Ask the Pet Expert
May 2012 Article
GROOMING IS ABOUT HUMANITY OVER VANITY
Your groomer will always place your dog’s comfort and health above a pretty haircut. That’s especially important when it comes to matted fur. If you have a dog that regularly visits the groomer then I’m sure you have heard this concern mentioned at least once.
What you may not have realized about your dog’s matted fur:
- Mats cause pain. The worse the matting the more your dog is in pain. – Mats on the ears and tail effect the blood flow and can ultimately result in a cut off of circulation.
- Mats, if left untreated, can continuously pull at the skin resulting in bruising, swelling, or lesions which will lead to infection.
When a groomer is working on a matted dog, they will first asses the severity. If the mats can be removed (brushed out) with no pain to the dog, then chances are good you’ll get a nice longer haircut. Should the mats cause the dog obvious distress, then they will be shaved out. Shaving your dog is the least painful way to remove mats and the skin underneath need air to begin healing.
Most dogs can be shaved without issue, but the more matted your dog is, the higher the risk for skin problems. These include hematomas, razor burn, inflamed skin, scabs, and exposed lesions.
The best way to avoid these issues is to have your dog placed on a regular maintenance program.
April 2012 Article
Leash Walking
Every dog owner’s biggest complaint: MY DOG PULLS ON LEASH! At one point or another, we’ve all experienced a dog that insists on pulling our shoulders out of place. It is very frustrating but easily fixable! Like everything else dog training, it simply takes patience, practice, and positivity.
Lets examine why a dog might pull so hard on leash that they are choking themselves and risking serious injury. First, dogs don’t think like we do. If you commonly pull back or jerk the leash with a stern “no”, what do you think is going through your dog’s head? Technically there has to be some slack in the leash in order for you to yank your dog back. So that moment of slack indicates to the dog that a swift, painful punishment is on its way.
The result is a dog that really tries to avoid that loose leash! If you continue to pull back on the leash, or yell at your dog in efforts to “correct” him, it makes sense that your dog continues to pull on leash. He is trying to keep away from you! It is more important to a dog to avoid conflict rather than be “obedient”.
I can’t get into everything in this short article but hopefully it’s enough to get you thinking how you interact with your dog on leash.
Neck, back and gland problems are big concerns for dogs who constantly pull. Incorporating tools such as pinch collars, choke chains, retractable leashes, ill fitting collars or harnesses can all seriously injure your dog. So think simple. Go with a soft collar or well-fitted harness and a six foot leash.
You want a method that does not hurt, frighten or stress your dog. Try this:
1) Stop immediately when the leash become tight
2) Wait two seconds in efforts to get your dogs attention
3) If no attention is given, make a soft noise that specifically means “follow me”
4) When dog gives you attention – PRAISE him!
5) Take a couple of steps in the opposite direction
6) REWARD the dog for following!
Key points are to :
1)Find a sound that specifically means “follow me”
2) Reward your dog!
3) Do not allow yourself to follow the dog but always be aware of the leash slack, be aware of your own movements and don’t pull back or jerk the leash.
4) Start slow, be aware of the environment you are in with your dog. If it is too stimulating and he is having a hard time concentrating, start in a quieter area and slowly build to places like dog parks or busy sidewalks.
5) Making eye contact isn’t necessary, just be sure the dog learns to follow you
Going slow and positive reinforcing your dog builds a bond and a good relationship. Don’t rush, otherwise your dog will feel the need to do the same
**The information provided was taken from Turid Rugaas’ book “My Dog Pulls: What Do I Do?” A great informational and short read. We have many copies available for purchase in our boutique.
For any follow up questions about loose leash walking or to check out our training class options please feel free to contact our trainer Rebecca. Phone – 403 850 7998 Email motivatedmuttz@live.ca
March 2012 Article
Brushing your Pet’s Teeth: A Simple Step for a Healthy Pet!
Often the topic of oral care will come up with our clients. Brushing your pet’s teeth is easily overlooked, but it is incredibly simple and essential to your pet’s overall health. Periodontal disease can lead to a more complicated infection affecting your pet’s liver, kidneys, and heart. Worst-case scenario, you could have a very sick pet and a hefty vet bill.
This doesn’t just pertain to dogs but to all pets. Granted, the oral care treatments may be different. For example, chinchillas are meant to have a nice orange look to their teeth and are given chew toys to prevent overgrowth. Ferrets, cats and dogs can all use an animal specific toothpaste and brush to keep their teeth white and tartar free. There are many dental bones or chews available on the market. However, in my personal opinion, giving a dog a chew to clean their teeth is simply like us humans chewing a stick of whitening gum daily instead of actually brushing our teeth. They are fun, dogs love the treat, but it’s not a great long-term solution for oral care in your pet.
