When A Dog Eats Chocolate

It’s not news that dark chocolate can be toxic to your dog.  What to do?  If they have ingested the chocolate within an hour or two, you can induce vomiting by giving them hydrogen peroxide.  It varies by the size of the dog; however, it doesn’t take much.  For small dogs, give them a Tablespoon and follow with another Tablespoon until you get the desired result.

Recently, a Great Dane ate a lot of dark chocolate.  It could have been hours since she ate it, so they chose to wait and monitor her behavior.  This Dane inherently exhibits some of the behaviors you should watch for when a dog consumes too much chocolate – she’s already restless, exciteable, and at times pants excessively.  The point. . .it is to be taken seriously, but don’t panic and attribute their normal behavior to being a reaction to chocolate.

Since it was too late to induce vomiting, the Dane didn’t go to the vet and was monitored at home.  Fortunately, she was able to “pass” the chocolate and process the caffeine and theobromine (stimulants) that were absorbed into her system.

I don’t doubt there have been a lot of sick dogs due to chocolate prior to our knowing it’s potential harm; however, I have heard so many dog owners say quietly that they used to give their dogs oreo cookies as treats.  Some were even given chocolate kisses!  My guess is they weren’t given enough to do harm and we weren’t nervously looking for symptoms.

Information is knowledge and may save you a trip to the vet.  My best advice is to eat the dark chocolate and give the dog a dry, nearly tasteless dog biscuit.  No wonder they too love chocolate!

Go to this article for more detailed information on Why Dogs Can’t Eat Chocolate

A Puppy Mill Rescue – A Rags to Riches Yorkie

Melody’s full story. . .

Will a Dog Bite if It’s Tail is Wagging?

Most of us look at a dog’s tail to see if they are receptive to our greeting and approach.  What does the wag of a tail tell?

Some tails wag faster based on their level of enthusiasm and excitement.  Some tails don’t really wag but are more of a propeller that rotate in a circular motion.  Some tails will  wag out of nervousness and it may be positioned higher or lower than it is for a receptive greeting.  Since you may not have the time to pay attention to those details, especially if you don’t know the dog, wait before reaching to give affection.

The problem comes when we always assume a wagging tail is a sign of affection and acceptance.  It isn’t.  Unfortunately for those who have been bitten by the other end of a wagging tail, assume they must have done something wrong to make the dog change it’s mind.

A wagging tail is a sign of “joy,” and it can be sign of nervousness and excitement just prior to a lunge that says something other than “Hi, glad to meet you!”  Usually, the dogs physiology is shifting in more ways than just the wag of the tail, but more are focused on that end of the dog.

Next time you approach a dog and see it’s tail wagging, be sure to observe the rest of the dog’s body and any signs of aggression or fear.  Most likely, the dog wants your affection, but it’s good to make sure!

How Important is it for Your Dog to Heel?

Heel is the word used for having your dog walk along beside you.  They are to be walking at the same pace and hopefully in the same direction!  The purpose is so they are not pulling you down the street and they have the understanding they are walking with you and not the other way around.

Their head should be approximately in line with your left leg and not a head’s length in front of you.   Why are they on the left?  Good question.  It most likely started with hunters and the human’s right hand was occupied with a weapon so the dog was on the left.

I am asked a lot why the dog needs to heel.  Clients may want their dog to learn “sit” and “down” and “stay,” but wonder why it is necessary to learn to heel.  If you ever need to have your dog on a leash and out in public, you will want them to work with you and to walk nicely at your side.

Teaching your dog to heel is one of the building blocks of your relationship.  They don’t absolutely have to learn it; however, it’s like learning algebra prior to learning arithmetic.  You can do it, but it’s easier to begin with the basics.  In this case, the basics are teaching your dog to listen and respond to you and what better way than while on a walk where there are all sorts of distractions.

If you have questions regarding teaching your dog to heel, please send me a note in the box to the right.  I am glad to assist you!

Fighting Pit Bulls are Victorious!

A recent post received validation –

Here’s an update on a couple of the fighting dogs removed from Michael Vick’s property . . they are now affectionately referred to as the “Vick”tory dogs!

Thanks Best Friends!

How to Move Your Dog

Moving can be a little traumatic for our pets.  Don’t underestimate the affects of this experience on your dog. Just because you are there along with their toys and bed doesn’t mean they will feel right at home any more than you will.

Let them get acclimated to their new surroundings.  Go outside with them and explore the yard.  Let them walk through the home.  This isn’t to say they should sleep with you if they don’t normally or that the routine should change to somehow compensate for the change in their lives.  It’s more about them feeling secure and to give that process time.

Keep their routine as “normal” as possible.  Soon, your dog will learn that home is where you are!

He Doesn’t Know He’s a Dog!

Yes, he does.  I can almost promise you that some day and maybe when you least expect it, he’ll show you he’s a dog.

