dogwalker, etc.

Ideas to Increase your Dog’s Life

admin — Thu, 17 May 2012 23:21:55 +0000

Preventative Tips and Creative Ideas for Increasing your Dog’s Life

by: Melissa Fisher

full article here

A lot of times we get into a rut with our relationship with dogs as they age. We walk them less, stop teaching them new tricks, and don’t go out and explore new places as much together. With this comes a significant decline in mental and physical ability. As dogs age they can develop literally overnight new fears and disorders such as Cognitive dysfunction Syndrome which is equivalent to our Alzheimer’s. Sometimes its a sudden fear of thunder, or develop anxiety, even have aggression towards other animals. You might see them become clingyer and less social. The good news is there are measures we can take to prevent this. We need to stretch them mentally and physically. The more we teach and interact with them the more you we are able to control some of the reactions they may face when their older. Here are some important tips on how to create a long, happy, balanced life for your dog.

1. Get out and explore the world together: Dog boredom and depression happen too often in too many dogs. Try changing directions on your daily walk, go for a hike, or enjoy a relaxing picnic together under a shaded tree after visiting the dog park. You’ll never get a complaint out of him; seeing and sniffing new things is always exciting.

2. Socializing: is crucial in their development. You can make play dates with your friends dog as one idea. Another would be to hire a pet sitter (good idea!) to play with him once a day while your at work. This way he can build lasting relationships other humans and dogs. They learn new things and get plenty of exercise.

3. Examine your dogs environment at home: Are there new things your dog can discover? One suggestion would be to rotate new toys in. Have specific toys just for certain occasions. The toys will remain exciting to them and they will always feels new. For example if your leaving town have a specific toy that is only allowed for the time he shares with his pet sitter. Older dogs work best with high contrasting color toys so they can see them better. Also keep in mind softer toys work best for older dogs. Its gentler on their jaws and teeth. Another fun suggestion would be to hide and sprinkle a bit a his food out in the yard. So he has to sniff and hunt for his meal. To start; just sprinkle a bit in a relatively small area of the yard.

4. Teaching him a new trick: is a great way to keep his mind occupied; thus strengthening their brains and building their confidence levels up. There are many tricks you can teach them that don’t require you to spend long lengths of time teaching. To name just a few; bow, play dead, cover their eyes with their paws, shake, crawl, kiss or hug. By just taking 1 hour out of your day you can make the world of difference to your dog.

5. Grooming: is another way to bond with your pet. Petting and brushing is not only relaxing to them but is quite therapeutic to our health as well.

6. Nutrition and Diet: The book titled “Why dogs die young and what we can do about it” suggests changing their food periodically, seasonally if you will just like the way a wild wolf would have different food seasonally, and also the way we would do. Also, decrease their food intake.

7. Most importantly… Let love be your guide; get out there, be creative and have fun! The bond that you share together will continue to grow stronger and your dog will thank you. He’ll repay you with a long healthy life. With less illnesses and medical procedures down the road. He’ll continue to reward you with many years filled with laughter, kisses, hugs, and smiles.

My Dog Wakes Up Too Early!

admin — Fri, 04 May 2012 00:02:20 +0000

The Whole Dog Journal posted a great article regarding five things to do when your dog wakes you up too early — every day! For the full article, click here.

1. Rule out medical conditions: make sure your dog does not have a legitimate reason for getting up early.

2. Tire your dog out the night before: a tired dog is a well-behaved happy dog, and a late sleeper.

3. Feed your dog earlier/ better; make “last call” later: increase the time between your dog’s last meal and his last bathroom opportunity to minimize the chance that he’s waking you up because he really has to go out.

4. Reduce stimuli in the bedroom: the less there is to awaken your dog, the less likely he is to awaken you. Close the drapes. Turn off the TV.

5. Train your dog to sleep in: if these management solutions alone don’t work, you may be able to train him to sleep later. If your normal wake up time is 6:30 am and he consistently wakes you at 6:15, for one week set your alarm for 6:05. For the second week, set it for 6:10. Do not get up before the alarm goes off (unless you’re pretty sure he has an urgency problem)! This will condition him to the sound of the alarm as his cue to wake up.

featured in the May 2010 Issue, by: Pat Miller

TOP PET APPS

admin — Thu, 26 Apr 2012 22:06:53 +0000

PET CARE GOES MOBILE

Check out these four great pet apps that can help you find a new pet, help you find a pet service in your area, help you find the nearest dog park, AND record your dog walk.

