog less anxious when you leave the house is to keep your leaving and coming home low key. The more things you can do to desensitize your dog when you are leaving the house and coming home, the better off you will be. For example, if your dog gets anxious when you put on your shoes, put on your shoes more often when you aren't leaving. This way, your dog no longer associates shoes with you leaving. For more information click here!

Door Dashing

Door Dashing can be very dangerous for your dog. If your dog bolts when you open your front door, he could easily run out in front of a moving car and get hit. There are a few tricks that you can use to train your dog not to dash out the door when it is opened. It is helpful to train him when you have someone come to the door.
Have someone knock on the door while you make your dog sit a few feet away; hold your hand up and give the command, “Wait”. Slowly open the door. If your dog gets up, immediately close the door and make some noise to get his attention. Get him back to a seated position and try again. Each time he succeeds, give him a treat and lots of praise. Repetition and patience is the key.
After you have successfully trained your dog to stay while the door is open, continue your training by making your dog wait while you walk out the door. Once you are outside of the door, call your dog to come to you. This will help him to learn to wait until you go through the door first. For more information go to Training Your Dog.

Stop Your Dog From Whining

There could be numerous reasons why your dog whines. It is very important to remember that a dog whines because it is trying to express its emotions to you. If you have ruled out any valid reasons for your dog’s whining, it is time to start the training.

In order to accomplish the whining reduction through dog training, consistency is going to be the key. Dogs are very smart animals and are very fast learners. If your dog should begin the whining , start a raucous sound or issue an admonishment. Consistently repeat this every single time your dog starts to whine. When your dog starts to whimper loudly, tell him no or make a quick distracting noise. When your dog is not whimpering, you can reward him with attention. If your dog is following you around the house while whining, it could mean your dog is lonely or maybe even bored. It is important to make sure he is getting plenty of daily exercise and interaction with you.
Click on dog training for more information.

Dog Training Basics

Dog training should be all about positive reinforcement and encouragement. If you spend some time learning to communicate with your dog in a language he understands, dog training can be enjoyable and rewarding. Remember to keep your training sessions short. Dogs respond to the tone in your voice and your body language, so remember to stay calm and to not get frustrated.
Consistency is key with your dog training. By using the basic training methods and performing them consistently, you will get far better results with your pet. Treats are good motivator for your dog to follow your commands. You can begin with treats and praise; then slowly back off on giving the treats. It is equally important to correct bad behaviors. This does not mean hitting your dog. It means reinforcing positive behavior.
Be sure to make training sessions fun by mixing in some play time with your dog. This way he will begin to look forward to the time he spends with you. He will also be more receptive to your training.
Basic commands to teach your dog are: heel, sit, stay, and lay down. These commands will give your dog a good starting place to learn to obey. For more information go here:

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How To Stop Dogs From Digging

It's really frustrating to see your yard look like the surface of the moon with those holes. You have to accept the fact that it is in your dog’s instinct to dig, but the reasons for digging vary. A common reason that dogs dig is because they are bored. If you leave your dog by himself in the yard for long periods of time, give him something to do. If you want your dog to stop digging, you must know how to stimulate his body and mind. Leave him with toys to play with. Do not leave him with bones, since he may bury them.
Is your dog hot and digging to find a cool spot? Make sure he has a cool, shady spot to lay in. This is where a "kiddie pool" (with water) can help to save your yard from destruction. We keep a mister on our dog run so our dog can cool down. Making sure he gets enough exercise can help high energy dogs burn off excess energy, otherwise they will start digging out of boredom.You can bury chicken wire in the area where your dog likes to dig and leave some of his droppings there. He will not want to dig where his own poop his.
Another alternative to fighting the digging problem is to designate a certain part of the yard that your dog is allowed to dig in. You can even create a sandbox and bury toys and bones in it. For more information Click Here!

Dog Walks On Treadmill

Potty Training

Teaching your dog where to go to the bathroom is an important part of dog training. No one wants their house reeking of dog urine, but before starting the potty training, you need to make sure your dog is in good health. A puppy with a bladder infection or any form of sickness will find it very difficult to be house broken. Dogs learn best by association, so if he pees in the house and you punish him 20 minutes later, that doesn't create an association for him. Scolding your dog for peeing in the house may confuse him. If you catch the dog actually in the act, just use a firm “NO” and take him outside to where you do want him to go. Potty training dogs can be frustrating sometimes.

Dogs need to go out often during the training process. You will want to be attentive to any signals that he needs to go outside. It is best to take your dog outside within half an hour after feeding time. You will also want to take him out first thing in the morning and last thing at night.
There are a number of training aids that can help your dog get the hang of going outside. For more information Click Here!