Dogs may be domesticated but that does not remove instinct or history.  They are genetically and psychologically dogs.  No matter how social, large, small, cute, non-dog you attempt to make them – they are dogs.

Sorry!  Someone had to tell you the truth so that when FiFi jumps out of her cute little carry bag and bites another dog, you’ll remember. . .”Oh, that’s right! FiFi is still a dog.”  It actually makes life much easier when we treat them as nature designed them because they don’t do well being “human.”

In the quiet of your own home, feel free to pretend and make believe that your dog doesn’t know.  And, when in public remember and prepare for him to be a dog.  (I’ll be waiting for your call for training!)

Dogs Should Have a Middle Name

When correcting your dog, it is important, and sometimes critical they have a middle name. When I heard, “Gayle get in here,” I was motivated; however, “Gayle Marie, get in here right now!” – got me to run (well, it may have been the other way, but I usually would go to whom used that tone and my proper name.)

All of my dogs have a middle name. They don’t know if it’s masculine or feminine and no one makes fun of Moby for being named “Moby Marie.” Now that I think of it, that could explain a lot of his insecure behaviors. That’s another post.

If your dog is “pure” and comes with papers (we don’t know what that is around here), then they most likely have a given name much like my Catholic friends. It is useful to have more than just a first name for those times when you “mean” what you say.

I’m a trainer and I know that when we’re at home hanging out with our pets, we’re cool with calling them a nickname or something cute. But, when they are outside and we want them in yesterday, their name suddenly becomes proper! hmmm. . .

Try it! Call your dog using their given name and an added middle name and see if they don’t look at you with a new-found respect. Maybe, it won’t exactly be respect, but it will certainly be easier for you than dragging out a name when demanding something like “Spoooooot get in here.” “Spotty-James, get in here right now” sounds much better – doesn’t it?

Dog training isn’t always serious. . .and if it is, you’re doing something wrong!

What’s your dog’s “real” name? I won’t tell!

The Key Reason to Touch and Socialize Your Dog

As I mentioned previously, there are a lot of four-legged victims as a result of the many foreclosures. Along with older dogs, there are puppies and pregnant dogs being left behind. Forget that there isn’t enough food for all of them, the fact that they are not being socialized can affect them for the rest of their lives.

When dogs have not been socialized adequately, the result is that they will back away when someone reaches to pet them. As they tuck their tails, round their ears and perhaps squat, their body language would indicate that they have been abused. They have. It just isn’t the way we typically define abuse. They were never hit. They were never touched in any way.

Many studies have proven the need for touch for all creatures. Touch boosts our immune system, and the lack of it causes emotional and behavioral problems. It is important for puppies to recieve nurturing from their Moms and for this nurturing and bonding to continue through human touch.

Neglected dogs may also develop obsessive-compulsive behaviors. They may walk in circles, go through a “ritual” prior to eating, and may be protective of food if they had to fend for themselves previously. All of these can be dealt with as they learn to trust and establish new behaviors.

Once they are brought into a home and slowly socialized and begin to trust human touch, they will improve!

My last post featured Melody – a little Yorkie that was at the shelter. She was so reserved and afraid. By watching her, I can assume some of what her past was like. She has a few rituals for reasons known only to her.

She now sits on the floor by me waiting for a little affection. It’s a bit of a tease because she will pull away. Wanting affection and praise and so afraid of what might be attached to it. We have a promise that she will never be mistreated again. (There are a lot of animals – and humans – that need to hear that promise.)

Melody is an example of how trust can change your life!

Abandoned Dog Can’t Speak

This little Yorkie was given up to a local shelter. She’s not special because she’s a desirable mini-dog – she’s special because she was used only to breed. It’s not clear how many litters she’s had or how she was treated.

She is (was) terribly afraid of human touch; especially if you were to reach for her before she was ready to approach. It’s not likely that someone will adopt her with this behavior quirk. So, I brought her home.

Once home, I noticed that she sounded like her bark was filtered. She’s been debarked. Then, there’s her teeth. She soon trusted me enough to let me take a look in her mouth. I quickly saw that she only has four teeth in the front. No wonder her tiny tongue sticks out. There’s nothing to hold it back. This is a relatively young dog so it’s not an age issue. It’s an abuse and neglect issue.

I realized that this little girl doesn’t need me to feel sad or sorry for her. She needs love and dog rehabilitation. Within 12 hours of bringing her home, I was able to put a harness and leash on her. I could pick her up, walk her on the leash, clean her face, look in her mouth, and check her ears without her recoiling.

Never underestimate the power of the Spirit, be it Human or Canine. And, the two of us together can be an amazing combination!

She will be “fine.” It’s good that we can’t sit and talk about her past. We might get stuck. Dogs don’t stay stuck in their stuff unless we do. They live in the moment and deal with what that brings. I’m learning a lot from the shelter dogs.

I recommend it – if you can put your thoughts aside of how horrible it is, you might experience the love of a little girl like Melody.