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Petfinder

Browse through more than 290,000 pets from more than 13,000 shelters and rescue groups to find your best friend.

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: Pet Service Finder

Designed especially for on-the-go pet owners, this app locates nearby clinics, daycare centers, and pet-friendly parks and hotels.

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Map My Dogwalk

The dog owner’s equivalent to Map My Run, this app finds or creates the perfect coastal route for you and your pet in cities worldwide.

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Dog Park Finder

If you have a restless pup, this app is for you. Search through more than 2, 700 off-leash parks to find the closest one to you.

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7 Home Remedies For Your Dog

admin — Fri, 20 Apr 2012 22:58:09 +0000

When you’re feeling under the weather, you might find that the perfect thing for treating what ails you is something you already have in the kitchen. Did you know that you can treat your ailing dog with some simple home remedies too? Below you will find seven great natural remedies for making your dog happy and healthy again.

TIP #1

Vitamin E is good for preventing those pesky age lines on your face, and it’s also great for your dog’s dry skin. You can give your pup a doggy massage by applying vitamin E oil directly to the skin, a soaking bath with vitamin E added to the water, or you can go all “Hollywood” and pop your dog a pill (of vitamin E, that is).

If you give the vitamin orally, check with your vet on the recommended dosage for your specific dog breed.

TIP #2

Flavorless electrolyte-replacing liquids, such as sports waters or pediatric drinks, not only help athletes to replenish fluids, and babies to rehydrate after an illness, they can also supply your sick pooch’s body with much needed fluids after a bout of diarrhea or vomiting.

Consult your veterinarian as to the appropriate dosage amounts when giving these types of liquids to your dog.

TIP #3

Deliciously plain yogurt is a healthy treat for your dog. Just as with humans, the live acidophilus in the yogurt keeps the good bacteria in your dog’s intestines in balance, so that bad bacteria is swiftly knocked out. If your dog is on antibiotics, a little yogurt will also help keep yeast infections at bay (a common side-effect of antibiotic treatment). You can also give your dog acidophilus pills — wrapping the pills in bacon is strictly optional.

Puppies are especially prone to yeast infections, so a little plain yogurt as a snack (or even dessert) can help keep things in balance; especially useful while the intestinal system is building immunities.

TIP #4

Chamomile tea uses the natural disinfecting effects of the chamomile plant to settle upset doggy tummies. It is recommended for colic, gas, and anxiety. It can also alleviate minor skin irritations. Just chill in the fridge and spray onto the affected area on the dog’s raw skin. Your dog should feel an immediate soothing effect as the chilled tea kills the yeast and/or bacteria on the skin. A warm (not hot) tea bag can also be used for soothing infected or irritated eyes.

TIP #5

An itchy dog can be quite an annoyance, especially as it goes around scratching itself on any piece of furniture it can reach. Forget the backscratcher. Finely ground oatmeal is a time-honored remedy for irritated skin. You can use baby oatmeal cereal or grind it yourself in a food processor. Stir the oatmeal into a bath of warm water and let your dog soak in the healing goodness. Your dog will thank you, trust us. Dogs with skin allergies, infections, and other diseases which cause itchiness have been shown to gain immediate relief with this approach, too.

TIP #6

Dogs can be like kids at times, and as such they are bound to suffer from wounds and the occasional unexplained swelling. Try treating these ailments with Epsom salt soaks and heat packs next time. A bath consisting of Epsom salt and warm water can help reduce the swelling and the healing time, especially when combined with prescribed antibiotics and veterinary supervision.

If soaking your dog in an Epsom salt bath twice a day for five minutes isn’t convenient or practical, a homemade heat pack using a clean towel drenched in the same warm-water solution can be applied to wounds for the same effect.

TIP #7

Does your dog have fleas? Never fear. Before turning to the big guns, try some borax powder. The standard stuff at the store will work wonders on fleas by poking holes in their crunchy insect exoskeletons. A good way to make sure those parasitic suckers get annihilated is to sprinkle the borax on your floor, and then sweep or vacuum up the excess. The invisible borax crystals left behind will kill the fleas and you won’t even have to lift a finger. It’s inexpensive and practically non-toxic compared to an appointment with the exterminator.

