Here at Dogster, we’re soaking up the sun during these hot DOGust days. There are lots of paw-lidays to bark about this month, including my Emmy’s annual favorite, Spoil Your Dog day on Aug. 10. We may even make our way to the World Dog Surfing Championships on Aug. 6 near San Francisco to cheer on our adventurous pup pals. Show us how you and your #dogsterdogs are enjoying your summer by tagging us in your photos on social media.
Don’t see your dog event on the list? Email us at dogstermag@belvoir.com and we will include your dog event.
August 7-13, 2022: International assistance dog week
Daily August 2022 Holidays
August 1, 2022: DOGust universal birthday for shelter dogs August 5, 2022: Work like a dog day August 10, 2022: Spoil your dog day August 15, 2022: Check the chip day August 16, 2022: Homeless animals’ day August 23, 2022: International blind dog day August 26, 2022: National dog day August 28, 2022: Rainbow bridge remembrance day
August 2022 Dog Events
August 1-31, 2022: The Canine Stars Stunt Show. A team of performers and their adopted dogs – previous America’s Got Talent stars – travel the country to show off their skills at dog sports, such as freestyle disc, dancing dogs, agility racing and dock diving. Get more info here
August 1-31, 2022: Clear the Shelter Campaign. Sponsored by NBCUniversal, the campaign’s goal is to get as many pets adopted as possible during the month of August. Here is how you can help in your area.
August 6,2022: World Dog Surfing Championships held at Linda Mar Beach in Pacifica, CA. Human and dog surfing teams compete for the gold at this exciting San Francisco Bay Competition. Catch a wave here.
August 7-8, 2022: Colorado Pet Expo. “The Dog Days of Summer” takes place at Norris Penrose Event Center, Colorado Springs, Co. Get more info here.
August 17-21, 2022: Olympic Kennel Dog Show. This American Kennel Club sponsored event includes all-breed dog shows, dock diving, agility, obedience and rally. Held at the Enumclaw Expo Center in Enumclaw, WA. Click here for more information.
August 23-August 25, 2022: SuperZoo Pet Industry Tradeshow, held in Las Vegas, NV. To join one of the year’s largest pet retail events, pet industry professionals can register at superzoo.org.
August 31, 2022: Smooth and Rough: Fox Terriers exhibit. Held at the AKC Museum of the Dog in New York, NY. The exhibit runs through December. Tickets can be purchased here.
August 31, 2022: Old Dog, New Tricks! The Grey Muzzle Organization is hosting a free webinar on brain games through enrichment training with certified professional dog trainer Sydney Queen. Register here.
We’ve all seen it: A dog sitting on the carpet and scooting his rump across the floor. Not only is this bad for the floors — think bacteria, odor and maybe even feces and blood left behind — it’s a problem for your pooch, too. Dog scooting indicates there’s an anal issue that needs addressing. Here’s all you need to know about why dogs scoot and the best home remedies for dog scooting.
Why do dogs scoot?
The most common reason for dog scooting is from irritation around a dog’s rear end. It may be an itch, pain or a more serious problem.
This can be anything from anal gland issues, parasitic infections, skin infections around the rear or symptoms of allergies, says Dr. Gavin Casper, a certified holistic veterinarian at Hometown Animal Hospital in Weston, Florida.
Dogs also will lick and bite at their anal area and scoot across the floor if there is stool sticking to the perianal area or matted hair pulling on the area, says Dr. Judy Morgan, a certified holistic veterinarian specializing in integrative medicine and owner of Naturally Healthy Pets in New Jersey.
To effectively treat your pup’s irritated bum and eliminate dog scooting, get to the root of the problem. A trip to the vet is the best place to start. Once you know the root cause, you can decide on the best course of treatment and get your dog some relief.
Are home remedies for dog scooting safe?
Dr. Casper doesn’t recommend home remedies for dog scooting initially because they often make problems worse or mask the symptoms. However, once you’ve teamed up with your vet to address the root cause of the dog scooting, there are some safe and effective home remedies.
Root causes for dog scooting include:
Grooming sensitivities:Trimming your dog’s hair and cleaning his perianal area may be all that’s needed to relieve irritation. Check for nicks or razor burn post grooming in case that’s causing the irritation. Research grooming products that won’t irritate a sensitive dog’s skin.
Allergies: Allergic reactions may require some detective work to pinpoint the environmental (e.g. flea saliva, pollen and dust mites) or food irritant. After eliminating the irritant, you should notice signs of relief in your dog’s behavior. Your veterinarian is a great asset in find-the-allergen cases.
Anal gland issues: The top culprit for dog scooting from itchy bums is anal sac (or gland) issues. In this case, Dr. Morgan says well-formed stools are the best defense. Firm stool puts pressure on the anal glands to help them empty with the pressure from the stool passing, she says.
For firm stools, experts say feeding dogs a high-quality diet that contains a lot of moisture and some insoluble fiber works well. Adding a high dose of fiber, such as pumpkin puree for dogs, coconut chips, ground pumpkin seed or psyllium husk, also will add bulk to the stool, Dr. Morgan says.
