Category: Pets

In order to build trust with your dog, you must be trustworthy. What does this mean? It means you are consistent and therefore predictable. You are kind and understand that dogs have emotions and express them through behavior. You are aware of your own emotions and behavior while interacting with your dog. Looking to build trust with your own dog? Want to show her you have her back? Follow these seven steps.

7 ways to build trust with your dog

1. Learn dog body language. Observation is key to learning how to read dog body language, and this helps you understand them better. Noticing an atypical or unfamiliar behavior in your dog is a cue that your dog is trying to tell you something. Are they in pain, feel fearful, anxious about something in their immediate environment, confused by what you’re asking?

Instead of getting frustrated, ask yourself what’s going. Why is she acting this way? When you stop and ask questions, you are better equipped to help your dog either by managing the environment — going to a veterinarian or stopping play with another dog — who may be causing this behavior. By doing this, you show your dog that you have her back.

Learning dog body language is required to accurately interpret their behavior. This safeguards dog welfare and helps to minimize development of anxiety-related behavioral issues.

2. Be consistent. Being consistent offers a dog predictability, which fosters trust. Routine is one way to be consistent. I don’t mean same time, same place. I do mean training, feeding, play and walks happen daily, but not necessarily at an exact time. When your dog can depend on you to care for them physically, mentally and emotionally, it helps them to feel safe.

Make sure your interactions with your dog are consistent in the manner of how you approach them, talk to them, teach them, play with them, etc. Again, this offers them a sense of safety and security. They can trust you to be compassionate and kind in your interactions, so they don’t have to be worried or surprised that you may yell at them, forget to feed them or put them in a situation that may cause them anxiety.

3. Raise your awareness. Have you ever asked your dog to do something and had her stop and look at you instead? Some people may think the dog is being defiant, but let’s look at this through a different lens.

You have just had a lovely time playing with your dog, but then realize you are late for an appointment. You tell your dog “Come” in a hurried way, and she doesn’t. She just looks at you. Normally, your dog comes right along with you. But this time, she freezes.

If you get mad because she didn’t respond to your abrupt way of being, you break her trust. If, instead, you are aware of who you’re being (a person irritated and, in a hurry), you will see that she is confused with the abruptness of your tone when stopping play.

Seeing a situation through your dog’s perspective helps you realize who you’re being. Take a minute to gather yourself:

• lower your energy
• soften your tone
• relax your body language

This alone lets your dog know all is well, and she’ll happily come along with you. Don’t underestimate a dog’s innate ability to pay attention to your every move.

4. Use positive reinforcement. We have come a long way in understanding dogs and the ethology of dogs. We know that their behaviors are a manifestation of their emotions. With this understanding, we know that punishment isn’t the way to help them with their emotions. The science is there.

Punishment doesn’t offer relief. It only makes a dog shut down. With punishment, she quickly learns you aren’t trustworthy, because you didn’t help her feel safe. You punished her, instead.

Offering safety, because you understand she is expressing some kind of emotion, tells her you are trying to understand that she is experiencing some anxiety, and you have her back.

5. Focus on providing safety and security. Creating a safe environment inside and outside the home happens when you understand each dog is an individual, with her own feelings and needs, and you do your best to meet those needs.

I often see pet parents living with multiple dogs and lumping them all into everything they do. They fail to realize that one dog may not feel safe walking with another dog, eating too close to the other dogs, being left alone in the same room with all the dogs, prefers to stay home rather than go on outings, etc. Being aware of the individual needs of dogs goes a long way to building trust.

6. Be patient. Dogs are not robots, and not all dogs want or need what you think is important. Whether you are training, playing or walking, be aware of your own level of patience or lack thereof.

You are your dog’s whole world, and she looks forward to being with you, interacting with you and learning together. If you have an agenda, you are not thinking about her — her desires and needs in the moment. This can easily deplete your trust account.

Having patience means allowing your dog to process not only her environment but also what you are asking of her. Don’t rush. Give your dog a chance to participate or not, at her pace. Consent is critical in all aspects of being with dogs.

7. Give your dog agency. Offering agency gives dogs a sense of freedom to choose. Given that everything they do — going potty, eating, sleeping, exercising, playing, learning, etc. — happens on our terms, allow them choice/agency to participate or not.

You can only know your dogs’ wishes if you pay attention to what they’re saying, allow them to feel their emotions and process their emotions. This gives them the opportunity to develop healthy coping skills, because they feel safe in the moment. When a dog feels they have an exit or a way out of any situation, they feel safer. Feeling safer builds trust.

Understanding trust and your dog

The foundation of our relationship with dogs begins with their trust that we will provide a safe and secure environment. Barking Brains owner, Dr. Kathy Murphy, puts it this way, “Essentially trust is a prediction. I trust you to have my back = I predict you will always have my back. Trust is essential for social species, otherwise we waste so much brain energy preparing to deal with all the possible outcomes on our own.” And she should know, Dr. Murphy is a neuroscientist who specializes in brain development in respect to behaviors and the success (or lack thereof) of training methods in different life stages.

We often only think of trust when it comes to how to get a scared, abused or traumatized dog to trust you, but that’s only one obvious aspect of the concept of trust. Trust is established when the dog feels safe to be a dog, do what dogs do, when they can communicate, feel understood and heard.

When we know how to read dog body language we can see when a dog is stressed, frightened, shut down or overexcited. Only then can we help them by offering safety and security, in the moment. We can do this by allowing them to process their emotions while accepting their behavior as an expression of emotion and then, offer them relief.

Andrew Hale, certified dog behaviorist in the UK, has brought so much to the dog community with his continued conversation about dog-centered care, an approach that shines a light on the emotions of dogs and how we can help them. He says trust cannot be bought, forced or artificially created. It is an organic process that builds, and does so quickly when one feels safe.

Building trust in our dogs is not a simple task. It’s our responsibility to take it seriously. When we affirm that dogs are our best friends, we must allow them to be vulnerable, therefore feel safe with us, thereby setting a solid foundation of trust. Nothing compares to the deeply shared gazes we experience with our dogs when we offer them the safety and security to “be a dog.”

