Splish, Splash!

Photo Credit: Wayan Vota

Hey Everyone!

I just got some very exciting news from Linda over at Camp Bow Wow.  The City of Rogers has officially given permission for Northwest Arkansas' first ever "Pooch Plunge"  Next Wednesday, August 18th from 6:00pm to 8:30pm, the Lake Atalanta pool will be turned over to the dogs! For the price of a donation to the Humane Society, your dog can take a dunk in the pool.  Food will also be available for donations. 

I would usually send this out in our newsletter, but since time is short, I thought I'd post it here instead.  So, if you know of anyone who would like to attend the event, please pass the word along. 

(And count us there in spirit.  Cary and I will be on vacation, so we won't be able to attend, which bums me out, but we will definitely look forward to future events.  Splash around for us!)

Are you a Damsel in Distress?

So, this rainy spring weather brings back memories of long ago, when I was a kid and used to build forts in the neighborhood with my brother and JJ. One such fort was a tree house fort with a retractable rope ladder and a dumb waiter to haul up our sodas and snacks. We had carpet and a roof. We always had to top the last one you know.

This brings up a great activity to do with your dog. When was the last time you built a couch cushion fort? A LONG time right? Well, what better activity to do inside when it's rainy out then build a couch cushion fort? Here is why this is so great. You will more than likely be crawling around on the floor (if you are doing it right) and your dogs love it when you get down to their level. They should be interested in what you are doing. Once your fort is constructed, I found my dogs will play one of two roles - either they will play the attacker, and try to knock down your walls, or they will seek safety inside with you, against the invisible evil hordes trying to reach you inside. You could probably even build some additional forts around the house and see if they take to their own fort, and can serve as your outposts, or the enemy may use this fort to stage their attack.

Don't forget the important essentials when building your Couch Cushion Fort. Rations (snacks) will help your team get through those long siege periods, but make sure they are secured or the attackers will attempt to steal your supplies out from under your nose. I recommend treats that aren't iced, like our trainer chips, as the small serving size means they can have more than one and not over indulge.

My dogs thought this was big fun. It was giving them some attention, and weren't sure what exactly I was doing at first, but once I crawled inside they instantly knew what to do. Sam was my ally while Hannah staged her attack and then would pounce. They switched roles a couple of times, but had a blast. I think Sam really just wanted to get to the blanket.  

If you would like to check out the quintessential guide to constructing the perfect couch cushion fort, go here.

A Dog's Purpose? (from a 6-year-old)

(Author Unknown)

Being a veterinarian, I had been called to examine a ten-year-old Irish
Wolfhound named Belker. The dog's owners, Ron, his wife Lisa, and their little
boy Shane, were all very attached to Belker, and they were hoping for a
miracle.

I examined Belker and found he was dying of cancer. I told the family we
couldn't do anything for Belker, and offered to perform the euthanasia procedure
for the old dog in their home.

As we made arrangements, Ron and Lisa told me they thought it would be good
for six-year-old Shane to observe the procedure. They felt as though Shane might
learn something from the experience.

The next day, I felt the familiar catch in my throat as Belker 's family
surrounded him. Shane seemed so calm, petting the old dog for the last time,
that I wondered if he understood what was going on. Within a few minutes, Belker
slipped peacefully away.

The little boy seemed to accept Belker's transition without any difficulty
or confusion. We sat together for a while after Belker's Death, wondering aloud
about the sad f act that animal lives are shorter than human lives. Shane,
who had been listening quietly, piped up, ''I know why.

''Startled, we all turned to him. What came out of his mouth next stunned
me. I'd never heard a more comforting explanation. It has changed the way I try
and live.

He said,' People are born so that they can learn how to live a good life --
like loving everybody all the time and being nice, right?'' The
Six-year-old continued,' Well, dogs already know how to do that, so they don't
have to stay as long.''

Live simply.
Love generously.
Care deeply.
Speak kindly.

Remember, if a dog was the teacher you would learn things like:

• When loved ones come home, always run to greet them.
• Never pass up the opportunity to go for a joyride.
• Allow the experience of fresh air and the wind in your face to be pure
  Ecstasy.
• Take naps.Stretch before rising.Run, romp, and play daily.
• Thrive on attention and let people touch you.
• Avoid biting when a simple growl will do.
• On warm days, stop to lie on your back on the grass.
• On hot days, drink lots of water and lie under a shady tree.
• When you're happy, dance around and wag your entire body.
• Delight in the simple joy of a long walk.
• Be loyal.
• Never pretend to be something you're not.
• If what you want lies buried, dig until you find it.
• When someone is having a bad day, be silent, sit close by, and nuzzle them
  gently.
• ENJOY EVERY MOMENT OF EVERY DAY!

Debate on dogs souls - Funny!

I was sent this via email today! Enjoy!

This is hilarious. Fight between a Catholic Church and a Presbyterian Church about dogs.

