PetLovers Publications

(Click on each title to read the corresponding article or scroll down to read them all)

Dogadillo's Summer Tips for your dog
The dog days of summer are approaching and you can tell by the sparkle in Fido’s eyes
that he can’t wait to get outside in the sun to run, swim, hike, and enjoy all the other
great outdoor activities. Before you grab Fido’s leash and head outside there are a few
things for you to think about to keep your dog safe while you two are having fun in the
sun.
Heat Safety-
Dogs aren't as efficient at cooling down as humans are, since they release most of their
body heat through the pads of their feet and by panting. This makes them more
susceptible to heatstroke. Some ways to avoid over heating is to:
Exercise in the early mornings or at dusk and not during the hottest part of the day.
Keep in mind that asphalt gets very hot and can burn your pet's paws. We have several
items such as Visiglo light up collars and leashes and a Spotlit L.E.D. light for Fido’s
collar to keep you and your dog safe when you are out at night.
Dogs with medium and long hair should be well-groomed in the summer. Long or thick
hair can become tangled and matted and will trap the heat. Regular use of the
FURminator Deshedding Tool can remove tremendous amounts of undercoat fur and
keep Fido light and cool.
Dogs can get sunburned just like us, especially dogs with thin or light coats and pink
skin. If you are going to be spending time outside with your dog you should apply
sunscreen to his nose and ears before you head out. Try Flea the Scene an insect
spray with an all-natural sunscreen.
Be sure your dog always has access to fresh cool water. Remember that water will
vaporize on extremely hot days so refill your dogs outside water bowl through out the
day. When you are on the go with Fido bring a collapsible Travel Bowl or a Pet Top (a
top that allows your dog to drink from a water bottle) with you.
If your dog is going to be outside in the heat, keep him comfortable with the Cool-It
Bandana.
If your dog does become overheated you need to lower his body temperature
immediately. Move your dog to a cool place, out of the sun and give him water. Immerse
the dog in cool, not cold, water or very gently pour cool water on him. Place ice packs
on his head and neck and a fan in front of the dog. Once the dog has cooled down take
him to your vet.
Some signs of heatstroke include excessive panting, bright-red tongue and gums,
vomiting, wide eyes, thick saliva, diarrhea, lethargy, and body temperature of 104-110F
degrees.
Water Safety-
If you’re lucky, you and your dog will get to spend some time playing in the water,
whether it is a pool, lake or the ocean. Check out our selection of Water Toys and our
water-proof Rubber Collars that are perfect for the dog who never wants to get out of
the water. Even dogs who are good swimmers can get into trouble in the water. Make
sure your dog knows how to get out of the pool and never leave your dog unsupervised
around water. As an extra precaution, not every dog knows how to swim, for dogs who
are not great swimmers you can get them a Life Jacket. When you are getting out of
the ocean be sure to rinse Fido from head to tail, the salt and sand can be irritation to
their paws and ears. Always clean their ears after every swim, bath or rinse try our new
all-natural Ear Cleanser. Don’t forget to put sunscreen on your dog when he is out in
the sun; try our Flea the Scene insect spray and sunscreen.
Car Safety-
Most dogs love to go for rides in cars and we all love to take our dogs out with us, but
during the heat of the summer the car is not always the safest place for your dog.
You should never leave your dog unattended in a car. Even with windows cracked, and
even on an outwardly nice day, temperatures in a car can quickly rise to 20 degrees
above what the outside temperature is. If you will have to leave your dog in the car then
you should not bring the dog along with you on your outing.
Cracked windows do not provide sufficient air, but they do provide an opportunity for
someone to steal your pet or your car.
It might be fun and cute for the dog to sit in your lap. However, your dog is not safe in
this position and, in fact; you may endanger yourself and others if you are not able to
drive properly.
Just like we need to be safely secured in a car, so do our pets. They should travel in an
appropriately sized crate or be fasten in by a Harness Seat Belt.
Dogs who like to stick their head out of car windows need to be careful because there
are insects, gravel particles, and other flying debris that can cause eye injuries. If your
dog likes to stick his head out the window getting him a pair of Doggles is a great idea.
Not only will his eyes be protective from debris and UV rays Fido will be stylish in his
eyewear.
Pick –Up Trucks
There are many possible dangers for a dog riding in the back of an open pick-up, even if
it is only for a few blocks. When riding in the hot summer sun, dogs can become
overheated and suffer heatstroke. Insects, gravel particles, and other flying debris can
cause eye injuries, or lodge in the throat or nasal passages and cause serious
problems.
Sudden braking, swerving, or even hitting a pothole or bump in the road, can throw a
dog out of a truck. It is not a good idea to attach a dog's leash or chain to the inside of
an open pick-up truck. If a dog tries to jump out or is thrown from the truck, it could be
hanged or seriously injured by being dragged along the road before the driver ever
realizes what happened.
Never put a dog in a truck bed covered by a tarp or a metal or plastic shell made to fit
right over the bed. Temperatures inside will quickly become unbearable in warm
weather. Regardless of outdoor temperatures, a pet inside a covered truck bed without
ventilation can become a victim of carbon monoxide poisoning.
If your dog must ride in the back of a pick-up truck, the dog should be put in a covered