For the dog, try a simple solution of lemon water. Fleas are repelled by citrus, so this can work both as a flea preventive, and for making your dog smell clean and refreshing. A useful solution can be made by pouring boiled water over lemons and allowing them to steep over night. This solution can then be applied all over your dog’s skin using a fresh spray bottle. And, the tried and true Brewer’s yeast method cannot be left out. Brewer’s yeast can be given as part of a regular diet in powdered form, sprinkled over the dog food, or in tablet form, perhaps wrapped in a small slice of bacon or cheese.

Home (or holistic) remedies aren’t just for tree huggers anymore. It’s important to take care of your dog from day to day, not just when it’s feeling a little under the weather, and the best way to maintain the best health is often the most natural way. But most of all, it’ll help keeping your “baby” from crying like a hound dog.

selected from petmd

Dog Health Problems..at a Glance

admin — Fri, 13 Apr 2012 21:24:16 +0000

Here’s a list of health problems that you may witness on your dog, and what to do when you do witness them. You can read the entire article and see the list here.

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sign: abdominal pain or hardness
possible causes or conditions: blocked bladder, severe constipation, pregnancy, intestinal problems, pancreatitis, peritonitis
what to do: consult vet immediately

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sign: changes in eating or drinking habits
possible causes or conditions: stress or a variety of disorders
what to do: consult vet; if dog hasn’t eaten for 24 hours, see vet asap

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sign: coughing
possible causes or conditions: allergies, upper and lower respiratory diseases, lung parasites, foreign bodies, heart disease, heartworm, abnormal windpipe
what to do: add water or fiber (bran, pumpkin) to food, or add petroleum jelly to food with vet’s OK. If condition persists, visit vet.

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sign: dark residue or foul odor in ears, or dog shaking head or scratching ears
possible causes or conditions: ear mites, ear infections, inhalant and food allergies, foreign objects trapped in ear
what to do: consult vet within 24 hours

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sign: diarrhea
possible causes or conditions: stress, change in diet, food allergy, intestinal infection or parasites, inflammatory bowel disease, parvovirus, coronavirus
what to do: if symptoms persist for more than a few days or are severe, accompanied by signs such a s weakness, vomiting or lethargy, consult vet at once

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sign: difficulty breathing; wheezing
possible causes or conditions: same as coughing, plus heart problems
what to do: consult vet immediately

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sign: difficulty urinating: blood in urine
possible causes or conditions: urinary tract infection or irritation; stones, tumors
what to do: consult vet immediately

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sign: excessive scratching or licking
possible causes or conditions: fleas, mites, skin disorders, allergies, wounds
what to do: check for and eliminate fleas. Relieve itch with cold, wet towels. Otherwise, consult vet within 24 hours

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sign: excessive thirst and urination
possible causes or conditions: diabetes, kidney or hormone disorders, uterine infection, high blood calcium
what to do: give plenty of water. Consult vet within 24 hours

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sign: foul breath
possible causes or conditions: dirty teeth, gum infection, abscesses, mouth tumors, foreign object between teeth
what to do:brush dog’s teeth and feed dry food. If symptoms are severe or persist, consult vet.

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sign: inflamed eyes or eyelids
possible causes or conditions: eye infection, allergy, injury, glaucoma, corneal ulcers
what to do: consult vet immediately

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sign: loss of appetite (anorexia)
possible causes or conditions: stress, gastrointestinal or other disorders
what to do:if dog hasn’t eaten for 24 hours, see vet as soon as possible

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sign: loss of balance or coordination; weakness
possible causes or conditions: injuries, blood loss, brain or spinal trauma, poisoning, inner ear disease, tumors
what to do: consult a vet immediately

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sign: pale gums and mucous membranes
possible causes or conditions: anemia, heart disease, septic shock
what to do: consult vet immediately

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sign: sneezing; runny nose or eyes
possible causes or conditions: cold or upper respiratory system infection, allergies, foreign object in nose, nasal mites or tumors
what to do:if problem persists for more than a few days or if dog stops eating, consult vet immediately

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sign: vomiting
possible causes or conditions: food allerigies, intestinal problems, stres or many other disorders
what to do:if symptoms persist for more than a day or are severe, accompanied by signs such as weakness, diarrhea or lethargy, consult vet immediately

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sign: weight loss
possible causes or conditions: may indicate many different disorders
what to do:consult vet for diagnosis within 24 hours

“Dogwalker Diaries” April 4th RECAP

admin — Fri, 06 Apr 2012 00:16:11 +0000

Hi Everyone,

For those of you who did not know, yesterday was our second segment of “dogwalker diaries” where I followed Chris on his midday walks in Town. I got to meet Einstein, the cutest black and white Shih-Tzu, who just LOVES to be pet, followed by Mocha and Sugar, the two beautiful, energetic Pitbull mixes. It was such a pleasure joining Chris on his walks, and I already can’t wait for the third segment! Here’s a recap of my day yesterday:

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“dogwalker diaries” 4/4: 10:45am

And..I’m off! Leaving Manoa, and going on Chris’s first midday walk in Hawaii Kai!!!