As a pet parent, you’ve probably become accustomed to discussing all things poop. While there are many natural options for treating and managing constipation in dogs, massage therapy is a hugely impactful modality for helping your dog poop.

How to massage a dog to poop

Here are 4 tips for at-home massage techniques for helping your dog to poop:

• Less is more. Don’t massage your dog with more than 2 pounds of pressure. This is the most important tip when massaging your constipated dog. Less is always.
• Gentle stroking. Using a flat palm, begin petting your dog from head to tail. This stroke is performed three times in the beginning and end of your session, as both an opening and closing stroke. If your dog is anxious about pooping because it’s difficult or painful, this stroke is grounding and emotionally relaxing. In addition, you’ll be able to assess areas of heat, coolness or tension in your dog.
• Gentle circles. Back tension is a common contributor to constipation! Using the fleshy part of your palm, perform gentle circular strokes on either side of your pup’s spine, beginning at the upper back and working your way down to the tail. It is very important to never massage directly on the spine. For large and medium sized dogs, remain 2 inches away from the spine. For small dogs, remain 1 inch away from the spine. This is an excellent stroke for identifying and releasing muscle tension!
• Gentle massage of the belly. Using either your fingers or the fleshy part of your palm, massage your dog’s belly. To follow the natural path of your dog’s intestines, stroke up the right side of your dog’s belly, over and down the left side. Think of following an upside-down U shape when performing these strokes. Using your fingers, gently press and release along either side of your dog’s abdomen and into her groin. These strokes should be performed for only a few minutes at a time. Remember that extremely gentle pressure is all that’s needed when massaging your dog’s belly to promote pooping.

Here’s a full video of Claire massaging a dog to help her poop.

Constipation in dogs

How dog poop looks and how often bowel movements are happening are equally great indicators of your pup’s gut health. If your dog is not pooping enough, he may be constipated. Constipation, defined as infrequent or difficult bowel movements, is a really painful condition in dogs.

Signs of constipation in your dog:

• Difficulty pooping
• Infrequent pooping
• Hard, pellet-like bowel movements
• Pain during defecation

If your dog has these symptoms, it will be important to discuss a treatment plan with your veterinarian to avoid emergencies such as fecal blockages. Look for professional canine massage therapists who are also veterinary professionals, like veterinary nurses. They are well educated on a variety of canine medical conditions. Healthy pooping is essential for your dog, and massage therapy can help!

Whether you’re celebrating or just relaxing after a long day with your pooch by your side, cracking open a non-alcoholic dog brew is a great way to relish your companionship and enhance that human-canine bond.

Here is what you should look for in beer for dogs:

• It is made specifically for dogs
• It has no alcohol
• No added carbonation
• Does not include hops

Here are Dogster’s favorite dog brews and why your dog will slurp them up:

1. The original dog beer innovator Bowser Beer is made from human-grade meat and malt barley. Dogs have been imbibing this brew alongside their humans since 2007.

“The malt barley has lots of vitamin B and amino acids that are good for a dog’s coat and we use the same high quality used in human craft beers,” explains Jenny Brown, founder and CEO of 3 Busy Dogs, Inc. the makers of Bowser Beer & Treats for Dogs. “There’s no added salt or fat, and there is never carbonation, alcohol, or hops,” she adds. So, this sociable beverage is in fact a great liquid treat.”

Different meats add different flavors to the line-up. The Mix it up! is a combo of beef, chicken and pork, The Brown Beefy Ale is all beef, and the Porky Pug Porter is pork flavored. Of course, they come in an anthropomorphically designed six-pack and the plastic bottles can be re-capped and refrigerated if your pooch doesn’t knock it all back.

2. Because of the whimsical human-animal bond factor, the doggie beer market has expanded and even human brew masters Anheuser-Busch have added pop-open canned beers to the canine shelf selection. Their first batch Dog Brew by Busch launched in 2020 sold out in 24 hours. Brewed from bone broth, it’s a blend of flavors designed to appeal to a dog’s palate, including bone-in pork butt, corn, celery, basil, mint, turmeric, ginger and water.

3. Bark Brew Dog Beer can be served in a bowl or poured over dry dog food. Aside from organic ingredients, such chicken, salmon oil and malt extract, there’s added glucosamine, which as been shown to quell inflammation in dogs. It was made by Sir Woofchester’s Canine Hospitality company out of Britain.

What is dog brew and what does it taste like?

The malt and meat give it a smell unlike people beer, but the enticing aroma bouquet and taste is irresistible to dogs. Doggie beer can be served at room temperature, chilled and even frozen in ice cube shapes to be enjoyed on a hot day.

“Depending on the size of the dog, small dogs can comfortably down a couple of ounces,” says Jenny. “A large dog could knock back a bottle or two. But it’s always a good idea to limit the amount, especially if a pooch as a sensitive tummy.”

Can dogs drink human beer?

No, dogs cannot drink human beer. Real beer (and alcoholic beverages) are toxic to pets.

“A few licks aren’t likely to be problematic for any dog,” says Dr. Renee Schmid, senior veterinary toxicologist at the Pet Poison Helpline. “A healthy, 10-pound adult dog would need to consume approximately 3 ounces of standard 4.2% beer before we would get too concerned with alcohol poisoning. Young and old dogs may develop signs at smaller amounts,” she adds.

Signs of alcohol poisoning in dogs:

• Sedation/lethargy
• difficulty walking
• vomiting
• hypothermia (low body temperature),
• decreased respiratory rate
• hypoglycemia (low blood sugar).

Signs can be seen within just a few minutes to 1½ hours after ingestion.

Letting a dog drink real beer can be very dangerous.

“If they were to vomit and not be able to protect their airway, they can aspirate, which is life-threatening. Also, many of the signs, may be difficult for pet owners to recognize and if left untreated, can cause long-term damage,” cautions Dr. Schmid.

Make sure your dog drinks responsibly and follow his example!

