Month: September 2020

Yesterday we went on our second visit to a client who had a 2 legged dog, no front legs.  A device was made for the dog but, according to the client it was poorly constructed and the firs time it was used it toppled over which terrified the dog.  Now when she sees the new and improved device she hops away and hides.  Last week I got her used to me, letting her get close, sniffing her and then ignoring her so she would not be afraid of me.  The second visit after suggesting Rescue remedy by Dr. Bach, we gave it to her and after some preliminary work, we put her gently in the device. She was a little nervous but, not that bad.  The only problem was she was trying to climb up on my lap.  Which could be likened to trying to roller skate up hill.  The device was left on for 5 minutes so she would not be too stressed.  If my directions are followed she will be leading a happy life, motoring around as if she had 4 legs.  All it takes is some patients, not hurrying things.

One of the Most Healing Foods You Can Feed Your Pet Inexpensive and easy to prepare, you can use this as a nutrient-dense meal supplement or treat for any pet. It’s especially good for cats and dogs with tummy troubles, picky eaters or older pets with declining appetites. Here’s my method for making your own at home. READ MORE

 

6 Things to Do if Your Dog Is 7 Years or Older Once your dog reaches seven years of age, she’s officially a senior, even if she still acts like a puppy most days. You now have the unique opportunity to give your pet a healthy and happy second half of life. Make sure you’re doing your part by checking off these six essentials. READ MORE

 

Howls, Growls and Whines – What Do They All Mean? Dogs use a variety of vocalizations to communicate, but how do you interpret them? Anytime your dog communicates with you, there’s a purpose behind it and she’s counting on you to figure it out. Here’s why some dogs howl, whine, growl, groan and grunt. READ MORE

 

The Diamond Touch dog rehabilitation centre does not endorse the training methods used by the school mentioned.  However, the advice given in this article is still prudent.

Recently, GDB has been contacted by a number of constituents requesting our advice about working or exercising dogs in areas with poor air quality related to the wildfires occurring all along the West Coast. We are reaching out today to provide feedback on this important question.

 

In situations where air quality is considered unhealthy, meaning the air quality index  (AQI) is above 150, or in the “red zone”, on reputable internet sites such as AirNow (click the following link to access this site: www.airnow.gov ), GDB’s Director of Veterinary Medicine, Dr. Kate Kuzminski recommends the following:

 

• Keep dogs indoors as much as possible and keep the windows shut. Use an air conditioner, or air purifier, to filter the air if possible.
• Shorten the time your dog is outdoors.  Dogs should go out for regular relieving opportunities but walks should be kept to a minimum. Puppies and senior dogs may be more sensitive to poor air quality.  These dogs may be adversely impacted by AQI’s that are in the 100-150 range (‘orange zone’) as well.
• ​Avoid intense outdoor exercise during periods of poor air quality. Regular walks and strenuous outdoor activities can resume once the air quality improves.
• Monitor your dog for signs of respiratory distress and eye inflammation.  If your dog is having difficulty breathing, is coughing/sneezing excessively, is weak/lethargic or has swelling or inflammation of the mouth, eyes, or upper airway, please see a veterinarian.

 

For those living in close proximity to fire activity, including your animals in your disaster preparedness planning and having an animal evacuation kit ready is advisable.

 

 

It’s not just spot-on products taking the lives of cats and dogs. These government-approved tablet and topical products have been added to the list for serious neurologic adverse effects on muscle control that include tremors and seizures.

READ MORE

Dog  Philosophy

 

There is more truth than poetry in some of the sayings

 

 

The reason a dog has so many friends is that he wags his tail instead of his tongue.

-Anonymous

 

Don’t accept your dog’s admiration as conclusive  evidence that you are wonderful.

-Ann   Landers

 

 

 

 

There is no psychiatrist in the world like a puppy licking your face.

-Ben Williams

 

 

A dog is the only thing on earth that loves you more than he loves himself.

-Josh  Billings

 

The average dog is a nicer person than the average person.

-Andy Rooney

 

We give dogs time we can spare, space we can spare and

 

love we can spare. And in return, dogs give us their all.

 

It’s the best deal man has ever made.

