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  • Blog
  • Reviews & Testimonials
  • Positive Dog Training
  • Pricing
  • Contact
  • About Chitra
  • Helpful Resources

How to Have Happy Holiday Hounds!

12/20/2022

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Keeping your furry family safe amidst the joyful chaos

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The Holiday season is an exciting and dazzling time of year! Beautiful decorations adorn our homes with plenty of delicious savory and sweet food on the menu! It can be a hectic time of year so here is a list of things to keep your dogs’ away from to make the holidays fun, festive and safe for everyone!


Decor:

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  • * Christmas ornaments
  • * Christmas lights
  • * Tinsel and ribbon
  • * Plants and flowers such as lilies, poinsettias, and amaryllis
  • * The needles on fresh Christmas trees
  • * The water that the tree is standing in as this can contain needles from the tree, pine sap, fertilizer or other additives all of which are toxic for dogs
  • * Mistle toe
  • * Berries on the holly
  • * Candles. The swish of a tail on a burning candle can be very dangerous. Instead, maybe consider flameless flickering candles which are just as effective and much safer for your furry members of the family

Food Items:

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  • * Dark turkey meat, turkey skin (white turkey meat is ok)
  • * Cooked bones as they can easily splinter causing choking, intestinal issues or gum damage
  • * Onions, garlic and pepper
  • * Grapes, raisins, or sultanas
  • * Fruit cake or mince pies as they contain raisins and sultanas
  • * Chocolate
  • * Macadamia nuts
  • * Sweets and sweet wrappers
  • * Caffeine
  • * Alcohol

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If you want to treat your dogs as you tuck into your festive meals, remember there are lots of different recipes that you can find to fill a Kong and freeze it for their treat, or spread on a Licki Mat. Or, if there is a long-lasting chew that your dog loves, let them enjoy that!

Don’t forget to have a few presents under the Christmas Tree for your dog(s) to get excited over. A fancy new harness, collar or leash are great ideas as are puzzle toys for mental enrichment, tug toys or if you don’t already have one for your dog, a dog flirt pole!

Dogs can get excited or fearful of large family gatherings that we typically have during the festive season. To help alleviate some of the stress, it’s a good idea to exercise them for at least 30 minutes before guests arrive so that they are relaxed and maybe even a little tired when your guests arrive. It’s also a good idea to give them a break away from company in their crate or in a room with their dog bed.

Be proactive in knowing the number and address details of your nearest 24/7 Emergency Clinic should you need to rush your pet to the vet for any emergency.

Happy Holidays everyone and best wishes for a healthy, happy and safe New Year!

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Tips for Pet Owners When Downsizing Your Home

7/28/2022

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Written by Aurora James for Chitra Walmsley
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Statistics from the U.S. Census Bureau show 29.8 million people moved in 2019. While many moved into larger homes, others downsized to save money or to have a more manageable home. If you're joining those looking to downsize and you have pets, follow these tips to keep your pets safe.

Getting Your Home Ready

Since most home buyers choose a previously owned residence, you have the advantage. But most buyers also want a house that doesn't require major renovations. Make repairs and fix pet-related issues, such as stained carpets or chewed trim. Having your home professionally cleaned and removing most of your pet paraphernalia helps make the home more appealing to prospective buyers who don't have pets.

Finding Pet-Friendly Homes

As you check out new homes, look for pet-friendly features, such as a fenced-in yard or an out-of-the-way spot for the litter box. Determine what your budget can handle, and proceed quickly when you find a pet-friendly home that meets your requirements. With the rates changing on a daily basis, you should check on current mortgage rates throughout your home search process to know if you are getting the best deal possible. Lower rates can also mean more cash on hand to make pet-friendly modifications to your new home should it be missing important features, like a fenced yard or doggie door.

Downsizing Your Belongings

Evaluate your new space to determine how much stuff you can keep. Take measurements to ensure your furniture fits, and sell or donate things you no longer need or want. If you need a self-storage unit to hold some items, expect to pay $100 to $300 per month, which can cut into the savings you realize from downsizing.