crate and securely fasten to the truck bed. Be sure to park in the shade and to provide
the dog with water.
Covering a pick up truck bed with a fiberglass shell that has screened windows that can
be opened for cross ventilation is a good way to safely transport pets in a pickup truck.
The shell provides protection in bad weather and it can be locked so no one else can
get to the dogs. Add blankets or a rubber bed liner for comfort and a secure crate for
longer trips.
If there's no room for your dog to ride in the cab with you, and you can't provide the
security of a camper shell or at least a secure crate for protection from the weather, you
should leave your dog safely at home.
Travel Safety-
What’s a family vacation with out your beloved dog? With more places allowing your to
bring your dog with you on trips there are some things to think about to keep Fido safe
on the journey.
When on a trip, it's tempting to skimp on the food and water to avoid extra pit stops.
While you do want to cut back a little, just for your dog's comfort while on the go, do
make sure your dog gets enough to drink or eat. If you are driving with a dog, you want
to plan for plenty of stops to let him out to walk around, use the bathroom (don’t forget
to carry Poop Bags) and to give him food and water. Check out our selection of
collapsible Travel Bowls and Travel Feedbags.
Even if your dog has never walked on a leash, a trip is no time to go free and easy. All it
takes is a cat darting into the highway to lure your dog to danger. Also, your dog (and
you) will be in a strange place, which will make it that much harder to find her if she gets
loose.
Sometimes even all the safety measures in the world are no match for a clever dog who
is determined to explore the new area he is visiting. Before your trip, get your dog a
properly fitting Collar and an ID Tag with plenty of contact information, we
recommended your cell phone number with area code so that you can be reached while
you are traveling.
Even thought a lot of small dogs can fly with their owners in the cabin of the plane, most
dogs have to fly in cargo with no climate controls. If you have to fly your dog you should
do it during the spring and fall when the temperature isn't too hot or cold.
Lawn Safety-
Before you go out and get your hands dirty working in your yard remember that the
same products that will make your lawn lush and green can also cause serious health
problems for your pets.
Contact with herbicides can cause vomiting, excess salivation, problems with the central
nervous system, and even sudden death. Before any lawn treatment is applied to your
yard remove all outdoor food and water bowls. Keep your pets inside while the
chemicals are being applied and keep them off the grass for at least 24 hours after the
application. If your dog does come into contact with the freshly treated lawn wash his
paws off immediately with soap and water.
Most Slug and Snail bait is highly poisonous to pets so be sure to read the labels before
you put any down in your yard. There are commercial bait traps or pellet holders that
you can use to keep the bait out of reach of pets.
Ingestion of mouse and rat poison is another danger. The poisons usually come in
cardboard containers filled with pellets. Some dogs will try to chew through the
cardboard to get into the bait so place them in spots where it will be out of reach for
your dog.
When you are done using your herbicides and pesticides be sure that the lids are
securely tighten on the bottles. It is a good idea to place bags or boxes, new and used,
inside of plastic storage containers and to make sure you properly dispose of empty
containers to keep them away from your pets as wells as little kids.
The ingredient in chocolate, Theobromine that causes it to be toxic to dogs is found in
more than just candy. Cocoa Mulch is made from cocoa bean shells and contains
potentially toxic quantities of Theobromine. Pet owners should not use cocoa bean
mulch in their yards, it smells like chocolate to the dogs and they may try to eat it.
Some dogs will try to catch or swat at bees. When a dog gets stung, it is usually around
the mouth, nose or on a front paw. Some signs that your dog has been stung are
scratching his head, rubbing his head on the ground, bumps or swelling around the
head, face, mouth, tongue, or paws, excessive salivation, or finding the stinger. If you
do find the stinger still in your dog, carefully remove it with tweezers and then apply a
cold compress to the spot. You can also apply a paste made from baking soda and
water to help relieve the area. Just like humans some dogs can be allergic to stings, if
your dog has a severe reaction, get him to a veterinarian immediately.
July 4th Safety-
Pets often become frightened and frantic by the noise and commotion of Independence
Day. In fact, animal shelters across the country are accustomed to receiving "July 4th"
dogs—dogs that run off during fireworks celebrations and are brought to the shelter.
Fortunately, preventing pet problems on Independence Day is possible by simply
planning ahead and taking some basic precautions.
Don’t leave your dogs outside; bring them inside for their protection. If this is not
possible, cover their crate with a blanket to offer them a little protection from the bright
flashes and loud bangs.
Keep windows and curtains closed to help reduce the noise and bright flashes of the
fireworks.
Some animals can become destructive when they are frightened, so be sure to remove
any thing that your pet could destroy or that could harm your pet if chewed.
Leave a television or radio playing at normal volume to keep him company while you're
attending Fourth of July celebrations.
Make sure your pets are wearing ID Tag so that if they do become lost, they can be
returned promptly. If you see any dogs running around they should be taken to your
local animal shelter so that they can be reunited with their owners.