-M.. Acklam

 

 

Dogs love their friends and bite their enemies, quite unlike people,

who are incapable of pure love and always have to mix love and

 

hate

 

-Sigmund  Freud

 

I wonder if other dogs think poodles are members of a weird religious cult.

-Rita  Rudner

 

A dog teaches a boy fidelity, perseverance, and to turn around three

times before lying down.

-Robert Benchley

 

Anybody who doesn’t know what soap tastes like never washed a dog.

-Franklin P. Jones

 

 

 

If your dog is fat, you aren’t getting enough exercise

-Unknown

 

My dog is worried about the economy because Alpo is up to $4.00 a can.

That’s almost $28.00  in dog money!

-Joe  Weinstein

 

Ever consider what our dogs must think of us? I mean, here we come from

a grocery with the most amazing haul, chicken, pork, half a cow. They

must think

we’re the greatest  hunters on earth!

-Anne Tyler

 

Women and cats will do as they please, and men and dogs should relax and

get used to the idea.

-Robert  A.  Heinlein

 

 

 

If  you pick up a starving dog and make him prosperous, he will not bite

you; that is the principal difference  between a dog and a man.

-Mark  Twain

 

You can say any foolish thing to a dog, and the dog will give you a look

that says,

‘Wow, you’re right! I never would’ve thought of that!’

– Dave  Barry

 

Dogs are not our whole life, but they make our lives whole.

-Roger Caras

 

If you think dogs can’t count, try putting three dog biscuits in your

pocket and then give him only two of them.

-Phil  Pastoret

 

My goal in life is to be as good a person as my dog thinks I am.

Regardless of the diet choice you make for your dog – kibble, raw or home cooked – the vast amount of supplements on the market today, including vitamins, minerals, digestion aids, and anti-inflammatories can make choosing the right supplements for your dog very confusing. It seems just when we might be getting comfortable with our choices, new products pop up or we read an article that warns us to avoid the supplements we have already been giving to our dogs! We want to feed our dogs the best we can and we want to make sure what we are giving them enhances their health and gives us the best value for our dollar.

 

Want to Feed the Best Diet for Your Dog, But Don’t Know How? Now there is a fast and easy way to learn! Check out Lew Olson’s easy-to-follow, on-line course videos! Read on to learn about Canine Nutrition and preparing Raw and Home Cooked Diets! Click for Video

 

 

