With our current heat index well into the hundreds and BGE Peak Rewards customers reportedly left without A/C for hours on end, the topic on everyone’s mind is: how to keep cool?  Some of the affected homes have temperatures peaking into the 90′s and these homes need not forget the danger that this heat wave poses to their pets.

This is critical information that ALL dog owners need to know, kindly given to us by Dr. Weisberg, DVM from the Emergency Animal Hospital of Ellicott City (410-750-1177) in Howard County, Maryland.

Early signs of overheating:

1. Panting, while not always caused by overheating, if you think your dog may be panting due to heat, immediately start taking steps to cool him down.
2. Abundance of drooling.
3. Unstable on feet, collapse.
4. Gum Color can turn blueish purple, bright red or pale from lack of oxygen.
5. For more signs click here.

Canine Temperature, consequences and susceptible breeds:

Dr. Weisberg strongly suggests that all dog owners keep a digital thermometer for their dog.  His normal canine temperature guidelines are between 101 and 102.5.  Anything above 105 degrees is a clear indication that something is very wrong and that the dog needs medical attention.

A dog with a temperature of over 108/109 degrees is at high risk of organ damage.  High body temperatures can cause brain swelling, destruction of the lining of the intestine, kidney failure etc. and these conditions are not immediately obvious.  After being cooled down, dogs with serious heat damage can often times walk into the Vet’s office as if everything is fine.  It can take a couple of hours for the consequences of these conditions to become apparent and by then, it could be too late.

Some dogs are more prone to heat related illness.  It may seem obvious that long haired breeds are more susceptible but did you know that breeds with flat faces are also at high risk?  Some examples of these breeds are: Bull dogs, Pugs, Pekingese, Boston Terriers.  The facial structure of these dogs inhibits their ability to pant effectively; therefore, they are incapable of taking in as much air as other breeds.  Consequently, these breeds should never be allowed to overheat.

What to do if your dog overheats:

If your dog’s temperature is 105 degrees or more, take immediate action.  ALWAYS COOL THE DOG OFF AT HOME BEFORE TRAVELING TO THE VET’S OFFICE.

1. Use tap water (luke warm, not hot or ice cold) to douse the dog.  Water that is too cold constricts blood vessels and decreases the vessels ability to effectively transport sufficient amounts of blood back to the body; therefore taking longer to cool the dog off.
2. While dousing the dog with water, set a fan to blow on the dog.
3. Move the dog to shade or A/C.
4. DO NOT make the dog drink water.  Your dog may be too focused on breathing to drink.  Allow him to drink when he is ready.
5. Continue all cool down attempts until the panting stops.  Stop cooling once the dog’s temperature gets to 103; cooling any further could lead to hypothermia.
6. Take your dog to the vet once he is cooled and at a temperature of 103.

Once a dog is cooled down, a Veterinarian will not be able to immediately gauge how much damage was done.  This is why it is so critical that dog owners take the dog’s temperature at home; this equips the Veterinarian with the information necessary to help save the dog’s life.  Dogs that suffered from body temperatures in access of 108/109 should be checked out and hospitalized for observation.

Dr. Weisberg expressed how sad it is to see an otherwise healthy dog, become ill and/or die from overheating.  Help spread this vital information; you could help save a canine life.

Did you know that in heat like this, a car’s temperature can jump up 50 degrees in just 15 minutes?

*Johanna*

Yep, I went there and apparently, I am a brave soul.  The question of canine versus feline intelligence has been a battle viciously fought by animal lovers everywhere.  The bell has rung, let the battle begin!!!!

According to one study ran by Dr. Britta Osthaus, of England’s Canterbury Christ Church University, dogs are the smarter being.

Cats were required to participate in a series of experiments that tested their intelligence in terms of cause and effect relationships.  The experiment tested the cats ability to obtain food from under a plastic screen.  There were three scenarios:

1. One string with treat attached.

2. Two parallel strings but only one string had a treat attached.

3. Two strings were crossed with only one having a treat attached.

The psychologist saw no evidence that the cats understood the purpose of the strings.  All cats successfully completed the one string test but unlike dogs, none of the cats consistently selected the correct string in the second scenario.

Dr. Osthaus concluded that dogs performed better than cats.

The question is, what does this experiment prove?  Maybe that dogs are the superior being or maybe just that dogs are far more treat motivated.