Obesity in Dogs
Canine obesity has become a very common problem with serious health implications. It is estimated that over 40% of dogs in the United States are obese. In a recent study by Pfizer Animal Health found that veterinarians considered 47% of their patients obese but only 17% of dog owners think the same. Why such a difference could be denial by the owners or simply the owners difficulty in recognizing when their dogs are overweight.
You and your dog have a lot in common. You play together. You eat and relax together. And if you aren’t careful about how much you eat and relax, you both might pack on unwanted weight together – excess fat that can be tough to shed.

Canine Obesity – Just How Bad Is It?
Canine obesity is an important – and very common – medical condition with serious health implications. The American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) has estimated that there are 41.2 million pet dogs in the United States. Other sources estimate 40 percent of those dogs, approximately 17 million, are overweight or obese. A recent study conducted by Pfizer Animal Health found that veterinarians consider 47% of their patients overweight or obese but only 17% of dog owners think the same. Why the difference? It could be denial or the difficulty owners have in recognizing when their dogs are overweight.

Related Problems
“So,” you tell yourself. “He likes to eat. What’s the big deal?”

Plenty. Next time he flashes those big brown “I’m soooo hungry” puppy dog eyes at you, consider that a fat dog faces an array of health problems.

He's more likely to be at a greater risk for developing or exacerbating:

Any of which may add up to a shorter life. An independent study demonstrated that dogs that had their food intake restricted and were kept at an ideal weight throughout their lives had a median lifespan 15% greater than those dogs fed free choice.
It's not too late to help your furry companion live a healthier and more active life.

Take the BARC survey, print out your results and take the information to your veterinarian. Your veterinarian will determine the proper weight for your dog and work with you to devise an action plan that ensures the health and happiness of your best friend.

www.stopcanineobesity.com/barc.aspx

The Healthy Path to Weight Loss
If your veterinarian determines that your dog should lose weight, it’s important to take a slow and steady approach toward making a change, for the sake of safety and long-term results. Here are some canine weight-loss guidelines to consider and discuss with your veterinarian.

Dogadillo would be pleased to assist you in selections of super premium foods that are very nutritious and will support your dogs weight lose.

