Getting Into Your Dog’s Head

They’re not fierce wolves; they’re not furry people. What are they? Our pets; our companions; our friends. They are not intrinsically aggressive, but neither do they think the same way as humans. This, says animal behaviorist John Bradshaw, is the key to having a successful dog/owner relationship. Bradshaw’s new book, Dog Sense: How the New Science of Dog Behavior Can Make You a Better Friend to Your Pet, provides useful information for any pet owner who wants get to know his dogs. One area of particular concern that Bradshaw covers is discipline. What does he suggest?

What do you do when your dog jumps up on a guest? Some owners are likely to physically discipline the dog, such as with a swat on the nose. But negative attention is still attention. Bradshaw suggests that you ignore your dog. Just look away and fold your arms. Don’t give him what he really wants – attention – unless he’s doing a good behavior. Dogs are incredibly sensitive to body language, and they will get the point. Withdrawing attention is like taking away a kid’s Wii, perhaps more effective though because dogs are easier to train!

Bradshaw says, that, “surprisingly, most dogs, given the choice, will actually prefer human company to other dog company.” They want to be with you and please you. Your withdrawal of attention is far more effective, and humane, than physical reprimands. Likewise, your attention is far more powerful than anything else – yes, even treats and bones. Most, not all, but most, dogs want to make you happy. They will pick up on your cues and follow your lead.

This makes training a dog sound simple and easy – it’s not! It can be very, very challenging. But the point is to remember that physical or verbal reprimands are not particularly effective. What your body says is far more important than what your mouth says.

Bad Dog: Great Plan

Is there really such a thing as a bad dog? Or are there just bad owners? In any case, Marty Kihn and is Burmese Mountain dog, Hola, were a perfect match. The 85-pound Hola chewed furniture, jumped on (and tackled) people, and chased people on the street. Marty wasn’t much of a prize himself: he was an alcoholic whose wife had just left him. Rather than drowning his sorrows, though, Marty said, “I finally realized I could actually lose everything that mattered to me – that it was an actual possibility. That’s what it took to get me to open my mind and get help.”

He found help in an unlikely place: yes, Hola became an integral part of Marty’s recovery, which he details in Bad Dog: A Love Story. Marty replaced his bad habits, and filled the time formerly taken by drinking and being hung over, with dog training. He decided to put Hola through the paces and have her master the AKC’s Canine Good Citizen test, a rigorous test of “obedience, good manners, and grooming.” Hola, the 85-pound tackle, had to learn to accept a stranger, sit politely for a stranger, and other tests that Marty thought would be “impossible.”

While Marty worked on the 12 steps of AA, Hola worked on the 10 steps of the Canine Good Citizen test. “Both are structured programs of recovery – from alcohol and from bad behavior. And both work better if you do them alongside others. The prize for them is not money or fame or anything material – both programs reward the human and dog with the greatest gift of all: A better life.”

Hola passed the AKC’s test – and on that same day, Marty and his wife got back together.

This story has an incredibly happy ending for all and serves to illustrate just how many benefits there are to owning pets. From lowering blood pressure, stress, and depression to sniffing out tumors or alerting caretakers to seizures, dogs really are man’s best friend. Hola helped Marty because he was committed to both making a change and caring for his dog. While dog training probably won’t replace AA anytime soon, Hola deserves an extra treat or two.

National Dog Bite Prevention Week Coming Up

Of course your dog doesn’t bite – but there are almost five million bites per year, and about 20 percent of them require medical attention. Prevention is key, and this is the theme of the upcoming National Dog Bite Prevention Week. This is an important issue for everyone, regardless of whether or not they own dogs. There are over 72 million dogs in the US – and most are kind, gentle, and loving. But, as American Veterinary Medical Association president Dr. Larry M. Kornegay, says, “[A]ny dog can bite if it is frightened or feels threatened, even the family pet.” What should you know about dog bites – and, most importantly, prevention?

• Houston, Texas, leads the country in the number of mail carriers who are attacked by dogs each year. Every year, these professionals face the danger of dog bites and 5,669 of them are injured.

