ColleenSafford's blog

Oh, I am just too witty.   Go on with my bad self. Dogs hate fleas.  So do we,  but what's a blog without a teaser title? Just a blog (just like this).

 There is one type of flea that most everyone loves and that's a flea market. Today, I headed out to the Brimfield antique show. It's one of the biggest markets in the US  and a toal must-do for any lover of vintage, industrial, repurposed, reclaimed, upcycled, eco-friendly or full of lead hazardous items!   It's a must for everyone.

Brimfield runs three times per season in May, July and September. It's a 5 day event each time.  There over over 5000 dealers at the show! It stretches a mile long on both sides of the road (and about 1/4 mile deep on each side!). It's massive!

There are always fun dog themed items, but even better, lots of dogs to distract me from over purchasing! I must say, all dogs were very well behaved. It's always so great to see that front clasp harnesses have really caught on too! My favorite is the Sense-ation harness by Softouchconcepts. I saw at least 10 dogs wearing a front clasp harness throughout the day yesterday.

If you are not familiar, front clasp harnesses were developed specifically to enable better physical control of a dog's body and discourage pulling. They are a non-aversive training tool, and a great aid in the pulling dilemma. Humane trainers love them!

Here are some of the dog friends I met and talked to along the way.

The first few I met weren't very talkative. I noticed this guy's soft, simple eyes and his birthdate was 1975.  Dog ownership and mania has increased over the years. This piece reminded me though - people have always commissioned portraits, sketches and paintings.  It's not new (and certainly wasn't new to the 70s). Dogs have always been worthy of immortalizing. Cloning is the modern dog owner's option.

These guys didn't answer me when I asked if they were related. They continued their blank stare when asked how they felt about being referred to as Boston Terrorists instead of  Terriers. I started thinking they looked a bit on guard, and potentially had something to do with that flying pig's demise. Could Tweety Bird  have played a role in this as well?

This guy was breaking the rules. There's always one in the crowd, right? He was off-leash. I just we can cut him some slack given that he was working. He didn't have much time to talk to me as he was brokering a deal between his owner and a haggler looking for a steal. Score:  Dog 1 - Haggler 0.

 This tre magnifique trio of Westies were gossiping about the Brimfield afterhours. Apparently, everyone selling at the show spends the evenings together camping, gathering, cooking and celebrating their day's sales. These girls had all the scoop, and were a bit tired from the previous night's festivities.

 

Last but not least, I had the pleasure of meeting this very proud strollin' Pomeranian. He's quite the distinguished gentlemen. His parents had a packed a cooler and blanket for him. He is 13 years young and was rescued from a shelter. He asked me to take his photo this second time. The first time around he didn't feel he had his chin held proudly. I think he nailed it in this one!

 

All and all we enjoyed our outing. The dogs of Far Far Acres will just love the water fountain we scored for them too!  

Check out www.brimfield.com to get your vintage dog fix!

If you have a pulling dog, check out www.softouchconcepts.com

Warm wags!

Colleen

I don't want to train with treats because....

1. I don't want my dog to get fat.

2. I want my dog to work for me - not food.

3. My dog has a sensitive stomach.

 

Here's why you should scrap all these silly notions and get on with training your dog - in a very effective way.

1. Use crumb size  - When using food as reinforcment - make your rewards, crumb like and very tiny in size. By doing so, your dog will never get sick, fat or full!   Never in over a decade of dog training, have I experienced a dog balk at the size of my dispensed rewards.    A shred of chicken is just fine and a low sodium hot dog is enough to make 200 training rewards. You must also think of these training rewards as part of your dog's overall daily food intake.  Not extra treats.   Training rewards should factor into your dog's caloric intake and daily allowance.

2.  The fastest way to your dog's brain is likely through his stomach. If my dog were working out of pure love for me, I'd be flattered.  At the end of the day though, do I really care if the reason she is blasting toward me at 20 miles per hour away from a road  is becasue she thinks she might get a nibble of something?  No, I care that she is responsive and safe. We need to get over our egos!  Your dog loves you and you'll be all that more powerful if you convince him that you dole out good stuff!   Humans are usually most willing to work for money.  Your dog is likely most willing to put out his best work (and feel well-compensated) when earning food rewards.  

3. If your dog has a sensitive stomach,  then you must investigate what works. Don't categorize all food as bad. You are greatly limiting  your potential by totally ruling food rewards out of your training program.   There is an entire list of  ingredients that make up you dog's food!   Carrots, chicken, lamb, raspberries, peas, bison, lick of a yoghund frozen yogurt, tuna -there's  loads of food out there to try!