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Minerals First, let’s talk about minerals. I do not ever recommend adding minerals to a commercial diet (kibble or canned). These foods already contain the recommended minerals and you never want to give MORE than the recommended amount. Additionally, some minerals balance each other, such as zinc and copper, so you do not want to risk unbalancing those minerals. So, do not add minerals to any fixed commercial food diets! Calcium and Commercial Diets and Raw Meaty Bone Diets In a raw diet with bones, you do NOT need to add minerals because the raw meaty bones contain the needed minerals, including the correct ratio of calcium and phosphorus. When feeding a raw diet with bones, you want to avoid supplements that contain minerals. NEVER ADD CALCIUM to a raw meaty bone diet or a commercial dog food diet because too much calcium can harm your dog, especially growing puppies and pregnant dogs! Calcium and Home Cooked Diets If you feed a home-cooked diet however, you DO need to add calcium because you cannot feed cooked bones safely. Calcium is added to the diet based on the amount of food fed and NOT the body weight of the dog. Dogs need about 900 mg of calcium per pound of food served, which is about 2 cups of food. The best source of calcium for a dog, when given as a supplement, is either calcium carbonate or calcium citrate with vitamin D3. These are both economical and can be found at any supermarket or drug store. You can also feed ground eggshells (use a coffee bean grinder to grind the shells). 1/2 teaspoon of crushed eggshells equal about 900 mg of calcium. Vitamin D3 is very important as it helps with the uptake of the calcium. Please note it is important that the Vitamin D offered to your dog is Vitamin D3, which is animal sourced. Dogs cannot utilize plant-based sources of Vitamin D. (More on this later). Again, do NOT supplement with calcium if you are feeding a commercial diet or a raw meaty bone diet because these diets already contain enough calcium. Below is a list of important Vitamins and supplements to add to your dog’s diet: Water Soluble Vitamins Two good water-soluble vitamins to add to your dog’s diet are B complex and vitamin C. Water soluble vitamins are not stored in the body, so any excess is flushed out in the urine. B complex vitamins off support to many bodily functions, however the B vitamins can be more fragile so they do not keep well in commercial foods.  B complex vitamins are good for the nervous system, brain function, cell division, help prevent anemia and support memory. Additionally, they are very important during pregnancy! They are helpful during pregnancy and for puppies and seniors. Turkey and liver are high in B vitamins. Vitamin C was first found to prevent scurvy. However, more recently, it is considered an anti-oxidant and helps support the immune system. Too much vitamin C can result in diarrhea. If this occurs, just reduce the amount of vitamin C by one dose. I give dogs about 100 mg of vitamin C per 10 pounds of body weight daily. For dogs, the food highest in vitamin C is liver. Fat Soluble Vitamins Fat-soluble vitamins do not flush out of the body easily. Instead, they are stored in fat. The first fat-soluble vitamin I will discuss is vitamin E. This is also considered an anti-oxidant and helps the immune system. It also works with omega 3 fatty acids, as these two nutrients need each other to work effectively. Vitamin E also helps with neurological functions and protects against lipid oxidation. I generally give dogs vitamin E at 50 IU per 10 pounds of body weight daily. Vitamin A, Specifically Retinol Dogs, because they are carnivores, do best with animal-sourced vitamin A, or retinol. This vitamin supports eye health, the immune system and thyroid health. It is rich in liver and organ meats and is also found in eggs and yogurt. Dose is about 25-50 mg per 10 pounds of body weight. Vitamin D3 As mentioned earlier, it is important that the vitamin D given is D3 (animal-based), such as calcium carbonate (made from eggshells) or calcium citrate. Avoid all plant-based forms, which are often known as D2. Dogs need about 400 IU per 100 pounds, but more can be given – up to double this dose – for immunity. It is also thought to protect against cancer. Vitamin D3 is necessary for the uptake of calcium and it is needed for healthy bones and teeth. It is also helpful to protect against diabetes. Foods containing vitamin D3 included fortified milk products, eggs, salmon and sardines. Digestion Aids Digestion aids help support the digestive system and are very useful for puppies, pregnant mothers, through changes in your dog’s diet, for that travel and dogs that suffer from digestive issues. Probiotics These beneficial bacteria help maintain the good flora and fauna in the digestive tract. These help promote well-formed stools, support the immune system and help control excess gas. I find these especially helpful for diet changes, while traveling with my dogs and for puppies. These ‘good’ bacteria also help keep bad bacteria at bay and in check. Animal-Based Digestive Enzymes These include pancreatin, pancrealipase and ox bile. These animal-based enzymes help pre-digest fats in the dog’s stomach, ease the digestion of fats in the liver and pancreas, increase assimilation of nutrients, and help promote better formed stools. L-Glutamine This amino acid is used to help heal the digestive tract lining. It has also been used in infants and starvation cases to help with weight gain. Once the digestive tract lining is healed, it continues to help by assisting with proper digestion. Dogs with IBD, IBS or colitis have an inflamed digestive tract, which can result in diarrhea, mucus covered stool and loss of the ability to absorb all the nutrients. Over several weeks, L-glutamine helps heal the lining and works to restore health back to the stomach and intestinal lining. Essential Fatty Acids There are several types of essential fatty acids. Two of the more common ones are omega 3 and omega 6 fatty acids. Omega 6 is found in most foods and is therefore more abundant in the diet. Because of this, there is NO reason to add more omega 6 to your dog’s diet. Avoid any plant-based oils such as corn, safflower, coconut, and olive or canola oil. The essential fatty acid your dog DOES need to balance the omega 6 already in the diet, is Omega 3 fatty acids. It is important to use animal-based sources of omega 3 because dogs are unable to convert the omega 3 oil found in plant oils (ALA) to a usable form. Animal-based sources include fish body oils like salmon, menhaden, sardine or mixed fish oil. Omega 3 oils are fragile and heat, air and light can destroy their properties, so use fish oil CAPSULES rather than bottled oil. Omega 3 fish oil is a natural anti-inflammatory and it helps with the immune system, supports liver, kidney, heart, eye and brain health, and it is very good for the coat and skin. Use fish oil capsules at one capsule per 20 pounds of body weight (generally a capsule is 1,000 mg with 180 EPA and 120 DHA). Arthritis and Inflammation It is always important to get a diagnosis if your dog is limping, acts sore, has rear end weakness or shows discomfort. While it may be arthritis, it could also be something else. Just a few of the diseases that may resemble the symptoms of arthritis are Addison’s Disease, cancer, Lyme’s or tick disease, or leptospirosis, and more. If the problem IS inflammation, then some following supplements to try include: Fish Oil Capsules: Omega 3 fish oil helps fight inflammation. Yucca Intensive: Yucca contains natural steroidal saponins which are powerful anti-inflammatory agents to help reduce pain. DO NOT use yucca with other prescription NSAIDs such as steroids, rimadyl, metacam, etc. Give one drop per 10 pounds of body weight, WITH FOOD, once or twice a day. Glucosamine/Chondroitin Blends These are thought to help lubricate the joints and repair cartilage. Willow Bark Tincture:  Willow Bark is a natural form of aspirin, only give with food! NEVER feed on empty stomach. There are numerous remedies for arthritis on the market. Therefore, always check the ingredients and their safety for dogs! The best diet for a dog with arthritis is a carbohydrate-free raw diet. Carbohydrates are sugars which help promote and increase inflammation in dogs. I know trying to put together all these supplements can seem daunting. To make it easier, I would recommend B-Naturals Berte’s Daily Blend, which contains all the vitamins I have listed, as well as kelp and alfalfa. This is a powder supplement that is easy to mix with your dog’s food. Another choice is Berte’s Immune Blend. This mixture has all the vitamins I have listed with vitamin C and E in double doses. While it does not contain kelp and alfalfa, it does have added probiotics and some digestive enzymes. The Immune Blend is ideal for dogs with health issues but it can also be given to healthy dogs at half dose. For those with dogs with digestive issues, B-Naturals carries Berte’s Digestion Blend. This blend contains the animal-based enzymes, as well as l-glutamine and probiotics. It comes is a palatable powder form that can easily be mixed with your dog’s food or you can mix it with some yogurt. I hope you have found this information helpful. If you have any questions, please email us at B-Naturals and we will answer any of your questions: lewolson@earthlink.net Happy Labor Day to all the hard workers out there. All of us at B-Naturals hope you are staying safe and healthy during this crazy time. We hope you and your dogs are getting enough good food and good exercise!