Action, drama, and mystery — the Orphan X series has it all. I got sucked into the series with the very first book, and my husband is now hooked on the series, too. The first book, Orphan X, introduces you to retired off-the-books intelligence asset Evan Smoak. Evan has reinvented himself, using his skills and resources to help those in perilous situations. He starts the series all alone, a man almost incapable of making connections, yet through the series people tend to connect to him. And, in book 5, Into the Fire, enters a Rhodesian Ridgeback named Dog to the series. That pretty much sealed up my love for this series. Book 8, The Last Orphan, is being released on February 14, 2023 (yay!).

Now, I had to wonder — a Rhodesian Ridgeback, that’s a pretty specific dog breed, with pretty specific traits — how did he end up in the book? Turns out the best-selling author Gregg Hurwitz has a love for the breed, being that they are part of his family. DOGSTER got the chance to chat with Gregg about his latest release and his pups.

DOGSTER: Tell us a little about your dogs …

Gregg: We just lost our big boy, Cairo. He was a 125-pound Rhodesian Ridgeback, the biggest we’d ever seen. Incredibly gentle animal. You could lie on him like a mattress and take a nap. For the last year, he was tri-pawed, having lost a front leg to cancer. Very stoic, never complained. He is missed every day. 

Zuma, our middle pup, was from a litter named after my Orphan X thriller series. He’s very mischievous and smart. Loves cuddling. If I’m working and he wants my attention, he will climb into my lap. I work on a rolling chair and have a standing desk with wheels; I was on a Zoom conference once and he got his front paws on my shoulders and I grabbed the desk and the whole enterprise — author, dog, chair, desk — rolled across the room and hit the wall. He’s about 110 pounds, also black mask, and devastatingly handsome. 

Nala, our baby pup, is ridiculous. She sleeps on her back with her paws sticking up and her head shoved across my neck and face. At 70 pounds, she’s what we call our “miniature Ridgeback.” Absurdly loving. 

DOGSTER: In the very first book, Orphan X, when Evan’s neighbor Mia asked him what made him happy, he said, “Rhodesian Ridgebacks.” In what ways is your main character Evan’s likes or dislikes influenced by yours? 

Gregg: Evan is a tougher, more taciturn version of me. He has a deep connection to Ridgebacks. After getting yanked out of a foster home at the age of 12 to be trained to be an off-the-books assassin for the DoD, he was raised in the farmhouse of his handler, a former CIA station agent named Jack Johns. Jack had a Ridgie named Strider, and Evan became very close with that dog.

Evan is a quiet, solo operator, essentially designed to be an expendable weapon. He has a hard time with personal relationships; I’ve noted a few times that he doesn’t understand the strange language of intimacy. But he found a strong connection to Strider (and eventually to Dog the dog) because dogs represent unconditional love with zero judgment. A favorite dog joke? If you lock your spouse and your dog in the trunk of your car for 24 hours and then open it, which one is happy to see you?

DOGSTER: I was excited to see Dog appear in Into the Fire. Why introduce him with a dog-fighting ring? 

Gregg: Because I needed a good excuse for Evan to kill a whole bunch of people we would immediately forgive him for killing. And folks who run dog-fighting rings fit the bill. And also, Dog is a wounded warrior much like Evan. Evan was the smallest kid in his foster home and had to build himself up to what he is today: Orphan X. Dog the dog was a bait pup, injured and small, when Evan rescues him. They’re very much alike.

DOGSTER: Will Dog be making an appearance in The Last Orphan? What else can we expect from this latest Orphan X novel?

Gregg: Dog is part of the core team now, so he will certainly be making an appearance. The latest Orphan X novel finds Evan Smoak facing his most dangerous mission yet. While it’s a continuation of the series, it’s also a great jumping-in point for new readers. Dog will be happy to greet anyone.

DOGSTER: You portray Dog as very sweet, even though this is a breed that was bred to hunt and be a protector. What has your experience of Rhodesian Ridgebacks been and do you feel that writing about one in your series makes Dog a sort of ambassador to people who don’t know anything about Rhodesian Ridgebacks? 

Gregg: They are the perfect animal. They are very sweet and loving. They’re beautiful and dignified, always posing as if waiting for someone to come along and paint their oil portrait. They’re very playful and love wrestling. They are serious chowhounds. And if someone is threatening to their owners, they are a dozen kinds of badass.

Cairo had a bark that would wobble the walls of the house. He used to sit in my lap when I was sitting in an armchair, and he was so big that all four of his paws were still on the floor. 

I hope I’ve conveyed that with Dog the dog and that more readers decide to have Ridgebacks in their homes. They are an unimprovable breed. 

DOGSTER: Do your dogs keep you company when writing? 

Gregg: They are underfoot when I type or snoozing in my office. I love having them around. Except when they wrestle, it’s like Jurassic Park in my office. Folks unfamiliar with the breed think they are trying to kill each other. 

 DOGSTER: Do your dogs make appearances with you, like for book signings? 

Gregg: I wish. They’re too big.

DOGSTER: Where can readers go to see more about you, your dogs and Dog? 

Gregg: Readers can connect with me on Facebook @gregghurwitzreaders, Twitter @GreggHurwitz and Instagram @gregghurwitzbooks and also sign up for my newsletters at www.gregghurwitz.net. And I post lots of dog pics. 

Check out the Orphan X series here:

Orphan X (2016)

The Nowhere Man (2017)

Hellbent (2018)

Out of the Dark (2019)

Into the Fire (2020)

Prodigal Son (2021)

Dark Horse (2022)

The Last Orphan (2023)

While many pet parents would love to cook homemade dog food, veterinary nutritionists explain why cooking up a recipe of your own could actually harm your hound. They explain why the best food for many dogs is ones you can buy. But in special cases, home-cooked dog food could be just what the doctor ordered. We’ll guide you through all the nutritious and doggy-licious details.