So, what do you think?  Who reins supreme for their insatiable learning ability, the dog or the cat?  Stand up for your choice and cast YOUR vote in the comments section.

The battle continues…

*Johanna*

We love our dogs and share our entire homes and lives with them but what’s up with those strange and not humanly acceptable behaviors that they thoroughly seem to enjoy?  More simply put, why do dogs do the crazy things they do?

1. Why do dogs drag their butt on the floor? The simple answer is that their butt is bothering them but it goes much deeper than that.  Here are some reasons dogs drag their bottoms: a clump of stuck feces, full anal sac (that needs expressing), wound(s), growth(s), swelling or irritation.
2. Why do dogs eat poop? According to PetMD, Dogs eat poop for a variety of reasons, including: malnutrition, vitamin deficiency, increased appetite, an underlying medical condition, parasites, undigested food particles in the stool.  Mother dogs eat feces of their newborn pups, puppies witness Mother eating feces and partake in the behavior as well, attention, in response to punishment, to keep their environment clean or in my experience, the dog might just like the taste!!  Always rule out all medical conditions first and then speak to a dog trainer to help kick this nasty habit.
3. Why do dogs roll in smelly stuff? At one point or another, we will all fall victim to this uber disgusting doggie behavior.  Picture this, it’s a beautiful day and your dog is enjoying the great outdoors when you notice her rolling in something.  You walk over to witness her rolling on the carcass of another animal!  WHY FIDO WHY?!!  According to Psychology Today, the most viable theory is that dogs roll in smelly things to disguise their canine scent from possible prey, thus allowing the dog to get closer to their prey during a hunt.  An instinctual behavior that has stuck with our dogs long after their undomesticated days.
4. Why do dogs ruffle their beds before sleeping? According to VPI Health Insurance’s website, before domestication, wild dogs would dig shallow beds for themselves to help keep them warm.  The dog could also be using the sweat glands in her paws to mark her territory by scratching the ground and dispersing that smell.

Now imagine a different scenario.  How quickly would you kick a human out of your house if they scooted their bare butt on the floor, ate poop and rolled in carcasses ?  Aaah, it’s that human to dog connection that you just can’t find anywhere else .

Did you know obsessive tail chasing has been linked to high cholesterol in dogs? Find out more here.

*Johanna*

Your dog’s teeth, it’s his life source and a symbol of good health.  Did you know that a lot of owners unknowingly allow their dogs to engage in behaviors that could prove detrimental to canine dental health by causing teeth wear?  Here’s a list of behaviors that you should limit.

1. Pruitis- According to the American Veterinary Dental Society, the most common cause of worn teeth is pruitis, also known as itching and chewing.  Hair is very abrasive and “will commonly cause severe wearing of the incisors, although the canines can also be affected. This can progress all the way to the gumline, and occasionally below.”

2. Tennis Balls- These seemingly harmless dogs favorite pastime can have serious consequences.  Tennis balls are very abrasive and with heavy use will eventually wear and blunt teeth.  “Dogs that chew on tennis balls or other abrasive toys (think of tennis balls as a scoring pad), will often wear their smaller front cheek teeth (premolars), and the back aspect of the canines. This abrasion won’t do much over the course of one day, but chewing every day for years can cause significant wear.”

3. Other Hard Objects- Objects like hard dog toys, fences, crate bars etc are also things that you need to watch out for.  “Another cause is chewing on things like fences, which will wear down the backside of the canines. Finally, malocclusions can cause two teeth to come together and wear on each other.”

I’m not saying that should immediately strip your dog from all of his tennis ball and hard toy glory but you should limit his time with these items.  Remember the classic saying, “Everything in moderation!”  Make sure that your dog is not constantly partaking in these behaviors and you will be one step closer to maintaining that healthy snarl .

Help spread the word by sharing this with your friends!

Is there anything that you think should be added to this list?

*Johanna*

Patriotism, family, friends and fire…an awesome combination indeed.  While the Fourth of July may be our Independence Day, it is also a favorite American pastime that many of us will share with our pets.  Remember these ASPCA tips while you partake in the festivities.

1. Refrain from taking your dog to the fireworks display- While we greatly enjoy the event, a lot of dogs are very afraid of fireworks.  Dogs can freak out, flee or even become aggressive.  Keep them safely confined in an escape proof section of your home and do not leave them outside unattended.