Crate Training Your Dog

Crate training is the best way to train your pup to get adjusted in the home environment. Crates can keep your puppy safe while you are away. A crate can help teach your puppy self control with regard to going to the bathroom, and it can help your puppy feel safe when he or she is at home alone. Since puppies do not like to relieve themselves where they sleep, crates are a great potty training tool. Crate training your puppy will allow you to develop a tool that you will be able to use with dog obedience training techniques and which will build your dog's drive and focus.

The stores are full of different crates designed specifically with dog breeds that are just like yours to fit your every need. You will need to buy a dog crate that gives sufficient room to your dog whenever it reaches full growth. A good rule of thumb for purchasing a crate for your puppy is to purchase a size larger than your dog will be when it is full grown so that your puppy has adequate space to move around. You can set up divider panels to make the crate small enough for the size of the dog, until it grows into the size of the crate.

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Dog Training: Stop Destructive Dog Chewing

Training a dog to not chew on things can be a challenge. Dogs are predisposed to chewing on things. Chewing helps them relax, it gives them something enjoyable to do and it feels good. Destructive chewing is when the dog is chewing personal possessions and other items in the household besides his dog toys and chew toys. Puppies chew on things because they are teething. If your adult dog is chewing the wrong things or destroying your home, then the root cause is usually boredom, frustration, loneliness and anxiety.

Correct your dog only when he is caught in the act of chewing something he shouldn't. When you do catch him in the act, quickly take away the incorrect item and immediately substitute it with a "squeakie" toy, rubber bone or other favorite toy of theirs. Give your dog suitable chewing toys; they are going to chew either way, but by giving them something that you find appropriate, they can chew all they want. You can also buy toys such as “Kong” toys which food can be placed inside. It is also help to find interactive toys which give your dog something to do for an extended period of time.

Lastly,make sure your dog is receiving plenty of attention from you. A lonely or bored dog will tend to “act out” just like a child. Sometimes, that means chewing your favorite shoes!

To find out more Click Here!

Talking dogs

Walking Your Dog on a Leash

One of the biggest problems that dog owners face is leash training. Your first step to take with leash training your dog would be to have him acclimated to wearing a collar. You will need to buy a dog collar that fits your dog without been too tight, but enough room so that you can get two fingers in between the collar and your dogs skin comfortably. Start attaching a leash and let the dog drag it around the house a little to get used to it. Once he is used to it, you can begin to pick the leash up. When you have the leash in your hands, it is important to get your dog used to the idea that you are somehow connected to one another. He needs to get used to the feel of you holding the end of the leash, so it's a good idea to put it on him and walk around the house with him awhile. It is important to leave enough slack between you and your dog, as this allows the dog to walk alongside you.
Walking beside you on a leash is the next step in your dog training program. It is common for a dog to pull during walks, as this will give them a sense of authority and control. If left unchallenged, it gives your dog the idea that it acceptable behavior and he can go anywhere he wants. Immediately stop walking if your dog pulls on the leash. It may take multiple walks before you notice your dog is no longer pulling on the leash. Make sure you are rewarding him for good behavior with lots of praise and treats.
In the course of training your dog on the leash, you may also wish to incorporate the verbal commands that go with walking a dog such as “come, sit and heel”. Once he is responding to basic commands you can progress to more complex training.

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The Jumping Dog

A dog that is allowed to jump up on you because he is a puppy will not understand why he is not allowed to jump up on people when he is a larger adult dog. A dog jumping up on someone can be a safety issue.

If you want to discourage your dog from jumping on people when they come in the door, have them totally ignore the dog and turn their back to him until he calms down. When he has calmed down, then have your guest calmly pet him and reaffirm the correct behavior.

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Stop Your Dog From Barking

Of all the ways dogs communicate, excessive barking is one of the most annoying. A dog must understand that excessive barking is not suitable conduct and will not be tolerated, nor rewarded, in any way. Before using your dog training skills, you really do need to figure out why your dog is barking to begin with before you can correct the problem. Learn to discriminate between barking which should be discouraged and barking to alert you. Your aim here is not to stop a dog from barking completely, rather it is to stop a dog from barking excessively.

Some dogs bark for attention. Here are some ways to help deter this behavior:

1)Socialize your dog as much as you can with other dogs.
2)Make sure that the dog is getting daily exercise.
3)When you are at home make sure that you spend some time with your dog so that he does not need to bark to get your attention.
4)Don't start yelling at him when he barks, avoid eye contact, do not look towards him and use your body language to help get the point across to him that you do not want to be bothered right now.
5)Train your dog to be quiet on command and always keep in mind to praise your dog when he obeys your command.

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About My Dog

Zoe is a 6 year old high energy Boxer who is just starting to slow down. She is our pride and joy. Her personality keeps us entertained as well as her unconditional love. Zoe has been a part of our family since she was 11 weeks old. She is truly a loving companion to have around.