Canine nutrition can be a fuzzy subject. As pet parents, many of us care about our furry friends’ nutritional needs. But the simple fact is that the vast majority of us have a hard enough time with our own human nutritional requirements (be honest!), let alone those of our pets. This is why most veterinary nutritionists suggest you skip homemade dog food for a veterinary nutritionist-approved, all nutrients included, commercially prepared food. Today, there are a variety to choose from, including freshly prepared, veterinary nutritionist-approved, refrigerated dog foods.

Our pet experts gave us the scoop about homemade dog food recipes. Dr. Sean J. Delaney, is a board-certified veterinary nutritionist — a very small area of veterinary specialization that recently became a registered trademark. There are only about 100 board-certified veterinary nutritionists across the United States, and their advice and consultation offer insight into the best diets for our dogs. Linda P. Case is a canine nutritionist and author of nine books, plus the 2022 book Feeding Smart with The Science Dog. She also maintains the website The Science Dog.

How do I make homemade dog food

It’s true that many consumers are concerned about processed foods, whether for humans, canines or felines in their families. First, consult your veterinarian and ask which dog food brands maintain high nutrition, with less processing.

Linda offers a compromise of a solution: Consider feeding your dog a base of mixed kibble as described above, adding home-cooked vegetables on top. Carrots, peas and green beans — or in combination — are more usable by your dog if you cook them and grind them up first, as opposed to serving them raw or whole. Dr. Delaney adds spinach to the list of dog-friendly veggies, plus several fruits, such as apples and blueberries.

Some of the foods that are harmful to dogs and should never be included in homemade dog food include the following (consult your veterinarian for a full list):

• Onions
• Garlic
• Leeks
• Fennel
• Anything in the orange and green squash family
• Grapes and raisins

Homemade dog food recipes: proceed with caution

While it can be fun and meaningful for pet parents to prepare homemade dog food, Dr. Delaney cautions: Even when we have the best of intentions as pet parents, if we seek guidance from sources other than veterinarians or board-certified veterinary nutritionists, we could actually cause our dogs more harm than good. That’s because the concentration of minerals and vitamins in home-based concoctions isn’t high enough for long-term feeding. And home-based recipes created without a veterinarian’s input can have long-term implications on your dog’s health — such as thinning of the bones, loss of energy and metabolism, even neurological effects.

Many dog food recipes are floating around on the internet, but they aren’t from canine nutritionists and they aren’t necessarily well-balanced, says Linda. In fact, in a study of 200 dog food recipes from 34 different sources, including veterinary textbooks, pet care books and the internet, Dr. Delaney says the majority were found to be deficient in proper canine nutritional requirements.

Chances are, if a dog food recipe is on the internet, it wasn’t developed by a board-certified veterinary nutritionist, because they consider set recipes and cookbooks to be static, rather than customized. Instead, a board-certified veterinary nutritionist develops specific recipes for specific dogs, adjusting ingredients for medical conditions, weight and other variables.

If you feel strongly about preparing home-cooked meals for your dog long-term, then Dr. Delaney strongly recommends working with your veterinarian and a board-certified veterinary nutritionist to create those recipes. In fact, Dr. Delaney is also an entrepreneur who founded Balance IT. The website allows the public to pick and choose from various categories of food to create homemade dog food recipes with balanced nutrition. Depending on the ingredients chosen, supplements are recommended to fortify the recipes, to keep them balanced for optimum canine nutrition Several other companies also provide recipes in tandem with canine vitamin and mineral supplements for pet parents who opt for home-cooked meals.

What about just giving meat to your dog for food?

Dogs evolved from wolves. And a wolf’s diet in the wild certainly includes meat. If you believe that meat meets a dog’s primal and nutritional needs, Dr. Delaney offers this perspective: When wolves eat meat, they actually eat more than meat. They also eat bones and bone marrow, organs and blood — things that today’s butchered meat from the grocery store does not contain. Wolves’ whole-animal diet includes vitamins and iron from the liver and organs, electrolytes from the blood, and calcium, phosphorus plus additional macro-nutrients from the bones.

The meat we purchase in the grocery store today is much different, of course! What we think of as meat is actually muscle. And while it can be a great source of protein — for humans or dogs — Dr. Delaney reminds us that it’s actually not a great source of macro-minerals and vitamins, and it can contain more fat than we realize. And just to set the record straight, he is not advocating for pet parents to feed their dogs meat with bones, as the bones can cause choking and many other hazards.

Homemade dog food recipe for special occasions

All this being said, a single home-cooked meal served up to your dog on her birthday isn’t going to create deficiencies, so go ahead and prepare something special if you’d like. Dr. Delaney advises:

• purchase skinless chicken breast
• cook it in a small amount of water to create a broth containing nutrients leached from the bones
• remove the bones and cut the meat into bite-sized pieces
• Use the broth to cook oatmeal, an often-overlooked but nutritious choice for a special meal

Skinless chicken breast is the safest option, says Dr. Delaney, because some dogs are intolerant to the fat levels often found in beef. Generally, the things that lead to GI issues in dogs include fat, fiber and changes in their food’s moisture. For example, imagine this situation: Dogs used to eating dry food who suddenly receive a stew-based meal will likely experience loose stools. This is because their colon hasn’t adapted to the abrupt change in moisture levels.

Homemade dog recipes for sick dogs

If your dog turns up his nose and doesn’t seem interested in eating, this can be a cause for concern. First, consider your dog’s habits, says Linda, and evaluate the answers to these questions:

• Is he normally a chowhound?
• Or is he on the picky side?
• Have you changed foods? There could be a palatability issue.

If your dog misses one meal, it’s not the end of the world, Linda says, because dogs can typically fast for that timeframe without serious consequences. But if your dog’s appetite doesn’t return for the next meal, there could be a true health problem. The next course of action should be calling a veterinarian.

My dog has diarrhea. Is there a home-cooked dog recipe I can prepare to help them?