Canned pumpkin (pure pumpkin not pumpkin pie filling) is a very safe way to increase the digestible fiber in a dog’s diet, which has been shown to help with anal gland expression, and therefore decrease scooting behaviors, Dr. Casper says. You can find this in the grocery store or find pumpkin puree created for dogs in your local pet store, like Weruva’s Pumpkin Patch Up! or Fruitables’ Pumpkin SuperBlend Digestive Supplement.
Does Metamucil for dogs help with dog scooting?
Metamucil is a fiber supplement to help humans increase daily fiber intake. In a pinch, Metamucil for dogs is a fiber-increasing option to help firm up dog stools for natural gland expression. However, some Metamucil products contain added sugar while the sugar-free products contain aspartame, neither of which is good for dogs. Speak to your vet before using Metamucil for dog scooting to get the correct dosage for your dog, which depends on his age, health and weight.
Does Calendula help with dog scooting?
For dogs experiencing discomfort and swelling, warm compresses help. One method is a warm compress mixed with a few drops of calendula tincture.
Calendula has natural anti-inflammatory qualities, so the tincture mixed with warm compresses should decrease the discomfort, Dr. Casper says.
Other home remedies for dog scooting may offer anecdotal evidence to decrease scooting, but Dr. Casper says, “few have scientific studies to prove they work effectively and are safe.” These include Myristica, Hepar Sulph and Silicea, which “are homeopathic remedies known to decrease inflammation associated with the anal glands,” he says.
How do I know if my dog’s anal sacs are causing the dog scooting?
Anal sacs, also called glands, are two small pockets located just inside the dog’s anus; one on either side. These small sacs contain an oily fluid with a distinctive odor or scent marker that dogs use to communicate with other animals, including when stressed, afraid or pooping.
Healthy anal glands empty naturally with the passage of stool. If they become impacted, however, they may require manual expression. Signs of anal sac problems include:
Dog scooting
Constantly licking and biting under the tail
Foul, fishy odor from the rectal area
Swollen or inflamed anus
Straining, difficult or painful bowel movements
Blood or pus in the stool, around the rectum or where he’s been resting
Thick, brown or gray anal sac fluid
If your dog has any of these symptoms, and especially if he has several, head to the vet ASAP. Your veterinarian will help you determine if the anal glands need to be expressed based on your dog’s history and a physical exam, Dr. Casper says. If anal glands are not expressed when needed, it can lead to diseases associated with the anal glands that can be painful.
The most common conditions dogs get from anal gland issues are impaction and abscessation. In an impacted gland, it is difficult for the glands to express so the contents harden which causes discomfort, Dr. Casper says. When anal glands become abscessed, a bacterial infection leads to pus or blood that may drain through the anal sac and can be seen on the skin or hair around the anus, he continues.
Your dog’s anal sacs can be manually expressed by gently squeezing the delicate glands externally or internally. Some groomers include external expression as part of their service. They gently compress the outside of the sacs to push out the fluid.
Internal expression involves inserting a gloved, lubricated finger into the dog’s anus and gently squeezing each sac (finger inside and thumb outside) to empty its contents. Most dog owners let their veterinarians handle anal gland expressions. However, some intrepid dog owners take this smelly, messy task on themselves. Ask your veterinarian to show you how to do it properly if you want to take on this challenge. And, if you see blood or pus in the expressed fluid, your dog’s anal glands are infected, and he needs to see the vet.
When anal gland expression should not be done at home
Because most dogs never or rarely need anal sac expression, and because veterinarians can identify specific problems with the glands or rectum when expressing them, experts say it’s best done at the vet.
Rectal tears, bruising and trauma to the area can cause significant damage, Dr. Morgan says. And, she adds, anal glands should not be expressed just because the dog is being groomed. They should only be expressed if there is a medical need, such as impaction or abscess.
If your dog doesn’t respond to home remedies for dog scooting, diet changes, anal gland expression or combined therapies, and symptoms persist, your veterinarian might recommend anal sac removal, or anal sacculectomy. In this surgery, one or both of the anal sacs are removed, once infection and inflammation are resolved.
“Anal glands should not be removed unless they have a tumor or have chronic abscessation not resolved by diet changes,” Dr. Morgan says. “I removed less than six in 38 years of practice” she adds.
Dog scooting is unpleasant for your pooch and for you. However, armed with knowing what could be causing your dog’s discomfort, home remedies for dog scooting, and your vet’s advice, you can eliminate the unpleasantness, prevent serious issues and provide lasting relief.
Have you ever wondered if your dog needed anxiety medication? Just like people can experience debilitating anxiety and need professional support, the same is true for dogs. Anxiety medication prescribed by your dog’s veterinarian can be used to treat a variety of canine anxiety conditions from daily anxiety to situational anxiety, such as thunderstorms or fireworks. When used properly under the guidance of a veterinarian or veterinary behaviorist, and in conjunction with behavioral modification training, anxiety medication can significantly improve an anxious dog’s quality of life, and even help him work through anxiety triggers.