• Fear and anxiety are big triggers for bites, and owners can unwittingly encourage these behaviors by doing things to force a dog into submission, such as yanking a leash or rolling the dog onto their backs.

• Children age 5 to 9 are most commonly injured by dog bites.

• In children, 30 percent of bites are from the family dog, and another 50 percent are inflicted by a neighbor’s pet.

• Fear of dogs is listed as the number one deterrent for outdoor walking and exercise.

Notice pit bulls and rottweilers do not appear on this list. Victoria Stilwell of the National Dog Bite Prevention campaign reminds us, “It’s not the breed of the dog that causes the bite, but rather how well the dog is trained and controlled.” It also depends on how the dog feels and if it is scared, feeling threatened, or has been mistreated.

You should begin helping children understand the necessity of using caution around animals when they are very young. Always ask owners if you can pet their animals and require your children to do so. Talk to them about staying away from “stranger” dogs, even if they look cuddly and friendly. Don’t forget that prevention begins at home. Treat the family dog well, and he will do the same for you and your family.

Enjoy the Dog Days of Summer Without the Ticks

Spring has sprung, and for most of us, that means more walks, more tromps through the woods, more hikes, and more backyard fun. Unfortunately, it also means ticks. These lovely little “ectoparasites” burrow themselves under your dog’s skin (or yours) and make themselves at home. While not all ticks carry disease, it is always a concern and you want to be vigilant in protecting yourself, your family, and your pets. A simple tick can transmit Lyme disease and other serious illnesses. How do you keep your dog healthy this summer?

It is easier to prevent ticks from taking root than it is to detect and remove them. Try a flea and tick repellent, like Advantix, bioSpot, or Frontline, that is specifically designed for dogs. These need to be applied monthly. You also have the option of using a collar, like Preventic, though some dogs do not tolerate flea and tick collars very well. Know your dog’s needs, and talk to your vet about the right type of protection.

You can also do some yard work to keep ticks from vacationing in your yard. If you keep your grass and plants mowed and trimmed neatly, it can reduce the threat of tick infestation. Some people treat their lawns with pesticides, but these often irritate dog noses, eyes, and paws – not to mention those of the people in the house. If you want to try this, opt for an environmentally-friendly product so you don’t trade ticks for another problem.

After your dog goes outdoors, check him for ticks. This is tricky, because your dog’s coat is like a playground to these little pests. Ticks can be difficult to see, so you’ll have to feel your way as well. Look closely at his ears, neck, skin folds, and other crevices. Ticks prefer warm areas, and those that are moist. Part your dog’s hair and take a look. You are looking for something the size of a pencil point, so take your time and use a flashlight if necessary. If you see a tick that is as small as the point of a pencil, it has not become engorged – which means it hasn’t snacked on your dog’s blood yet. Pick it off immediately.

An engorged tick is bigger, about the size of a lima bean. You can’t just pick these off because they are embedded in your dog’s skin. Use a pair of tweezers or tick removal tools. Grasp the tick at the point where it has become attached to your dog. Do this as close to the skin as possible. Pull it out straight from the skin, slowly. You do not want to twist it or squeeze the tick. Your dog may bleed; if so, apply light pressure.

Now, what do you do with this tick? Some people kill them or flush them. If you are concerned about Lyme disease or other illnesses, though, get a small, airtight container and lock the tick away. You can add some rubbing alcohol for preservation, if you want. Write the date on the container and store safely away. If your dog becomes sick, it may be necessary for a vet to identify the type of tick and determine what type of illness your dog has.

Ticks are no fun – but staying inside all summer is not the answer! Get out there – but remember to protect your dog first and always check for ticks once or twice a day in the spring and summer.

“Dog Wars” Pulled from the Android Market

It is hard to get concrete figures about the number of dogs that are killed each year in dog fights, but some put it at 20,000. Big breeds, like pit bulls and Rottweilers are often chosen and raised to fight, and many shelters have experienced thefts in which these types of dogs – and more – were stolen for this purpose. Dog fighting is not only cruel, inhuman, and disgusting, it is illegal. This is why animal rights activists, as well as anyone with a pet, loudly voiced concern and disgust over the new Android game, “Dog Wars.”

