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!

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. ​

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.

Aging is a very natural process of a dog’s life. As dogs get into their golden years, they can have less energy, their sight or hearing may be impacted, and they have a higher risk of developing kidney or liver disease, diabetes or become obese. Additionally, you may find that they can seem confused or disorientated, or more prone to being anxious or fearful of loud noises than they used to be.

Walking
As dogs age, they can slow down and their exercise needs may change. The dog that used to be your jogging partner may no longer be able to keep up with you anymore. Be sensitive to that, and instead of expecting them to be by your side as you run at a steady pace, swap to low impact exercise such as a leisurely or brisk walk, allowing them to sniff and smell more and therefore get mentally stimulated.

Physical exercise is still very important for them to maintain a healthy body and a healthy mind. Be mindful on walks of steep inclines that may become difficult for your dog now that he is older and also going down a steep hill. Some dogs as they age may develop muscle atrophy and their legs will not be strong enough to always cope with steepness or a sharp slope. Senior dogs can also be more sensitive to the climate, so be sure that they seem comfortable on their walk.

If their exercise needs have changed, it will be time to change their diet to one that is lower in fat and less calories to prevent weight gain as this can lead to obesity and trigger such things as diabetes. If this is the case, it’s a good idea to talk to your Veterinarian to get their advice on what you should be feeding your senior dog.

​Grooming
Regular grooming remains important. As dogs age their coats and skin change. It can be drier, flaky and irritated, which if not cared for properly can become worse. Brush them regularly to keep an eye on this, removing any mats or tangles and if you notice changes, talk to your veterinarian.

Veterinarian check-ups
These become more important as a dog gets older to give your veterinarian the chance to determine if something is wrong and if so, be able to implement a treatment plan straight away. Just like humans as dogs age they can develop ailments such as arthritis, hip dysplasia, or joint problems. If left untreated they can be very painful conditions for your dog to live with and can affect their mood, appetite and overall quality of life. 

Dental hygiene for your senior dog is something that you need to be vigilant about and your veterinarian will keep a check on this, as poor dental care can have an impact to the health of other organs of their body, just as it can for humans. Therefore, regular brushing, oral chews, or oral teeth care products that you can put into water bowls are all ways to keep their teeth in good condition.  Regular vet checks at least twice a year is therefore a good idea and keeping up with flea, tick and heart-worm treatments (depending on where you live) are still necessary to keep your senior dog healthy.

​Changes to their home environment
When your dog was a puppy you probably had to puppy proof your home! Now as your dog is older to enable him to get around the home with ease you may have to make some accommodations such as ramps for them to get onto chairs or into the car especially if your dog has joint problems, muscle atrophy or arthritis. Heated mats or beds are a good idea for achy joints. If your dog becomes visually impaired having easy access to water bowls is important plus keeping furniture in the same place will prevent your dog from hitting into things which could result in injury.

Spend time with them
Finally, as our dogs age it is very important to spend time with them. Older dogs can become more anxious especially if they are hard of hearing or their sight becomes impaired. But by keeping to a routine with them so that they know what to expect and when, that helps to alleviate anxieties. Give back to them what they have given to you over the years, loyalty. It may be a little extra work, but it is very rewarding.
 
While writing this particular blog I do so with my two West Highland White Terriers in mind who are now 13 and 11 years old. They have given my husband and I such joy over the years and continue to do so. They have also shown how robust and adaptable they are with the many times during their lives with us that we have had to move from country to country. They always travelled well and adapted to their new surroundings very quickly just taking on what life threw at them and embracing it.

​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, Amaryllis
• The needles on fresh Christmas trees
• The water that the tree is standing in
• Mistle toe
• The berries on Holly

Food Items:

• If your dogs are sharing in the Christmas turkey only give them the white meat.  No dark meat, skin and no cooked bones
• Onions
• Grapes, raisins and sultanas
• Fruit cake and Mince pies as they contain raisins and sultanas
• Chocolate
• Macadamia nuts
• Sweets and Sweet wrappers
• Alcohol

​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 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, 2021!

written by Aurora James, Reprinted with permission.