When to use dog anxiety medication
Anxiety is a natural emotion that all people and dogs face. The problem for dogs is when anxiety begins to impact their lives negatively. Dr. Christopher Shapley, CVA of the NorthStar VETS Integrative Medicine team, explains that anytime a dog’s quality of life is impacted by anxiety it’s time to speak with your dog’s veterinarian to discuss treatment options. In many instances, anxiety mediation will be tried for dogs who struggle with anxiety. He notes that symptoms to watch for that may indicate your dog is struggling with anxiety include:
constant pacing
destructive behavior
chewing or licking obsessively
inappropriate elimination.
If dog owners are seeing symptoms of anxiety, explains Dr. Antje Joslin, veterinarian for Dogtopia, it’s important to seek professional help from your veterinarian right away. She notes that taking a wait-and-see approach to handling your dog’s anxiety can negatively impact both your life and your dog’s life because anxiety doesn’t get better on its own. In addition, Dr. Shapley advises that if left untreated, dogs living with constant anxiety can lead to endocrine and metabolic diseases as well as self-mutilation.
Don’t punish your dog for being fearful
Having a dog with anxiety can be stressful and overwhelming. Remember, your dog isn’t willfully acting out or misbehaving, he is having a real mental health crisis. If you find yourself getting frustrated by your dog’s anxiety, reach out for support. As stressful as it can be to have a dog with anxiety, it’s important to never punish your dog for his fear or the behaviors associated with it. Punishing a fearful dog doesn’t help to change his emotional response to a situation. Instead, punishing fearful dogs can make their fear worse and can lead to additional behavioral problems including aggression.
Over-the-counter dog anxiety medication
There are a variety of over-the-counter anti-anxiety treatments and supplements available through pet stores. Sometimes vets and owners decide to try over-the-counter treatments before prescriptions, especially for mild anxiety. Dr. Joslin says some of the supplements she recommends to clients include Solliquin chews, zylkene and composure chews. She also advises that some of her clients find that Adaptil collars have provided some relief. Generally, though, if you have a dog with severe anxiety, over-the-counter supports are not going to treat or eliminate the anxiety. If you are considering over-the-counter anxiety medication for your dog, it’s still best to do so under the guidance and supervision of your veterinarian.
Dog anxiety medication options
For dogs who struggle with severe anxiety that is debilitating and impacting their life, a veterinarian may recommend prescription medication. Your vet will likely run blood tests to assess your dog’s health before prescribing anxiety medication.
Dr. Joslin says that a variety of the same psychiatric medications that are used with people are commonly prescribed to dogs. Some of these types of dog anxiety medications are:
She emphasizes that dog owners should never attempt to self-medicate dogs with their own psychiatric medication.
Dr. Shapley says that other common prescription medications for dogs suffering with anxiety include:
Fluoxetine
Alprazolam
CBD
In the proper dosage, these medications can help to combat the effects of anxiety, allow dogs to work through their panic and be less distressed.
What are the side effects of dog anxiety medication?
Although anti-anxiety medication can be life changing and life saving for some dogs with debilitating anxiety, there can also be side effects from the medication. Dr. Shapley explains that common symptoms for dogs on prescription anti-anxiety medications include:
anorexia
constipation
lethargy
vomiting
diarrhea
There can also be behavioral side effects to anxiety medication. Dr. Shapley says that some prescription medications lower a dog’s bite inhibition and can increase irritability. If you notice any change in your dog’s behavior on medication, talk with your veterinarian immediately.
Dr. Joslin says that other symptoms include risk of seizures and that possible side effects should always be thoroughly discussed with your veterinarian before your dog begins taking any anxiety medication. Medication is not a one-size fits all approach and it may take trying multiple medications and different doses for your dog to experience the maximum benefit.
Create a care team for dogs suffering from anxiety
Ideally if you have a dog suffering from anxiety, your veterinarian and a qualified dog trainer will work together to assess the home environment and determine the best training and medication plan for your dog. It’s important to have the right professionals supporting you and your dog.
Anxiety medication is not a magic pill that will fix or cure your dog of his panic. Rather, anxiety medication is about helping to get your dog to a place where behavioral and emotional change can take place through positive reinforcement training. Some dogs can be on medication short term, whereas others will need medication management for life.
Dr. Joslin encourages that treating canine anxiety is most effective with a multi-modal approach. She explains that this may look like prescription medication, working with a veterinarian, certified trainer and veterinary behaviorist. Together that team will be able to assess your dog as well as home dynamics and other triggers.
Veterinary Behaviorists are highly specialized veterinarians. These vets have obtained board-certification with a specialty in behavior and are a tremendous asset to a treatment team for dogs suffering from anxiety. Your veterinarian will be able to provide a referral to the closest veterinary behaviorist or you can look for one via the American College of Veterinary Behaviorists search tool.