A common cause of doggie diarrhea is what’s called garbage gut, Linda says. That generally means your dog has eaten something he shouldn’t have, possibly out of the garbage. If there’s one bout of diarrhea, Linda recommends fasting your dog for one meal and letting the GI tract slow down and recover. The next meal could be a bland meal of home-cooked rice and fresh meat prepared as your veterinarian recommends. This is generally highly digestible, but not a long-term feeding option. And if your dog has a second bout of diarrhea, it’s time to go to the vet for further evaluation, Linda says.

Home-cooked dog food for dogs with health conditions

If your dog has been diagnosed with a special condition, such as renal disease, Linda says home-cooked doggie meals can be a way to manage health issues. In these special cases, a homemade diet formulated by a canine nutritionist is best.

In conclusion, it’s wonderful that many pet parents are thinking about canine nutrition. The best options include:

• High-quality, nutritionally balanced and commercially produced dry or wet dog food
• Freshly made, veterinarian approved, commercially produced refrigerated dog food
• Mixing or alternating between multiple types of high-quality, commercially produced dry kibbles
• Occasionally or regularly adding cooked, ground veggies (carrots, peas, green beans and/or spinach) atop kibble as described above
• Never using random dog food recipes from the internet
• Developing home-cooked dog food recipes only in consultation with a veterinarian or board-certified veterinary nutritionist

Action, drama, and mystery — the Orphan X series has it all. I got sucked into the series with the very first book, and my husband is now hooked on the series, too. The first book, Orphan X, introduces you to retired off-the-books intelligence asset Evan Smoak. Evan has reinvented himself, using his skills and resources to help those in perilous situations. He starts the series all alone, a man almost incapable of making connections, yet through the series people tend to connect to him. And, in book 5, Into the Fire, enters a Rhodesian Ridgeback named Dog to the series. That pretty much sealed up my love for this series. Book 8, The Last Orphan, is being released on February 14, 2023 (yay!).

Now, I had to wonder — a Rhodesian Ridgeback, that’s a pretty specific dog breed, with pretty specific traits — how did he end up in the book? Turns out the best-selling author Gregg Hurwitz has a love for the breed, being that they are part of his family. DOGSTER got the chance to chat with Gregg about his latest release and his pups.

DOGSTER: Tell us a little about your dogs …

Gregg: We just lost our big boy, Cairo. He was a 125-pound Rhodesian Ridgeback, the biggest we’d ever seen. Incredibly gentle animal. You could lie on him like a mattress and take a nap. For the last year, he was tri-pawed, having lost a front leg to cancer. Very stoic, never complained. He is missed every day. 

Zuma, our middle pup, was from a litter named after my Orphan X thriller series. He’s very mischievous and smart. Loves cuddling. If I’m working and he wants my attention, he will climb into my lap. I work on a rolling chair and have a standing desk with wheels; I was on a Zoom conference once and he got his front paws on my shoulders and I grabbed the desk and the whole enterprise — author, dog, chair, desk — rolled across the room and hit the wall. He’s about 110 pounds, also black mask, and devastatingly handsome. 

Nala, our baby pup, is ridiculous. She sleeps on her back with her paws sticking up and her head shoved across my neck and face. At 70 pounds, she’s what we call our “miniature Ridgeback.” Absurdly loving. 

DOGSTER: In the very first book, Orphan X, when Evan’s neighbor Mia asked him what made him happy, he said, “Rhodesian Ridgebacks.” In what ways is your main character Evan’s likes or dislikes influenced by yours? 

Gregg: Evan is a tougher, more taciturn version of me. He has a deep connection to Ridgebacks. After getting yanked out of a foster home at the age of 12 to be trained to be an off-the-books assassin for the DoD, he was raised in the farmhouse of his handler, a former CIA station agent named Jack Johns. Jack had a Ridgie named Strider, and Evan became very close with that dog.

Evan is a quiet, solo operator, essentially designed to be an expendable weapon. He has a hard time with personal relationships; I’ve noted a few times that he doesn’t understand the strange language of intimacy. But he found a strong connection to Strider (and eventually to Dog the dog) because dogs represent unconditional love with zero judgment. A favorite dog joke? If you lock your spouse and your dog in the trunk of your car for 24 hours and then open it, which one is happy to see you?

DOGSTER: I was excited to see Dog appear in Into the Fire. Why introduce him with a dog-fighting ring? 

Gregg: Because I needed a good excuse for Evan to kill a whole bunch of people we would immediately forgive him for killing. And folks who run dog-fighting rings fit the bill. And also, Dog is a wounded warrior much like Evan. Evan was the smallest kid in his foster home and had to build himself up to what he is today: Orphan X. Dog the dog was a bait pup, injured and small, when Evan rescues him. They’re very much alike.

DOGSTER: Will Dog be making an appearance in The Last Orphan? What else can we expect from this latest Orphan X novel?

Gregg: Dog is part of the core team now, so he will certainly be making an appearance. The latest Orphan X novel finds Evan Smoak facing his most dangerous mission yet. While it’s a continuation of the series, it’s also a great jumping-in point for new readers. Dog will be happy to greet anyone.

DOGSTER: You portray Dog as very sweet, even though this is a breed that was bred to hunt and be a protector. What has your experience of Rhodesian Ridgebacks been and do you feel that writing about one in your series makes Dog a sort of ambassador to people who don’t know anything about Rhodesian Ridgebacks? 

Gregg: They are the perfect animal. They are very sweet and loving. They’re beautiful and dignified, always posing as if waiting for someone to come along and paint their oil portrait. They’re very playful and love wrestling. They are serious chowhounds. And if someone is threatening to their owners, they are a dozen kinds of badass.

Cairo had a bark that would wobble the walls of the house. He used to sit in my lap when I was sitting in an armchair, and he was so big that all four of his paws were still on the floor. 

I hope I’ve conveyed that with Dog the dog and that more readers decide to have Ridgebacks in their homes. They are an unimprovable breed. 

DOGSTER: Do your dogs keep you company when writing? 

Gregg: They are underfoot when I type or snoozing in my office. I love having them around. Except when they wrestle, it’s like Jurassic Park in my office. Folks unfamiliar with the breed think they are trying to kill each other. 

