Fourth of July Dog Safety

Independence Day is right around the corner!

Ari is ready to grill!  Don't worry, he would never
hold a firecracker, only Mommy approved items!

Do you have exciting plans for the Holiday?  Do they involve either you going somewhere to celebrate or people coming to your home to celebrate?  Sounds fun!  What is your dog going to be doing?  I am sure you already have a safe place set aside for your four-legged buddy to relax while all the scary noises and smells occur, but just in case you may have a friend or two that hasn't planned ahead for the canine(s) in their life, here are a few points to remember.

If you are going to be spending several hours away from your dog, or have friends over to celebrate, make sure to prepare properly (and I don't mean just being sure everyone has a hat to wear): 

Bully Tested's patriotic bullies
Check out their antlers at www.bullytested.com

     -Spend extra time exercising them so they will drowse contently while you party hardy.  The longer they sleep, the less time they have to be awake wondering why there are loud booms while you are not home.   

     -Leave something for them to chew on that will not become a choking hazard, so they have an option to help them relax.  When dogs are stressed, chewing can help them calm down.  When you are not present however, being frightened can make a usually reliable dog mistake your favorite shoes, couch, or living room wall for an acceptable chew item.  Be proactive and make sure to leave them something else.  (Brutus and Grace love antlers or bones to gnaw on)

     -Make sure they are in a safe place so if the loud noises startle them, they cannot get outside and run away.  A crate or dog proofed area that the dog is already accustomed to is ideal.  Any outdoor area, even if it is fenced in is NOT recommended.  Did you know most animals shelters' populations balloon a whopping 30% in after July 4th festivities?  Make sure your dog is not one of these numbers!

     -Be sure you have a safe place for your dog to go.  Yes, I just wrote that a few sentences ago.  It is important, especially if there are other folks going in and out of your home, opening and closing the door.  Even the most stable dog can get overwhelmed after a couple hours of happy people walking all around, followed by loud noises, or strange smells.  

Sophie loves to party, but her Mom also has a safe place ready for her to rest.

   
If you know that your dog is frightened of loud noises, you may want to consider taking more steps to help them get through all the mayhem that they can hear from (literally) miles away.  Here are a few more options you may want to consider for the short term.  (If you want to teach your dog to relax without relying on aids, feel free to contact me at pawsthenplay@gmail.com.)


     -Thundershirts:  ThunderShirts are a snugly fitted garment which applies a gentle pressure to the dog's body.  It has a soothing effect for the animal, but must be used in a temperature controlled area, since it is essentially like wearing a blanket!

     -Homeopathic Treatment: There are many supplements available to help relieve stress in canines.  Having some on hand for next weekend may not be a bad idea if you are not sure how your pup will react!  One place I love to go to for information and options locally is a Holistic pet shop called Pawtique in south Charlotte.  They have several options (flower essences, supplements, etc.) and will help you select the best option for your dog.

     -Pheromone products: These products are designed to mimic the pheromones a mother dog would emit to soothe a pup.  They can be packaged as plug-ins, collars or sprays.

Air Force Military Working Dogs

      SSgt Justin Aycock is now separated from active duty with the Air Force as a Military Working Dog trainer and handler, but in the North Carolina Air National Guard.  He was selected to be a Military Working Dog handler for part of his military career.  Eleven years of active duty in the military can teach some pretty incredible things.  Over 6 years of service spent overseas in multiple countries can lend a depth to perspective as well.  Training and handling K9s is challenging on several levels.  Justin not only excelled at working with his canines, but loved it.

Christmas day '09 after a mission with US Special Forces Team

      I did not know any of this about Justin when I approached him with my blood tracking dog.  All I knew was that he seemed completely at ease around a working dog.  In the conversations that followed, I have learned so much more about this dedicated Airman, who has been gracious enough to send multiple photos, and answer several rounds of questions.

     To become a dog handler in the Air Force, you must apply to the school.  If there is a need for more handlers at that time, you may be selected.  Once selected, the new handlers will be instructed for 12 weeks at Lackland Air Force Base in San Antonio Texas.  Justin sent me a copy of the USAF K9 Training Regulations, and the document is over 200 pages long.