The Value of Fostering Dogs

We had the joyous experience this last week with our first foster dog - Max. He was abandoned at a house, from what seemed like very unfortunate circumstances for his owner who couldn't take him with them. Someone actually called the "Dog Bakery" looking for help, thinking surely we knew what to do. Actually, we didn't, but we learned really quickly.

I went over and took ownership of him, and brought him to the store. I don't think he had ever been around dogs before, as he wet himself immediately upon seeing one of my dogs. He still had his puppy teeth, and seemed more interested in people than in other dogs. He wasn't house broken, and he didn't know any tricks. So, for 5 days we took on the task of keeping him for a couple that wanted him, but hadn't finished moving to town yet, and to acclimate him to the real world.

The first step was getting to know Sam and Hannah. They didn't know what to think of him. He is a large puppy, but he's still basically a bowling ball with legs. It kind of made me sad that he found a safe place under one of our bushes, almost as if he'd been outside a lot, and used bushes for cover. When I rescued him, he had been in a back yard with no dog house or shelter - just a crate, which wasn't going to do him much good in the rain.

Next, we worked on some basic "rules" that most dogs need to know, like to scratch or whine to go outside, not to jump up on furniture unless you are invited, not to jump up on counter tops, what was his and what wasn't. It was great watching him interact with Sam. That had to be the fastest potty training I have ever seen. In about 3 days of watching Sam whine at the door to go out, he figured out what was going on. He only had one accident at the house, and just a couple at the store, but he now knows to go outside to do his businesses. He seemed to be a quick learner, and took cues from Sam and Hannah very well.

We also worked on some tricks. This is a great way of focusing the dog's attention, giving them a "job", and they think it's play. He got sit, and mostly down in just a couple of sessions. The important thing is that he picked up on commands for treats, for he knew he expected a reward, and eagerly anticipated it - which will make it easier to train him other things in the future, like stay, off, leave it, etc.

The main point I am making with these examples is that not only was it a benefit for Max to not be at a shelter for this period of time, the one-on-one time with us, and with our dogs in a safe place, provides some introduction to the "rules of a dog's life". He didn't know what a play bow was before coming to stay with us, and was quite frankly afraid of Sam and Hannah. Now, he'd initiate play, and play for hours. He didn't know there should be rules in the house, like taking his business outside.

He basically got a crash course on good behavior with other dogs, with people, and on being inside. These can be invaluable assets to a dog looking for a forever home. It helps ease the transition if they are already house broken, know some rules of engagement, are ready for society - both canine and human. Well behaved dogs would stand a much less rate of return to the shelter if they all came this well adjusted. We should all help and foster dogs more to help those unsuspecting future dog parents who may not be adequately equipped to house break a dog, or teach them inside rules.

Maybe we can create a certification program to help less adoptable dogs, like an "I'm an A+ Dog", meaning he's spent time and has learned basic rules of human and canine engagement. It might help the large black dogs by giving someone a good reason to choose them over a less intimidating breed.

Februrary is National Pet Dental Health Month

Most people don’t realize it, but February is National Pet Dental Health Month. Yep, animals have a month to increase their awareness too. Actually, it’s really to help owners realize how important dental health can be for your cat or dog. Here are a few facts most owners don’t know:

*Good oral health alone can increase your pet’s lifespan by 2-5 years

*80% of dogs and 70% of cats have dental disease by the time they are 3 years old

*Dry food alone may not be enough to prevent tartar build-up

*Rawhides and other “hard” chew toys are the #1 reason for broken teeth in dogs.

*Dental disease isn’t just a mouth problem—it can affect the heart, liver, and kidneys.

*Severe dental disease leads to bad breath, painful mouths, inability to eat, and tooth loss.

Sounds bad, right? There are actually a lot of ways to combat dental disease, if you only know about them. The first and most important thing you can do for your pet is brush their teeth. Starting when they are puppies and kittens is best (you have those “practice teeth”), but even adults can learn to tolerate or even enjoy a good brushing. There several flavors of toothpaste specifically for animals. My personal preference is vanilla mint, since they have that lovely minty fresh breath after brushing, but you can also find poultry, beef, liver, and malt flavors. They even have tuna for the picky feline. As long as you are brushing at least 3 times a week, you are doing a great job at reducing bacteria and early plaque that forms the tartar.

So—not a chance of brushing teeth, huh? Well, you can try one of the many products developed for those problems animals that are either too painful or fearful to have their teeth brushed. There are the obvious dental treats, from Booda’s Talk to Me Bones to NutraDent chews, Nylabones, Greenies, etc… CET chews, available through your veterinarian, come in several varieties designed to be given daily. These are coated in an enzymatic formula to help kill bacteria that form plaque. The most important thing to remember with ANY of these products, whether digestible or not, is to supervise your pet! Just like a toddler, any of these chewable treats can be swallowed in a large piece and cause problems.

Another popular way to control bad breath and mouth bacteria is to add products to your animal’s water bowl. Think about it…every time they get a drink they are also rinsing their mouth with an antiseptic wash. It doesn’t have a flavor, and even cats will drink water with these additives. The most popular at the moment is CET Aquadent Solution, which contains chlorhexidine.

