Happy Halloween!

Ok, this post is going to be fluffy and full of fun! This past weekend—well Sunday—Aaron and I worked our butts off on making Halloween costumes for the boys. I love making them costumes and I make sure I don't do anything like dye their fur (not that you could dye black fur) or do anything that could be harmful and/or permanent. So without further ado...

Mr. Benito Beans, the scary spider web covered in spiders!




















And Gweck, the cow "moooo, eat more chicken!" hahahha















We hope you have a fantastic, fun and safe Halloween! Don't forget to put all the candy you and your family collect from trick-or-treating in a safe, dog free area. Also be careful on Halloween of people dressed in costumes that might scare your pooch!

Woof,

Julie

To Choke or Not to Choke

I'm talking about collars here. I have been walking around a lot lately (go figure!) and I have been noticing how many people are either: 1) using a flat collar on their dog who is choking; 2) using a training device inappropriately; or 3) using the totally wrong training collar/device all together. So I want to give a little advice on this. If there is a constant tension on the leash when you are walking your dog then I would say you need to work on training with your dog and yourself.

I swear there is not a day that goes by where I don't see a dogs neck being wrenched because the owner is yanking them inappropriately. People need to remember that dogs need to breathe freely. They have feeling and sensations too and that it is really painful for them to have their necks yanked on constantly. I mean try the collar on for yourself and give the leash to a friend to give you a swift tug in the opposite direction (don't really do this cause you might cause permanent damage but hopefully you get the point).

If you crate your dog I wouldn't even leave a buckle collar on when he/she is in there. There are too many horror stories about dogs collars getting stuck to inside of crates, thus suffocating them. It is so easily preventable—take the collar off.

There are OH SO MANY options out there for us to choose from that it can be a little daunting. So I am posting this topic to show you some of what's available and how it's used or a link to a great explanation on how to use it!

Let me show you some training tools out there:

First, the no pull harness from Wiggles, Wags and Whiskers. This is by far my most favorite harness. It fits much better (at least I think it does) than previous no pull harnesses we have used in the past. I love that you can clip the leash to the chest and/or at the back. It has a velvet strap that goes under the armpits which helps prevent chaffing. Overall a great harness.


Next, the Sense-ible harness! Honestly this is one of my favorites. This is a GREAT help when you are training your dog not to pull or if you have a dog that pulls regardless of the training. I like this brand a lot because it's good for short and long coats. The instructions are easy. The only thing is people usually put the harness on wrong. Here's the deal, the ring that is in the center of the front strap is the front of the harness! That goes on at the chest! I swear it does. The whole thought process behind this harness and the one below is that you pull your dog so he/she turns and faces you, you correct then. I.E. "Fido, no pull, heel" and keep walking.












Then there is the Easy Walk Harness, very similar to the Sense-ible except for where you clip your leash. You clip it in the same place but that area is different than on the Sense-ible. I have used this before and on short/fine haired dogs I found it chaffed the underarms. I had to go to the vet to get my boy some ointment. I think for long haired or thick coated dogs that this would work well!













Next is the Gentle Leader. Wait...don't say it. It's NOT a muzzle! This is another great training tool for pullers or semi-aggresso (toughie) dogs. It comes with a great "how to" video and works very well. The only thing is you BETTER NOT yank on it or I will come after you. Also if you go to the park with your dog and let them off leash, take this head halter off.













And then the Halti is another favorite of mine. I use this on my (semi-aggresso) Dane and it works GREAT. I have what you would call a bucking bronco and this really helps me keep him under control. It makes it so I can control which direction Beans (my Dane) goes. Since dogs choose their direction with their heads, you can choose the direction they go! YAY. It's a total arm saver. I use this instead of the Gentle Leader because the Gentle Leader rubbed some fur off of Beans' nose, and the Halti does not! Again, no yanking! Also if you go to the park with your dog and let them off leash, take this head halter off.