Seeking anti-anxiety medication for your dog shouldn’t be taken lightly. Dogs shouldn’t be medicated for normal canine behaviors even if they are inconvenient. If, however, you feel like your dog is showing symptoms of anxiety, seek support right away. If left untreated, canine anxiety can and generally does get worse.
Here at Dogster, we’re soaking up the sun during these hot DOGust days. There are lots of paw-lidays to bark about this month, including my Emmy’s annual favorite, Spoil Your Dog day on Aug. 10. We may even make our way to the World Dog Surfing Championships on Aug. 6 near San Francisco to cheer on our adventurous pup pals. Show us how you and your #dogsterdogs are enjoying your summer by tagging us in your photos on social media.
Don’t see your dog event on the list? Email us at dogstermag@belvoir.com and we will include your dog event.
August 7-13, 2022: International assistance dog week
Daily August 2022 Holidays
August 1, 2022: DOGust universal birthday for shelter dogs August 5, 2022: Work like a dog day August 10, 2022: Spoil your dog day August 15, 2022: Check the chip day August 16, 2022: Homeless animals’ day August 23, 2022: International blind dog day August 26, 2022: National dog day August 28, 2022: Rainbow bridge remembrance day
August 2022 Dog Events
August 1-31, 2022: The Canine Stars Stunt Show. A team of performers and their adopted dogs – previous America’s Got Talent stars – travel the country to show off their skills at dog sports, such as freestyle disc, dancing dogs, agility racing and dock diving. Get more info here
August 1-31, 2022: Clear the Shelter Campaign. Sponsored by NBCUniversal, the campaign’s goal is to get as many pets adopted as possible during the month of August. Here is how you can help in your area.
August 6,2022: World Dog Surfing Championships held at Linda Mar Beach in Pacifica, CA. Human and dog surfing teams compete for the gold at this exciting San Francisco Bay Competition. Catch a wave here.
August 7-8, 2022: Colorado Pet Expo. “The Dog Days of Summer” takes place at Norris Penrose Event Center, Colorado Springs, Co. Get more info here.
August 17-21, 2022: Olympic Kennel Dog Show. This American Kennel Club sponsored event includes all-breed dog shows, dock diving, agility, obedience and rally. Held at the Enumclaw Expo Center in Enumclaw, WA. Click here for more information.
August 23-August 25, 2022: SuperZoo Pet Industry Tradeshow, held in Las Vegas, NV. To join one of the year’s largest pet retail events, pet industry professionals can register at superzoo.org.
August 31, 2022: Smooth and Rough: Fox Terriers exhibit. Held at the AKC Museum of the Dog in New York, NY. The exhibit runs through December. Tickets can be purchased here.
August 31, 2022: Old Dog, New Tricks! The Grey Muzzle Organization is hosting a free webinar on brain games through enrichment training with certified professional dog trainer Sydney Queen. Register here.
Do you love going out and about with your furry sidekick? It’s easier to find dog-friendly stores and restaurants than you may think. But what does dog friendly really mean? Is it as simple as being allowed to take your dog inside or is there more to it than that? And, what are the benefits of taking your dog to a dog-friendly store?
What makes a store or restaurant dog-friendly?
There is dog friendly and there is truly dog friendly. So what’s the difference? First of all, at the bare minimum dog-friendly stores allow all companion dogs, not just service dogs, inside the store or on the restaurant patio.
This doesn’t mean that they will be allowed to roam free. Dogs will typically be required to be on-leash as most cities and counties make it illegal to have your dog off leash in public places. Also, it is safer for your own dog if other dogs are leashed as you don’t know how fearful or aggressive other dogs may be.
The next step up to being even more dog friendly is providing your dog with refreshments. These types of dog-friendly businesses will often give dogs fresh drinking water and/or treats. Plus, certain dog-friendly restaurants will even have a special doggy menu.
Finally, truly dog-friendly businesses make a big deal about your pet. They offer dog-friendly themed parties (dog birthday anyone?) or photo opportunities (think pics with Santa or the Easter Bunny). They give out free samples or cute store or restaurant dog bandanas. And, they take pictures of your dog or request pictures to hang up in the store or restaurant. There may also be an employee that is specifically responsible for canine customers.
What stores are dog friendly?
Most pet stores are dog-friendly as long as you keep your dog on a leash. There’s also a good chance your local hardware stores, garden and nursery stores, sporting goods stores and department stores won’t mind you bringing your dog along.
Here are the top 5 most common dog-friendly stores in the U.S.:
PetSmart
Petco
Home Depot
Lowe’s
Harbor Freight Tools
Other popular dog-friendly stores include Tractor Supply Co., Bass Pro Shops, Nordstrom, LL Bean, Pottery Barn and Barnes and Noble.
Resources for finding dog-friendly stores
Dog-friendly stores or restaurants will usually have signs posted at their entrances. If not, you can call ahead or check their website.
Websites like Rover.com and BringFido.com are great for finding dog-friendly restaurants, stores and even dog parks. Or you can do a quick Google search or check out Dogster’s list of the best dog-friendly restaurants in the country.