So—your pet’s teeth are already bad, now what? All hope is not lost! Make an appointment with your veterinarian and have your pet’s teeth evaluated. If there is significant infection your vet will probably prescribe some antibiotics to take for several days before the cleaning procedure. This helps to reduce the risk of a secondary infection. They will also evaluate your pet for any other health concerns that need to be addressed when anesthesia is used. Unfortunately, most pets feel about the dentist like we do---SCARED! This just means that light anesthesia is used to make sure that everything goes smoothly. The use of an endotracheal tube, which goes in their trachea, also minimizes the risk of putting any of that nasty tartar or bacteria in the lungs. Most pets go home the same day their teeth are cleaned with much better breath and more comfortable mouths.

An important consideration when cleaning the teeth is whether or not to add sealant, such as Oravet, to the teeth. Most of the time the enamel is already damaged, so you may notice the teeth looking dirty again within 6 to 8 months of cleaning. A sealant allows all of the small imperfections of the enamel to be protected, and you can go much longer between cleanings. This is especially important in older pets and in pets with another health condition, such as heart disease. Talk to your veterinarian about this new product.

And for root canals, braces, crowns---see your local veterinary dentist. That’s right—there are veterinarians who specialize in dentistry. Dr Bill Scott is a veterinary dentist located in Clarksville, AR, who can do cosmetic and surgical dentistry.

For more information about veterinary dentistry and how to help your pets keep their teeth in top shape, visit www.petdental.com. You can learn about diets, products and see demonstrations on how to brush teeth.

-- Courtesy of Dr. Vava Hooper from Rose Animal Clinic, Bentonville, AR. Rose Animal Clinic is offering $20 off all cleaning during the month of February.

How To Crate Train Your Dog In 30 Minutes

I hear complaints of people who can't potty train their dogs, or they destroy furniture at night, or the sleep in their bed with them and become aggressive if the owner wants them down. The simplest solution to all of these problems is to crate train your dog, but how do you do that? they ask.

First step is to buy a dog crate. I got mine from Wal-mart. I like the metal ones with the slide out plastic liner to make accidents easy to clean up. The only trick here is to make sure you get the right size. You don't want too small, but too big, and they will feel like they can use the bathroom at the other end of their "house". It needs to be just small enough to where they won't want to go to the bathroom - dogs have a natural sense to not potty where they sleep. If they do use the bathroom and then sleep in it, I will address that at the end.

The second step is easy. Now, your job is just to make the crate a fun place. I usually place it in the living room, or someplace they are familiar with, and let them be around it for a little while. Let them smell it, walk in it if they are brave enough, explore it, and become comfortable with it. Then, once they have had a chance to become familiar with it, I try to entice them into it with a treat. I try not to push them in - I want it to feel like their choice. Once they go in, I give them a treat, call them out, and hug and praise them a whole bunch. I repeat this, using the phrase "Do you wanna go to bed". This does two things. First, it associates the crate with someplace fun, where there are treats involved, and lots of praise. Second, it gives them a verbal cue "Bed" that they know with the crate, and the associated treats and praise. This usually takes about 30 minutes, maybe a little more with reluctant or scaredy cats.

Dogs are natural den dwellers. Sometimes draping a towel over the crate will make it more appealing. I like to put a towel with my scent on it (I rub it all over my body) and place it with a favorite toy at night so they feel close to me. Overall, the crate makes them feel safe. They will run to it when they are scared or frightened. All I have to do is mention the word "bed" and they are racing down the hall to see who can be first in their crate.

If they are young, especially puppies, they may not want to remain in their crate throughout the night. You have to determine if this is just because they want out, or because they really have to use the bathroom badly. If they just want out, then I would ignore them. They should eventually quiet down. I have used a glass of water thrown on them so that a really stubborn dog knows this is unacceptable behavior.

What you want to avoid is having them use the bathroom and then lying or sleeping in it. If this happens, you can undo any good crate training cold do. It's like it psychologically damages the dog, so that they will urinate on themselves and not care anymore. It can undo pottie training they may have mastered. I use the rule of thumb that for every month the puppy is old, they can go an hour before needing a bathroom break. Hopefully, by a year old they should be able to go all night without a problem. I have a dog that can get so distracted on their end-of-the-night outside trip that he forgets to go to the bathroom. Each dog is a little different, and you will have to find that balance and learn with them.

Getting this technique down is a great way to potty train a dog too. When you let them out in the morning, have a treat ready, and go out with them. They will more than likely have to use the bathroom if they went all night without going outside. As soon as they start, start praising them (but don't touch them - let them finish their business) and then when they are finished, give them a treat and praise and hug them. This will reinforce going outside is good. It's about the only time of day you know with 100% certainty that they will go to the bathroom, and it's really a slam dunk. The more you praise them for going outside, the faster they should catch on.