 DOGSTER: Do your dogs make appearances with you, like for book signings? 

Gregg: I wish. They’re too big.

DOGSTER: Where can readers go to see more about you, your dogs and Dog? 

Gregg: Readers can connect with me on Facebook @gregghurwitzreaders, Twitter @GreggHurwitz and Instagram @gregghurwitzbooks and also sign up for my newsletters at www.gregghurwitz.net. And I post lots of dog pics. 

Check out the Orphan X series here:

Orphan X (2016)

The Nowhere Man (2017)

Hellbent (2018)

Out of the Dark (2019)

Into the Fire (2020)

Prodigal Son (2021)

Dark Horse (2022)

The Last Orphan (2023)

The Spanish Water Dog was developed on the Iberian Peninsula (which covers Spain and Portugal) to hunt, help farmers, herd and assist fisherman. Although his name makes him sound like he’d belong in the Sporting Group (and indeed he does like both water and sports), the American Kennel Club placed him in the herding group because of his strong herding history and instincts. The breed was fully recognized by the AKC in 2015. The dog was ranked 145^th in popularity in 2021 by the AKC.

How much does the Spanish Water Dog weigh?

Male Spanish Water Dogs weigh 40 to 49 pounds. Females weigh 31 to 40 pounds.

How long does the Spanish Water live?

They live for about 12 to 14 years. Health concerns are hip dysplasia, retinal atrophy and hypothyroidism.

What is the Spanish Water Dog’s activity level?

The SWD is not a couch potato by any stretch. A high-energy breed, the SWD has the capacity for lengthy, strenuous exercise. He makes a great companion for families who camp, run, hike, and enjoy water and shore activities. What equipment will you need? Plenty of retrieving toys.

Does the Spanish Water Dog like water?

Water and the SWD are a match. After all, the SWD in part was developed to help fishermen: The dogs would leap off piers and boats to retrieve overboard tackle, lines and stunned fish. Today he’s an enthusiastic swimmer and water retriever. His webbed toes facilitate his swimming, as does his body structure and coat. SWDs are usually strong swimmers, and playing fetch in the water is a great way to help them expend energy. Some SWD dogs have the capacity to dive to recover items down in the water.

The Spanish Water Dog and dog sports

Most SWDs delight in jumping into water, which leads to the Dock Diving sport option. In Dock Diving, dogs run the length of a dock and leap out into the water to retrieve a prized toy, in competition for height or distance.

Spanish Water Dogs are eager participants in non-water sports as well, including agility, obedience, flyball and herding.  Many also revel in the sport of tracking, in which owners set a scent track for a dog to follow.

Does the Spanish Water Dog get along with others?

The SWD is a controlling herding breed, which means he may chase anyone (animal or human) he thinks is running amuck. The breed may try to control children’s yard play by chasing and circling, as he would do with disorderly stock. Children won’t likely appreciate this attention (perhaps the livestock don’t either, but them’s the breaks!), so SWD owners will want to curb this behavior early in puppyhood.

Training the Spanish Water Dog

While the Spanish Water Dog is intelligent, quick to learn, and willing to obey, he does have an independent side, and he’s got bossiness in his genes. When training a herding dog, owners do well to keep the dog’s natural herding instincts in mind. The breed was expected, with minimal training and human direction, to manage goats, sheep, cattle and pigs. The SWD puppy’s instinct to chase, boss, or nip to control, is more easily redirected if owners understand it as inborn working behavior, not willfulness, and certainly not aggression.

The Spanish Water Dog and strangers

Often suspicious of strangers, SWDs bond closely with family. Their protective instincts make them self-appointed guardians to their people and property. Although ideally not timid or shy, the SWD is yet naturally wary of strangers. Pups need to be socialized extensively, to learn to discern friend from foe, and to accept strangers into the home.

Spanish Water Dog’s coat and grooming

The SWD’s coloring may be solid (in shades of black, brown, beige or white) or parti-color where the second color is white. He is single coated and curly — a low-shedding breed. So what’s the story behind the distinctively curly coat? The coat was an adaptation to the weather of the breed’s native country of Spain. The coat adapted to the variation of humidity and drought. The curly coat may form cords when long.

When SWDs are competing in the show ring, show coats aren’t brushed or combed. Non-show dogs can be clipped as often as owners prefer, with some owners choosing to let it grow for many months. Traditionally the Spanish Water Dog was sheared one time per year (with the sheep), the same length all over the body.

The SWD’s beautiful curls need some specific attention. But surprisingly, no brushing or blowing needed. When washing and drying the curls, owners shouldn’t rub or scrub the dog’s hair. Instead, shampoo should be squeezed, not rubbed, through the hair. Curls can be dried by blotting the moisture out of the coat, again focusing on avoiding rubbing.

Is the Spanish Water Dog hypoallergenic?

Although the SWD is a single coated breed that sheds less than most breeds, he isn’t (nor is there such a thing as) a “hypoallergenic” dog breed. Even with his low-shedding coat, allergic individuals may react to his hair, his dander and his saliva.

The SWD does shed notably less than many dogs, which can be a blessing for families wanting their homes as hair-free as possible.

A working history of the Spanish Water Dog

The medium sized ancestors of the SWD have been working with gusto in the Spanish countryside for some 800 years. Developed as an all-around farm dog with resilient herding instincts, the SWD gathered sheep, goat or cattle. He also assisted fishermen, retrieved water fowl and protected the homestead.

The breed’s exact early origins are contested by experts. What is agreed upon is that the breed was developed in Spain centuries ago for all his jobs, including hunting, water work, herding, home guarding and, of course, companionship.

In the central and southern regions of Spain, the dogs primarily drove herds of sheep, cows, pigs and goats to seasonal pastures. They also helped hunt fowl and small game. In the northern coastal regions, Spanish Water Dogs retrieved fish and tackle from boats and swimming lines. The northern dogs probably also hunted, especially during the off-season. Spanish Water Dogs primarily were owned by less-wealthy folk, who certainly couldn’t afford dogs specialized in only one task.