SSgt Aycock with Dani/D054

     Not only are handlers expected to understand all of the K9 requirements and how to train to achieve them, but they must having a working understanding of canine ethology, classical conditioning, all four quadrants of operant conditioning and the terms the Air Force uses to define all of the methods used.  Basic healthcare is expected - to physically check the dog over for general health, trim the toenails, express the anal glands if necessary, cleaning the ears, administering oral medications, and dealing with vomiting or diarrhea.

     And there is more.  Handlers must know about caring for the physical well being of their animal in serious situations.  I don't mean just checking the pulse, and for dehydration.  They must know about diseases and parasitic infections, how to treat burns, or what to do in the case of poisoning.  Handlers need to be able to administer multiple chemicals subcutaneously or intravenously, knowing how much of which and when.  They need to be able to treat bloat,  lacerations or other massive physical trauma.  They need to know how to treat their K9 until it can be brought to a veterinarian, who will NOT be in the field with them.

     There are also high standards for the dogs.  The Department of Defense selects dogs from Europe several times per year to be shipped to the Lackland AFB in Texas for training.  The dogs have 90-120 days to complete their certifications before they are shipped to their operational units.  All dogs must be trained for protection work (attack, agility and handler protection) to be suitable for patrol.  The highest demand is for dual certified K9s who also certify for explosives detection.  A dog can be disqualified for behavioral or medical issues, but those dogs are either adopted or donated to local police forces.  Dogs and handlers who succeed the challenges of training are then paired, and sent to protect our soldiers abroad.

     In other countries, dogs are viewed quite differently.  Many would give a wide berth to the K9s and their handlers, particularly in the Arab countries where dogs are kept mainly for protection, and not as family members.  In Muslim culture, dogs are seen as unclean.  When I inquired about dogs overseas, Justin said "I have never seen so many dogs before, they roam around in packs, eating trash, dead animals, whatever.  It looks like the ASPCA commercial, really sad."  The strays are usually not healthy, and are not necessarily friendly either.  Even with multiple stray dogs looking on at any given moment, a dog and handler team are still expected to operate effectively.  Lives are literally at stake.  A patrol leader as well as the handler will do everything in their power to keep their working dog safe from the diseases or any violence from the strays.

Katya/M228

     Even with all the rigorous training required, Ssgt Justin considers it well worth it.  He had 5 dogs he was paired with on various deployments not including the ones he trained with.  Justin bonded very closely with his working K9s.  I know Justin was smiling when I asked him if he also taught his working dogs tricks and games to help pass the time and have some fun.  He replied "Absolutely, usually the same things you would teach your personal dog.  I taught my third dog Katya/M228 how to speak on command [using a hand signal] while in Iraq."   He plans on continuing training working dogs after he finishes his B.A. in Criminal Justice.

     When I asked Justin how it feels to have the hands on the leash of a Military Working Dog; after a night he answered me.  "It's a feeling I can't describe, especially when you get to use your skill set on a 'hot' call at home station or a bomb sweep when deployed.  I had been a handler about 3.5 years before I deployed to Iraq, and the suspense of going out on your first mission and gearing up yourself and your dog and knowing that you may be the only thing that means the difference between getting life or death for yourself or others weighs on you."

January 2010: Weapons search at a market near Diwaniyah, Iraq

     The five dogs Ssgt Justin Aycock worked closest with are listed below.  For more details on Justin's training history click here.

          MWD Dani/D054 - Explosive Detection/Patrol

          MWD Ciba/H181- Patrol

          MWD Katya/M228 - Explosive Detection/Patrol

          MWD Bartje/L243 - Narcotic Detection/ Patrol

          MWD Charis/K106 - Narcotics Detection

     As we were wrapping up the interviews, I asked Justin if there was anything else he felt was important to share about him and his career in the Air Force.  He asked that I share two organizations' websites.  These two organizations support Military Working Dog teams all over the world.  Please take a moment to check them out!


