You are viewing entries tagged 'wellness'.
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Behavior problems like house soiling, aggression, and even hyperactivity often have medical contributing factors. Poor diet can contribute to heightened stress, disinterest in food as reinforcement in training, over-arousal, effect serotonin re-uptake, not to mention contributing to health problems. Pain is a frequent cause of aggression: if your dog is suffering from intense arthritis, she may be more likely to snap at or even bite a child who accidentally tramples a paw. When seeking assistance for a behavior problem, your trainer will likely work closely with your veterinarian – behavioral and physical wellness are intertwined!
Casey Lomonaco owns Rewarding Behaviors Dog Training in Binghamton, NY. |
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For those of us who have been rained out this spring, there are worse troubles ahead. Ticks love damp areas. So, when walking outside, you might want to avoid damp, wooded areas to avoid high tick populations. Stay in the dry, sunny areas and your dog stands a better chance of not picking up a horrible little hitchhiker.
Helen Fazio and her dog Raja are world travelers. Click here to visit their blog, and click here to follow them on Twitter. |
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Statistically, most of us don’t stick to New Year’s resolutions for more than a week. We simply try to do things that aren’t realistic. It may become easier to be true to our resolution when we involve our dogs. Most adults can use more exercise, fresh air and time with their pets. A commitment to a daily walk, jog, or visit to the park with your pooch is easy to make as this resolution comes with the reward of both fun and fitness. There is simply no comparison between hours on a treadmill versus a refreshing hike with your pup. It won’t take long before your dog gets into the daily routine and he or she will soon be bringing the leash to you at the
appointed time. Then you won’t be able to give up on your resolution as those puppy dog eyes will
make sure that your time together is not neglected.
Matt Zemba is co-founder of the online dog supply shop FidoDogTreats.com |
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No matter how careful you are, moisture will collect in your dog’s ears after a bath. For long-haired, floppy-eared dogs, ear dampness can be a problem. To help the ears dry up and to avoid moisture related infections and yeast troubles, gently turn his ears inside out (it does not hurt or annoy) and pull both ears back behind his head loosely. Using a rubber band, gently but firmly, using only the fur at the tips and avoiding the skin flap, rubber band his ears open and back behind his head. In a few hours, the ear canals will have dried out and you may release the ears from the rubber band.
Helen Fazio and her dog Raja are world travelers. Click here to visit their blog, and click here to follow them on Twitter. |
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Doggie paws and often the tops of doggy noses can get cracked, calloused and chapped in winter. For a simple solution, gently warm a teaspoon of shea butter (yes the fancy stuff you got in the spa) so it melts and rub the melted shea into his pads and on top of his nose tip. The liquefied shea seals up the cracks and also contains healing properties that will help cure chapped skin. Try to divert your dog so he doesn’t lick, but if he does, no worries, shea is not toxic.
Helen Fazio and her dog Raja are world travelers. Click here to visit their blog, and click here to follow them on Twitter. |
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Many dogs needlessly suffer from dry skin. Allergies are a common cause and your dog’s diet must be considered should he suffer from chronic skin conditions. Additionally, wild salmon oil is a relatively inexpensive natural product that is known to assist in the relief of skin conditions. This supplement can be easily added to kibble and improvement is typically seen within several weeks. The potent aroma of this natural oil also often proves to be irresistible and it helps to lure many finicky pets to their bowl. It is best to choose oil from wild caught salmon as farm raised fish is known to possess greater levels of mercury. In addition to helping your dog’s coat, salmon oil is also known to help with joint and heart health.
D.P. Hesano writes the news blog for the online dog supply shop FidoDogTreats.com |
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The way that vet techs in a vet’s office treat you and your dog is a good indication of how they, in turn, are treated by the resident veterinarian(s). A good veterinary technician is a reflection of the vet he or she is working for and if you are treated with respect and consideration for your concerns then it enhances the experience and increases the opportunity for you to understand medical situations and make good decisions for your dog.
Radio show host and pet expert Tracie Hotchner is the author of The Dog Bible and The Cat Bible. Click here to follow her on Twitter and be sure to check out her website. |
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Taking a nervous dog to the vet’s can be a difficult experience. It seems that some of our pets know where they are going as soon as we get them into the car. Acclimate your dog to the sighs and scents outside the vet’s office for a few minutes before entering. This allows him to ease into the visit.
A quick move into the waiting room can be overwhelming to a pooch with its likely abundance of other animals. Remember that as the alpha, you must take control of your pet and ensure calm, controlled behavior. The waiting room is not a dog park so be sure to have Fido sit at your side. Soothe him or her with petting and by speaking in a calming tone. When it’s time to go home, don’t forget to take your pet on a nice walk or play a game of fetch and give him an extra treat for a job well done.
D. P. Hesano is co-founder of the all-natural online shop FidoDogTreats.com |
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During the week after Halloween, keep an eye on your dog as you go about your regular walks. Dogs love chocolate, but chocolate is toxic for them. So keep your eyes peeled for Fido and Fifi to make a dive for a few of those Hershey’s mini bars dropped by careless trick-or-treating children along the sidewalks.
Helen Fazio and her dog Raja are world travelers. Click here to visit their blog, and click here to follow them on Twitter. |
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Back to school time creates a flurry of activities: medical visits, new clothes, new supplies, and new schedules for kids. And for parents, the many jobs to get ready for the big day are daunting. When it finally comes, parents are relieved and can finally relax. But what about the family dog? Fifi’s best friends have all gone away for hours, or days at a time. And when they come home, they have so many other things to interest them. For attentive dog owners, back to school time is a transition and an opportunity to reconnect personally with the family dog and reestablish old patterns of caring and companionship that the chaotic days of summer fun have interrupted. Go take a walk in the park, just you two!
Helen Fazio and her dog Raja are world travelers. Click here to visit their blog, and click here to follow them on Twitter. |
