Healthy Eating for Dogs 101

Did you recently add a dog to your family, or are you concerned about your current dog’s eating habits? Dog nutrition can seem complex, but we’ve made it easy with this roundup of tips, tricks, essential info, and solutions to common feeding problems. Read on, and your dog might just eat better than you.

Take a look at the ingredient list on your dog’s current bag of food. Look for recognizable ingredients, a minimum of starches, and essential vitamins and minerals. If you don’t have a bag on hand, you can use a site like Dog Food Advisor to see what’s in popular brands and compare ingredients. Make sure there’s a whole protein source as the first ingredient, and check that your dog’s food meets AAFCO nutritional adequacy standards, which you can see on the label.

Why dogs tilt their heads?

Besides how it's absolutely adorable (like everything else about dogs), we know little about why dogs tilt their heads, though we can't help but melt a bit when they do it. Though if you ask some people, that's exactly why they do it.

Dogs are man's best friend for a reason, and part of our connection with them comes from their emotional intelligence being off the charts. One suggestion of why they tilt their heads is that they're reading our emotions and looking for the positive response they usually get when they do it. (That's right, your dog is trying to make you smile. Granted, it might be in hopes of getting out of trouble, but kudos for ingenuity.)

Merry Christmas!!

From our family to yours!

An Illustrated Guide to Dog Behavior

Home Remedies for Anxious Dogs

• White Noise

Use a fan, white noise machine, or radio to distract your dog from startling noises. Try playing classical music—it’s known to have a relaxing effect.

• Check Your Stress Level

Dogs are sensitive creatures and your anxiety can increase their anxiety. Try yoga or other relaxation techniques to decompress and find your own inner calm.

• Exercise, Exercise, Exercise!

A tired dog is a happy dog. Plus, exercise releases serotonin, a feel-good chemical that we humans also get when we work out.

• Give Your Dog a Massage

Giving your dog a ten-minute massage every day can help relax your four-legged friend, and is a great way to bond. There are many different techniques you can try. Just remember to be gentle and make sure your pet enjoys it.

Gear and Toys for Anxious Dogs

Luckily, there’s a plethora of toys and gear specifically created with the anxious pup in mind. Overall, harness the power of distraction, and give them a comfy, dog-designated area while you’re gone. These selections are key to creating a soothing environment.

1. ThunderShirt: Uses gentle, constant pressure to calm dogs.

2. Puzzle Toys: Perfect for keeping pups occupied while you’re out. The tricky treat ballis a particular favorite.

3. Long-lasting Chews: These chews will give your anxious dog something to focus on. Naturally-shed antler chews or a KONG with frozen peanut butter always work wonders.

4. Comfy Bed: Nothing relaxes a dog like a comfortable place to rest their head. Extra points for supportive memory foam that’s easy on the joints.

5. Dog Crate: With tons of variety and designs, you’re bound to find the perfect crate for your family. Training is a must, of course, before you implement the crate with your dog.

6. The Sentry Calming Collar: These collars release pheromones that help relax dogs and reduce their feelings of stress and fear.

Why Do Dogs Lick Their Lips?

Your dog might not have Kardashian lips, but when he licks his chops, he is likely sending a message. So just what does it mean when dogs lick their lips? There’s more to the story than meets the eye.

Dogs lick their lips for a variety of reasons:

• Anticipation of food
• Fear
• Anxiety
• Nausea, physical pain, or oral discomfort
• An appeasement mechanism

The most obvious reason your dog might lick its lips is in anticipation of food. According to Patricia McConnell, an applied animal behaviorist, dogs generally lick to the side of the mouth when they’re expecting a meal. She adds that licking in anticipation of food can also be linked to increased salivation.

“We humans tend to do the same thing when anticipating something wonderful about to pop into our mouth,” she writes.

Puppy School at Paws Plaza

The first 4 months of a puppy’s life is what is called their ‘critical period’. This is the time in which a young dog is most impressionable and may determine what temperament they have as an adult.

Do you want a dog that can easily adapt to many situation?

A well trained dog can walk off leash, attend a friends BBQ, play at the dog park, ride quietly in the car, fetch and return a ball, sleep under your table at a leisurely brunch or fly on an airplane, greeting new people and dogs in a calm friendly way in a skill that is taught.

Let’s get started… the earlier the better!

Puppy School is a unique opportunity to introduce your puppy to a whole new world, ensuring they learn all the necessary skills to grow into a balanced and fulfilled adult dog.

Our 4-week puppy Partnership Program 

Our philosophy on puppy rearing:

In order to help your raise your “dreamy dog” we need to spend time doing a huge variety of activities and exposures with your puppy.

Our package price is all inclusive. During the 4 weeks of prepaid training here are just a few of life skills:

• Bathing / Brushings / Nail trimming
• Crate training
• Leash walks @ Plaza + Mall + Your neighborhood
• Dog / Dog greetings
• People greetings
• Sit, down, stay, go to place, wait and come, drop and leave it
• Fetch and tag of war play skills
• Car trips
• Distraction and calming trainings
• Stand still for getting dremmed or check up
• Sleep over with our trainers to learn separation skills

We will give your puppy ONE ON ONE experiences every day with a trainer.