The pandemic has made nearly every aspect of our lives more complicated. Individuals and businesses everywhere have had to figure out new ways to survive. This is as true for pet shelters as it is for anyone else. Shelters have had to deal with running on a skeleton crew in order to keep staff and volunteers as safe as possible. Many are stretched thin with no sign of relief. This is hard on shelter workers and the animals they care for.
 
The good news is, you can help. Adopting or fostering an animal during COVID-19 makes a huge difference. If you take in a dog, Chitra Walmsley can help you figure out the best training techniques for your new pal. Here are some more tips for welcoming a new pet into your home during the pandemic.

Choosing a Pet 
It's important to pick a pet that's a good fit for your home and family.

• High-energy, outdoorsy families could do well with a younger dog.
• Cats are a great first pet for teens, since they’re affectionate, don’t need much training, and can handle some space.
• If you have younger kids, it might be wise to avoid senior pets or pets with health issues, who often need space and gentle interactions.

Gearing Up
These tools will make your pet journey smoother.

• For dogs, basics include a collar, leash, and crate. It’s also wise to install a fence so your pal can roam safely in your yard.
• Cats need a litter box, scratch-safe surfaces, and climbable structures.
• All pets need appropriate, high-quality pet food, including treats.

Mutually Beneficial
Bringing a pet home is good for you, too.

• Many people are facing social isolation and loneliness during COVID-19.
• Pets are a great source of comfort and company.
• It doesn’t just feel good to have a pet around - they actually reduce rates of mental illness and can even improve physical health.

Pet shelters need adopters and foster families to stay functional during the pandemic. When you bring an animal home, whether on a temporary or permanent basis, you make their job easier, and that animal’s life better. Plus, there’s a very high chance they’ll make your life better, too.

New dog not behaving as well as you’d like? Reach out to Chitra Walmsley for training advice and guidance.

Author: Aurora James
Website: http://dogetiquette.info
Email: aurora@dogetiquette.info

Photo Credit: Pexels

As well as working with clients “virtually” when shutdown began in March 2020 I also continued my growth and education in the dog training and behavior field and am now a proud graduate of the Victoria Stilwell for Dog Training and Behavior Academy!

As many of my clients know, continuing my education in the field of dog training and dog behavior is of paramount importance to me so that I keep my knowledge and skills fresh and current.  I do this each year by attending conferences, webinars, reading books by renowned trainers and each year choose a course that I feel with further my development.
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This year I chose to do the Victoria Stilwell dog training and behavior course.  I have followed Victoria for many years and am a great admirer in her belief of positive/force free training but also of the huge work she does both here in the USA and the UK to really drive this training philosophy forward.  She also does a lot of work to promote and support rescue and shelter dogs, something that is very dear to her heart.

The Victoria Stilwell Academy is the world’s premier institution for professional dog trainer education founded by renowned dog behavior expert Victoria Stilwell, and graduates of VSA have been individually taught in-person by Stilwell and other VSA faculty. All VSA graduates are rigorously assessed at the highest level for both skills and knowledge in the areas of dog training, behavior modification, canine ethology, creative problem-solving and more.

Additionally, great emphasis is placed within VSA’s industry-leading curriculum upon effective and empathetic human communication skills. This unique focus results in professional dog trainers who are prepared not just to train dogs successfully using powerful force-free, positive reinforcement-based tools and techniques, but also to help dog owner clients to learn how to truly transform canine behavior and set their dogs up for success using the latest in modern behavioral science methods.

I throughly enjoyed doing the course and am delighted to be part of the Academy where I will continue to receive good input from fellow trainers and a support network.  The course also kept me focused during what has been a very stressful and difficult time for us all!

For any aspiring dog trainers out there I highly recommend this course, details of which can be found below.

https://www.vsdogtrainingacademy.com/

~ by Jen Dehestani
My name is Jen Dehestani and I am very involved with animal rescue on the Caribbean island of Aruba.  Aruba has an estimated 30,000-40,000 stray and semi-stray cats and dogs on an island with a population of a mere 105,000 people, and geographically is only 21 miles long and 6 miles wide.  This ratio is quite staggering. Many go to Aruba on vacation to enjoy a slice of paradise but it is no such place for the animals of the proclaimed “One Happy Island”.  Many locals view animals as vermin and treat them extremely poorly.  Even many “owned” dogs are not treated well, not cared for properly/ neglected, and left to roam around on the streets,  reproducing freely with other unsterilized dogs.  Below is the story of one such dog, “Cleo”.