Keeping Your Pets Safe

As you prepare to move, keep your pets in a safe area away from where you're working, such as a bedroom or the backyard. On moving day, hire a pet sitter or take your pet to a kennel to keep them out of harm's way. At your new home, keep a close eye on your pet when they're outdoors.
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Hiring movers for the big day can help you to get through your move quickly. Plus, it will allow you to focus more on keeping your pet safe if they are present with you. You can find local movers online, but make sure to read reviews before committing. If your pet will be on the property for move day, look for reviews or ask specifically about how they handle pets. Some companies will be more accommodating than others.

Preparing Your New Home

Your new place may need some upgrades to make your pet feel at home and be safe. For example, adding a fence to contain your dog will require you to spend some money, but the total depends on your location, yard size, and fencing material. Meet with local contractors to get a written quote and discuss your needs. Read online reviews, verify the contractor you choose is licensed and insured, and make sure they follow safety guidelines, such as checking for underground utility lines. Other possible upgrades include dog doors, an outdoor catio for feline friends, and removing poisonous landscaping.

Helping Your Pet Acclimate

In your new home, stick to your normal routine when possible, including regular mealtimes and walks. Set up your pet's space immediately, so they have comfortable, familiar things. Be empathetic and patient with your pet, and keep the home as calm as possible.
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Make sure that you have a good leash, harness, and/or collar for your pet so that you can safely keep them with you on walks and in the yard. Look online for product reviews from veterinarians to find the right way to secure your pet. Remember, this can be a stressful time for your animals, and they may not respond in their normal ways. It’s always better to be safe and keep your pets secured for awhile until you’re sure they are comfortable in their new home.

Staying Calm

Controlling your stress is one of the best things you can do for your pet throughout the downsizing process. Pets pick up on your anxiety, stress, and worry, and they may become anxious. Work on reducing your stress and spending time with your pets in a calming, loving way.

Start the Process

Keeping your pets in mind makes the move smoother and safer for them. If you're ready to downsize with your furry family, invest in some additional training time to strengthen your bond and solidify basic commands that will come in handy in your new neighborhood. Chitra offers on-site and virtual dog training sessions using positive reinforcement. Visit her other pages to learn more about her  methods and to read reviews about her work.
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12 Top Tips for the Dogs of Summer

7/2/2022

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(plus 4th of July considerations!)

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  1. The best times of the day to walk your dog are either early in the morning when it is still cool or later in the evening when the heat of the day is reducing.

  2. Invest in a portable dog water bottle so that you can take water for your dog while on walks as they can become dehydrated very quickly.

  3. Remember to ensure that the ground is not too hot before you take your dog out. If it is too hot for your barefoot or the back of your hand, then it will be too hot for your dog’s paw pads and could potentially burn them.

  4. Joggers out there, please remember, dogs do not sweat like humans, they only have a small number of sweat glands in their paw pads therefore excessive exercise in hot weather can cause your dog to overheat which can be dangerous.  Take them for a run with you when the weather is cooler and consider a dog cooling vest which helps to keep their body cool while running with you.

  5. Don’t keep your dogs tethered outside in the heat as this can cause heat stroke. Always ensure that they have shade when they are outside and that they have access to clean drinking water at all times.  Don’t leave them out when it is too hot.

  6. Brachycephalic breeds of dogs (flat faced dogs) such as Pekinese, English and French Bulldogs, Boxers, Boston Terriers, Pugs, are more susceptible to heat stroke since they cannot pant effectively. Therefore, it is best to keep them in cool air-conditioned rooms.

  7. Don’t leave your dog alone in any parked vehicle! Remember, very quickly your car can become like an oven and can cause your dog to have heat stroke which can be fatal.

  8. Signs of heat stress are excessive panting, increased salivation, pale gums, glassy eyes. If you suspect that your dog has overheated, get some cool towels and apply to the head, neck and paws.  DO NOT use icy cold water as this could shock your dogs body and seek veterinary attention immediately!

  9. It is barbecue season. Food that humans consume is not always good for our K9 family.  Keep them away from alcoholic beverages as this can lead to depression in some dogs or even a coma and remember to be vigilant with them around food items especially those that are poisonous to dogs.