Our flat one month fee covers the following:

• Daycare
• Puppy class with you
• Grooming
• Overnight stays
• Trainers sessions daily
• Client consultations on all subjects (feeding, house training etc)
• Jumping, mouthing, general care and health
• Private sessions with you – Specifically designed to reach your training goals (1 – 2 hour session per 4 week course)

$1,000 per month (4 weeks) Puppy Partnership Program

Bring your puppy to Paws Plaza as often as you like – daycare, overnights, grooming and training available all week – all month for one price.

Paws Plaza is New Mexico Bank & Trust business of the month!!

Happy 1st Birthday to Zoe!!

Are You Over Vaccinating Your Dog?

It’s recently been reported by the senior brand manager of Boehringer Ingelheim that the majority of vets are vaccinating more often than necessary. Unnecessary vaccines place your dog at unnecessary risk for vaccine related health issues. This quick guide will help you decide if your dog is being vaccinated more often than research shows is necessary. Read in full the Free Vaccine Guide by clicking here.

Lipomas And Other Canine Lumps And Bumps -Treatment

 

My choice of treatment for fatty tumors is to first stop supplementing the toxins by avoiding those mentioned above. Next, you must help your dog to remove any existing toxins and aid his body in its detoxification and healing process.

I recommend a natural diet, filtered water, no drugs, chemicals, herbicides, pesticides or vaccines on or around my patients. Treatment choices include classical homeopathy, gemmotherapy, aromatherapy, bovine colostrum, fatty acid supplementation and glandular therapy.

All of these modalities will complement the body’s healing capacity.

Remember that surgery is a suppressive treatment and will only drive the toxins and disease deeper into the patient. It should be used only as a last resort in any dog, no matter what issue you are dealing with.

Lipomas And Other Canine Lumps And Bumps - Causes

A lipoma is a growth of fat cells contained in a thin capsule, usually found just below the skin. Lipomas are most often found on the torso, neck, upper legs and armpits, but they can occur almost anywhere. Lipomas are the most common noncancerous soft tissue growth, although other lumps and bumps may appear on your dog, especially as he grows older.

I’ve been observing lipomas, lumps and bumps on dogs for 40 years and I’ve made some observations I’d like to share with you.

First of all, I want to make it clear that these growths are a sign of chronic disease and not an acute issue.

Lipomas and other fatty tumors are the body’s way of ridding itself of toxins and other unwanted material but, because the body is out of balance, it can’t eliminate toxins through normal channels such as the kidneys, liver or intestines.

10 Best Dog Breeds for First-Time Dog Owners

Welcoming a dog into your life is one of the greatest joys on earth. But with great joy comes great responsibility, especially if you’re looking to adopt a puppy. Deciding which dog is a good fit for you is a daunting task, and shouldn’t be based on looks alone. The following breeds are known for their easygoing personalities and, often, trainability. In addition to a reputable breeder, you can also adopt from breed-specific rescue groups or find wonderful mixes at shelters.

1. Golden Retriever

Golden Retrievers are one of the most popular dog breeds in the United States, and it’s no secret why! They’re adorable, affectionate, and eager to please. Their personality and intelligence make them easy to train and even easier to love. Golden retriever owners have a reputation for being absolutely obsessed with their dogs. Just look up #golden on Instagram for proof.

2. Papillon

Papillons have a high chill factor for such a small dog. As the number one toy breed in obedience competitions, they’re known for being highly trainable. Although their coats are quite fluffy, they’re actually easy to maintain and have minimal shedding. Papillons love children and live well into their teens, making them a great addition for families with young kids.

3. English Bulldog

Colleges all around the country want you to believe that the Bulldog is a fighter, a force to be reckoned with! This couldn’t be further from the truth. Bulldogs are some of the laziest and kindest dogs you’ll ever meet. As an extremely loyal dog, there is nothing a Bulldog loves more than their person… well, except maybe sleeping. Bulldogs are a great companion for anyone looking for a lounge-around-the-house buddy.

Dog Speak: Understanding What Your Dog is Telling You

Our dogs communicate with us every day! To help you get in on the conversation, we’ve created a handy list of dog sounds and what they mean. Dogs use their voices to communicate with us as well as their surroundings, and it’s helpful to get a full picture of what each sound can indicate. Don’t forget to combine this information with what you know about dog body language, and you’ll get the whole story your dog is trying to tell you.

Your Guide to Dog Vocalizations

We’ve got the scoop on barking, howling, whining, yelping, and growling. Learn what your dog is trying to tell you with each of these distinct noises.

Bark

Barking is a common sound, but what do the varieties mean? Depending on their duration and pitch, barks can be an alert, a distress signal or a friendly hello.