Promising New Test for Elusive Bowel Disease Digestive problems in dogs have reached epidemic proportions, and this inflammatory disease is one of the most difficult, costly and time-consuming to diagnose accurately. Find out why the condition is so perplexing to owners and veterinarians, and why that may soon change. Read More >>

Ideal Timing for Spaying or Neutering of These Breeds There’s no ‘one size fits all’ when it comes to health risks and the age at which a dog is neutered or spayed. Risks are highly dependent on breed, and for some, age at desexing doesn’t matter. This study puts the brakes on automatic early-age desexing and suggests a better alternative. READ MORE

 

5 Subtle Signs Your Dog Dislikes Children If your dog feels uncomfortable with newcomers, especially children, don’t expect to see the obvious signs right away, like growling, snarling or snapping. To head off an unfortunate encounter, watch for these subtle signs indicating stress may be building in your pet. READ MORE

 

Live Near Water? Be Aware of This Deadly Fungus Most dogs who become infected with this soil and rotting wood fungus live within a quarter mile of a river bank, lake or swamp. This unfortunate yellow Lab went swimming just once before becoming ill, only to die eight days later from the fungus. Know what to watch if symptoms appear. READ MORE

 

The Only Sure Way to Know if Your Pet Is Immune to Disease Did you know that vaccinations don’t always provide adequate protection against disease? There’s only one way to know for sure if your pet has the immunity he needs, but many conventional veterinarians push back vehemently against the practice. Fortunately, this may be changing. READ MORE

 

‘Green’ up Your Indoor Space With Pet-Friendly Plants As the days grow shorter and cooler, it’s not too soon to start planning and creating your own indoor oasis of lush greenery. Just be sure to choose wisely – many popular houseplants aren’t safe for cats and dogs. Check out these seven pet-friendly tropical plants that thrive indoors. READ MORE

 

I do not endorse any of the schools mentioned below, however, the information is good regardless of my opinion of their acceptance of applicants.