  10. July 4th celebrations are around the corner which means firework displays, and for a lot of pets in general this is a very scary time. Therefore, walk your dogs early so that they are exercised and tired. Maybe do some mental enrichment work with them with puzzle toys or practice some trick training so that they are both physically and mentally tired. As the fireworks are going on consider having a “safe zone” for your dog such as a crate or a room away from the noise.  Have their bed a favorite blanket, some toys, turn the volume up on the TV or play some calming music for them ensuring the volume is up to hopefully drown out the sound of the fireworks. If your dog gets very traumatized by fireworks, you can look to use dog appeasing pheromones by Adaptil or a Thundershirt. These are natural remedies that work well for some dogs or else consult with your vet.

  11. Taking your dog to the beach during any time of the year is fun but is something owners particularly like to do in the summertime so that their dog can have a dip in the sea to cool them down and to swim.  Just be mindful of 2 things:
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    - ​When your dog is swimming, if you notice them lapping up too much sea water, stop them as the salt, parasites and bacteria in the water can make your dog very sick.

    - If you are playing frisbee or fetch on the beach and your dog swallows enough sand it can cause a blockage in the intestine called "sand impaction".  Signs of this are dehydration, vomiting or abdominal pain and require urgent veterinary attention.

  12. For some delicious and refreshing treats for summer look at making canine pupsicles!  It’s fun and a delicious way to hydrate and keep your dog cool. You can either use broth (only use broth for dogs which can be purchased from pet stores which is different to human broth as it has little to no sodium), or goats milk. Fill up an ice tray and freeze over night for your dog to enjoy as a pupsicle the next day. If you want to be a little more extravagant you can make watermelon and yogurt pupsicles!!!

Have an enjoyable and safe summer!

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How to Care for your Senior Pet

6/3/2022

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Written by Aurora James for Chitra Walmsley
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As a loving pet owner, you want nothing more than your furry friend to lead a happy and healthy life and grow old alongside you. As your animal pal enters their later years, you will have to adjust your care plan to their changing needs. Discover how you can nurture your senior pet below.

Modify your home to pay for your senior pet's needs

Older animals may struggle with mobility issues. Make sure your space is free of clutter that could impede a pet's progress and keep the house tidy. A clean home can reduce the presence of dust mites and other allergens that ruin air quality and impede comfort. Other helpful modifications for senior pets include adding no-slip rugs for traction, placing steps and boxes for climbing, and installing night lights. If you live in a chilly climate like Canada, make sure there are plenty of soft, cozy, warm spaces for them.

Make grooming a top priority

Older cats and dogs may become less vigilant about grooming, so it's on you to help them. Whether you pay for a professional groomer or do the job yourself, follow best practices when helping elder animals with their hygiene. These include keeping sessions short, using soft brushes, and using a non-slip surface. Also, keep an eye out for health problems on their body as they groom, such as skin lesions.

Invest in quality healthy food made for older animals

As animals get older, their metabolism slows down, which means they may lack an appetite. You need to ensure your cat or dog still gets the nutrients they need while eating less. Towards this end, look for dog or cat foods geared specifically towards "senior" pets. Consult reliable sources for top-rated foods. For example, the American Kennel Club provides tips for brands that are ideal for older dogs.

Alleviate stress

If your senior pet is scratching frequently, is acting submissive or aggressive, or isn’t eating as much, these can be telltale signs of stress. Fortunately, there are a few things that pet owners can do to help reduce stress in their older pets. First, it's important to keep them healthy by providing them with a nutritious diet and regular exercise. Second, create a predictable routine and stick to it as much as possible. And finally, make sure to spend quality time with your pet, providing them with the love and attention they need.

Be prepared for accidents

Beware that older animals may lose bladder control and have accidents indoors. Remain patient and don't get angry at your pet if this happens. It's simply part of the aging process. You can cover furniture or carpets to help protect them, and get a waterproof cat or dog bed. When accidents happen, clean them thoroughly. You want to remove stains and smells completely or you risk a repeat of the incident. This guide explains how it's done.

See your veterinarian regularly

You should schedule veterinary visits regularly at any point in your animal's life. However, these checkups become even more important as they get older, at which point they are more prone to various illnesses. Your veterinarian can also make personalized recommendations on everything from pet food to addressing accidents.

Prepare yourself emotionally for the big goodbye

As your pet gets older, you will have to prepare yourself for the inevitable loss that comes with their death. While it might seem morbid, preparing in advance can make it easier to let go when the time comes. For example, you might want to make sure you're taking plenty of pictures and videos of your pet in their later years to remember them by. When the time comes, follow these tips from Psychology Today for preparing for the process.