1. For every listing of "by-product, " subtract 10 points
2. For every non-specific animal source ("meat" or "poultry," meat, meal or fat) reference, subtract 10 points
3. If the food contains BHA, BHT, or ethoxyquin, subtract 10 points
4. For every grain "mill run" or non-specific grain source, subtract 5 points
5. If the same grain ingredient is used 2 or more times in the first five ingredients (i.e. "ground brown rice," "brewer's rice," "rice flour" are all the same grain), subtract 5 points
6. If the protein sources are not meat meal and there are less than 2 meats in the top 3 ingredients, subtract 3 points
7. If it contains any artificial colorants, subtract 3 points
8. If it contains ground corn or whole grain corn, subtract 3 points
9. If corn is listed in the top 5 ingredients, subtract 2 more points
10. If the food contains any animal fat other than fish oil, subtract 2 points
11. If lamb is the only animal protein source (unless your dog is allergic to other protein sources), subtract 2 points
12. If it contains soy or soybeans, subtract 2 points
13. If it contains wheat (unless you know that your dog isn't allergic to wheat), subtract 2 points
14. If it contains beef (unless you know that your dog isn't allergic to beef), subtract 1 point
15. If it contains salt, subtract 1 point

1. If any of the meat sources are organic, add 5 points
2. If the food is endorsed by any major breed group or nutritionist, add 5 points
3. If the food is baked not extruded, add 5 points
4. If the food contains probiotics, add 3 points
5. If the food contains fruit, add 3 points
6. If the food contains vegetables (NOT corn or other grains), add 3 points
7. If the animal sources are hormone-free and antibiotic-free, add 2 points
8. If the food contains barley, add 2 points
9. If the food contains flax seed oil (not just the seeds), add 2 points
10. If the food contains oats or oatmeal, add 1 point
11. If the food contains sunflower oil, add 1 point
12. For every different specific animal protein source (other than the first one; count "chicken" and "chicken meal" as only one protein source, but "chicken" and "--" as 2 different sources), add 1 point
13. If it contains glucosamine and chondroitin, add 1 point
14. If the vegetables have been tested for pesticides and are pesticide-free, add 1 point

Here are some foods that have already been scored
(listed alphabetically, note the ratings after each name):

Febreze
Contrary to rumors circulating on the Internet alleging that Febreze causes serious illness or death in pets, our veterinary toxicology experts at the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center regard Febreze fabric freshener products to be safe for use in households with pets.

Swifer Wet Jet
Swiffer Wet Jet contains antifreeze, and has caused liver problems in animals. Is this true?
Absolutely not! The Swiffer Wet Jet system contains 90- to 100-percent water, propylene glycol n-butyl ether or propylene glycol n-propyl ether, and isopropyl alcohol (1 to 4 percent). These ingredients are safe to use around pets when used according to label directions, and would not cause liver damage at product concentrations. Propylene glycol n-butol/propyl ether differs significantly from ethylene glycol, the potentially toxic ingredient present in most antifreeze products that can cause kidney, not liver, failure

Carpet Deodorizer Powder
Assuming that you follow label directions for the proper use of this product, we would not anticipate any problems for your pet. Should your dog accidentally come in contact with the freshly applied powder, we recommend washing her paws with mild soap and water to avoid minor skin irritation. This also reduces the chance that she might ingest the powder from her paws.

Minor ingestions of carpet freshener powder mainly involve mild stomach upset. If a small amount is inhaled, minor respiratory irritation may occur, resulting in sneezing, coughing, or a runny nose. Because of this, it is a good idea to continue to keep your dog out of the room until after you have vacuumed up the powder.

Carpet Shampoo
Most carpet cleaning products can be used safely in households with pets, as long as the instructions for their use are followed. For example, if the label indicates that a product needs to be mixed with water before application, and the cleaned area needs to dry thoroughly before allowing pet traffic back in, these instructions need to be adhered to in order to avoid the potential for problems, such as skin irritation or gastrointestinal upset, from accidental exposure

Toilet Bowl Cleaner Tablets
If you follow label directions, most toilet bowl cleaning tablets would not be expected to cause problems beyond minor stomach upset, should a dog take a drink out of the diluted water in the toilet bowl. Bacterial-related gastrointestinal problems could occur from drinking stagnant toilet water, however, so it is still a good idea to discourage your dog from imbibing from the commode.