Early SWDs may also have worked in Spanish mines to defend mule transports, guard against thieves, and keep rats at bay in the mines. The dogs’ woolly coat helped protect them in the hot and humid mines.

In more modern times, Spanish Water Dogs are no longer needed for much of their early work.  While SWDs can be found still herding in the southern regions of Spain, the breed has willingly taken on new jobs, such as search and rescue, cadaver search, bomb detection and drug detection. 

Spain only has two AKC breeds that begin with the country’s name: the Spanish Water Dog and the Spanish Mastiff.  Historians surmise that the two breeds may have worked together on the annual migration of animals to and from seasonal pastures. The SWD herded and controlled the animals; the Spanish Mastiff (some 140 to 200 pounds) was a formidable livestock guardian.

Anyone who has ever seen a dog suffering from anaphylaxis, or even just watched a social media video or looked at a photo, won’t soon forget it. Dogs experiencing an anaphylactic reaction to something like an insect bite or bee sting can have dramatic facial swelling in addition to other symptoms like difficulty breathing, itchy skin and hives.

A dog with his face or lips blown up to extreme proportions might look funny, but anaphylaxis in dogs is very serious, requiring emergency treatment from your veterinarian. Read on to find out everything you need to know about anaphylaxis in dogs.

What is anaphylaxis in dogs?

Anaphylaxis is a rapid onset, abnormally severe allergic reaction to an allergen or foreign protein. Almost anything can cause anaphylaxis, but it’s commonly caused by bee stings and insect bites. “Any substance the body recognizes as foreign could incite a reaction, and often the offending agent is never found,” says Dr. Lisa Osier, of VCA Animal Hospital in Virginia. “Dogs that have a severe food allergy may react to a protein in the food. Other causes could include medications and vaccinations.”

What are the signs or symptoms of anaphylaxis in dogs?

Dr. Osier says signs of anaphylaxis in dogs may include:

• swelling of the face
• hives
• red or itchy skin
• drooling
• vomiting
• diarrhea
• trouble breathing
• tongue might look blue

Once a reaction is fully underway, the signs can be obvious and dramatic, with lots of swelling and hives, and potentially vomiting and diarrhea. However, early signs of anaphylaxis can be subtle.

“You might see a dog yawning a lot or pawing at its face, a sign that it’s itchy,” says Dr. Keith Harper, of Hayward Veterinary Hospital in California. You might also see red skin or hives — raised bumps on the body. It’s easier to see hives or red skin on dogs with short, light-colored hair. These signs can be harder to notice on dark-colored dogs or those with thick, fluffy coats.

How fast will you see anaphylaxis in dogs?

Often, owners don’t know what caused the reaction; they just notice the symptoms after the fact. However, if you think your dog was stung by a bee or bitten by an insect, watch closely for any early signs of a reaction. Dr. Harper says people usually see signs that their dogs isn’t quite right within 30 to 45 minutes, possibly even faster.

How is anaphylaxis more serious than an allergic reaction?

A dog experiencing a basic allergic reaction might show similar signs, such as hives, redness and itchiness, but the symptoms are usually much less severe and localized to one area of skin, according to Dr. Osier. An anaphylactic reaction affects the entire body, and is life-threatening if the dog’s breathing is restricted. 

Anaphylaxis can be even more dangerous for dogs with compromised airways, such as brachycephalic breeds like Boxers, Bulldogs, French Bulldogs, Pugs, Shar-Pei and Shih Tzu. “All of those breeds already have very short noses, very thin noses and long pieces of tissue that go into the back of their throats, so if they experience any problems being able to breathe it’s serious,” Dr. Harper says.

What is anaphylactic shock in dogs?

Anaphylactic shock is a very serious complication of anaphylaxis. The blood vessels dilate (get bigger), making it harder for blood to get to vital organs, Dr. Osier explains. The blood is then unable to supply nutrients and oxygen to the cells in the body, causing them to die and resulting in organ failure.

Is anaphylaxis in dogs common?

Dr. Osier says that anaphylaxis is not uncommon to see in the veterinary emergency setting. Because almost anything can cause it in dogs, its incidence is unpredictable.

“Susceptibility to having an anaphylactic reaction is thought to be hereditary,” she says. “If a pet’s parents or littermates have had a reaction, they are more likely to have a reaction.”

That said, any dog can have a reaction to any substance, including insect bites and stings, vaccines, medication, food or almost anything.

How is anaphylaxis in dogs treated?

If you think your dog is experiencing anaphylaxis, remove the offending substance if you know what it is (if you see a bee stinger, take it out), then seek immediate veterinary emergency medical attention.

Once your dog arrives to the animal hospital, the veterinary team does a thorough assessment, takes your dog’s temperature, and checks the heart rate and respiratory rate. If a stinger or other offending object is still present, the veterinarian removes it.

Treatment usually consists of placing an IV catheter and administering fluids, as well as giving corticosteroids and antihistamines. In severe cases where a large amount of swelling is compromising the dog’s airway, the veterinarian might insert a breathing tube to help the dog breathe until the swelling goes down.

Your vet will keep your dog in the hospital for monitoring until the symptoms of anaphylaxis go away and your dog is stable and comfortable. This could be a few hours or longer, depending on the severity of the reaction.

What is the prognosis of anaphylaxis in dogs?

Though most cases of anaphylaxis respond well and quickly to treatment, Dr. Osier says that the prognosis is guarded, because an anaphylactic reaction can be fatal. The faster you can get your dog to the veterinarian, the better his chances of surviving and recovering quickly.

Are there EpiPens for dogs?

EpiPen is the brand-name for a device that auto-injects epinephrine, a medication that treats the symptoms of an allergic reaction. In human medicine, a doctor may prescribe an EpiPen for someone who has a severe allergy.

Veterinarians can prescribe EpiPens for dogs, too. Although anaphylaxis is less common in pets than in humans, some dogs that have serious anaphylactic reactions might benefit from having an EpiPen at home. If your vet thinks it’s a good idea to keep an EpiPen on hand for use for your dog, she can write a prescription for you and teach you when to use it and how to use the device properly.