2. Keep poisonous drinks and foods away from dogs- Alcoholic beverages can intoxicate dogs and even cause them to slip into a coma.  Click here for a list of commonly unknown toxins.

3. Only use dog approved sunscreen and insect repellent on dogs- Human sunscreen can cause drooling, upset stomach, excessive thirst and lethargy if ingested by a dog but did you know that human insect repellent containing DEET can cause neurological problems?!

4. Keep matches, lighter fluid and citronella candles away from your dog- Certain matches contain chlorates that can damage blood cells, cause difficulty breathing and sometimes even kidney disease.  Lighter fluid and citronella candles are irritants that can cause gastrointestinal distress and maybe even depression of the central nervous system.

5. Do not light fireworks around your dog- Beyond the obvious risks, fireworks contain toxins such as: potassium nitrate, arsenic and heavy metals.

Take out that grill, invite some friends, let your dogs romp and play but always remember, SAFETY FIRST!

What safety tips would you add to this list?  Please comment, I would love to hear your thoughts.

*Johanna*

 

1. Dogs have less taste buds than humans: 1700 taste buds compared to humans that have 9000.

2. Young puppies sense of taste is not fully developed: puppies are born with their sense of touch, taste and smell but the taste buds do not fully mature until after a few weeks of life.

3. Dogs do not crave salt like humans do: Since meat has a high sodium content and wild dogs primarily eat meat, dogs ancestors already had enough salt in their diet and never developed the highly tuned salt receptors that humans have.

4. Dogs have meat taste receptors: Like humans, dogs are omnivores but unlike humans, a wild dogs diet consists of more than 80% meat; therefore, dogs have specific taste receptors that are fine tuned to meats, fats and meat related chemicals.

5. Dogs can taste water, while humans can’t: “Dogs also have taste buds that are tuned for water, which is something they share with cats and other carnivores, but is not found in humans.”

My dog loves to lick habanero peppers.  What crazy thing does your dog think tastes good?  Answer in the comments section below .

*Johanna*

On June 9, 2011, Tiara, dog of Angie Rever (The CTC’s Apprentice Trainer/Facebook Contributor) passed away at the age of 11.5.

Tiara was the perfect dog….dependable in all situations; social, even tempered and sweet as they come.  She was an awesome addition to any environment and she was Angie’s best friend, ever present in her travels.

While the pain of loss lingers still, there is joy in knowing that Tiara is no longer limited by the constraints of her physical body.  I’m sure that she is now jumping, playing and chasing squirrels, waiting for the day that she is reunited with her family.

Tiara leaves behind a beautiful human and animal family.

How can you help your dog cope with the loss of a pet?

1. Stick to your normal routine; dogs thrive on routine (Ron Hines DVM Ph.D).

2. Do not coddle when your pet is sad, instead, do something to get their mind off of it and use lots of praise once they are partaking in that new behavior.  For instance, does your dog find a ball to be irresistible?  Cheer him up by offering to play ball and use lots of praise as you play together.

3. Wait a month or two before obtaining a new pet (Ron Hines DVM Ph.D).

4. Do not allow people to try to obtain a reaction from your dog by calling the deceased pets name.

5. Concentrate on relieving your own stress because these emotions can rub off on your pet.

The CTC offers it’s condolences to the family of Tiara, her memory will forever live on in our hearts.

*Johanna*

Go outside and take a deep breath, do you know what the great outdoors is trying to tell you?  No, not that it’s allergy season…it’s hiking season and what better way to spend it than with your dog!

So strap on that doggie backpack and get ready to take a stroll but keep these five safety tips in mind at all times.

Learn the canine heat stroke warning signs

• Wobbly

• Disoriented

• Extreme panting with an exaggerated long tongue

• Elevated heart rate

• Vomiting

• Diarrhea

• Change in color of the gums

• Labored breathing

• Anxiety

• Collapse

Use a leash
It is very nice to own a dog that is obedient and well behaved enough that he/she will listen to your commands sans leash but let’s face it, most dogs don’t fit that bill.  What would your dog do if he/she saw another dog?  Or Horse?  Would you be able to call your dog back to you with these distractions around?  If you are unsure, think safety first and leash your dog.

As friendly as your dog may be, you can run into a multitude of unfamiliar things that may overly interest him/her.  Not all dogs on trail are friendly; you could be inviting a dog fight if your dog runs up to a reactive dog.  While most horses first instinct is to flee from danger (much to the riders dismay), some horses will decide to fight and trust me, your dog will not win this battle.  One kick can kill a dog on impact.  Not to mention, the possible peril that it poses to the rider.