   The US War Dogs Organization  www.uswardogs.org 

     The John Burnam Memorial Foundation  www.jbmf.us/index.aspx

     To close, I will leave you all with some of his own words that resonated with me, and really made me feel his passion for his continuing career with working dogs:

 "...seeing the product of your training, it's very satisfying to see your dog perform on a task that you have trained for.  Very few jobs that I have had offered that.  You may be having a rough day but once you leash up and start training you have to be on top of your game..."  

I just met you, and this is crazy.....

     I had a person ask me this morning "Do you have a blog on dog etiquette? Specifically when people go to a house with dogs and when people have children and the dog goes to it's [place]."

Roxy the Malamute

     There are so many elements that can be addressed with this issue!  I will try to focus on what a careful owner can do to keep their dog secure.

     I used to think not touching strange dogs was a "No-brainer" until I reached adulthood and began taking my dogs with me to places.  People I have never met have walked or run directly up and tried to pet or hug my dog.  I have learned to create safe areas in my home where my dogs can go to relax and guests are not allowed to invade.  In public I have learned to be willing to stand up for myself, and teach people how to respect dog's space.  Unfortunately, some lessons I have learned have been through trial and error.  By sharing, hopefully you all can benefit from my experiences in the past.

       To start: It is my responsibility as a caring pet owner to preserve my animals' trust in me.  To allow an animal to be put in a situation that could cause a growl, snap or bite can have devastating consequences emotionally and legally.  As a sentient being I expect to not be fondled by complete strangers.  I insist on the same respect for my dogs.

     At my home, I control the environment.  If my dogs are asleep, do not bother them.  Just because me and my husband can, does not mean I expect them to tolerate it from strangers.  If I see signs of stress in my dogs I allow them to go to their designated safe areas.   Not all dogs want to be overly affectionate with strangers.  Both of my dogs have been Therapy tested (and passed).  This does not mean I expect them to make out with total strangers all the time.  Even Therapy Dogs need time to relax!  It is my job to oversee any interactions to be sure my pups are behaving, not crowding, barking or jumping on my guests.  It is also my duty to be sure my guests are being polite and not teasing or hurting my dogs (I have found small children have quite a "pinch" when they grasp things).

     One of the safe areas for my pups is in a spare bedroom where I will close the door to make my intentions clear.  There is no reason for a guest to be wandering into our bedrooms unaccompanied, thus it ensures my dogs do not become stressed when people come over, since they have seen it demonstrated repeatedly that they have a safe haven.  It can also avoid awkward conversations with folks who are not very dog savvy.  I have had guests over who do not even realize that there are multiple dogs in the household.

Luca the American Eskimo Dog

     When in public, a person should ALWAYS ask to pet.  No exceptions.  My dogs have a strong foundation in basic obedience before they are allowed in public, so when I stop moving, they stop with me.  For the people who run up to my dogs, I will literally move in front and block the person (if needed, I put my hand up extended in the classic "STOP" open palm).  If they do not recall their manners, I will prompt them with a friendly "Did you want to ask to pet my dogs?"  If they appear young, I insist they retrieve their parents first.  If they are inattentive or rude I will not allow them to touch my dogs.

     So often as dog handlers we forget we have the freedom to walk away.  I worked with a gal years ago who allowed a polite young child to pet her dog.  The child began playing with her male dog's er..... nether part.  The parent was nowhere to be seen.  Thank goodness her dog is so tolerant (the gal is an excellent handler), but situations like this can mostly be prevented, and if not, managed.  Don't feel obligated to allow someone to do something to your dog that makes you feel uncomfortable (I am referring to an acquaintance or stranger here, not your Veterinarian).  If you are uncomfortable saying "No" or "Stop" blatantly, you can always just leave hurriedly explaining that you forgot you had an appointment (I have used that one myself).

     Lastly, try to be patient with people.  Each interaction is an opportunity to educate.  My own family did not understand at first why I sometimes seemed to "hide my dogs from them".  Before I met my former mentor, I did not really have a concept of a "Working Dog" other than a dog who serves in the Military or guides the blind.  Pass some knowledge on if you can, and you could make the world a safer place for dogs.