When is it not appropriate to bring your dog to a store?
Some stores or restaurants will only allow service dogs, which doesn’t include emotional support animals (ESA). A service dog must be licensed as such and is only for those who medically need one. ESA dogs are typically grouped with general companion animals when it comes to dog-friendly rules.
What can you do to prepare your dog to go to a store?
Teach your dog basic cues for having good manners in public:
Sit
Stay
Drop it
Leave it
Lay down
There are dog-friendly stores and restaurants across the U.S. Whether it’s a chain or a local business, by doing a quick online search, you can find new places for your dog to visit right in your own town.
Have you ever wondered if your dog needed anxiety medication? Just like people can experience debilitating anxiety and need professional support, the same is true for dogs. Anxiety medication prescribed by your dog’s veterinarian can be used to treat a variety of canine anxiety conditions from daily anxiety to situational anxiety, such as thunderstorms or fireworks. When used properly under the guidance of a veterinarian or veterinary behaviorist, and in conjunction with behavioral modification training, anxiety medication can significantly improve an anxious dog’s quality of life, and even help him work through anxiety triggers.
When to use dog anxiety medication
Anxiety is a natural emotion that all people and dogs face. The problem for dogs is when anxiety begins to impact their lives negatively. Dr. Christopher Shapley, CVA of the NorthStar VETS Integrative Medicine team, explains that anytime a dog’s quality of life is impacted by anxiety it’s time to speak with your dog’s veterinarian to discuss treatment options. In many instances, anxiety mediation will be tried for dogs who struggle with anxiety. He notes that symptoms to watch for that may indicate your dog is struggling with anxiety include:
constant pacing
destructive behavior
chewing or licking obsessively
inappropriate elimination.
If dog owners are seeing symptoms of anxiety, explains Dr. Antje Joslin, veterinarian for Dogtopia, it’s important to seek professional help from your veterinarian right away. She notes that taking a wait-and-see approach to handling your dog’s anxiety can negatively impact both your life and your dog’s life because anxiety doesn’t get better on its own. In addition, Dr. Shapley advises that if left untreated, dogs living with constant anxiety can lead to endocrine and metabolic diseases as well as self-mutilation.
Don’t punish your dog for being fearful
Having a dog with anxiety can be stressful and overwhelming. Remember, your dog isn’t willfully acting out or misbehaving, he is having a real mental health crisis. If you find yourself getting frustrated by your dog’s anxiety, reach out for support. As stressful as it can be to have a dog with anxiety, it’s important to never punish your dog for his fear or the behaviors associated with it. Punishing a fearful dog doesn’t help to change his emotional response to a situation. Instead, punishing fearful dogs can make their fear worse and can lead to additional behavioral problems including aggression.
Over-the-counter dog anxiety medication
There are a variety of over-the-counter anti-anxiety treatments and supplements available through pet stores. Sometimes vets and owners decide to try over-the-counter treatments before prescriptions, especially for mild anxiety. Dr. Joslin says some of the supplements she recommends to clients include Solliquin chews, zylkene and composure chews. She also advises that some of her clients find that Adaptil collars have provided some relief. Generally, though, if you have a dog with severe anxiety, over-the-counter supports are not going to treat or eliminate the anxiety. If you are considering over-the-counter anxiety medication for your dog, it’s still best to do so under the guidance and supervision of your veterinarian.
Dog anxiety medication options
For dogs who struggle with severe anxiety that is debilitating and impacting their life, a veterinarian may recommend prescription medication. Your vet will likely run blood tests to assess your dog’s health before prescribing anxiety medication.
Dr. Joslin says that a variety of the same psychiatric medications that are used with people are commonly prescribed to dogs. Some of these types of dog anxiety medications are:
She emphasizes that dog owners should never attempt to self-medicate dogs with their own psychiatric medication.
Dr. Shapley says that other common prescription medications for dogs suffering with anxiety include:
Fluoxetine
Alprazolam
CBD
In the proper dosage, these medications can help to combat the effects of anxiety, allow dogs to work through their panic and be less distressed.
What are the side effects of dog anxiety medication?
Although anti-anxiety medication can be life changing and life saving for some dogs with debilitating anxiety, there can also be side effects from the medication. Dr. Shapley explains that common symptoms for dogs on prescription anti-anxiety medications include:
anorexia
constipation
lethargy
vomiting
diarrhea
There can also be behavioral side effects to anxiety medication. Dr. Shapley says that some prescription medications lower a dog’s bite inhibition and can increase irritability. If you notice any change in your dog’s behavior on medication, talk with your veterinarian immediately.
Dr. Joslin says that other symptoms include risk of seizures and that possible side effects should always be thoroughly discussed with your veterinarian before your dog begins taking any anxiety medication. Medication is not a one-size fits all approach and it may take trying multiple medications and different doses for your dog to experience the maximum benefit.