Bring water for your dog
We sometimes forget that our dogs need a drink as well, don’t forget to bring water along for your canine friend.  Collapsible water bowls are perfect for outdoor loving pet people.

Use a tick and flea repellent/preventative
Fleas and ticks pose a serious risk to those who venture outside during the warm months.  Don’t forget to protect your dog from these insects.  Use a holistic or traditional method of tick and flea prevention and search your dog for ticks after each hike.

Don’t forget the dog tags at home
When setting out on trail, make sure that your dog has proper identification just in case he/she gets away from you.  If your dog gets lost, dog tags and a microchip will greatly increase the chances of your dogs safe return home.

So go take a hike!  Have some fun.  Explore the trails and satisfy your dogs natural instinct to walk.

Where are your favorite Maryland hiking spots?

*Johanna*

Six pack abs, buns of steel and chiseled thighs…generally not the first things that come to mind when thinking of the elegant Whippet breed.

But like much of the crazy things this world produces, some Whippets have a rare genetic mutation that causes double the muscle and makes these dogs appear as if they came out of the womb holding dumbbells.

These genetically mutated dogs are known as Bully Whippets, not due to their temperaments but due to their sheer mass and size.  The most famous of these dogs is Wendy…nicknamed the Arnold Schwarzenegger of dogs.

The average non-racing Whippet weighs 22 pounds, the normal Whippet weighs 35 pounds but Wendy weighs in at an astounding 65 pounds!!

While I was unable to locate a picture of young Wendy, Wendy’s owner says that the genetic mutation was apparent from day one.  Making Wendy, a sight to behold.

This dog is beautiful in her own way.

What do you think of Wendy, weird or beautiful?

*Johanna*

Creating a potty area for your dog is easy, convenient and your lawn and shoes will thank you for it!  The nice weather makes this the perfect time of year to get this small project out of the way.  So roll up your sleeves and say NO MORE to yellow lawns and poopy shoes.  Here is the perfect dog potty area, Lola tested, Johanna approved.

How To

1. Find a small rectangular or square section of your backyard to designate as the “Potty Area.”  It does not need to be a specific size, just big enough that your dog can move around in it and pee/poop once.

2. Try to make the land as level as possible and remove any grass/plants that might be growing there.  Use a pet safe grass killer like BurnOut if necessary.

3. Cover the area with a nice one to two inch layer of cedar mulch and your done!

4. Optional: You can add finishing touches like garden trim if you would like.

Training

The next step is to teach your dog to go potty in that spot and that spot only.  This might take a little while especially if you were previously allowing your dog to use the whole backyard as a dumping ground but don’t get frustrated.  The time it takes to train is well worth it.  Here are some key points:

1. Every time Lola needed to eliminate, we took her to the potty area and did not let her step out of the area preferably until she went potty (if necessary, use a leash to keep your dog contained to that area).  This step took some time because Lola wasn’t used to going to the bathroom on mulch (be prepared to wait).  When necessary, we took Lola back inside our house for five minutes than took her out to the potty area again; we repeated this until she went potty.  Once she started to go to the bathroom, I would say “Go Potty” and praise her as if she were a puppy just learning to potty outside (if you have a new puppy/dog click here for more guidance and training techniques).  Patience is key!

2. Before every play session in the backyard, we took Lola to the potty area to eliminate first.  This decreased the chances of her using other portions of the backyard for her disposal purposes.

3. If we caught Lola peeing/pooping in the backyard, we would quietly take her collar and guide her to the designated spot.  Then praise if she finished “going” on the mulch.

4. We used lots of praise when Lola used the appropriate spot.

5. We NEVER reprimanded her for using the rest of the backyard.  This could send incorrect signals and make her think that going potty outside is not the right thing to do.  Refer to point 3 above.

6. We stayed consistent throughout the training process.

Eventually Lola learned by habit that when in the backyard, she needs to eliminate in the designated potty area.  We still always take Lola to her potty area to eliminate before she is allowed to play in the backyard.  There have been times that she is playing in the backyard and will run over to her potty area to eliminate.  She gets praised every time .

Have you already done this with your dog; how long did it take to train?  Suggestions, comments?

I love comments .

*Johanna*