   

Proactive versus Reactive Dog Training

     Have you ever wondered how to correct or punish an undesirable behavior in your dog?  I see dozens of people posting on websites daily to vent their frustrations.  Almost every dog owner has had to deal with issues before, so here is one option that may help.

Photo courtesy of the Greater Charlotte SPCA

     Change how you are thinking about the problem.  A question I see posed very often is "How do I correct my dog for  ________?"  That means you have already acknowledged that the undesired event will occur again.  The Oxford Dictionary defines "Reactive" as "acting in response to a situation instead of creating or controlling it."    If you do not have control over the situation or environment that created the undesirable behavior, then you need to consider removing the dog (and possibly yourself) from it altogether.

     If instead we focus on what can be done to prevent a repetition of the behavior, not only does this course of action yield more consistent results, but the bond between human and canine remains unclouded by misused or misunderstood gestures of "punishment" or "correction".

     If your 4 month old puppy suddenly begins chewing on your couch cushions instead of his/her own toys, a "correction" should not be what you first seek.  At that age, the dog does not yet know what is or is not allowed.  It has not been alive long enough to establish consistent patterns, and is (hopefully) learning new behaviors every day for which it is getting praised.  Punishment should not be the first choice of responses.

     Consider instead what else can be done to prevent the situation, or to change it if it is occurring.  A new rule of "No puppies on the couch" may be all that is needed to remedy the rouge chewing.  The couch as a resting place can always be introduced later as a reward.  I find leaving a leash on if the pup is loose in the house is an easy way to help restrict them from choice areas.  Spend more time praising your dog for behaviors that you like seeing.

Maple and Morgan hanging out in the sun

     Knowing that chewing is another way for dogs to release energy, increasing exercise should be another option.  Add an extra training session during the day.  Play fetch.  Record a movie of your dog performing all the tricks it knows and send it to your friends.  Go for a walk.  Visit a pet store.  Learn a new skill.  The options are endless.  A tired dog will chew significantly less.

     If cuddling on the couch always leads to a cushion in the mouth, and you just don't want to sacrifice the warm fuzzy feeling of your pup on the couch, consider keeping a stash of toys within reach.  As soon as Fido's nose goes toward the cushion, put a toy under that nose!  If you were not paying attention, missed your timing, and are still unwilling to put the pup on the ground, you need to be willing to have some drool and missing pieces of couch cushion.

     For help with proactive thinking and training, please feel free to contact me directly at pawsthenplay@gmail.com

     Happy Training!

   

Come When Called? Dog Training in Action

     My pups have about half an acre fenced in behind our house which my husband has generously donated for all things dog related.  Early on I took the time to train boundaries as the fence is only four feet high, so barely a hop for my long-legged kiddos.  I also conditioned for potty on the exterior, so I can use the center open area for training when weather permits.  On pleasant days like today, I will often allow one or both of the pups some free time in the yard to simply relax and enjoy themselves, since I can see the area from my kitchen window.  Overall, it is space we all have enjoyed.

     Today the gate was left open.

     For Grace, my German Shepherd Dog, it is no issue.  She will romp around the center open area, hopping like a bunny, always glancing back to me as if to say "Did you see that Mom?".  For my hound mix Brutus, it is another story....

     Some of you may have read about my tracking adventures with Brutus.  He has performed spectacularly through woods or field on tracks up to 250 yards (we are gradually building the distance).  When he is harnessed, he will even completely disregard squirrels and other small woodland creatures fleeing his approach while he is on the trail I assigned.  When left to his own devices in the yard, he will sniff indiscriminately the myriad rabbit, squirrel, human, opossum or rare raccoon tracks in the yard.

     Today, Brutus was outside enjoying the sun, and his nose led him to the open gate.  Meanwhile, I had stepped away from the window to add some cream to my coffee.  Once I returned and saw the empty yard
I stepped out onto the back stoop and called for Brutus.  I heard a single bark in answer from the other side of the fence!