Leaving Manoa

“dogwalker diaries” 04/04: 11:35am

It’s Einstein’s lunchtime!!!! He was soooo happy to see Chris and I! I love getting greeted so sweetly!

Einstein

“dogwalker diaries” 4/4: 11:41am

After Chris gave Einstein his eye drops..we were off on our walk. Einstein was so cute I just had to pet him for a few minutes!

Me & Einstein

“dogwalker diaries” 4/4: 11:55am

Einstein did not want to play with the ball behind him..he sat right in front of Chris. All he wants is to get pet! “PET MEEE!”

Chris & Einstein

“dogwalker diaries” 4/4: 11:55am

Einstein looking at me: “why aren’t YOU petting me new girl?”

Chris & Einstein (he kept checking what I was doing)

“dogwalker diaries” 4/4: 12:39pm

After a nice, sunny drive from Hawaii Kai, we’re in Makiki, and Mocha reaaally wants to go for her walk!

Mocha & Chris

“dogwalker diaries” 4/4: 12:45pm

Mocha LOVES Chris!!!

Chris playing with Mocha

“dogwalker diaries” 4/4: 1:02pm

Now it’s sweet Sugar’s turn! She sits right before we cross the street. Good girl!!!

sweet Sugar

“dogwalker diaries” 4/4: 1:18pm

Chris and Sugar walking back home! I think Sugar is tired! What a successful walk for Mocha and sugar today!

Chris & Sugar

I really had a great time yesterday! Thank you so much to Einstein’s mom, and Mocha & Sugar’s mom for allowing me to join Chris on the wonderful walks! I really had a blast!

- Milena (office manager)

Tools To Giving Your Dog A Good Bath!

admin — Thu, 22 Mar 2012 22:47:01 +0000

Dogs are not usually the biggest fans of taking baths, but maybe if you have all the right tools, it would help! Also, it makes things MUCH easier!

Entire list and article found here.

Brush. Helps remove loose hair, and should be used before your dog gets wet.

Shampoo. Choose the right kind of shampoo to do the job. There are shampoos for normal healthy skin, for sensitive skin, for itchy skin, and many more.

Conditioner. Detangling conditioner can be used all over your dog after his bath, to loosen any tangles and make it easier to brush him.

Ear wipes. Using ear wipes after the bath can prevent the growth of bacteria, dirt, and debris.

Non slip bath mat. Rubber non-slip mats are usually helpful so your dog won’t slip and slide.

Towels and wash cloth. Make sure you have some towels handy to dry your dog when he comes out of the bath.

Dryer. A hand held hair dryer is useful to dry your dog’s coat after his bath. Remove as much water as you can with a towel before using it, otherwise you’ll possibly end up spending more time drying your dog’s hair than you do your own.

Healthy Options for Dog Treats

admin — Tue, 20 Mar 2012 00:15:01 +0000

Fresh fruit and raw vegetables are a healthy treat option for dogs; there are no added chemicals, artificial flavors or coloring and your pet benefits from the extra vitamins and minerals.

However, just like kids, dogs can be picky eaters. You may discover that while one particular fruit or vegetable suits your pet’s palate, another may have him disdainfully turning his nose away.

Don’t bombard your dog with an assortment of fresh goodies when first introducing a new food group; start by treating your dog to one particular fruit or vegetable at a time for a few days. By doing so, you can pinpoint whether or not the treat du jour is causing an upset stomach or diarrhea.

Here are some SAFE FRUITS to feed your dog:

Apples
Apricots
Bananas
Blueberries
Mangos
Pears
Pineapples
Raspberries
Strawberries

Here are some SAFE VEGETABLES to feed your dog:

Beets
Broccoli
Carrots
Cabbage
Cauliflower
Cucumber
Lettuce
Zucchini

Be sure to check out the entire article here and get some more tips and food to avoid feeding your dog.