Create a care team for dogs suffering from anxiety
Ideally if you have a dog suffering from anxiety, your veterinarian and a qualified dog trainer will work together to assess the home environment and determine the best training and medication plan for your dog. It’s important to have the right professionals supporting you and your dog.
Anxiety medication is not a magic pill that will fix or cure your dog of his panic. Rather, anxiety medication is about helping to get your dog to a place where behavioral and emotional change can take place through positive reinforcement training. Some dogs can be on medication short term, whereas others will need medication management for life.
Dr. Joslin encourages that treating canine anxiety is most effective with a multi-modal approach. She explains that this may look like prescription medication, working with a veterinarian, certified trainer and veterinary behaviorist. Together that team will be able to assess your dog as well as home dynamics and other triggers.
Veterinary Behaviorists are highly specialized veterinarians. These vets have obtained board-certification with a specialty in behavior and are a tremendous asset to a treatment team for dogs suffering from anxiety. Your veterinarian will be able to provide a referral to the closest veterinary behaviorist or you can look for one via the American College of Veterinary Behaviorists search tool.
Seeking anti-anxiety medication for your dog shouldn’t be taken lightly. Dogs shouldn’t be medicated for normal canine behaviors even if they are inconvenient. If, however, you feel like your dog is showing symptoms of anxiety, seek support right away. If left untreated, canine anxiety can and generally does get worse.
Fear-based aggressive dog behavior, resource guarding and barking are common problems seen in small dogs. Imagine living in a world from 8 inches off the ground. That’s what it’s like for small dog breeds. If I were to see the world through a small dog’s perspective, I might feel pretty vulnerable because everyone, every dog and everything is way larger than I am. It can be a pretty daunting place to be. From this perspective of vulnerability, and the inability of many small dog guardians to see the world through their eyes, small dogs are left to fend for themselves.
What do we mean when we say small dog? Some of the most popular small dog breeds range in size from four to 20 pounds, and include Pomeranians, Chihuahuas, Terrier breeds and Toy breeds like Poodles. Many small dog guardians don’t socialize, train or exercise these small dog breeds appropriately, like big dog guardians do. They think that the smaller breeds don’t need it when in fact they need it just as much.
A dog is a dog, is a dog, no matter the size. By not taking the time to properly socialize, train and exercise small dogs, we are doing a grave disservice to them and then we have a lot of undoing of unwanted behaviors, which is actually more time consuming and creates more stress for the dog.
Let’s break down some of these issues to have a better understanding of small dog behavior. Then, we can help small dogs feel relief from fear, anxiety and stress, which are at the crux of these unwanted behaviors.
Understanding small dog behavior issues
“Humans often do things that inadvertently reinforce fear and anxiety in small dogs and are completely unaware of their own behavior,” says Laura Nativo, CPDT-KA, KPA CTP, Dog Trainer and Pet Lifestyle Expert.
When dog guardians pick up their dog every time they see something they think is scary or may be scary to their dog, like another dog, a loud sound, a biker, skateboarder, etc., they are telling their dog that this is scary, when in fact, it’s not. It’s easy to do, because the dog is small, but the guardians don’t realize the impact it is having on the dog — creating fear when there is most likely nothing to be fearful or anxious about at all.
Behavior is a function of emotion. Dogs — emotional beings who don’t speak our language — resort to body languages to express their emotions. These body languages turn into behaviors, when not properly understood. In this way, they begin to express their emotions to us in subtle ways like:
looking away
licking their lips
yawning
When we don’t understand these subtle body parts talking, the dogs feel the need to get bigger in their communication, hence the following behaviors ensue:
“Chronic fear and stress,” says Laurie C. Williams, CPDT-KA, owner of Pup ’N Iron behavior counseling in Fredericksburg, Virginia, “is often the underlying cause of unwanted behaviors like aggression and barking. Behaviors are a function of the emotional state of all animals. When dog guardians aren’t aware that their dogs’ behavior is their only way of communicating their emotions, dogs are left with no other choice than to get bigger in their communications. They might start growling or barking, and if this behavior is misunderstood or worse, corrected by either yelling or holding their mouth closed, the fallout will most likely make the misunderstood dog get even bigger. This can lead to biting. There are levels of aggression before a dog bites and knowing what these signs are (the body languages screaming to be heard), we can offer immediate relief to stop the escalation of aggression before the bite.”
How to help small dog behavior: fearfulness of other dogs
Timber, my 8-pound, Maltese/Yorkshire Terrier mix was attacked by a dog when she was 5 months old. After the attack, she was petrified of all dogs. Knowing this, I began to help her feel safer around dogs by dropping high-value treats (cut up pieces of hot dogs) every time she saw a dog, not when I saw the dog. She began to associate dogs with the treats. I continued tossing treats in front of her every single time she saw a dog. She began to look for treats at the mere sight of a dog.
This is the same thing as Pavlov’s dog experiment. Every time the dog heard the bell, the dog began to salivate, knowing a treat was on the way.