You want to do all you can to help your pet live their best life in their later years. Trust the tips above to help. You can then rest easy knowing you've given your favorite furry pal the happiest and healthiest life possible.

For positive-reinforcement, force-free training, trust professional dog trainer Chitra Walmsley. Virtual training sessions are also available!
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The Hazards of Puppy-Nipping

5/13/2022

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One of the most frequent questions that I get asked as a dog trainer is “why is my puppy nipping me and chewing everything”!  The answer is always the same - puppy nipping and chewing is a very normal behavior as they use their mouths to explore and learn about the world around them in the same way that human babies use their hands to explore the world.  Some breeds of puppies are mouthier than others, but a mouthy puppy does not necessarily indicate that it is aggressive.
Puppy milk teeth start coming in between 2 and 4 weeks of age.  In total they have around 28 milk teeth and by the time you get your puppy home at 8 weeks to 12 weeks they will have a full mouth of milk teeth.  From that point until your puppy is around 6 months of age, they will begin the teething process as their adult teeth start to push through.  Adult dogs have 42 teeth.

Puppy Teething

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As puppies go through the teething process this can be a very painful period much like the process that human babies go through when they are teething. As those adult teeth are pushing through, this is the time that your puppy may find things to chew on as the act of chewing helps to sooth their discomfort and helps to calm them down.

It is the time that if your puppy is not properly supervised, they may go for inappropriate objects to chew on such as chair or table legs, remote controls, glasses, shoes, slippers, and phones!  If this happens always remember that your puppy has no concept of right and wrong; they do not know it is inappropriate to chew on your new pair of shoes. If it’s there and within reach, they will go for it!  So how to do you prevent this? Answer --  Puppy Proof your home to set your puppy up for success in the same way that you would child proof your home to keep young toddlers from accessing things that could be potentially dangerous to them.

This means putting away shoes and items of clothing, and keeping phones and remotes up high and out of reach. Ensure plants are put up high or in a room that the puppy is not allowed to roam, and when you think all is safe what I have found helpful is getting down on the ground to see if there is anything hanging low that a puppy might be able to grab and if so, remove it. Remember this is not forever, it is just for a window of time, and it will keep your puppy safe and your items in the home free from puppy teeth marks!

Helpful Tips to Prevent Puppy Nipping & Chewing

  • Puppy proofing your home and supervising your young puppy is going to go a very long way to keep them from getting into things that they shouldn’t. Obviously nobody can watch their puppy 24/7 but for the times that you cannot, that is where it will be important to either crate train your puppy or have a dog pen to keep them safe.

  • Exercise is key for your puppy and the right amount of exercise for any puppy or dog really does help to reduce problem behaviors. Even when they are going through their vaccination process where you do have to be careful where you take them, never to dog parks or a park environment until they are fully vaccinated, a gentle walk around your neighborhood twice a day, a run around in the garden playing a game of tug or fetch or using a puppy flirt pole, all of these means of exercise are great for bonding with your puppy and building that association in their mind that you are fun to be with! Plus, it will tire them out!

  • A variety of edible chews are also going to help especially when you sense that puppy is getting quite nippy, and the nip is intense. When this happens, and it will, you need to be prepared for that and not get angry or shout. What your pup is telling you is that it is in discomfort and the way to help him is simply by putting him in his crate or pen with something that he can chew on. 

    Edible chews such as bully sticks, yak milk, Esophagus chews are good things to have in stock for your puppy to chew on. The act of chewing will help those sore gums and will also help to calm him down.  *A word of caution: Whenever you give your puppy an edible chew only give him this when you can supervise him and ensure he has access to plenty of drinking water.

  • Have a variety of puppy teething toys that he can also bite on Puppy flavored chew toys which are not food but are flavored to encourage them to chew on are great so that they are biting down on something appropriate and not you. Benebone or Nylabone puppy chews are good options.  Each week check your puppy toys and any plush toys where the stuffing is coming out or hard toys that have been chewed a lot and are beginning to break apart, discard them and replace them as you do not want your puppy ingesting things that can create a blockage inside.