The "traditional" harness. This is great for puppies, English Bulldogs and dogs in general. If you EVER get in a sticky situation, at a park, hiking, camping you can just grab the strap down the back and lift them away. You aren't pulling on their neck on walks, therefore keeping their trachea and esophagus perfect and healthy! I do not recommend using this harness on serious pullers because they will pull you ALL over the place like a sled dog! But if your dog is older, smaller, or not a puller, then by all means use it!













Onto the Step in Harness. This is another great harness for puppies and English Bulldogs and such! It's REALLY easy to put on (much easier than the traditional harness). All you need to do is put 1 paw in 1 hole and the other in the other hole and clip up at the back! Again this is a great one for dogs that are smaller, small pullers, or medium sized non-pullers.













Onto the Prong Collar. Lots of people think that this collar is painful but used correctly, it's not. The whole point of the prong collar is you give a slight tug to get your dogs attention and then you correct their behavior. I use this on my other Dane, he doesn't really need it unless we are walking towards our favorite pet stores or the park. But I keep it on so he just knows to behave and it works great. If this collar is used improperly it can most definitely be painful. BUT used correctly and it is a very helpful training tool. You can also buy rubber covers to put on the tip of the prongs if you are still uneasy about using this collar. Definitely take this collar off if take your dog to the park and let it play with other dogs or when your dog is at home or crated.













And lastly the choke collar. I pretty much hate this collar, the reason being almost everyone that doesn't show their dog uses it improperly. They get it way too big and their dog is choking themselves the WHOLE time and this collar causes the MOST damage to a pups throat. If you use one of these I HIGHLY recommend you do your research and even take a class to use it correctly. These are an old school collar for old school thinking and with so many other great options out there to try today I really don't think this is one that needs to be used. That is my honest opinion. Definitely take this collar off if take your dog to the park and let him/her play with other dogs or when your dog is at home or crated.







I have one more thing to mention, retractable leashes, DO NOT USE THEM. They are horrible for numerous reasons:

1. there is constant tension between you and your dog. If the leash is not slack (which a retractable NEVER is, then there is tension.

2. If you live in a city then you have to worry about cars and intersections and retractable leashes make this such a pain.

3. They are choking hazards if it gets wrapped around your dog or another that it's meeting.

4. ROPE BURNS!

5. Don't be lazy, use a 6ft leash and walk with your dog!

Leaving Your Dog Unattended

This has been driving me CRAZY. Why do people INSIST on leaving their dog in a car or tied up outside of an establishment by themselves?! If anyone did this to their child it would be a crime but since it technically is not a crime to do it to their dog people do it, a lot. It's ridiculous! I swear if I see one more dog tied up because the owner is TOO LAZY to walk their dog, bring them home then go to the store or get coffee, I will GO NUTS!

Reasons to NOT tie your dog up:
1. THEY CAN GET STOLEN and used for bait for fighting or put in a lab for testing.
2. It's too hot out, resulting in damage i.e burned paw pads, overheating etc.
3. It's too cold out resulting in damage i.e a cold, fever, frost bit paw pads etc.
4. They could get tormented by people or other dogs.
5. You wouldn't tie up your child why do it to your pet?
6. It's just not safe.

Reasons to NOT leave your pet in your car:
1. Too hot.
2. Too cold.
3. It's just not safe.

Here's a study that was done on how fast and how much cars heat up:

VEHICLE HEATING DYNAMICS
The atmosphere and windows are relatively "transparent" to the sun's shortwave radiation and are warmed little. The shortwave energy does however warm objects that it strikes. These objects (e.g., dashboard, steering wheel, childseat) heat the adjacent air by conduction and convection and also give off longwave radiation which is very efficient at warming the air trapped inside a vehicle.

CONCLUSIONS

Average elapsed time and temperature rise
10 minutes ~ 19 deg F
20 minutes ~ 29 deg F
30 minutes ~ 34 deg F
60 minutes ~ 43 deg F
1 to 2 hours ~ 45-50 deg F

"Cracking" the windows had little effect
Vehicle interior color probably biggest factor
"Parents and caregivers need to get the word out that a car is not a babysitter...
but it can easily become an oven"

Please think twice the next time you leave your home with your dog. Don't tie them up or leave them in your car. There are way more cons than pros and you can't ever replace your pet. No two are alike. Is that newspaper, coffee etc. worth the life of your companion?...I didn't think so.