“Train your dog to beat the best! Feed, water, train, and FIGHT your virtual dog against other player’s.” This is the sales pitch of “Dog Wars,” a game which has drawn the ire of people all over the country – but also downloaded by more than 100,000 people. Animal Rescue Foundation (ARF) president Michelle Turner says, “We feel that those games are not realistic. They are outlandish and almost cartoonish. Dog fighting is real. Dogs die every day because of this deplorable illegal and inhuman activity.”

For their part, “Dog Wars” developers issued this classy message:

It is just A VIDEO GAME...Perhaps one day we will make gerbil wars or beta fish wars for people who can't understand fantasy role play games.

Even Michael Vick spoke out against the game, saying in a statement, “I’ve come to learn the hard way that dogfighting is a dead-end street. Now, I am on the right side of this issue, and I think it’s important to send the smart message to kids, and not glorify this form of animal cruelty, even in an Android app.”

The Human Society argues that “Dog Wars” is not just a game: it instructs players on “how to condition a dog using methods that are standard in organized dogfighting…this game may be a virtual training group for would-be dogfighters. Its timing and message are all wrong.”

People all over the country are asking Android to pull “Dog Wars” from its Market permanently.

A New Use for Dog Poop

We humans may not like to talk about dog poop – but dogs aren’t as shy about their bodies’ natural functions. They do not care; when the urge strikes, they just relieve themselves, regardless of whether there is a cute dog walking right by or you are in a hurry. In France, dogs leave behind about 194 million pounds of droppings, and a great deal ends up in public places, which costs the country millions in cleanup. Researchers at Agronutrition SAS, a multimillion dollar fertilizer company, are working on making good use of this excrement.

Dog poop is a serious financial problem in Toulouse, France, and Deputy Mayor Jean-Michel Fabre says, “The majority of the people complained about dog merde. We have seven dog parks, but the dogs refused to use them.” Instead, the ornery dogs use city sidewalks and parks; about one-third of the 153 million euro sanitation budget is devoted to cleaning this up.

Monetizing dog feces would help relieve these costs, but that is not a pleasant task. In Victorian England, homeless people collected dog droppings to use in tanning leather. Today, that just won’t work. This is where Agronutrition comes in. Microbiologist Hicham Ferhout says, “We’ve finally discovered how to make a dog sh*t in a specific spot, disinfect the deposit and convert it into environmentally friendly energy or fertilizer.”

Talk about a renewable resource! Besides this, dog feces contain bacteria, zoonotic diseases, and more. The EPA puts it in the same category as toxic waste and chemicals. Cleaning it up is a must, but current methods are not ecologically sound, say experts. Toulouse and Agronutrition are working to change this, one dog at a time.

Homemade Dog Food

It can be hard enough to feed ourselves or our children a well-balanced diet; making homemade food for the furry members of the family may seem impossible. In fact, it does take a very organized person to make a homemade dog food diet work, but it can be excellent for your dog. Do the benefits outweigh the extra work that it takes to feed your dog home-prepared meals?

Why prepare homemade dog food instead of purchasing commercial kibbles? We know that it is better for us to make our own foods from fresh, whole ingredients than it is to eat out or choose heavily processed foods. It’s the same way for dogs. When you make your own, you can control each ingredient that goes into your dog’s meals. This allows you to use organic or all-natural foods, as well as human-grade ingredients, which can eliminate many chemicals and fillers from your pup’s diet.

Once you get the hang of homemade dog food, you’ll find it is less expensive than buying food in the long term, and you are improving the health of your best friend while you’re at it!

When you make your food, make sure you provide a balanced blend of proteins, carbohydrates, and fats, as well as the vital minerals and vitamins your dog needs. Ask your vet about your dog’s calorie requirements, which are based on his breed, weight, age, and other factors.

You also want to avoid foods that are dangerous to dogs. We all know chocolate is a no-no, but many of us don’t realize things like onion, garlic, avocado, grapes, and other foods are equally toxic. WebMD has a list of foods to avoid.