  • As puppies explore the world around them things that move or dangle down will attract their attention and seem like something fun, including your clothing! Do not be surprised when your puppy grabs onto your pant leg, your long, flowing summer skirt, the shoes you are wearing, your necklace!  They are tantalizing them with all that swishing about!  So what do you do?  Redirection is going to be an important skill to learn and something that really helps is to have tug toys dotted around the home so that when you puppy decides to attack your pant leg and they will, you can quickly grab a tug toy and redirect their attention to that to change their focus.  If you have started any training with them, you can then switch into some training which will not only get their mind going into work mode, but it will help to take their thoughts away from your clothes.  Be patient, be kind and help to teach your puppy what is appropriate for them to play with and what is not, in a kind way.

  • When you are sitting and stroking your puppy that is also the time to have either an edible chew or a toy at hand so instead of your puppy chewing on your fingers, he will chew on something appropriate and therefore you are constantly teaching him what is appropriate for him to chew and what is not.

  • Important Note; Praise your puppy for choosing the right item to play with.  If your puppy is moving around and grabs one of his toys and starts to play with it, praise him.  The more you praise your puppy for doing the correct thing the more you are reinforcing that behavior.  Always remember that at such a young age puppies have no sense of right and wrong, you have to teach them that and what you do not want to get into is a cycle of is telling your puppy off all the time and not praising them when they are doing the right thing or engaging with the right things.  Puppies can get very stressed very easily and you do not want them to be afraid of your presence.  So always set them up to succeed.
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Puppies are fun and are a ray of sunshine that can bring much joy, laughter and happiness to a family.  Just be prepared to put in the hard work when they are young, teach them in a positive way, socialize them to their world so that they are confident in their living environment both inside the home and outside and train them so that they understand their boundaries and learn what is appropriate.  Once you guide your puppy through the first year of their life you will have a very loyal and happy K9 member of the family.

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How to use a marker while training

3/14/2022

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Your dog, your cues - gaining maximum effectiveness

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Marker training is a scientific based teaching method that communicates to a dog that they have done the correct behavior desired by the trainer/handler and will therefore be rewarded.  It is also known as positive reinforcement dog training.

​In marker training you can either use a verbal marker such as “Yes”, “Click”, “Bravo”, “Nice” or you can use a device called a “Clicker” which is basically a toy-like mechanical devise with a button which when pressed will make a sound.

So how does marker training really work?

To teach your dog that your chosen marker has meaning you will need to “charge” or “load” the verbal marker or the clicker.  This is where you will have about 10 rewards to hand, say your verbal marker “Yes” and half a second later reward your dog.  Similarly, if using a clicker, you will click and half a second later reward your dog.  The timing and order of doing this is very important so that the dog is focused on hearing that marker to gain the reward and not just concentrated on the reward.

To then translate this into training the sequence will be, ask for the behavior for example a “sit”, when the dog goes into a sit you either say “yes” and reward your dog or if using a clicker, click and reward your dog.  Therefore, the sequence is, behavior = marker = reward.

A question I get asked a lot is “do I have to use a clicker or marker for the rest of the dog’s life”?  The answer to this is “no”. The more you work with your dog and the more fluid they become at doing the behaviors you have taught them this is where you will begin to give variable rewards, that is, not rewarding them for every single sit that they perform and instead reward them for every third and then sixth one and continue to do the same with all cues.  After that you can then begin to phase out the rewards.  The only cue that I suggest to clients that they always reward for is Recall.  That is when you call your dog back to you and they listen, especially when you are in an environment with a lot of distraction, for example a park, but your dog has chosen to come back to you.  That, in my opinion deserves a lot of praise and rewards to keep your Recall solid.

What if my dog doesn't do what I am asking?

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This is where a “no reward marker” will come into play.  A no reward marker is used when your dog has not offered the behavior that you are asking for.  It is a verbal signal such as “no” or “uh oh” or “Oops” that you will say in a neutral tone to communicate to your dog that they have not offered the behavior you want and need to try again.

I advise clients to use no reward markers sparingly in training as if you are teaching a dog something and they are trying to learn but are not quite getting it right, too many no reward markers can begin to stress the dog and what you do not want to associate in your dog’s mind is that training is stressful, quite the opposite.  It is important to note here that a no reward marker is NOT a physical correction to the dog it is simply a way to communicate with your dog verbally that they have made a mistake and will have to work a little harder to get that reward.