Been Slacking Big Time!

Hey all!

Julie here, I am really sorry I haven't posted a new blog. I think I have been in a blog funk. I have plenty of topics to write about but for some reason I have not been motivated to write! I am going to try and get on track asap! Please check back soon!

Thanks!

Julie

Creating a Safe Home for your Pet

There are many hidden dangers that we pet owners have in our homes and have no idea how harmful (and in some cases deadly) they can be to our precious furbabies. Here is a list of some of these hazards and what can be done in a worst-case scenario.

Hazardous and Non Hazardous Plants:
• For a list of plants that are toxic, click here.
• For a list of plants that have not been reported as harmful, click here.
• For a list of non-toxic flowers and bouquets, click here.

Also, there is also a great did you know section that explains additional items that are harmful and some that were thought to be harmful but in fact aren't, such as poinsettias.

Foods to Avoid Feeding Your Pet
• Alcoholic beverages
• Avocado
• Chocolate (all forms)
• Coffee (all forms)
• Fatty foods
• Macadamia nuts
• Moldy or spoiled foods
• Onions and onion powder
• Raisins and grapes
• Salt
• Yeast and/or dough
• Garlic
• Products sweetened with xylitol

Warm Weather Hazards
• Animal toxins—toads, insects, spiders, snakes and scorpions
• Blue-green algae in ponds
• Citronella candles
• Cocoa mulch
• Compost piles and fertilizers
• Flea products
• Outdoor plants and plant bulbs
• Swimming pool treatment supplies
• Fly baits containing methomyl
• Slug and snail baits containing metaldehyde

Medication
Human medications that can be potentially lethal to pets, even in small doses, include:
• Pain killers
• Cold medicines
• Anti-cancer drugs
• Antidepressants
• Vitamins
• Diet pills

Cold Weather Hazards
• Antifreeze
• Liquid potpourri
• Ice melting products
• Rat and mouse bait

Common Household Hazards
• Fabric softener sheets
• Mothballs
• Post-1982 pennies (due to high concentration of zinc)

Now the question is what to do if you think your pet has ingested something harmful. First, stay calm! Try and figure out what your pet has ingested. If there is any left make sure to keep a sample so that the vet and/or animal control can use it to help diagnose the problem and find a quicker solution for your pet.

Then call the ASPCA poison control center, there is a $55 consultation fee. I know this seems like a lot but your pets life is worth a heck of a lot more: (888) 426-4435

Be ready with the following information: -The species, breed, age, sex, weight and number of animals involved, the animal’s symptoms, information regarding the exposure, including the agent (if known), the amount of the agent involved and the time elapsed since the time of exposure. Have the product container/packaging available for reference. Please note: If your animal is having seizures, losing consciousness, is unconscious or is having difficulty breathing, telephone ahead and bring your pet immediately to your local veterinarian or emergency veterinary clinic. If necessary, he or she may call the APCC.

If your vet office is closed, there is only one emergency vet clinic in Chicago and they are fantastic! Their contact info is:

Chicago Emergency Vet Services
773.281.7110
3123 N. Clybourn Ave.
Chicago IL 60618

Dog Tested...Dog Approved

We are on a lifelong mission to find some really cool products for our pets, and we want to share our findings with you. All of these items have been tested by our two Great Danes, Gweck and Beans who are definitely into all things dog related! Check back in on this post from time to time because we will always be adding more products to it!

Dog water fountain:
Our dogs love this! It's a great fountain with a reservoir to hold extra water. It has a filter that needs to be changed (monthly...ish). We add water to the reservoir about once every 2-3 days—not bad! When doggie pals come over they love it too. The not so fun part is cleaning it (it can get icky with dog food debris) but once you learn how to take it apart it's easy! You might have to train your pooch to not chug and chug because it's pretty addicting at first. We had to teach one of our boys to take a break!