You can find a lot of great recipes online, including this one from Dog-Obedience-Training-Review.com for beef cakes.

You’ll need:

• 1.5 cups brown rice
• 3 cups water
• 2 grated potatoes
• 4 grated carrots
• 2 chopped celery sticks
• 6 pounds ground beef or chicken
• 8 eggs
• Pinch of salt
• 3 tablespoons olive oil
• 1.5 cups rolled oats

Yes, that is a lot of ingredients – but this makes a great quantity of dog food that you will be able to freeze and serve as needed.

To make:

Preheat your oven to 400 degrees and grease 3 large muffin trays. Cook the rice and water in a large saucepan. Let cool to room temperature when rice is fluffy. Mix the potatoes, carrots, celery, beef, and eggs in a large bowl, and then mix the salt, olive oil, oats, and rice in.

Fill each muffin cup with the rice/beef mixture and pack it down so it is level with the rim. Cook for 30 to 45 minutes. Wait until they are cool to serve. You can serve individually and then freeze the rest for a quick meal.

Does Your Dog Have a Compulsive Disorder?

Does your dog chase his tail? Instead of a cute, if odd, pastime, it could be a compulsive disorder. At the International Association of Animal Behavior Conference, Dr. Nicholas Dodman, spoke about compulsive disorders in our furry friends. “Like people can have compulsive behaviors, such as…washing their hands until their skin is raw, animals can have similar behaviors.”

Dr. Dodman is the director of the Behavior Clinics at Tufts Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine and author of several popular books. Dr. Dodman thinks that it is probable that about five percent of pets have compulsive behaviors. How can this look? As mentioned, a dog may chase his tail. Others chase light or shadows, suck on their flanks, or snap in the air, as if they were snapping at a fly.

There is a reason for their compulsions, according to Dodman. The dogs who chase light or shadows compulsively tend to be dogs that were originally bred for herding. They are working on whether or not these traits are genetic. “If it’s true in dogs, there’s a good bet it’s true in people.”

Other veterinary experts say that mental illness in pets is increasing, and more are being prescribed anti-depressants. Dr. Gabrielle Carter, of the University of Melbourne, said she is seeing more pets with phobias, aggression, and separation anxiety. “We use a lot of drugs like Prozac and other anti-depressants and Valium. And we always prescribe behavioral treatment plans.” Dr. Dodman has also treated horses with Prozac to good results.

Both agree that owners and vets need to be aware of the signs of mental illness, which can include sudden aggression, destructive behaviors, regression in house training, or self-injurious behaviors, such as excessive scratching or sucking on their fur, which can irritate their skin.

Keep an eye on your pet; even if he doesn’t have a mental illness, all that love and attention is great for him and can keep him happy and energetic.

Why Your Dog Should Go Green

A few years ago, New Zealand authors Brenda and Robert made headlines for their assertion that dogs and cats were harder on the environment than SUVs. They contend that the carbon “pawprint” of our pets is more than twice that of your average gas-guzzling vehicle. It’s not fair to blame dogs for climate change or pollution – but we can get into a more green routine when it comes to our pets. The following eco-friendly pet supplies are ideal for earth-loving dogs, who emit many things but never as much carbon as an SUV.

Honey Dog Bamboo Collar. This collar is so green that your dog would eat it if he were a herbivore. It is made with a 100 percent organic bamboo ribbon and 100 percent undyed organic bamboo webbing. It is hypoallergenic so it won’t bother your dog’s skin, antibacterial, biodegradable, and breathable. There are no pesticides, insecticides, or fertilizers used in the making of this fiber.

This delightful collar features honey bees and dogs with bee wings to raise awareness of Colony Collapse Disorder, which has inexplicably killed a large percentage of honeybees around the world. Since bees pollinate about 1/3 of the world’s food, this is a big issue.

Love Dog Bamboo Harness. This adorable harness is a chic accessory and a great way to support pet adoption and spaying and neutering programs. Wagging Green, the company behind this harness and a complete line of great collars (like the Honey Dog!), donates 5 percent of the profits to these programs to help homeless animals.