In essence marker training, whether you are using a verbal marker, or a clicker teaches your dog to problem solve.  The key to training is to find the thing that really motivates your dog which may be its food, dog treats, a special toy and use that to reward them when they offer behaviors you are looking for. 

Summing it all up

As with learning any new skill the key to dog training is time, patience, consistency and repetition.  Remember, training is where you begin the journey of building that special bond with your dog, teaching them cues that later you will implement into your life with them so that they will understand what it is you expect from them.  Our human world is very complex for our K9 members of the family but through training you will teach them boundaries to keep them safe, have fun with them and by using this proven, scientific based method of training you reinforce the behaviors you want quickly and make the process of learning for your dog and for you enjoyable!
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Why is my dog barking?

2/11/2022

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A dog’s bark is its voice and it is their way of communicating with their human or with other dogs.  There are many reasons why dogs bark and it is important to understand this to help solve barking if it becomes a problem.

The following is a list of the most common reasons why dogs bark.
  • Alert/Warning
  • Demand for Attention
  • Fear/Anxiety
  • Boredom
  • Excitement
  • Territorial Control
  • Pain
  • Aging/Seniority

Alert/Warning

This is usually when someone is either walking past the home or entering your yard. The dog barks as a warning to you the owner that someone is entering your territory or that someone is passing by, and they are signaling to the person “I’m here protecting my home”. The sound of this bark is usually loud, sharp and authoritative.

Demand for Attention

This is where your dog is probably looking at you, following you around and barking, usually because they want your attention, they want to play or that it is food time as they do have a great body clock if you have a structured routine for your dog.

Fear/Anxiety

Dogs that are anxious either of being left alone, a sudden noise, visitors entering the home that they are not familiar with, a person approaching, has phobias, common ones being the sound of thunder or fireworks, will often bark when they are distressed. The body language of the dog may be that it has its tail tucked, the hackles may be up on the shoulders, a low head, ears back a raised foot. All of these postures are signs that your dog is afraid of something or someone.

Boredom

Dogs left alone all day that have not been properly exercised before you leave for work can bark out of boredom and frustration. Ways to help prevent this can be, exercising them before you leave for the day, plus, having a dog walker, a friend or family member come over in the middle of the day to walk your dog or play with them in the garden, or a few days a week take your dog to a reputable doggie daycare so that they have the opportunity to socialize with other dogs. Another option is to leave a puzzle toy for them to do or a stuffed frozen Kong as enrichment for mental stimulation while they are on their own.

Excitement

This is the barking that you will hear when either you are returning home, you are playing with your dog, or they are playing with other dogs. Your dog is simply expressing that they are having fun and enjoying themselves in the same way that young children may squeal, scream, or shout when they are playing with friends.

Territorial Control

This is where the dog races to the window and barks at a passerby or a passerby with a dog, the mail carrier who dares to enter the yard, the delivery person, again, who dares to enter the yard. Here the bark can be sharp and incessant, and the body language of the dog will be tense with ears and shoulders pointing forward, tail up and wagging stiffly and the bark may be interspersed with low growls.

Pain

As a bark is a dog’s way of communicating, they can bark because they are in pain. This could be that accidentally someone steps on their paw, when playing with another dog the dog hurts them, they are being attacked by another dog or animal. In this case the bark will be higher in pitch and depending on the situation may mean that your dog needs to see the vet.

Aging/Seniority

As dogs age, sometimes, they can begin to bark more. This can be for a variety of reasons some being, a deterioration in hearing or seeing, that they feel scared or anxious, or that they are in pain. Just like humans sometimes as dogs age they can develop problems with their hips (hip dysplasia). Note that this can happen to younger dogs too especially those that are very active or participate in dog sports. Or older dogs can develop arthritis in certain joints, some breeds can be quite susceptible to this. Therefore, a six-monthly checkup with the vet is very important for senior dogs to keep them as healthy, comfortable, and hopefully pain free for a long time to come.