For reinforcement, I had playdates with known friendly and playful dogs in my yard. Over time, Timber was less and less afraid of dogs while walking on leash and more receptive to meeting friendly dogs on leash and playing with them when she felt safe and secure, knowing that I was her benevolent leader. I had built a trust account with Timber. With this foundation of trust, I was able to help her feel relief instead of fear and anxiety every time she saw a dog.
This took time and patience. I had to start from quite a distance away from the dog who triggered her anxiety. Over time, I was able to decrease my distance and now, she can walk by another dog on a sidewalk without fear.
If I feel the other dog has anxious body language and will react to Timber, I will either move off the sidewalk or cross the street and even pick her up, if those options aren’t available. Picking her up at this point isn’t creating fear or anxiety, it’s telling her that I, too, see the uneasy body language from the oncoming dog and will keep her safe. Again, as her benevolent leader, I am continuing to build up her trust account, so that she looks to me for safety and security, knowing I won’t put her in harm’s way.
How to help small dog breed: resource guarding
Resource guarding is common in many dogs, but most often in small breed dogs. Small dogs tend to want to covet their guardians, like a dog might want to do with a bone or their food bowl. They are guarding their resource — their human.
Often times, people see this as protecting them, but this isn’t really what’s happening. They are most likely saying, this is my person and I don’t want to share. For example, when a spouse tries to get into bed while the dog’s guardian is already in bed, sleeping or reading, the dog may growl at the spouse. Another scenario is when the dog is lying comfortably on his guardian’s lap and someone comes to sit on the couch with them. The dog might raise a lip, growl or lurch out. It’s not protection, it’s saying, “No, this is my space, go away.”
It’s reinforced inadvertently by the guardian either laughing or moving the dog closer, away from the other person. The dog has succeeded in guarding his precious resource, which could be a person, a couch, someone talking to you on a walk, another dog coming over to say hello, etc.
To stop this behavior, set up practice encounters with people and direct them not to engage with your dog. Give high value treats before the guarding behavior starts. Have the other person give treats to your dog, too, while still not engaging with him. When the behavior starts, stop the treats and create more distance between the dog and the trigger (the other person). When the dog calms, begin tossing treats again. We are changing the association from guarding to when people come around, food falls from the sky.
How to help small dog breed barking
Barking is the precursor to the bite and it’s also a small dog breed’s way of saying, “I want to be a part of the action, too.” Smaller dogs tend to get left out:
when company comes and the dogs aren’t getting the attention they think they deserve
when other dogs are playing and they want to play, too, but it’s not safe because they could get hurt
Think of this kind of barking as saying “Me, me, me!” This is nuisance barking, not aggression or fear-based barking, and needs to be handled differently.
Don’t give nuisance barking attention. This behavior most likely started because it was inadvertently reinforced. Actively ignore this behavior by getting up and doing something else — go to the bathroom, make a call, do laundry. When the barking stops, return to your position before the barking started.
These unwanted behaviors can be easily mitigated if we give all dogs, no matter how big or small, the attention and time it takes to help them feel safe and secure, so that they can thrive in our human dominated world.
Do you love going out and about with your furry sidekick? It’s easier to find dog-friendly stores and restaurants than you may think. But what does dog friendly really mean? Is it as simple as being allowed to take your dog inside or is there more to it than that? And, what are the benefits of taking your dog to a dog-friendly store?
What makes a store or restaurant dog-friendly?
There is dog friendly and there is truly dog friendly. So what’s the difference? First of all, at the bare minimum dog-friendly stores allow all companion dogs, not just service dogs, inside the store or on the restaurant patio.
This doesn’t mean that they will be allowed to roam free. Dogs will typically be required to be on-leash as most cities and counties make it illegal to have your dog off leash in public places. Also, it is safer for your own dog if other dogs are leashed as you don’t know how fearful or aggressive other dogs may be.
The next step up to being even more dog friendly is providing your dog with refreshments. These types of dog-friendly businesses will often give dogs fresh drinking water and/or treats. Plus, certain dog-friendly restaurants will even have a special doggy menu.
Finally, truly dog-friendly businesses make a big deal about your pet. They offer dog-friendly themed parties (dog birthday anyone?) or photo opportunities (think pics with Santa or the Easter Bunny). They give out free samples or cute store or restaurant dog bandanas. And, they take pictures of your dog or request pictures to hang up in the store or restaurant. There may also be an employee that is specifically responsible for canine customers.
What stores are dog friendly?
Most pet stores are dog-friendly as long as you keep your dog on a leash. There’s also a good chance your local hardware stores, garden and nursery stores, sporting goods stores and department stores won’t mind you bringing your dog along.
Here are the top 5 most common dog-friendly stores in the U.S.:
PetSmart
Petco
Home Depot
Lowe’s
Harbor Freight Tools
Other popular dog-friendly stores include Tractor Supply Co., Bass Pro Shops, Nordstrom, LL Bean, Pottery Barn and Barnes and Noble.
Resources for finding dog-friendly stores
Dog-friendly stores or restaurants will usually have signs posted at their entrances. If not, you can call ahead or check their website.