Never use a human-prescribed EpiPen on your dog without speaking to your veterinarian. The dosage might not be correct for your dog, and you might not know how and when to use it properly.

What if my dog is having a mild allergic reaction?

If your dog seems to be having a minor allergic reaction to something — itchy or red skin, bumps or hives on the skin — but isn’t experiencing swelling or difficulty breathing, remove the offending substance (if you know what it is). If your dog got something on his skin that seems to be making him itchy, you can give him a bath to remove it.

Give your veterinarian a call to see if she thinks you should come in or stay home, and monitor your dog. If the reaction progresses, bring your dog into the vet right away, especially if you notice any swelling, difficulty breathing, vomiting or diarrhea.

Anaphylaxis is less common in dogs than it is in humans, but it can happen to any dog at any time. Often, the pet owner might not know what brought on the anaphylaxis, but notices the dog is having a reaction all of a sudden. No matter what caused it, get urgent veterinary care for your dog if you suspect an anaphylactic reaction. Anaphylaxis in dogs can progress rapidly and, if left untreated, it can be fatal.

The idea of caring for a blind dog can be intimidating: What special care needs to be taken? Is it possible to treat him as a normal dog? Are there extra financial stresses with the care of a blind dog?

The care for a blind dog shouldn’t be any more imposing than that of a regular dog, says Paula Biancone, Director of Animal Welfare for Speak for the Unspoken, a nonprofit group based in Ohio, dedicated to caring for dogs with special needs.

“Blind dogs, especially those who are born blind, have no idea they are blind,” says Paula. “They act just like any other puppy or dog, just with extra navigation skills.”

Being unable to see is typically the only handicap a blind dog will have. Blind dogs can still play, run, find food, jump up on the sofa, crawl onto a dog bed, go on hikes and walks … basically anything a normal dog can do, they can do. “The only thing they can’t do is see,” Paula says.

Paula stresses that training a blind dog should be no different than training a dog or puppy who can see. Leash training works the same way as standard manners training — relying more on your voice, instead of any hand motions. Walk your blind dog leashed like you would any other dog.

Living with a blind dog

Blind dogs do what is called “mapping” when they are introduced to a new space. Puppies do the same when they start to stand and explore at around two weeks old. Paula explains that mapping is a lot like what a robotic sweeper does when it’s getting the layout of your home and the rooms it will be working in. The dog will walk, or “map,” the perimeter of the space along the walls, then around the objects in the area (couch, tables, chairs, etc.) until he has mapped out the entire space. This process is repeated a few more times until the dog can remember the layout of the space.

“If something is new in the space, or if something moves, the dog will just repeat the mapping in the area of that newly-introduced object,” says Paula. Mapping isn’t just limited to small rooms, but to the entire house and yards.

“After many years of caring and fostering blind dogs, we have found that no special gear is needed,” says Paula. “Since blind dogs have their hearing, training is the same as any other dog — you can use verbal-only commands, or verbal and touch commands for training.”

To let others know your dog is seeing impaired, your dog can wear a bandana, harness and or even collar tag that tells other people he is blind, so they know to address him through voice cues and touch. This is especially important if he somehow becomes lost.

Dogs are supposed to be our best friends, but do you have a dog who doesn’t like you? This breakdown in the relationship between dog and owner can be stressful for all. How do you know if your dog doesn’t like you? Your dog’s body language is a clear indicator of how your dog is feeling about you in the moment.

5 signs your dog doesn’t like you 

1. Stiff body language. Dogs use their bodies to communicate with each other and people. One of the first signs that your dog doesn’t like you or is uncomfortable being near you is stiff or uncomfortable body language. This includes whale eyes — the whites of their eyes are visible — when you approach, tucked-in tails or cowering and moving away from you.

2. Avoids contact with you. If your dog avoids spending time near you, including playtime, your dog might not like you. Note: Dogs do have personal preferences for how they show attention and not all dogs are cuddly. That doesn’t mean they don’t like their people; they might just prefer to play or do something more active than lounging around. 

3. Reluctant or refuses to take treats from your hands. If your dog is uncomfortable taking food or treats from your hand, that’s a clear sign that your dog isn’t comfortable being near you. 

4. Growling, snapping or biting you. This is the clearest way your dog can communicate that he doesn’t like you, or he doesn’t like the specific ways that you are interacting with him at that moment.

5. Showing stress signs. Stress signs include yawning (when not tired) and lip licking and panting (when they aren’t hot). Your dog may be telling you he’s nervous or uncomfortable being near you or with how you are interacting with him. 

Why does my dog not like me?

There are a variety of reasons your dog might not like you or not like the way you are interacting with him. These include:

• You aren’t meeting your dog’s needs
• Someone mistreated your dog in the past, which can result in dogs struggling to form relationships and connections with people. 
• Some dogs are wary of new people, so if your dog has only recently come home, it’s possible he just isn’t used to you yet. 
• Dogs thrive on routine and predictable behavior. If you behave unpredictably around your dog, he may struggle to trust and connect with you.
• Dogs particularly struggle when owners don’t respect their personal space, forcing them into interactions like hugging and cuddling when they aren’t comfortable. 

Improving your relationship with your dog

It’s possible to change how your dog feels about you. Just like any other relationship in your life, building a strong relationship with your dog takes work. Start by respecting your dog’s space and not forcing interactions. This will make your dog feel safe and trust that you won’t do things that harm or upset him. Prioritize spending quality time with your dog, doing things that your dog enjoys. If you think your dog doesn’t like you, don’t take it personally. Instead, recognize that this is a new opportunity for you to find other ways to connect with your dog.

If you’re struggling with your relationship with your dog, work with a dog trainer in your area who utilizes positive reinforcement and relationship-building approaches. A trainer will assess your dog’s interactions with you and help improve the ways you and your dog communicate and interact with each other. Training is an excellent way to not only increase positive communication between you and your dog but also to make your dog like you more.