 Now, it's important to realize that using food as reinforcement in your training program is  NOT the only type of motivator you should incroorate into your training program.  My dog has a very strong drive for the game of fetch and tennis balls.   I train her with every toss of the ball.

You never want to limit yourself to one type of reward . Whether it's food, play, toys or your praise - strong training programs include motivation tools of ALL kinds. If your dog wants it - use it (so long as it's safe). 

Warm wags!

Colleen

My last entry stressed the importance of early socialization.

Socializing with your dog  is of course a life long process  though, and that is what you can justify these brilliant playdate cards.

 While it's not completely necessary to be so hip in how you socialize - the hip pup has more fun!

 Check out these custom playdate cards available on Etsy.com.  

http://www.etsy.com/listing/63837666/doggie-play-date-calling-cards?ref=v1_other_1

They take the awkward out of, "my place of yours."

 Happy gallivanting.

Colleen

You might read the title and think, but it's the end of flu season. Isn't this news a bit late? Winter is the notorious flu season for humans, but for our furry friends, canine influenza is not a seasonal, but year round health issue. We recently had a scare at my dog camp.

Quite unfortunately, a doggy packed and brought along a very unwelcomed guest; canine influenza - H3N8. This sent us into quarantine mode and racing to best contain the spread, treat anyone that became symptomatic and educate pet parents on the possible exposure. It was our first exposure to a respiratory virus and let's hope our last (I enjoy setting unrealistic goals). 

Some may scratch their head and say, "I can't believe she is admitting the flu came through her doors."   Pet parents need to understand that canine influenza is not the fault of daycares, grooming salons, dog training centers, veterinary offices, pet supply stores, boarding facilities and kennels. How the business reacts to the flu is important; but keeping a social canine environment completely free of viruses is as easy as it is to keep a school or office free of viruses. Pesky viruses are a part of human and canine socializing. In leading a healthy, normal life, at times, your dog (and you) will be at risk of catching a virus.  

Here's the 411 on Canine Influenza:
Canine flu is new. It mutated in 2004 from equine influenza and first started popping up in racing kennels amongst greyhounds. It has since spread to the pet dog population.

Who is at risk?
Because this is a new virus, dogs have zero natural immunity. If exposed to the virus, 100% of dogs will contract the flu and 80% will show symptoms. The 20% of dogs that do not show symptoms are still capable of spreading the virus - the silent spreaders!

How does it spread?
Through coughing and sneezing aerosols, direct contact (kissy licks with other canine friends) and contaminated items (bowls, collars, leashes, clothing of someone who touched an infected dog, hands).

Symptoms:  
The most telling symptom is a cough, which if often described by owners as "he's trying to clear his throat." Your dog may also run a fever and have some nasal discharge (from a secondary infection).

Should I see my vet?
Yes, there is a risk that canine influenza can lead to a secondary infection. If your dog is coughing - immediately schedule  an appointment with your veterinarian. While the virus itself (like our cold and flu) is not treatable by antibiotics, a round should be prescribed to ward off the chance of a secondary infection.

Is this the same thing as kennel cough?
NO. It is different and should be treated by your veterinarian differently. Because this is new, some dogs are misdiagnosed with "kennel cough." As a result they are given the wrong antibiotic . Please understand that clinical symptoms alone cannot determine whether your dog has bordetella (kennel cough) or canine influenza. The only way to confirm this is through lab testing.  If your veterinarian does not run a lab test, it is very important to be sure to confirm that your dog is prescribed a  "broad spectrum" antibiotic  - not just an antibiotic that works well for bordetella. It is also important NOT to give your dog cough suppressant which is often recommended for kennel cough. The cough is an important part to getting healthier and working through canine influenza.  So, if you have NOT confirmed the virus through a lab test - do NOT suppress the cough.

Vaccination:
There is a vaccination available, but if exposed, your dog will still contract canine influenza. The vaccination will simply decrease symptoms and decrease your dog's contagiousness (though he will still be contagious!).  The vaccination has NOT caught on yet as part of the routine vaccination package. If  you live in an area where your dog will frequently come into contact with other dogs, goes to the dog run, joys doggy daycare, has vacation at social boarding facilities - I advise asking your vet for this vaccination.

How serious is Canine Influenza?
80% of dogs contract a mild form of influenza. It is a health inconvenience, but with good supportive care and a round of antibiotics they fully recover within two weeks. 20 percent of dogs have cases that lead to complications and secondary infections, like pneumonia. 1-5% can lead to death. Canine influenza can quickly turn to pneumonia and monitoring your dog's energy, appetite and fever are important.

