As your pup hits the 43-week mark, you may be wondering what new adventures and challenges you'll face together. One helpful strategy to set your dog and you up for success is teaching them cooperative care skills.
Yep, you read that right. Teaching your pup how to be an active and cooperative participant in their nail trimmings, ear cleaning, and other grooming tasks can help create a positive and stress-free experience for both of you.
Have you had to coax your dog out from under the bed when it's time to take a pill? Been there, done that! But, with some patience, positive reinforcement, and a few tasty treats, you can help your pup understand that these experiences don't have to be scary.
Remember that every dog is unique, and while some may take to these skills like a duck to water, others may need more time and support. But as with most things in life, consistency is key. So, keep on practicing, laughing, and enjoying the journey!
This week's focus:
Getting your dog started with cooperative care
Muzzle training is for every dog
Tips for brushing your dog's teeth
Tips for give your pup a pill
Tips for preventing ear infections, and more
Cooperative Care
Cooperative care training may sound "extra," but we think that it's more important than many traditional obedience skills. In fact, zoo keepers focus almost all their efforts on cooperative care (and enrichment) for the animals in their care. You can do the same with your dog!
When it's easier to care for your dog, both for grooming and veterinary care, it's easier to notice lumps and bumps or other worrisome health issues early. And early detection is always good for better treatment!
Plus, teaching your dog to be a part of their care means they are more confident, less stressed, and have a higher level of trust in you. Your bond will just be that much stronger with cooperative care training.
Wearing a muzzle isn't just for dogs that may bite, so it's time to do away with that misconception! Whether your dog gets nervous in crowded places or just has an obsession with picking up any and everything on the sidewalk, a muzzle can help.
It's also about social etiquette. Just like we humans wear our face masks in certain situations, a muzzle helps your dog send a message to the world, saying, "Hey, I'm working on my doggie manners right now." Plus, it gives others the peace of mind they need to feel comfortable and know that they should be mindful of keeping their distance to not overwhelm your pup. Plus, muzzles don't have to be scary looking – invest in a brightly-colored muzzle to set your dog up in style!
We know the idea of brushing your dog's teeth may seem about as easy as herding squirrels, but trust us, it's worth it in the long run!
Here are three tips to get started: First, make it tasty! Invest in some doggie toothpaste (yes, that's actually a thing, and this way, you can ensure it doesn't contain toxic-to-dog ingredients). Let them lick it off your finger to get them used to the taste.
Second, start slow and small. Take baby steps, like touching their teeth with a finger or toothbrush and giving tons of praise (and maybe even some belly rubs) for good behavior.
And last but not least, make it a regular thing. Consistency is key, so make teeth brushing a part of your dog's regular routine.
Don't risk Armageddon every time your four-legged furball needs some medication. Teach your dog to swallow pills with ease for the sake of your sanity and their wellbeing. Whether it's a daily vitamin or vital medication, getting them to take it without a fuss ensures they receive the proper care they need.
So, grab those treats, practice some pill-swallowing magic, and rejoice in the fact that you and your clever pup have conquered the world of medication administration!
Going to the vet can be less stressful with a few easy tricks. Schedule your dog's appointment as early as possible to avoid delays caused by them running behind. Having your dog calm and relaxed prior to even leaving for the clinic is helpful.
If they are transported in a carrier, place it out a week prior to the visit, spray it with calming pheromone spray, and give special treats in it. Spray calming pheromone sprays around your home (don't forget the car!) and give calming treats the morning of the visit.
Call ahead to see if they are running behind with appointments. If so, let them know you are on the way and will be walking your dog outside to help keep them calm till they are ready to see you. Playing calming music in the car can also help. And remember, the calmer you are, the calmer they will be!
Any time after a bath, swimming, or playing in water, fill up your dog's ears with a gentle ear cleaner that has cleaning and drying agents. Then gently massage, and you are done.
Do not use Q-tips® or rub with wipes or a towel. This can cause small abrasions that can lead to an ear infection. For dogs prone to infections, consider cleaning the ears once weekly. Do not over-clean, for example, daily, since this can potentially irritate the ears and cause an infection.
Ways to Help Your Dog Live Longer With a Better Quality of Life, Starting Now
We all want our pets to live their best life longer. One of the best ways we can help extend our dog's lives is by always maintaining them at their ideal body weight. Studies have shown this can help dogs live up to 2.5 years longer. Proper nutrition and exercise are other keys to a better quality of life for our beloved dogs.
If trimming your dog's nails is too scary for you (especially if they have black nails!) or your dog gets too stressed, then you have another option! Train them to file their own nails down on a nail scratch board.
This is easier than you might think and makes nail care fun and easy for both you and your pup.
Safety first! Being prepared for an emergency is essential. Having one at-home kit and one travel kit (typically smaller) makes it easier.
Your at-home kit will contain considerably more items than your travel kit since the travel kit needs to be easily portable and adapted to the 'type' of activity (e.g., hiking versus road trip). Be sure to routinely re-stock your kits and monitor expiration dates.
Dogs will eat just about anything, including gum. And some really like it and will seek it out. Many popular sugar-free chewing gum brands contain xylitol, which is highly toxic to dogs.
The amount of xylitol per piece of gum varies among brands. A piece of gum can contain anywhere from 0.17 grams to 0.22 grams. Dogs rapidly absorb xylitol. Within 30 to 60 minutes of ingestion, a dose of 0.1 gram per kg of body weight causes hypoglycemia. If you know or suspect your dog has consumed chewing gum, contact your veterinarian or pet poison hotline immediately!!
We've reviewed products for safety, efficacy, and durability. What we recommend is veterinary and behavior-approved.
Nail Scratch Board
There are a variety of different scratch board designs, from curved to flat, and you'll want one that's easy for you to hold and the right size for your dog so it's easy to paw at.
Probiotics are measured in colony-forming units (CFUs). CFUs indicate the number of viable (live and active) cells. The current recommendation for dogs is to take 1–10 billion CFUs daily.
Only use probiotics designed for dogs, don't use ones for humans. Typically, there is no need for a slow intro, but for dogs that may have an overly sensitive stomach, you can cut the starting dose down to 1/4 or 1/2 and then slowly increase over a week or two. Dogs may experience increased gas or change in stool, which goes away. Depending on the reason you are giving probiotics, effects vary. For example, for diarrhea, the effect may be noticed in a few days but for immune support, it may take 4 to 6 weeks.