Raise a puppy to be a guide dog. By LAUREN KATIMS.

Imagine blindfolding yourself and letting your dog lead you down the stairs, out of your house or apartment, around the block and back home. Sounds risky, right? My Chiweenie and I would never make it past my front door without an injury.

Guide dogs get extensive training for five to nine months, depending on the organization, to succeed with these tasks. Their guidance helps visually impaired or blind people go to work, navigate busy airports, avoid traffic and many other unexpected obstacles. How do these dogs get accustomed to so many different scenarios?

Most of this work is done before the official guide dog training even starts.

At 7 to 8 weeks old, the puppy lives with a foster family, just like yours or mine, called a puppy raiser, which has the job of raising the dog to be socially adaptable, well-mannered and calm in various situations.

“We rely pretty heavily on our puppy raisers to get the dogs off to a strong start,” says Kerry Lemerise, program manager of puppy raising at Guiding Eyes for the Blind, based in New York, which has 39 regional centers along the East Coast.

Once the puppy turns 14 to 16 months, he graduates and goes into the guide dog training program before being paired with his new life partner. No experience is required to be a puppy raiser-the guide dog organizations provide all the guidance and training necessary. All you need is the time, patience and understanding that you’ll eventually say goodbye when your dog graduates.

Here, two organizations that train guide dogs for people with vision loss, talk about the puppy raisers’ responsibilities and how they help change lives for hundreds of visually impaired people each year.

Socializing the puppy.

Each organization wants a wide range of puppy raisers, from singles to large families to homes with other pets, because that represents the diversity of the clients who will be matched with the service dogs after graduation. “We want every type of home imaginable,” says Eric Gardell, supervisor of the puppy raiser department at Fidelco Guide Dog Foundation in Bloomfield, Connecticut. Fidelco breeds their own German Shepherd Dogs, which are known for loyalty and intelligence.

Families are encouraged to expose the dog to as many situations as possible -the very same experiences the dog will be required to handle as a guide dog. This includes taking them through airport security, up and down stairs, to busy restaurants, work and through grocery stores. The goal is to raise a dog who is unfazed by cats, children, traffic or tempting buffet tables. “The puppy raisers are invaluable,” Eric says. “They are making a dog that someone else can live with.

Training weekly.

As dog owners, we want our dogs to have good manners: no excited jumping on neighbors or barking at passing dogs, no digging holes in the backyard and no chewing on shoes. But for service dogs, obedience skills are necessary for a successful partnership. “Our clients have higher needs for good house manners,” says Kerry, from Guiding Eyes. “You might think it’s OK if your dog picks up a shoe and moves it, but for our clients, that could mean being late to work.

Each family is required to bring their puppies to a weekly training class, and eventually every other week, where obedience skills like nice leash manners, proper vet and groomer etiquette, walking under different leveled underpasses, distraction avoidance and basic commands are taught.

Guiding Eyes breeds Labrador Retrievers because of their trainability, flexibility in different situations, and comfortability around people, Kerry says.

Graduating.

Ken Bernhard, a lawyer in Connecticut, is currently fostering his seventh German Shepherd Dog puppy, Gypsy, through Fidelco. He became so inspired by his experience raising his first puppy in 1989, he succeeded in getting a law passed to allow dogs in training to go into public places, and also now serves as the organization’s chairman of the board.

The hardest part is saying goodbye, he admits, but even so, “there isn’t a person who would say it wasn’t the most rewarding and interesting experience. For this reason, many puppy raisers come back time and time again. Both organizations have families on their 20th puppy.

“Initially (people) come to us because they love dogs,” says Kerry, who estimates about 70 percent of puppy raisers return at least a second time. “Then they meet our graduates, and it becomes this really powerful experience.