     I called again to be sure my ears were not playing tricks on me.  This time, I got a double bark, and then my silly hound hopped straight up in the air to show me where he was.  I live on a fairly busy street, but the last thing I wanted to do was encourage him to jump over the fence (at this point I did not know how he got out), even if it was towards me because I do not want fence jumping to become a habit.  I paused for a moment to see what Brutus was doing.  He was pointing at a game trail on the outside of the fence line, and then glancing to me to be sure I was watching him.

     I called for him to "Come Inside!" and gave a special command that I only use when a reward is absolutely guaranteed.  I left the back door open so he had access to the house, and hustled to the front window in time to see him fly across the front yard towards the side where the gate was.  By the time I grabbed a treat (it's just his normal dog food- but don't tell HIM that!) and headed back to the kitchen, he was scrambling into a beautiful "Front" position (sitting squarely in front of me).  I fed and praised him, and put him on a Base (a special mat for "Lie Down and Stay") while I darted outside to walk the fence line to see where he could have gotten out.

     I walked the entire perimeter and saw no flaws.  I stopped at the gate (which appeared to be closed) and  put my hand on it to lean and ponder.  The gate wobbled under my touch.  It had not been latched!  I feel like anyone who may have seen me at that exact moment may have seen a light bulb above my head like in the cartoons.  I returned to my patient hound and put a slip lead on him.  We walked out to the gate together.

     Even though the gate opens inward, it proved no challenge to my curious Brutus.  He bumped it casually with his nose and waited for it to swing open.   He strutted through the opening like a model on a catwalk and then sat on the other side waiting for me to join him.  I could not help but laugh.  Basic obedience really pays off!  I called him back to me and we went in to cuddle on the couch before our afternoon walk.  Mystery solved.

     Thank goodness he knows "Come When Called"!

Buy now! Because I say so!

   
     I just watched a short commercial with an adorable French Bulldog trotting around a bright and cheery home and then munching a bowl of the advertised kibble.  The company began with a picture of plain brown "competitor kibble" in a dull bowl on a blank background and then showed its bright and colorful kibble cascading merrily across the screen while a friendly voice told viewers that dogs preferred color to boring plain kibble.  It ended with the aforementioned pup chomping the red, beige and brown mixed kibble.

Cute faces and bright colors make us want to buy things!

     No mention of nutrition.  And of course we all know the colors listed above would all be shades of grey to a pooch anyways...... (dogs see in a blue and yellow spectrum, this link explains in greater detail)  So the company assumes that we are silly enough consumers that we will just say "Ooooh! Pretty colors!" and skip to the nearest grocery store to pick up those lovely bits.   The sad part is, some do.

     Some dog food companies are better at telling us nothing.  They have quaint stories telling consumers how much they love their pets and only want to feed them the best.  They complain about how no other companies exist that can give their babies the proper nutrition and so they had to create their own, dedicated to bringing you only the best, etc. etc.  All these things sound very nice, but for me, there is no direct correlation to good intentions and actually producing the best product.

     There are always such lovely pictures of dogs and cats, some running, jumping, rolling, being hugged or just sitting prettily.  Once again, while it hit's the internal "awwwww" button nicely, it provides no factual evidence of why their brand is optimal, other than because they say so.  My pets are important to me, as are their nutritional needs.  I want more proof.

    My personal favorites on the craftiness scale are those sites who will partially "educate" the general public in order to make their brand the most attractive and only logical choice.  I went to the website of a well-known dog food to see what their "spin" was.  They have some good basic facts sprinkled in with information that is misleading or just plain wrong.

     One site says "For example, real chicken meat is a higher quality protein source than chicken or poultry by-product meals; chicken fat is considered a higher quality source of essential fatty acids than generic 'animal fats.' Subtle differences like these may determine whether a pet food brand’s ingredients are as healthy as they claim to be."  Sounds legit, right?  

An older ad from the 70s

     
     Let's examine that more closely.  
     
     The first part states that real chicken meat is a higher quality protein source than meals.  Other companies use fake chicken?  Oh no!  That's not what they said, is it?  Of course not.  They simply implied it.   Okay so we agree real chickens are better than fake chickens, so do we agree that the :"real chicken" is a higher quality protein source than meals?  I do not.  Raw chicken is about 70% moisture (water) and 18% protein.  A "meal" in this case is a rendering of a whole chicken (or by products) where most of the water has been cooked away, and then baked to form a super concentrated result (meal) with about four times more protein per pound  than raw chicken (read more here ).  Surprised yet?