Natural Cotton EcoHip Dog Collar. Made from organic cotton, this great collar is durable and strong. And funky. It has two layers of cotton webbing in complementary colors and great fringe edging. Five percent of the profits from this collar help fund green projects.

These and other great eco-friendly products are not only fabulous and stylish – though they really are! They also have a conscience; whether helping the environment or animals, your purchase is doing something to pitch into the greening up of the world.

Dogs Hit the Ivy League

It was only a matter of time before man’s best friend got accepted into Yale Law. Ok, maybe he doesn’t actually go there, but therapy dog Monty is definitely a Yalie. This loveable 21 pound brown border terrier mix is on loan via the Yale Law library for a three-day pilot pet therapy program.

Students at the country’s top rated law school face a lot of stress and pressure, and it is Monty’s job to help relieve some of that tension, and maybe even lower blood pressure as well. Next week, students who signed up can spend time with the therapy dog, who actually belongs to librarian Julian Aiken. According to law librarian Blair Kauffman, “It is well documented that visits from therapy dogs have resulted in increased happiness, calmness and overall emotional well-being.” Therapy dogs have been used at Tufts University, UC San Diego, and Oberlin College to help students deal with the stress of exams, and they are a fixture in hospitals, schools, nursing homes, and even disaster recovery sites.

For those lucky 6.7 percent of applicants that get accepted into Yale Law, pressure is a constant part of life. They have to live up to alumni which includes presidents and Supreme Court judges, and they have a $48,000 tuition bill to worry about. Rajita Sinha, a psychologist and professor of psychiatry at Yale, welcomes the move, saying “students…need to learn ways of handling it [stress] and need help at different points in the semester.”

If all goes well with Monty and his law students, the program could turn into a permanent fixture on campus. We’re pretty sure Monty is handling the pressures of the Ivy League with aplomb. And hopefully a cute sweatshirt to keep him warm in the cold New Haven spring.

Man’s Best Friend is Also Dog’s Best Friend

With all of the horrific images and even more horrific news emerging near constantly from Japan, good news is hard to come by. This makes a recent viral video all the more heartwarming. The video showed a dog refusing to leave his canine friend, who was injured and trapped in the rubble of last week’s massive earthquake and tsunami.

The uninjured dog, who is visibly shaken and muddy, approaches the people with the camera and tries to keep them from approaching the second dog, who is lying still. He then returns to the dog and sits by him. What is really remarkable about the video is the people who are filming it; one man says he can’t watch the dogs. It’s too difficult. For millions of other people around the world, though, it is a reminder of the good nature of dogs. One viewer said, “Why can’t we humans show the same kind of loyalty and compassion?”

Disaster struck swiftly and cruelly in Japan, and besides the millions of people whose lives were impacted, so too were their pets (as well as Japan’s large population of stray dogs). PETA recommends the following safety precautions to take during natural disasters:

• Get your dogs ID tags.

• Keep important documents, like your dog’s pet medical and shot records, safe and grab them if you have to evacuate. Keeping them with your other important documents, like your ID, in a watertight container is a good idea so you don’t have to think about one more thing.

• Make a survival pack. You should have one for your family, especially if you live in an area prone to natural disasters, such as earthquakes, tornadoes, hurricanes, or wild fires. Also include a leash, extra animal food, and other necessities for your dog.

Sometimes, it is necessary to leave your animal at home. This is heartbreaking for many dog owners but the lives of your human family are of the utmost importance. Don’t turn your dog loose. This puts him at danger of being lost or attacked or of being scared and attacking someone. It is best to leave them in a secure place in your home. Life is not always ideal; the best response is to take the dog. The worst is to set him free outside.

Leave about 10 days’ worth of water for your dog. Fill your sinks, bowls, pans, and other containers with water, and put them on the floor. If you don’t have chemicals in your toilet, leave the seats up as well. Also leave out a 10 day (or more) supply of dry dog food.

Leader of the Pack: Do You Need to Be the Alpha Dog?