When to worry:
If your dog develops nasal discharge, this is likely the result of a secondary infection. If your dog becomes lethargic or refuses to eat - an emergency room visit is in order. Chest xrays will determine if the virus has spread the lungs.

How long will my dog be contagious?   
Canine influenza has a relatively short shedding phase (by comparison to kennel cough). Dogs are most contagious during incubation (this is how it silently spreads) and for the first fews days after becoming symptomatic. Cessation of shedding occurs at  7-10days from the time the dog becomes symptomatic.

So, there you go. That is the skinny on canine flu. Please remember that I am not a vet and working together with your vet is the best way to fight off canine influenza. 

As a pet parent, just remember there are differences between bordetella  (kennel cough) and canine influenza. Work with your veterinarian and confirm that  your dog is not just being treated generically for "kennel cough"  without testing.  For more information - search the internet!

Spring flowers and furless kids without runny noses cannot come fast enough!

Warm, cough free wags!

Colleen

It is well known that all dogs need socialization. Socialization is the term dog trainers use for acclimating dogs to the world. This means safely exposing your dog to sounds, smells, different surfaces, objects (canes, walkers, wheelchairs, full shopping bags, hats), humans (tall, small, old and young, black, white, yellow and brown), and other furry beings (dogs, cats, horses etc.). Exposing your dog to the world where he will live  is the foundation of developing a confident and mentally healthy dog.  This process is particularly important in the first months of a dog's life, but continues for a lifetime. Often it is an owner's gut instinct to protect the life of the young puppy. In some cases, it's lucky for the puppy - who would gladly eat a pound of cable wire, drywall and underwear in one sitting! In other circumstances however, this protection can be detrimental.  In an attempt to protect a dog or puppy - owners actually rob them  of opportunities to experience and acclimate to their own world and to speak their own langauge with other dogs. I find this to be the case most often with puppy and small dog owners.  I often field the comment, "I don't want my little dog around big dogs," or question, "do you allow small dogs to play with big dogs."

The generic "dogs under 25 pounds" rule

I don't like generic rules. I fully understand their business purposes in lowering fluke accident liabilities, but I don't think they work for all dogs.  What's most important in dog play is not WHO they are playing with but HOW they are playing together. As the owner of a boarding facility, if I only allowed all dogs under 25 lbs to play together, there would be some small malteses who felt absolutely tortured by a few of my feisty terrier, French bulldog, Boston guests.   Likewise one of my particularly soft Aussie guests would feel utterly shocked and disgusted  by a goofy lab.  While the packages of these dogs are nearly the same, play style and temperament varies greatly from dog to dog, even amongst a breed and litter.  Of course,  there is a certain inherent risk when a giant breed Great Dane plays with a teacup Chihuahua - but more than size - it's the STYLE of play that counts.  

Doggie Style

Owners must understand that unlike small children, dogs will never sit down and play house, draw pictures side by side or talk politics. Dogs will run, chase, wrestle, nip, bark and growl. These are all normal play behaviours in dogs.

Small dog parents often wince, squeal, and then run in and swoop up their small puppy or dog from another larger playful puppy or adult dog. The ear and cheek mouthing, sing-song growling, and wrestling looks intense and owners worry their puppy is being hurt.  

It is often the case that they are not protecting their dog, rather they are taking away the dog's opportunity to "speak" for himself and robbing him of developing the ability to tell other dogs, "I don't want to play like that," or even, "yes, game on, I love it when we wrestle like that!"

There are certainly moments where you may need to step in - but  it's very important to know WHEN you are helping your dog and when you are simply blunting his ability to develop well round social skills.

When a nice group of well-socialized dogs are playing  - small and large dogs can mix.  In fact, well socialized dogs are keenly aware of how their body works (the level of contact they make, the pressure they use with their mouth etc.)  Happy-go-lucky dog play looks rhythmic and flowing - racing, back and forth wrestling, open mouth soft contact, sing-song type growling and small breaks in play are all good signs. Intense play involves often goes vertical (dogs standing on hind legs often),  a lot of over the back neck grabbing (and holding), growling that is a very quick deep vocal burst- maybe followed by an air snap, one dog may be trying to get away repetitively.  

How do I know if  the play is normal when they are growling and biting?

If two dogs or  puppies are playing - and you question whether  they both are enjoying it - remove the dog or puppy that you think is "the bully."  Simply call the dog out of play or gently hold his collar and escort him 3-5ft away from the other dog.  If the other dog happily follows or prances back to "the bully," clearly the dogs are enjoying one another.  Allow the play to continue. If the other dog does not come back to the "bully," simply try to divert their attention to other activities or playmates.

In dog play - it's style more than the size that matters. Did I really just type that?

Warm wags,

Colleen