As a trainer one of the many reasons I get asked for help is because of dogs barking a lot in the home.  My main task is to ascertain what is causing the behavior and then teach my clients ways to work on this.  But I always remind people that a dog’s bark is their way of communicating to us in the same way we communicate with our fellow human beings.  So, it is always important to ascertain why they are doing the behavior and by working through things with patience and consistency they can be taught an alternative behavior.
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Happy Furry Friendly Holidays!

12/21/2021

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Keep your 4-legged family members safe over the festive season

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The Holidays is a lovely time of year with beautiful decorations adorning our homes and plenty of delicious savory and sweet food on the menu!  In order to have a safe festive season for all the family including your dogs please keep in mind some of the things that can be harmful and dangerous to them.

Here is a list of things to keep your dogs away from to keep them safe:

Décor:
  • Christmas ornaments
  • Christmas lights
  • Tinsel and ribbon
  • Plants and flowers such as lilies, poinsettias, and amaryllis
  • The needles on fresh Christmas trees
  • The water that the tree is standing in
  • Mistle toe
  • The berries on the holly

Food Items:
  • Dark turkey dark meat, turkey skin, and turkey bones (white turkey meat is ok)
  • Onions
  • Grapes, raisins, or sultanas
  • Fruit cake or mince pie since they contain raisins and sultanas
  • Chocolate
  • Macadamia nuts
  • Sweets and sweet wrappers
  • Alcohol

Be proactive in knowing the number and address details of your nearest 24/7 Emergency Clinic should you need to rush your pet to the vet.

If you want to treat your dogs as you tuck into your festive meals, remember there are lots of different recipes that you can find to fill a Kong and freeze it for their treat, or spread on a Licki Mat and remember to get your dogs out for walks!  The fresh air will be good for them and good for us after our delicious meals.

Happy Holidays Everyone!  Best wishes for a healthy and safe New Year, 2022!
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11 Tips to Keep Your K9 Cool This Summer!

6/28/2021

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Some very important tips to consider in the intense summer heat to help keep your dog safe and protection from overheating.

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I wrote this post originally last summer but due to the extreme heat waves we are experiencing here in the northeast thought it would be a good time to resurface this information. Here are some important tips to help ensure that your canine family stay safe over the summer months.

  1. The best times of the day to walk your dog are either early in the morning when it is still cool or later on in the evening when the heat of the day is reducing.

  2. Remember to ensure that the ground is not too hot before you take your dog out. If it is too hot for your barefoot or the palm of your hand, then it will be too hot for your dog’s paw pads and could potentially burn them.

  3. Don’t jog with your dog in the heat! Remember, dogs do not sweat like humans as they only have sweat glands in their paw pads. Excessive exercise in hot weather can cause your dog to overheat which can be dangerous.

  4. Don’t keep your dogs tethered outside in the heat as this can cause heat stroke. Always ensure that they have shade when they are outside and that they have access to clean drinking water at all times.  Don’t leave them out when it is too hot.

  5. Brachycephalic breeds of dogs (flat faced dogs) such as Pekinese, English and French Bulldogs, Boxers, Boston Terriers, Pugs, are more susceptible to heat stroke since they cannot pant effectively. Therefore it is best to keep them in cool air conditioned rooms.

  6. Don’t leave your dog alone in any parked vehicle! Remember, very quickly your car can become like an oven and can cause your dog to have heat stroke which can be fatal.

  7. Signs of heat stress are excessive panting, increased salivation, pale gums, glassy eyes. If you suspect that your dog has overheated, get some cool towels and apply to the head, neck and paws.  DO NOT use icy cold water as this could shock your dogs body and seek veterinary attention immediately!

  8. It is barbecue season. Food that humans consume is not always good for our K9 family.  Keep them away from alcoholic beverages as this can lead to depression in some dogs or even a coma, and remember to be vigilant with them around food items especially those that are poisonous to dogs.