A lot of the tips we get on dog training have to do with asserting dominance and making sure your dog knows that you are in charge. The reasoning is that because dogs are pack animals, they will try to become the alpha dog. If they are allowed to be the ruler of the pack, so to speak, then a host of disciplinary problems ensues. This is why many trainers suggest that you always go through the door before the dog or that if he tries to steal your pillow at night, you put him quickly in place. But is it necessary to be the leader of the pack?

Alexandra Horowitz doesn’t think so. The author of Inside of a Dog: What Dogs See, Smell, and Know. She contends that in the wild, wolves are a family. “There’s no dominance hierarchy. It’s simply bizarre to think that your dog is trying to overtake you as an alpha.” So when your dog tries to take your spot in bed, he’s not playing psychological control games? He’s just trying to find the warm spot?

Often, there is a big disconnect between what dogs are thinking and what we think they’re thinking. Horowitz advises people to try to forget all they think they know about dogs:

“What we’ll find, in looking at dogs through a scientific lens, is that some of what we think we know about dogs is entirely borne out; other things that appear patently true are, on closer examination, more doubtful than we thought. And by looking at our dogs from another perspective - from the perspective of the dog - we can see new things that don't naturally occur to those of us encumbered with human brains. So the best way to begin understanding dogs is by forgetting what we think we know.”

One of the things dog owners do often is treat their dogs as furry people. They attribute human feelings and desires to dogs. We think they’re sad; we think they’re hungry; we think they’re bored. We think they’re trying to be the alpha. Trying to dominate the pack may not be a dog trait at all, but a human one we attribute to them.

Does Your Child Need a Reading Buddy? Get a Dog

Parents know the joy of reading Good Night, Moon or Are You My Mother? over and over…and over! Kids latch onto their favorite books and want to hear nothing else, or their stack of bedtime reading books is taller than they are. Reading is great for kids – it’s essential! But it can get tiring, if you want to be honest. And kids who are just starting to read can feel judged or pressured when they stumble over words. The answer? Dogs.

Dogs rescue people; they search for roadside bombs to keep soldiers safe; they lower blood pressure and reduce stress; they detect certain cancers. Now an early elementary school in England is finding man’s best friend to be a young reader’s best friend as well. These “read dogs,” as they are called, are specially trained greyhounds. Their job is to listen as a child reads aloud to them. They provide the perfect, nonjudgmental, patient audience.

The school in England has added Danny to their staff. After receiving five months of training, Danny is used as a reading buddy. Danny’s owner, Tony Nevett, says, “It helps with their self-esteem in reading out loud because he is nonjudgmental. He doesn’t judge them and he doesn’t laugh at them. He’s just a tool – the children don’t realize they are reading, which they might not have the confidence to do in the class.”

Does it work? Nevett sites one student, a girl with Down’s Syndrome, who has improved her reading with Danny’s help. Even though Danny never says a word – or maybe because Danny never says a word – children are confident and unafraid to take risks when it comes to reading aloud. And when Danny dozes off? “When Danny goes to sleep I tell the children that he’s dreaming about their story.”

In the United States, Reading Education Assistance Dogs are brought in by community centers, libraries, therapy groups, and more to help children gain the confidence they need. And it helps children enjoy reading, which is important for success later in school.

One question you may have: why greyhounds? Apparently, these wonderful dogs are used because they do not bark and their short hair is less likely to trigger allergies in their human reading buddies.

Is Your Dog Overweight?

Is your dog pleasantly plump? Well, according to a study by the Association for Pet Obesity Prevention and Mars Incorporated’s Banfield Pet Hospital, he may not be pleasantly anything; he may just be fat. Extra weight on humans causes a host of medical problems; it can also harm dogs, creating increased risk of diabetes, joint problems, cancer, arthritis, and kidney disease. Why is the obesity epidemic spreading to dogs, and is your beloved pooch too fat?