Earth Bath deodorizing spray:
We love this spray! It's great for after long walks, a visit to the dog park or just because. Sometimes our pups don't smell so fresh and we don't want to give them a full on bath or it's just too cold. What to do? This spritz between baths is great. It comes in different scents and smells fantastic!

The Sarge:
Talk about an awesome bone! Merrick has fabulous healthy chews (and food) for dogs. The Sarge bones keep our boys busy for a LONG time and for that we are thankful! haha! Best of all, if you have carpet these bones don't leave a nasty residue behind...at least they didn't on ours (we now have wood floors). One thing you need to remember is when all the meat has been pulled off, throw the bare bone away. Also as your pup chews near the hoof end, some smaller bones might pop off and they could be a choking hazard. All in all this bone ROCKS!

Bully Sticks:
Bully Sticks are a terrific chew for dogs! They are 100% digestible and last a long time. They aren't bleached like raw hides (which are really pretty scary) so they are much safer for your furbaby! I'm not sure if I'll tell you what part of the bull they are because then you might not want to get them. But hey, it's not you chewing them. Your pup is and all that matters is that your dog is happy and the treats are healthy! So go get some!

Egg Babies - Platypus toy:
Oh are these toys a hit! They come in a variety of animals and have squeaky eggs that go inside! They are called smart toys because your pup has to do some thinking to get the eggs out of a slit on the underside! SUPER COOL! One of our dogs, Gweck will take the eggs out over and over and want us to put them back in, no prob but by about the 6th time we're done for a little while, haha. If your pup is destructive, this toy might not last that long but it's definitely worth the try! I would recommend cutting off all tags and the little loop at the top just 'cause that can be an easy rip-entry for stuffie destroying dogs!

Zoom Groom:
This is a GREAT grooming tool for short coated dogs and cats! Sometimes our furkids don't seem to enjoy being brushed which is supposed to feel good and be fun. This brush is one almost all pets enjoy! Our dogs and cats LOVE it! They always come back for more. The rubber tips are soft and gentle and it grabs a ton of loose fur! YAY for less sweeping!

Kong:
What a fantastic invention?! Kongs have saved us numerous times! There are tons of things you can fill them with to make an awesome yummy toy for your pup to play with! One of our favorites is filling our Kongs up with a couple tablespoons of natural peanut butter and freezing them. We try to always keep at least one frozen Kong on hand in case we have a dog that needs a distraction! Freezing it makes the peanut butter last longer! Woohooo! FYI, if your dog is a big chewer, they make a more durable black Kong.

Chuck It:

Do you have a dog that is a fetch addict? We do! Does your arm start to kill after a half hour of throwing the ball around? Mine does! The chuck it makes it so my arm doesn't get sore and the ball goes farther than I could ever throw it. One more bonus—no more picking up and carrying a nasty slobbery tennis ball (although we prefer to use a rubber Kong ball because it goes even further!). I swear by this toy. I used to see other people using them and think "LAME" but now I think "GENIUS!" hahahhaa!

The Suspicious Chicken!
Such a silly toy but also durable! We've had our boys chewing on them, playing tug-o-war and more! They definitely have outlasted MANY other toys! They also come in different animals and some are more durable, especially the ones without limbs, like the crinkly fish one! YAY for a toy that lasts more than 30 min!

Planet Dog Orbee:
Here's another favorite of ours, made by Planet Dog. This toy is definitely durable but in a weird way. Our Danes are known to pounce on toys and they have slammed on these balls like it's their job! We own the biggest ball they make and it's hollow and squishable. I think that because it's made this way some dogs don't feel the need to tear it apart. It's a really cute toy and we have had one in our place for over a year now to us that is a big success!

Want to Make a Difference?

Sign this petition and boycott Menu Foods. It has become known that even after Menu Foods found traces of Melamine in their products that they tested the food further on animals. How dare they! As if enough pets haven't suffered enough! Please sign the petition and pass it along. Let's make a difference in the quality of our pets food!