Mosquito Repellents
Pet owners should never use any product on their animal that is not specifically created for them. Certain mosquito repellents that are made for human beings contain DEET (N, N-diethyl-meta-toluamide). The use of DEET on pets is not recommended, as dogs and cats are very sensitive to it and may develop neurological problems if the product is used on them.

If you want to keep mosquitoes away from your dog, we suggest asking your veterinarian for an appropriate product to use.

Chocolate
While dogs tend to be most commonly affected largely due to their eating habits, chocolate can indeed be toxic to cats, as well as other pets. Depending on the type and amount ingested, chocolate can cause vomiting, diarrhea, hyperactivity, panting, abnormal heart rhythm, tremors, seizures—and even death in severe cases. Because of its toxic potential, we would advise against allowing your cat to consume chocolate.

Grapes and Raisins
At the current time, we know that grapes and raisins appear to cause renal failure in dogs who’ve ingested large amounts. However, we have not determined with certainty the toxic component, or the exact mechanism that causes renal failure. It is also not clear if only certain dogs are affected, or if long-term ingestions can lead to the same effects that a large one-time ingestion can. Because there are still many unknowns regarding the toxic potential of grapes and raisins, it is advisable not to give grapes or raisins to dogs in any amount

Sweeteners
Sweeteners such as sucralose (Splenda), aspartame (NutraSweet) and saccharin (Sweet N' Low) are not known to cause problems in dogs or other pets, as the sweetener xylitol has been shown to do. However, they could potentially cause mild gastrointestinal upset if eaten in significant quantities, so it is still a good idea to refrain from offering pets such sweeteners

Eggs
The occasional offering of a plain, hard-boiled egg should not pose a problem for healthy dogs with no history of allergies to eggs. Should your dog begin to exhibit signs of gastrointestinal distress such as vomiting, diarrhea, flatulence or abdominal discomfort, we would recommend discontinuing the egg and speaking with your regular veterinarian.

Popcorn
Unbuttered, unsalted popcorn is not known to contain components that could make pets sick, but popcorn could potentially become lodged in the throat, creating an upper airway obstruction

Lunch Meats/Cold Cuts
While most luncheon meats are not considered to be poisonous (as long as they aren't spoiled or moldy), they do contain high levels of sodium, nitrates and fat. Any food that is not part of an animal's normal diet could potentially cause gastrointestinal upset or lead to other problems, such as pancreatitis

Watermelon
Watermelon is definitely considered to be edible by humans, and there is currently no data demonstrating that the edible portion, seeds and rind have potential to produce effects beyond minor gastrointestinal irritation to pets.

Brazil Nuts and Almonds
The good news is that there is currently no data indicating that Brazil nuts (Bertholletia excelsa) or almonds (Prunus dulcis) are toxic to animals. They can, however, cause stomach upset if eaten in large quantities. All nuts contain fats, which can lead to gastrointestinal upset, such as vomiting and diarrhea. Foods with high fat contents can also potentially produce an inflammatory condition of the pancreas known as pancreatitis. In addition, many commercially sold nuts are salted—and if a pet consumed a large volume of salt from the nuts, this could potentially pose a risk for the development of a sodium ion toxicosis.

Steak or Beef Fat
Consuming this kind of fat can be potentially harmful to your dog. While dogs do need certain types of fats in their diet, the consumption of significant amounts, such as the trimmings from a steak, either in one sitting or as a chronic habit, could potentially cause vomiting and diarrhea, or even a life-threatening inflammatory condition of the pancreas known as pancreatitis. Because of this, we recommend that you avoid feeding fat trimmings to your dog.

Cheese
Milk, cheese, and other dairy foods are not considered to be poisonous to pets—unless they're spoiled or moldy. However, many pets’ digestive systems do not tolerate dairy foods very well, and the resulting vomiting and diarrhea could lead to inflammation of the pancreas in severe cases. Because of this, we would not recommend offering large amounts of dairy products to your dogs

Shrimp
A small amount of cooked shellfish, such as lobster or shrimp, should not pose a problem for a healthy dog.