10 steps to calm dogs afraid of thunder, lightning storms

admin — Fri, 09 Mar 2012 23:31:26 +0000

What crazy weather we have had here on Oahu this whole week. I’ve heard many stories about clients dogs not enjoying themselves during this crazy season (escaping), and there have been a few sad occurrences as well. So, what can we do about it??? Here’s a list of 10 steps to calm dogs afraid of thunder and lightening storms. If you would like to read the entire article with reasoning’s for each step, click here.

handle it early on in your dog’s life
don’t let her “sweat it out” and don’t not “baby” your dog
offer treats, cuddling, and other good stuff during a storm
let your dog hide (possibly in a crate, or a dark spot)
get your dog away from the noise, and compete with it
counter the affects of electromagnetism
desensitize your dog
ask your veterinarian about certain medications
natural therapies can work
consider seeing a board-certified veterinary behaviorist

Fun Facts about Dogs

admin — Wed, 07 Mar 2012 23:34:11 +0000

A dog’s heart beats between 70 and 120 times a minute, compared with a human heart which beats 70 to 80 times a minute.
A dog’s normal body temperature is 100.5 to 102.5 degrees Fahrenheit.
A female carries her young about 60 days before the puppies are born.
According to the Guinness Book of World Records, the smallest dog on record was a Yorkshire Terrier in Great Britain who, at the age of 2, weighed just 4 ounces.
The longest lived dog, according to the Guinness Book of World Records, was an Australian Cattle Dog, named Bluey, who lived to be 29.
An adult dog has 42 teeth.
It is a myth that dogs are color blind. They can actually see in color, just not as vividly as humans. It is akin to our vision at dusk.
If never spayed or neutered, a female dog, her mate, and their puppies could produce over 66,000 dogs in 6 years!
The only sweat glands a dog has are between the paw pads.
In 1957, Laika became the first living being in space via an earth satellite
The world’s smartest dogs are thought to be (1) the border collie, (2) the poodle, and (3) the golden retriever.
A dog’s smell is more than 100,000 times stronger than that of a human’s
Chocolate contains a substance known as theobromine (similar to caffeine) which can kill dogs or at the very least make them violently ill.
Dogs’ sense of hearing is more than ten times more acute than a human’s
More than 1 in 3 American families own a dog.
Dogs don’t like rain because the sound is amplified and hurts their very sensitive ears.
The ten most popular dogs (AKC, 2007) are in order:
Labrador Retriever, Yorkshire Terrier, German Shepherd,
Golden Retriever, Beagle, Boxer, Dachshund, Poodle,
Shih Tzu, and Bulldog.
Dogs were the first animals domesticated by people.
A greyhound can run as fast as 45 miles an hour.
Spaying/neutering your dog before the age of 6 months can help prevent cancer in your dog.
Puppies acquire a full mouth of permanent teeth between four and seven months old.
Small dogs live the longest. Toy breeds live up to 16 years or more. Larger dogs average is 7 – 12 years. Veterinary medicine have extended this estimate by about three years. However, some breeds, such as Tibetan terrier live as long as twenty years.
Eighty percent of dog owners buy their dog a present for holidays and birthdays. More than half of them sign letters and cards from themselves and their pets.
The dog name “Fido” is from Latin and means “fidelity.”
The U.S. has the highest dog population in the world.
Most pet owners (94 percent) say their pet makes them smile more than once a day.
Dogs are mentioned 14 times in the Bible.
It has been established that people who own pets live longer, have less stress, and have fewer heart attacks.
All dogs can be traced back 40 million years ago to a weasel-like animal called the Miacis which dwelled in trees and dens. The Miacis later evolved into the Tomarctus,a direct forbearer of the genus Canis, which includes the wolf and jackal as well as the dog.
Seventy percent of people sign their pet’s name on greeting cards and 58 percent include their pets infamily and holiday portraits, according to a survey done by the American Animal Hospital Association.
A dog’s whiskers are touch-sensitive hairs called vibrissae. They are found on the muzzle, above the eyes and below the jaws, and can actually sense tiny changes in airflow.
The origin of amputating a dog’s tail may go back to the Roman writer Lucius Columella’s (A.D. 4-70) assertion that tail docking prevented rabies.
Dogs can smell about 1,000 times better than humans. While humans have 5 million smell-detecting cells, dogs have more than 220 million. The part of the brain that interprets smell is also four times larger in dogs than in humans.

entire list from: http://www.funnyfidos.com/fun-dog-facts/