The reason why dogs (and cats) are fat is the same reason why people have weight problems. Typically, they eat too much and exercise too little. We equate food with love a lot of the time, and it is so tempting to sneak our dogs a few too many treats. Or to look at those puppy eyes and imagine we see he’s hungry. In reality, dogs that eat less live longer. Exercise is also key. A walk gives both dog and owner tremendous benefits. You’ll see the difference not only in your dog’s weight (and hopefully yours) but also in his mood. Destructive behaviors, caused by boredom, can be remedied with sufficient physical activity and stimulation.

The study found that almost half of the dogs and cats in the US are overweight, and 20 percent are obese. For dogs and cats, this means that they weigh 30 percent or more than their ideal healthy body weight. Is your dog part of the pet “obesity epidemic”? He may be if you cannot feel his ribs easily, see a hanging belly, or if he has a broad, flat back.

Not only do these extra pounds weigh your dog down, they weigh your budget down as well. Pet owners with Veterinary Pet Insurance policies spent over $25 million on obesity-related problems.

According to Ernie Ward, founder of the Association of Pet Obesity Prevention, obesity is the most preventable health issue facing dogs and cats. Steven Budsberg, veterinary expert at University of Georgia, says, “Obesity in pets is almost the equivalent of smoking in human medicine. There’s the high cost to people, and it’s self-induced. I never met a German shepherd who could open the refrigerator or the food bag and pour himself another bowl.”

Some weight loss suggestions include counting calories, using software to track eating and exercise, and investing in a dog treadmill. But you can save yourself the expense and stick to a good old healthy diet and daily, brisk walk or intense play. It’ll cost you less now, and it will certainly cost you less in the long run.

Going Retro: Vintage Shirts for Your Pup

Everyone loves a great t-shirt. They’re casual, comfortable, and the perfect complement to a variety of outfits. T-shirts are the best, most versatile additions to any wardrobe – even your dog’s! If you have always been interested in trying clothes for your pup, t-shirts are the perfect way to introduce them to the idea because of their great comfort and fit. When buying clothing for your dog, it is best to get them items that fit snugly, but not tightly and that have no tempting ornamentation that your dog will want to chew. Duds4Pups’ line of vintage tees fits the bill perfectly.

Vintage t-shirts are fun and fresh. Take a look at the Elton John Vintage T-Shirt, for instance. In subtle pink and white colors, the image of Elton from his “Saturday Night” days is ideal for any music lover. If you’re more into 80s hard rock, you can try a Kiss Sonic Boom Vintage Tee. Vintage tees come in a variety of styles, from a cute Smurf to a fun retro surf shirt, so you’ll be able to find the right fit for your dog’s personality.

You cannot go wrong with a great vintage tee – unless you get the wrong size! Make sure to measure your dog. We know, that can be a trick in itself, but measure along your pup’s back from the base of the neck to the base of his tail. Next, measure around his rib cage at the largest part. Choose the size that best fits his measurements. Remember, the shirt should fit snugly so it does not restrict movement or cause discomfort.

Your dog will look so great, you’ll want a vintage tee for yourself!

Get a Dog, Get Some Exercise: Teens with Dogs More Active

If you needed one more reason to get a dog – look to your children. Not only are dogs excellent companions, University of Virginia researchers have discovered that teens with dogs are much more active than their non-pooch-owning counterparts. So when your kids beg for a dog, at least they’re making a healthy decision!

The UVA researchers found that, on average, kids with dogs engaged in an extra 15 minutes of physical activity per week over those that did not own a dog. Must be from all that dog-walking. Or not. Every parent who has been begged for a dog knows that despite promises, they are often the ones who end up walking the dog. The researchers say, “Children and adolescents may not have the primary responsibility of walking the dog but may actively play with the family dog, thus contributing to their overall minutes engaging in physical activity.” Routine care, such as feeding the dog and cleaning up after it also adds to those minutes.

There is no doubt that kids need more exercise; time spent engaging in physical activity drops dramatically after elementary school. Dr. Cheryl B. Anderson of the Children’s Nutrition Research Center at Baylor College of Medicine says, “You may walk it, you may not, but the fact that you have this animal in the house makes you get up off the chair more. Every bit of activity is important.”