Using a toothbrush and paste to clean your pet’s teeth takes only a few minutes and can be done daily. Granted, it may be more difficult on some animals over others. My own cat is a little cranky and doesn’t really like the whole ordeal. However, my dogs wait patiently, yet excitedly, by the bathroom for their designated teeth brushing time.
There is no special trick to brushing a pet’s teeth. Just be sure to use a comfortable brush and a pet formula toothpaste. The brushes can be little finger brushes, or double ended brushes. The main reason that human toothpaste cannot be used on your pet is the amount of foamy build up that human toothpaste creates. Your pet cannot spit and is forced to swallow the paste, which is harmful. A pet toothpaste is designed to simply remove tartar and control gum disease by the use of anti-bacterial and anti-viral agents. In the long term, brushing your dog’s teeth removes the nasty “dog breath” smell and significantly lowers the risk of complicated infections.
It would be wise to factor in a veterinarian dental procedure into your costs of pet ownership. They can be costly but will help reduce the risk of infections should your pet’s teeth be beyond the state of daily brushing. Daily brushing is a great preventative but will not reverse serious tartar buildup. Your vet will have great additional information on the importance of keeping your pet’s teeth clean.
January 2012 Article
Energy Healing is Important for your Pet’s Health too!
Natural Therapies and Holistic Therapies play a major role in our lifestyle for stress reduction and relaxation. Yoga, meditation, Reiki, and others, are all designed to promote our physical wellbeing. A state of wellbeing is achieved by methods of grounding and balancing our body’s energy. We use the term “Energy Healing” because these grounding and balancing techniques work to improve function of the mental, emotional, and physical body. Stress reduction techniques help our performance in everyday life as well as in periods of higher stress (such as illness, tragedies, trauma, etc).
It goes without saying that pets can benefit from this too! Our pets can suffer from a variety of stress from anxieties to injuries.
There is an energy healing method that is specifically designed for animals. Healing Touch for Animals® was created by Carol Komitor in 1996, with an overall mission to help animals by using energy and intention to build mental, emotional, and physical health and create a strong state of wellbeing. These techniques can help your pet by:
- Reducing stress and anxiety
- Providing support through injuries, illnesses, and physical or emotional trauma
- Developing confidence and establish a solid support system
- Establish what is appropriate behaviour
- Increase the animal-human bond
- And much more….
Imagine a dog that was rescued and adopted into a loving family home. Perhaps this dog is displaying some undesirable behavioural issues (destructive chewing, peeing in the house, or may be very nervous and doesn’t want anyone to touch her) and is having a very difficult adjusting. Even if her new family provides her with everything they feel she needs to be happy and comfortable, the anxiety this dog possesses is preventing her from enjoying her new life and new family. Healing Touch for Animals® techniques are designed to help a dog such as this let go of any past emotional trauma, ease any fears she may have of her new environment, and build her confidence to create a stronger bond between her and her new family. The end result is a happy dog!
The Animal Oasis employs many Healing Touch for Animals® Practitioners and they are working with dogs on a daily basis. Our results are amazing! The dogs in our care are overall more relaxed and comfortable.
Interested in how it works? Curious if Healing Touch for Animals® would benefit your pet? Feel free to contact us to speak with one of our practitioners.
October 2011 Articles
Grooming: Surviving A Dog’s Worst Nightmare – Finding the Right Groomer
Practicing at home is a great way to get your dog used to having a bath, hearing a blow dryer, and being handled. This helps to reduce the stress from experiencing something new at the groomers.
So how can you trust that the people working with your dog during the grooming process are looking out for your dog’s best interest and safety? Some characteristics and environmental factors to look for when checking out grooming salons:
Can you see the grooming space? Can you see groomers actively working on dogs? A grooming work space should always be visible so you can see that all dogs are supervised or observed by staff at all times. Look for any hazards such as personal items lying around, exposed or dirty cords and equipment, or unattended dogs. How do the groomers treat the dogs? Are they patient? Do they allow breaks in the grooming process if a dog seems too stressed?
Do the groomers take the time to get to know your dog to make sure they are comfortable? Would your groomer take a few minutes every now and then to “meet and greet” your dog? Every time you’re in the neighborhood ask if it’s ok to stop in quickly so the groomer can pet, play and give treats to your dog. Building a relationship between your groomer and your dog is tremendously important and helps to make your dog comfortable at the groomers.
Is your dog at the groomers all day? Ask if your groomer will take your dog out for potty breaks. Not only does this let your dog relieve themselves and get out of the kennel but a walk is a great way for the dog and groomer to bond. If your groomer takes dogs in on an hourly basis, understand that grooming does take time and that a good groomer will not only use every minute to achieve the haircut you want, but will also try to make sure your dog is comfortable in the short time allotted. If this means they need to give your dog breaks and go for little walks or have mini playtime (which is a great stress reliever for the dogs) then it may take a little longer than expected. Talk to your groomer to find out how they would spend their time with your dog.