     The next part says that chicken fat is better than generic "animal fats".  Well duh.  Of course we don't trust "mystery meats" (or "mystery fats" in this case)!   Another way to highlight what this brand does right- awesome job so far advertising team!  A general statement to be wary of those evil "other guys" at the end to hopefully keep you from snooping around other dog food companies, and BAM: profits soar!

     It does not mention the fact that with the 70% moisture in raw (real) chicken, it must be cooked down in order to be made in to kibble.  After processing, it probably accounts for much less than you think in the finished product!

     Of all the advertisements I have been nosing through lately (and it is more than you think!) I notice the vast majority of content pertaining to dog food is designed to appeal to the human sensibilities.  It is impossible to find any facts supporting one particular food or diet or another.  Certain elements and ingredients have proven track records, but there have not been enough conclusive studies done on canine nutrition over a long period of time.  There are too many variables to render results that are accurate.  

     This is not to say all dog kibbles are bad.  There are some great options out there!  Just be careful to really find out more about what companies are actually promising.  Depending on the activity level of your dog, age, breed, general health and budget, a different food may work for your dog than your friend's dog.  That's perfectly okay.  Just make the decision based on facts, not on clever advertising.  

     I hope you enjoy the video clip below of one of my favorite advertisements from "101 Dalmations"!

     *If you want to hear more about dog foods, or have other questions please leave a comment below.

Please visit our main site at www.pawsthenplay.com 

Ride Along

    The ice had all melted away, leaving muddy puddles and miniature streams covering the fields by my house.  The solid sheet of sleet that had frozen on my back stoop was twice as slick.  Grace and I slowly slid down the two steps as carefully as we could to the brick patio which had slightly more traction.   We made our way safely to the car, which was nice and toasty thanks to a sweet husband who started it a few minutes earlier.

     The roads were clear thankfully.  Sunlight glittered off of the millions of drops of dissolving icicles plopping merrily from the trees and power lines.  I actually think ice is prettier than snow, it makes things so shiny... until it melts!  I was glad I remembered my sunglasses, but took them off when we drove under the awning at the drive through.

     Grace had made herself comfortable for our trip.  The pups have two towels in the back that always begin the journey neatly spread to cover the back seat.  We pretend that this will protect the seats from getting covered with dog hair.  Brutus likes to use his front feet to flip the towels into a wad that he will circle, circle, circle on top of until it feels "right" for him to nestle down onto.  Grace just kind of flops gracelessly in a "whoomph".

     At each drive through window, she likes to pop her head up and put her nose just behind my left ear.  Perhaps she likes to get a whiff of the voices coming from the windows.  It could also be that she enjoys the varied reactions of the people who see her.  Places we stop by frequently know her and Brutus by name, and greet them more enthusiastically than they do me.  I am not offended- my dogs ARE pretty awesome!

     Finally, the errands are done.  We turn towards home.  I notice a business parking lot that is mostly empty.  That will do just fine for today.  I pull in cautiously, since it doesn't appear to have been salted.  It is important that there is no salt down as it could irritate puppy paws!  I park and pull out a collar and leash.

     Grace sits quietly while I fuss with the collar and leash, switching twice as I changed my mind.  I decided on the "string things"- my thinnest lead and collar.  They are so light they can simulate being off leash, without having to actually have her off lead (leash laws).  I call her out with me and we practice a few heeling patterns.  I tighten up my turns using the foot pattern that was shown to me by a seasoned exhibitor.   Grace plays a statue on command through three different positions of "stay".  Recalls are not perfect, but that is what practice is for!

     Nine minutes later, and we are back in the car.  The heat coming out of the vents is still nice and toasty.  A short while later we are home and cuddling by the fire.

     I try to bring my dogs with me whenever I can.  A training session does not have to be long to be beneficial, and any chance to bond more with my pups, I gladly take!