Canned Tuna
An occasional tuna treat given to your cat is probably relatively harmless. It’s true that mercury is often present in tuna, and at low levels, this may not be a problem. But if tuna is fed nearly exclusively, it could potentially pose significant problems. Nutritional deficiencies are also likely to arise in a cat consuming tuna as a staple part of his or her diet. For example, vitamin E is not present in significant amounts in tuna, which could lead to a deficiency of this vitamin. The resulting disease is called yellow fat disease, or steatitis. This disease causes fever, loss of appetite, and hypersensitivity to touch due to inflammation and necrosis of the fat under the skin. Since tuna is not formulated to meet all of the nutritional needs of a cat, companion felines could also develop other nutrient deficiencies. Most de-boned fish are deficient in calcium, sodium, iron, copper and several vitamins

Wine (these symptoms apply to humans too..hee hoo)
My kitten is in the habit of breaking my wine bottles and drinking the spilled wine. Is this safe for her? It certainly isn’t,. The situation you describe could be dangerous to your kitten for multiple reasons. First, the broken glass can present a physical hazard, as your kitten could get cut by the shards or suffer damage to her mouth and gastrointestinal tract if fragments are ingested. Second, the alcohol content of the wine could intoxicate your kitten, resulting in vomiting, diarrhea, incoordination, central nervous system depression, tremors, difficulty breathing, metabolic imbalances and coma. Death from respiratory failure could even occur if large enough quantities are consumed. Because of these risks, we would advise moving your wine bottles to a secure location where your kitten cannot gain access to them

Breath Fresheners
We would not advise giving your dogs these strips—or, for that matter, any other product not specifically formulated for use in pets. Certain breath strips contain menthol, which can be irritating to the tissues of the mouth and the gastrointestinal tract. Some breath-freshening products could also contain the sweetener xylitol, which has the potential to cause a sharp drop in a dog's blood sugar, resulting in depression, loss of coordination and seizures; in some cases, this could even result in liver damage

Skin Lotion
We would not expect to see problems as a result of your animals coming into contact with your hands or body after you've applied non-medicated lotion. Should they happen to ingest a small amount of this lotion, it could potentially have a bit of a laxative effect, and may cause stomach upset. However, we would not anticipate systemic or life-threatening problems.

Pepto-Bismal
Pepto Bismol contains bismuth salicylate, which is somewhat similar to aspirin. While this medication has been prescribed by veterinarians at appropriate doses, large enough quantities of bismuth salicylate could cause effects similar to aspirin poisoning, depending on the circumstances of exposure

Aspirin
While certain veterinarians may prescribe buffered aspirin in low doses for their canine patients, we strongly advise owners to never give their pets any medication without first consulting with their regular veterinarian. Many drugs, including non-steroidal anti-inflammatories like aspirin, can cause serious or potentially life-threatening problems, depending on the dose involved.

If you feel that your dog needs pain relief for any reason, we highly recommend that you get in touch with your veterinarian

Ibuprofen
NO. Ibuprofen can definitely be toxic to dogs and other pets—even in small amounts. Depending on the dose ingested, significant gastrointestinal damage or even kidney damage could result.

Anti-venem Kits
While certain antivenin kits (which contain antibodies against a specific type of venom) may be available in some areas, they are not really practical for the average pet owner, because most antivenins don't deal with all kinds of snakes. They are made for a specific species or group of snake, spider or other venomous creature. If you suspect that your pet has been bitten by a snake, it is best that you seek immediate veterinary care. Attempts to remove or counteract the poison yourself are usually ineffective. You’ll only waste valuable time needed to get your pet into the proper hands. Keep your pet as calm and inactive as possible as you get him or her to the nearest veterinary clinic. It would be helpful to the veterinarian if you could describe the venomous creature’s size, color and markings.