The added benefit of treating your dog – and yourself – to a daily brisk walk will do your body good.

Are Dogs a Doctor’s Best Friend?

There is no doubt about it: dogs are amazing animals. They provide us with endless unconditional love; they can help reduce health issues, such as high blood pressure and depression; and they are loyal in their service to us. Dogs are often employed to sniff out drugs, and the military uses them to detect roadside bombs in war zones. You can add another item to this already impressive resume: cancer detector.

Recently, Japanese researchers reported that a trained Lab was able to detect colon cancer with up to 98 percent accuracy. Instead of expensive panels of blood work and tests, the Lab, named Marine, was able to do this by sniffing the patients’ breath and stool samples. Not too shabby – especially considering that her success rate was higher than that of the fecal occult test, which is a standard diagnostic tool. This test is unable to detect 30 percent of patients’ cancers.

Marine’s finely tuned nose was able to identify both early and late stage cancers. Since beginning her training in 2005, she has learned to detect 12 distinct cancers using only breath samples.

Incredibly, Marine’s success was not a fluke or stunning coincidence. Other studies have confirmed that dogs can use their terrific sense of smell to sniff out cancer. British researchers found that dogs could detect bladder cancer by simply smelling the patients’ urine, and Swedish researchers trained dogs to detect ovarian cancer. Trained dogs have also been shown to detect lung and breast cancer from tissue, blood, and urine.

Researchers are working on the theory that different cancers have different smells, and dogs are vital to that work. Another benefit: having a dog sniff your breath is a whole lot more pleasant than a colonoscopy, and studies show, it’s as accurate.

Adorable Dog, Destructive Chewing

For a dog, chewing is like breathing. They do it naturally, and it’s a good thing. Most of the time. Chewing, in addition to being good for the teeth, chewing provides dogs with mental stimulation. Destructive chewing, however, is definitely not the type of mental stimulation you or your dog needs. Chewing on hazardous items, or even just your favorite leather boots, is a negative behavior that has to be curbed, and the sooner, the better.

Why is your dog chewing? If he’s a puppy, it may just be that he’s teething. When babies teeth, they need to relieve pressure and pain in their gums, and chewing helps do this. Puppies need the same type of release. In this case, it is not a bad habit, just a necessity. Bones and chews toys are a must. Give him a new one once in a while and try rotating through them so he doesn’t get bored of them.

If your dog is over his teething stage, chewing may have become a pleasant thing to do. You may find your dog doing this more when he’s bored, lonely, anxious, or scared. For instance, if you work long days and leave your pup at home, it is not uncommon to come home to find something chewed up. Stimulation and exercise can be good cures for chewing, especially if you have a high energy dog. Also try:

• Providing treats and toys. They’re not just for puppies. Older dogs need them too.
• Taking away temptation. This is hard to do – you can’t put everything in your home into the closet, but do take away the most tempting items. If your dog likes the trash, for instance, put it in a room that your dog can’t access.
• When you’re gone, put your dog in a kennel or dog-proof a room and use gates to keep him confined to one area.
• Coat any of his favorite non-appropriate chewing items with something that tastes bad to him. This could be Tabasco sauce, sour apple spray, Bitter Apple, or pepper. Make sure it is non-toxic but unpleasant.
• Teach him “leave it” or “drop it.” When he’s chewing something, don’t try to tug it out of his mouth. This, of course, is a great game to the dog. It’s not so fun for you.
• You can’t discipline your dog for chewing after he’s done it. It is tempting to think that dogs have it in for us and are chewing to spite us. But they’re really not. They’re chewing because they chew. Only discipline him, with a firm “No!” when you catch him. Replace the inappropriate item with a chew toy.
• Don’t give your dog chew toys that resemble “real” items. If you don’t want him to chew on your shoes, don’t give him a toy shaped like a shoe. If you don’t want him to chew on the kids’ stuffed animals, don’t give him a toy that looks like one. He’ll get confused. Make sure he’s aware of what is a toy and what is not.

Chewing is trying, there’s no doubt about it. With patience – and lots and lots of stimulation – you can both conquer it.