• “Who’s out there?”- Alert barking is the soundtrack to the mailman’s day. If you hear your dog barking rapidly, it’s a warning that someone is entering their territory.
• “Where are you?”- Nonstop barking can be a sign of separation anxiety. If your neighbors reach out to you because they can hear your dog barking incessantly when you’re away, your furry friend is probably a little lonely and wondering if anyone is there.
• “Hello! I’m happy to see you”- If a dog greets you with a couple of happy barks, they’re saying hello. It may even be an invitation to play!
• “Knock it off!”- A single short bark is a way that dogs tell others to stop what they’re doing. This can often be heard during rough play when one dog is overwhelmed.

Three Critical Problems With The Kennel Cough Vaccine

 

I’m willing to bet that …When your dog’s daycare, training facility or kennel asks for a kennel cough vaccine, you vaccinate your dog … am I right?And why wouldn’t you? You want to protect your dog (and other dogs) from illness and you trust your vet or daycare provider to have your dog’s best interests at heart, like any caring dog lover would.But I’m here to tell you some things that will make you question whether the kennel cough vaccines your dog has been getting are actually in his best interests …… or all just a lie.

What You Should Know About The Kennel Cough Vaccine

Bordetella, also known as kennel cough, is a vaccine that’s been required by groomers, boarding kennels, training facilities and veterinary hospitals for years. It’s become a routine requirement for any dog that spends time with other dogs (which is nearly all dogs).

The fact that a vaccine exists is surprising in itself. Kennel cough is almost always a self limiting disease that’s about as dangerous to your dog as the common cold is to you. So it’s not really much of a problem for your dog … but it can be a problem for any facility that has a case of kennel cough go through it.

Or at least they think it is. I’ll get to that part in a bit.

What Are the Benefits of Having Two Dogs?

When you're not home and can't provide entertainment for your pooch, another dog in the household can be a comfort. It also can often prevent boredom and resulting behavioral issues. Although owning multiple dogs can work well for some households, it's not suitable in all situations.

Canine Companionship and Socialization

If you have a busy work schedule and spend a lot of time out of the home, having two dogs can help your peace of mind. Your dogs can play with each other, which can be effective for keeping boredom and lack of stimulation at bay. Boredom and inadequate stimulation can trigger destructive canine behaviors such as chewing, pacing, digging and excessive barking. Not only can constant companionship help prevent behavioral troubles, but it can help to eliminate or minimize separation anxiety.

Being a guardian to two dogs also can be advantageous from a socialization standpoint, particularly in the cases of younger animals. Socialization can be excellent for their emotional development. When dogs spend a lot of time around each other, it can help them learn how to deal with other animals and humans.

5 Dog Breeds Vets Worry About the Most

1. GOLDEN RETRIEVERS

Goldens have had more than their share of breed-related health issues, the most common and most tragic is cancer. Our family has been lucky enough to escape this diagnosis, but countless other owners will be getting bad news about their dogs today, and many of those dogs will be young. Many of us veterinarians not-so-secretly call this breed "The Cancer Retriever," which is why I'm so excited about the Golden Retriever Lifetime Project, a huge and important step in helping to save many of these dogs down the line. And many people too!

2. BULLDOGS

The Bulldog is the beloved breed of the advertising world, today more than ever. There's no denying the adorability factor here, and I'm as much in love with the look of the Bulldog, French Bulldog and Pug as anyone else. But the exaggerated features of the Bulldog and other related breeds have produced a perfect storm of health problems that diminish the quality of life for many of these dogs, and often make them extremely expensive to own. Many need surgery to shorten their soft palate and enlarge their nostrils just so they can breathe somewhat normally. Much as I love them as individuals, as a veterinarian these problems make me hurt for these dogs and their families.

Times Dogs Helped You Procrastinate

Sometimes, the best way to not do something is to not do it with dogs. Be honest—if you weren’t going to do it anyway, you may as well have fun with dogs instead, right?

Dogs have been helping humans procrastinate since the great homework eating pact of 1905 was signed by undisclosed representatives of each species. This special arrangement continues to this day, and has only been fortified by the creation of technical advances such as the television and the laptop computer.

Since there’s something you probably ought to be doing right now besides reading this article, we’re pretty sure the act of opening this post counts as the 13th time dogs have helped you delay some boring chore.

 

Alternatives to the Classic ‘Cone of Shame’

Looking for post-surgery options more comfortable than the plain old plastic cone of shame? We’ve got some great options for your dog.

If your dog has a surgery scheduled or suffers from hot spots, you may be frustrated with the plain old Elizabethan collar from your local vet. The cone of shame certainly gets the job done, but sleeping, eating, drinking, and just generally being a dog can be tough while wearing a giant white lampshade. As if healing up from an injury wasn’t painful enough, right?

Soft collars, neck braces, and even onesies may help make your pet comfortable as she heals. Just make sure your cone alternative adequately protects the injury site, and that your dog can’t sneak out of it when you aren’t looking. And don’t forget that even when wearing the cone, dogs need supervision after surgery. So book an experienced pet sitter or find a dog lover to drop by during the day if you can’t be around to monitor.

Now, on to our cone of shame alternatives! Click here.