  9. July 4th celebrations are around the corner which means firework displays, and for a lot of pets in general this is a very scary time. Therefore, walk your dogs early so that they are exercised and tired. Maybe do some mental enrichment work with them with puzzle toys or practice some trick training so that they are both physically and mentally tired. As the fireworks are going on turn the volume up on the TV or play some calming music for them ensuring the volume is up to hopefully drown out the sound of the fireworks. If your dog get very traumatized by fireworks you can look to use dog appeasing pheromones by Adaptil or a Thundershirt. These are natural remedies that work well for some dogs or else consult with your vet.​

  10. Taking your dog to the beach during any time of the year is fun but is something owners particularly like to do in the summertime so that their dog can have a dip in the sea to cool them down and to swim.  Just be mindful of 2 things;

    1. When your dog is swimming, if you notice them lapping up too much sea water, stop them as the salt, parasites and bacteria in the water can make your dog very sick.
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    2. If you are playing frisbee or fetch on the beach and your dog swallows enough sand it can cause a blockage in the intestine called "sand impaction".  Signs of this are dehydration, vomiting or abdominal pain and require urgent veterinary attention.

  11. ​​For some delicious and refreshing treats for summer look at making canine pupsicles!  It’s fun and a delicious way to hydrate and keep your dog cool. You can either use broth (only use broth for dogs which can be purchased from pet stores which is different to human broth as it has little to no sodium), or goats milk. Fill up an ice tray and freeze over night for your dog to enjoy as a pupsicle the next day. If you want to be a little more extravagant you can make watermelon and yogurt pupsicles!!!
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Coyote Awareness - A Dog Owner's Guide

2/20/2021

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Generally, January through April is the coyote mating season. May through August is pup rearing, and September through December is dispersal - when young coyotes leave the pack to find their own territory. Coyote breeding season may vary by a month or so depending on the geographic location of the coyotes, for example, in Massachusetts, mating season is late December to March.

Some interesting facts about coyotes

  • An adult coyote can reach up to a speed of 43 mph while pursuing its prey
  • Full-grown coyotes weigh between 15 to 44 pounds
  • A coyotes height can be up to greater than 2 feet tall at their shoulders
  • There 19 subspecies of coyotes recognized by the scientific community
  • Coyotes first appeared in New York and Pennsylvania in the 1940s
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Coyote attacks on pets might increase during the mating season when coyotes are more territorial. Research suggests that male coyotes in particular are not more aggressive. While not as pack-centered as wolves, all coyotes in a pack may defend their territory if they felt something was going to endanger their young, which is why during these periods it is important to NOT have your dogs’ off leash, in particular in wooded areas.
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There are natural habits where coyotes are more likely to have their dens, in places such as hollowed out logs, rock formations, or dense shrubs or bushes. If your dog innocently goes sniffing near a den that is when they are more likely to be attacked. It has been shown that attacks on medium to large dogs increase at this time as coyotes see them as more of a threat especially when they are near to their den with young pups inside. Viral and bacterial diseases flourish more in coyotes than almost all other carnivorous wildlife due to their diverse diet and and wide array of habitats.


Research also shows that coyote attacks on smaller dogs or cats can increase during the pup rearing season (May through to August) rather than the breeding season. This is largely due to the need for more food for the young coyote pups. ​

Tips for keeping pets safe from coyote attacks

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Do not let small dogs or cats outside alone, even within a fenced in yard, during the day or during the evening hours, unsupervised. If you do, avoid doing so from dusk until dawn. As I had mentioned above, do not let your dog run off-leash in the woods, especially during winter or spring. If your dog doesn’t stay close to you when off-leash, there is a greater danger that they could run into a pack of coyotes. During mating season, coyotes might be more territorial, and during pup rearing season, they may defend their den or pups. Instead you should opt for putting them on a longer leash allowing them to roam a little farther out. Having the safety of the leash attached to them allows you to keep them close and get them back to you should you need to. This is especially important if your dog does not have a good recall.

Do not leave food scattered around outside such as residue from bird feeders or unsecured garbage especially at night. This will encourage them to come to your yard and coyotes that regularly eat human food are more likely to have conflicts with humans or pets.


Lastly, have a strategy in place in the event that you go into your backyard and see a coyote, or if you are out walking your dog and see or sense a coyote. The most common advice is to make loud noises to  frighten the predators. I carry a Birdie personal safety alarm which has a 130 dB siren, something as loud and noisy as that will scare them away. Alternatively, you can purchase a whistle, inexpensive and again a loud noise that will scare them away.

These animals are a protected species in our environment and are part of the natural wildlife. It is important to preserve them but to respect the fact that they are wild animals and to live in harmony with them follow the guidance to keep yourselves, your children and your pets safe and free from harm.

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