Cigarettes
Cigarettes and other tobacco products can be dangerous for pets, Marla. These products contain nicotine, which has the potential to produce severe vomiting, depression, elevated heart rate, a drop in blood pressure, seizures, respiratory failure and, in severe cases, even death. Based on this information, it is advisable to keep tobacco products out of your pet’s reach. If an accidental ingestion occurs, seek veterinary help immediately

Chlorine
Exposure to products with large amounts of chlorine could potentially result in significant irritation and damage to skin, eyes, lungs, the Gl tract and other mucous membranes, depending on the route of exposure. In severe cases, ulceration or even perforation of the GI tract is possible.

Whether you spent months researching and looking or allowed fate to introduce you to your dog, Taurus Training and Doggy Play Day wants your relationship with your dog to be rewarding and fun.

Catch them doing something right!
This phrase has circled the business management and parenting worlds for years. At Taurus Training and Doggy Play Day, it is our number one mantra.

If you don’t already know, imagine how it feels to only be told when you do something wrong. Depressing? It doesn’t necessarily help you figure out what the right thing to do might be, does it?

Now imagine you don’t even speak the same language as your boss, and you have to guess the word that is associated with the “right” action.

This is reality for dogs. Isn’t a wonder that they aren’t more frustrated with us?

Now imagine getting clear feedback when you do something right. It might take a few tries to figure out exactly what it was, but it is much more rewarded than trying to avoid what you did wrong.

How To Do It
1. Think about how you want your dog to behave in your life. Determine behaviors that are good. You are already clear on what’s bad.

2. Invest in some tasty treats. Some dogs will work themselves silly for kibble; others might need beef jerky or grilled chicken.

3. Pay attention. Treat and praise your dog every time you see him or her doing something on your list. Use the same short word or phrase (“good”) every time and put some sparkle in it so your dog has no doubt that you are pleased.

Remember, this intense focus and reinforcement with treats won’t last forever. Once your dog figures out what the right thing to do is, he or she will be happy to oblige, and you’ll have taken an important step toward establishing a happy, healthy relationship with your dog.

Warning
Catching dogs, and people, doing something right can be addictive! Make sure you’re ready to accept the joy that comes into your life once you start!

Taurus Training and Doggy Play Day provides dog boarding, training, and day care at four locations in Austin, Texas.

We focus on helping people develop positive relationships with their dogs that extend into their communities.

Bone Appetit!
Doggone grrr-eat meals sure to cause your dog to drool with delight!

Pet expert Arden Moore, of Oceanside, California, knows her way around a dog food bowl. In fact, her book, Real Food for Dogs (Storey Books), ranks as the top selling dog cookbook – and for good reason. All 50 recipes were analyzed and approved by a top veterinary nutritionist and two-thirds of the recipes are fit for people, too – saving you time and money.

Moore happily shares a couple recipes that are palatable for pets – and people:

Marvelous Mutt Meatballs
(This recipe is fit for people, too!)
1 pound ground beef (or ground sirloin)
2/3 cup grated cheddar cheese
1 carrot, finely chopped or grated
1 cup bread crumbs
2 eggs, whisked
3 tablespoons tomato paste (low sodium)
1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees.
2. Combine all ingredients in a medium-sized bowl.
3. Scoop out by the spoonful and roll into mini-size meatballs.
4. Place the meatballs on a cookie sheet sprayed with nonfat cooking spray.
5. Bake for 15 to 20 minutes.
6. Cool and store in the refrigerator in a container with a lid.
Tail-Wagging Turkey Pizza
This recipe is one you can definitely enjoy with your dog on a Friday night – try not to fight too much over that last piece.

¼ cup turkey broth (low-sodium)
Pre-made pizza dough
1 cup diced cooked turkey
½ cup finely chopped spinach
1 cup grated mozzarella cheese
¼ cup sesame seeds

Preheat the oven to 375 degrees.
Pour the turkey broth over the pizza dough.
Sprinkle the turkey, spinach, cheese and sesame seeds on top.
Place on a greased pizza sheet and bake for 12 to 15 minutes.
Enjoy your slice while it is warm, but let the slice for your dog cool before service.

[Bio] Pet expert Arden Moore is the author of 19 books on dogs and cats, managing editor of Fido Friendly and editor of Catnip magazine. She hosts a weekly show called “Oh Behave!” on Pet Life Radio.com. Learn more by visiting her website: www.ardenmoore.com.