There are a handful of amazing animal rescue foundations who work around the clock helping Aruba’s animals. Sgt. Pepper’s Friends, New Life For Paws, ARF, Luna Foundation, Cunucu Dog Rescue, United Dogs Aruba, Crijojo Trappers.

Cunucu Dog Rescue, ARF, Luna Foundation, and New Life For Paws, are all 501(c)(3) organizations. Should you wish to make a donation (that is tax deductible) the donation links are below.

http://arf-aruba.com/donate/
https://www.cunucudogrescue.org/donations
https://www.paypal.me/LunaFoundation
https://www.newlifeforpaws.org/donate

​Who doesn’t just love opening the blinds in the morning to that glorious sunshine pouring into our homes. It’s the season that everyone enjoys, including our pets, so here are some tips to ensure that your canine family stay safe over the summer months.

For a lot of us it will be coming on to 8 weeks that we have been in lockdown and I know that one of the suggestions I have found helpful as a coping mechanism is to adopt a new routine and stick to it. But what about our dogs, how are they coping? Here are some key things to remember to help our furry members of the family get through this difficult and different period that we are experiencing.

Although many of us are restricted by the number of times we can go out at the moment try as far as possible to ensure that your dog has at least one walk a day. Walking your dog is not only good physical activity but it is also good mental enrichment especially when you allow your dog to smell and sniff trees, flowers, grass etc as that is how they get their information about the environment and what is going on. When your dog has had physical activity plus mental stimulation that wears them out and helps to promote a calm dog. If it is difficult for you to get out with your dog remember that a game of “Tug” or “Fetch” in the garden is good for getting some energy out of them plus you are giving them one on one time too!

Our dogs are very intelligent animals therefore to get the balance of their needs physical exercise is part of the equation the other being mental stimulation! There are plenty of ways that you can do this with your dog. Practice those training cues with them, teach them some Tricks!  There are some great puzzle toys on the market. Nina Ottosson puzzles such as Doggie Tornado, Dog Brick, Hide and Slide are great fun for them. I use these with my dogs a few times a week. If you purchase a couple and rotate them around for about 30 mins that is great exercise for your dog’s brain.

What we as dog owners need to remember is that this moment in time that we are all experiencing is tough and it is stressful for us humans, but it can also be a tough time for our dogs too. Dogs feed off our emotions and if we feel low, which is not without reason at this time, our dogs’ sense that emotion from us which in turn can make them feel tense and anxious. So watch out for that.

Also, in our “usual world” there are many dogs that are used to us being away from the home for a period of time during the day. During this time, they get used to space and having down time until we return home. But at the moment with the whole family at home and the house being much busier than it normally would be our dogs may not be getting the same amount of down time they are accustomed to and need. This can lead to them feeling anxious and stressed or over stimulated. Therefore, to avoid any unnecessary tensions or conflict create a “safe place” for your dog to go to during the course of the day where they can have time on their own.

This can be done by putting their crate or dog bed in a quiet area or room in the house. Plus remember if the dog is sleeping and toddlers or younger children are around be sure to teach them not to disturb the dog when it is asleep as this can cause the dog to jump and possibly lash out unintentionally simply because they have been startled. Setting up an area like this can benefit your dog immensely giving them the opportunity to have the down time they need. Additionally, if you throw in some classical or reggae music on top that will create an even better, relaxing and calming environment.

Lastly, the new guidelines from the Centre for Disease Control (CDC) recommends social distancing for dogs too. So, when out on walks keep to the 6 ft guidelines for your pets as well as you and don’t let your dog interact with other dogs and avoiding dog parks at this time is advisable.

Please continue to Stay Safe, Stay Positive and Stay Healthy ….