What is the business protocol for safety? This applies to a range of issues, such as how the groomer handles dogs to how the grooming environment is maintained. If you are able to (and you should be), observe how a groomer works on a dog*. Are they putting the dog’s needs first? Ask how the equipment is sterilized between dogs. Also check to see if the staff is pet first aid certified to be sure your dog is safe in an emergency.
*It’s best not to watch your own dog being groomed because your dog will get excited or stressed by seeing you there, thus making them difficult to groom (my own dog gets very whiny and wiggly on the table when she sees me). So watch the groomers work on a dog other than your own and observe how they interact.
At The Animal Oasis we are always striving to set higher standards of care. Should you have any questions or concerns about your dog and their grooming needs feel free to call!
September 2011 Article
Dogs don’t see a day at the spa to be as enjoyable as we would. You might go so far as to say dog’s flat out hate getting groomed. To a dog, the perfect spa day is tearing through the bushes, rolling in the mud, and then lounging lazily on your freshly cleaned sofa.
If your dog puts on the sad face when you go to the groomers, you are not alone. Just because the last thing you see is a “please don’t leave me look”, you may be surprised that as soon as you are out of sight – your dog is one hundred percent fine.
A positive grooming experience starts at home. Remember, it is never too early or too late to start these routines with your dog.
Handle your dog frequently. Keep touching their feet, including toes and nails. Touch their face, nose, around the eyes, and around the ears. Move their legs and tail around as you brush or comb them and brush them regularly.
Get them used to water. Even if your dog isn’t a ‘water-dog’ here’s a great tip to introduce a bath (these tips should be carried out over a few days and only work with your dogs comfort level):
- If they have never liked water, then let them hang around in the bathtub, let them sniff around and then reward with a treat.
- Work your way up to putting a small amount of water on your dog using your hands or a small cup of water and reward them with a treat.
- Next step, have them see what running water sounds like in the tub. If they are brave enough, have them hang out in the bathtub and just turn the faucet on. Turn off the faucet, take them out of the tub and reward them with a treat.
- Once they are comfortable around water, you should be able to use the shower head to get their bodies, faces, and feet wet and fully scrubbed down. Remember to work at making this a positive experience for your dog. Don’t push their limits and always reward them for being such a good dog!
See how your dog reacts to these experiences and keep practicing if they are a little hesitant. Getting your dog used to these experiences allows for a better time at the groomers.
We’ll follow up on more grooming tips and explain how groomer’s work with dogs in Part 2 of Grooming: Surviving a Dog’s Worst Nightmare.
August 2011 Article
Doggie Daycare is a relatively new concept that has really taken off in Calgary within the past ten years. Calgary’s dog population is roughly 1 dog to every 9 people – that’s a lot of hard working Calgarians with a lot of dogs to care for! Our lifestyles can be hectic. Most of us are workaholics (I certainly am!) and pet owners are continuously searching for ways to keep their pets happy while maintaining their busy lives.
The benefits of doggie daycare to owners are obvious; your dog is properly cared for during the day while you work or run errands, you don’t have the stress of wondering what your dog may have destroyed while you were out, and you don’t have to feel guilty because of the sad face your dog gives you as you walk out the door every day.
What’s more, the benefits of doggie daycare to your dog are endless!
Socialization: While this is a key developmental stage for puppies, all dogs can benefit from interactions with other dogs. Dogs make friends just like people do! When they are allowed to play with other dogs on a regular basis, they learn important skills such as how to “play nice”, how to greet dogs of all sizes, how to respect personal boundaries, and how freeing it is to just be a dog! Learning these skills can help lead the way to other experiences as well, such as going to dog parks, learning on-leash behaviour, meeting your neighbor’s new dog, etc. It makes for the perfect, socially adjusted dog!
Constant Human Interaction: Dogs love people. They like to be around people. Daycare can alleviate some separation anxiety issues because they have people around them to interact with all day. Even if your dog is more of a people snuggler and doesn’t care much for other dogs, they still get that comforting attention while you are out for the day.
Exercise: Dogs need to move and burn those calories just like we do, and daycare provides the space to let them be their energetic, bouncy selves. From a dog’s perspective, chasing a ball or wrestling with their doggy pals sure beats sitting at home all day!
Mental Stimulation: Dogs get just as much of a work out when they are using their brains. Daycare staff can play little training games such as practicing training signals or using puzzle games to find a treat. Just think of how exhausted you are after working on a report for hours or writing an exam. Dogs love to learn and a daycare is a great place for them to do that.
Health and Safety: Having someone monitoring your dog means that you will be notified of any potential illnesses or injuries that you may not have noticed. It’s important to be aware of what is “normal’ for your dog. Daycare staff become quite accustomed to their regular doggy visitors’ behaviours – they can often spot anything unusual or wrong, and that could potentially save your dog’s life.
Check out your doggie daycare options to see what might work best for you and your dog!
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