Dog Magic

Being around a dog is magical.

Not only is being a companion to a dog good for the dog – it can do wonders for the human as well!

A dog needs daily exercise, and that helps us to get up, get out of the house, and experience simplicity.

Dogs help you to appreciate the world around you. They smell the ground so intensely. They look at the trees as though they are seeing them for the first time. It helps us to remember the wonders that we take for granted.

So if you're stressed or anxious, it goes away for that moment when it's just you and the dog. Dogs perform magic. In an instant, they can help you feel calm. They just come in and make it happen without a word.

Dog Spa

Today both Ebony, my dog, and I had a new experience.

We went to the Dog Spa also known as K9 Clubhouse in Olympia, Washington.

A very helpful staff assisted us with the self-bathing procedure. First, she put a collar around Ebony's neck which would connect to a hook on the wall at the front of the bathtub. Ebony was guided up the two stairs into the tub which was a few feet off the ground; no need to bend over to bathe her like a bathtub at home. And, she could not run away because she was tethered to the wall. The Spa provides shampoo, gentle face soap which does not sting eyes, ear cleaning solution plus cotton balls, and towels. You can even wear a water poof apron to keep you dry. WOW!

This was the easiest bathing experience I have ever had with any dog. I was able to bathe her with both hands and do a through job. I also took advantage of her being tethered and gave her a good brushing with the furminator when she was dry. We left a great deal of black hair behind. They even provide hair dryers if your dog will tolerate this. I did not even try.

Ebony was not as excited about the Spa as I was, but she did appear to enjoy the treats afterwards.

How Smart Is Your Dog?

The other day my friend and I were talking. She pointed to a neighbor's dog - a very happy Golden Retriever - and said, "That dog is dumb as a box of rocks."

Well, I don't think Golden Retrievers are dumb at all. I think they are generally happy dogs and they can at times have "selective hearing". I actually love Goldens. They are one of my favorite breeds. And they can be very smart.

Some dogs are smarter than others (just like people)!

A pet writer, Heather Stern, said, "Studies have shown that the average dog possesses the intelligence of a 3-year-old child."

That is interesting. That level of intellect corresponds to an ability to learn basic commands, to express themselves (not always clearly), and to interpret some emotions of those around them.

Some breeds certainly display character traits much more advanced than this. Herding breeds for example appear to understand and function in complex thinking patterns. It's clear that many dogs understand certain words, for example recognizing toys on command. Perhaps talking to your dog isn't quite as crazy as it sounds.

Some dogs never get the whole fetch thing. Other dogs love puzzles. In fact, some dogs aren't happy unless they have something to do (e.g. something to herd or fetch) or something to figure out. That is one reason there has been a big trend toward toys that are puzzles.

Wondering if this is similar to the older generation keeping their minds active with crossword puzzles and other games?

Is Your Dog an Obedience School"Drop Out"?

Is your dog an obedience school "drop out"? If not, congratulations! You've done a great job. But if your dog has failed to learn his lessons ... you are not alone.

I know lots of dogs that are obedience school flunkies, so to speak. I say this in a fun way, but if your dog is untrained or poorly trained, you know that there's nothing fun about it.

Some dog owners don't want a dog that is trained. But it is fun to have a dog that is well behaved, or one who will do tricks. If you are one of those people who would like to have this kind of dog, it is never too late to teach a dog new tricks.

The best way to teach or train a dog is to use positive reinforcement. Give praise or treats when the dog does what you want.

How do you do that?

After a "correct" response, immediately reward your dog. This should be done within one to two seconds of the command. If you wait too long to give the reward, your dog may not understand the connection between his good behavior and the treat.



For motivation and rewards, treats and praise work great.

Another great motivator is praise. A pat on the head or some cheerful words can be very effective motivators for many dogs.

Many pet stores have weekly training sessions for dogs and puppies. This can be a great way for your dog to start learning new "tricks".

But don't worry even if your dog is an obedience school drop out. All dogs are loveable! But remember - it is never too late.

Recipes for Doggie Turkey Treats‏

Thanksgiving is just around the corner. I hope you have a wonderful and relaxing Thanksgiving Holiday!

And as you know, it is the season for turkey ... lots of turkey. So much turkey that most of us get tired of white meat, dark meat and everything in between.

So what do you do with all those leftovers?

Got a great idea for you. Don't throw it out. Whip up a tasty nutritious doggie snack with turkey and other great ingredients. It's simple to make, tasty, healthy ... and your dog will love it.


Lazy Turkey Loaf (for dogs)

Makes 6 servings
2 pounds ground turkey
1/2 cup cooked vegetables
1 teaspoon garlic powder*
1 egg
1/2 cup quick-cook barley
1 cup quick-cook oats
4 ounces canned no-fat gravy

Preheat oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. In a mixing bowl combine turkey, vegetables, garlic powder, egg, barley and oats. Mix thoroughly. Spoon into a greased loaf pan and pat down meat mixture until level. Spread gravy on top of loaf and bake for 1 to 1 1/2 hours. Cool and cut into six even slices.


Jerky Turkey Dog Treats

Ingredients:

1 lb. raw ground turkey (or chicken)
2 Tbsp. extra-virgin olive oil
2 tsp. finely chopped fresh herbs such as thyme or parsley (optional)

Instructions:

1.Preheat oven to 225 degrees F.
2.Combine all ingredients in a food processor and puree the mixture.
3.Line a jellyroll pan with aluminum foil or parchment paper (it makes clean-up easier) and pour the mixture into it.
4.Spread evenly.
5.Bake two hours with the oven door slightly ajar to allow the moisture to escape.
6.Remove from oven and using a pizza cutter or knife, cut into small, individual-sized portions.

Seasonal Dangerous People Foods

This list is a resource to help keep your dog safe this holiday season, but be aware that it is not exhaustive. Many other human foods can be harmful to your dog, and depending on your dog's particular medical background, any deviation from his regular diet can cause serious health issues. Consult your veterinarian for guidelines specific to your pet.

If you suspect that your dog may have ingested one of these foods or another harmful substance, call the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center National Hotline: 888-426-4435

Alcoholic beverages
Avocado
Caffeinated tea
Chocolate (all forms)
Cigarettes and other nicotine products
Coffee (all forms)
Fatty foods
Garlic
Macadamia nuts
Moldy or spoiled foods
Onions, onion powder
Pain relievers
Raisins and grapes
Salt
Yeast dough

Products sweetened with xylitol (such as chewing gum, breath mints, and even some "sugar free" baked goods)

Turkey Skin – High fat foods, such as turkey skin, can be hazardous to your dog. Since the skin is hard to digest, it can lead to pancreatitis. If you still want to share your bird, give your dog a small piece of white meat.

Turkey Bones – Cooked poultry bones are brittle and splinter easily. If ingested, they can lodge in the esophagus or cause stomach or intestinal irritation.

Giving Thanks to Your Canine Companion

During these tough economic times, it can be easy to get hung up on what we don't have, rather than focusing on what we do have. Thanksgiving is the perfect time to take a step back and really appreciate our loved ones—including our canine companions!

This Thanksgiving, take a moment to think about all the ways your dog has helped you and what they’ve taught you about love, loyalty, and honesty. Let your dog know how thankful you are to have him in your life by taking a nice, long walk outside and enjoying Mother Nature together. This time spent living in the moment will be appreciated more than any fancy toy or expensive treat.

I wish you and your canine companion a wonderful Thanksgiving holiday filled with the love and warmth of family—and lots of good food!