Websites like Rover.com and BringFido.com are great for finding dog-friendly restaurants, stores and even dog parks. Or you can do a quick Google search or check out Dogster’s list of the best dog-friendly restaurants in the country.
When is it not appropriate to bring your dog to a store?
Some stores or restaurants will only allow service dogs, which doesn’t include emotional support animals (ESA). A service dog must be licensed as such and is only for those who medically need one. ESA dogs are typically grouped with general companion animals when it comes to dog-friendly rules.
What can you do to prepare your dog to go to a store?
Teach your dog basic cues for having good manners in public:
Sit
Stay
Drop it
Leave it
Lay down
There are dog-friendly stores and restaurants across the U.S. Whether it’s a chain or a local business, by doing a quick online search, you can find new places for your dog to visit right in your own town.
F1 Goldendoodles are a cross between a purebred Golden Retriever and a purebred Toy, Miniature or Standard Poodle. Dog breeders refer to these dogs as “first generation” (F1) Goldendoodles and they get 50 percent of their genes from each breed. F1B Goldendoodles are a cross between an F1 Goldendoodle and a purebred Poodle or a purebred Golden Retriever.
Although all Goldendoodles will be part Golden Retriever and part Poodle, personality traits and appearance will differ based on how much Poodle or Golden Retriever the Goldendoodle offspring inherited. Dog breeders enhance certain temperament and appearance characteristics of the offspring by choosing to weigh more heavily on either the Golden Retriever genes or the Poodle genes.
Do F1 Goldendoodles have a different appearance than F1B Goldendoodles?
They can. F1 Goldendoodles have furnishings — the longer hair that surrounds a dog’s beard area and eyebrows — and gives the Goldendoodle the signature fluffy look. Poodles have the furnishing gene and Golden Retrievers do not. Furnishings are a dominant gene, so F1 Goldendoodles will always inherit furnishings from the Poodle parent. F1B Goldendoodles may not always have furnishings if two non-furnishing coat genes (also referred to as improper coat or IC) are present from a Goldendoodle crossed with a Golden Retriever. Breeders can test for these genes and share results with potential owners.
Are F1 vs F1B Goldendoodle personality traits different?
The F1B Goldendoodle’s personality traits will depend on which purebred was crossed with the F1 Goldendoodle. If a Poodle was used, the offspring may show a high sensitivity and alertness to its environment, high intelligence levels and an ultra-high trainability level. If a Golden Retriever was used, expect an extremely social and loyal dog, who needs lots of physical and mental stimulation through service jobs, socialization and retriever games.
The F1 Goldendoodle is a 50-50 combination of its parents’ purebred genes, so personality traits are less predictable as with any mixed breed.
How do I know if I’m getting an F1 or F1B Goldendoodle?
Goldendoodle breeders should be able to provide lineage. The Goldendoodle Association of North America, the Goldendoodle’s breed club, lists nationwide breeders they’ve accepted into their club.
Still unsure? Start by making a list of questions to ask Goldendoodle dog breeders. And take your time — patience will help you find the right Goldendoodle for your lifestyle.
Disclaimer: If you purchase items through links on our site we may earn a commission.
Figuring out why your dog is so itchy and what to do about it can be complicated and frustrating.
Food allergies — and therefore, dog skin allergies — in dogs are becoming more common. The most frequently reported foods that cause allergic symptoms in dogs are beef, chicken, lamb, wheat, soy, walnuts and corn. However, dogs can be allergic to any foods containing small amounts of protein including fruits, vegetables and grains. Most food allergies can be successfully managed with a change in diet. Changing the meat source of your dog’s food, introducing a novel meat or feeding a hydrolyzed protein diet can help alleviate your pup’s symptoms.
How do I know if my dog is allergic to his food?
Food allergies and sensitivities can have many symptoms but often manifest as itchy skin. Environmental allergens can cause these same skin symptoms. Dogs with food allergies commonly have environmental allergies as well. Without treatment, these symptoms can become more severe over time.
Food allergy symptoms include:
Repeated ear infections
Rash around mouth and anus
Anal gland infections and leakage
Repeated skin infections (hot spots)
Itchy skin
Licking/chewing paws and legs
Diarrhea
Vomiting
Reflux
What’s causing my dog’s food allergies?
The exact cause of food allergies and sensitivities is poorly understood. However, it is believed that genetics and the integrity of the intestines may play a role in the development of food allergies in dogs. Rotational diets have been thought to decrease the likelihood of developing food allergies. The rationale is that by rotating proteins daily, weekly, monthly or even seasonally, the body may not have time to become intolerant of any one protein. This theory has not been proven with any scientific evidence.
If I treat my dog’s food allergies, will it treat the skin allergies, too?
The best treatment for dogs with food allergies is to identify the offending foods and remove them from the diet. A small number of dogs will be able to resume eating those allergenic foods after several months of elimination. Dogs who are allergic to just one meat source may find immediate success in a diet change. However, dogs with several food allergies may require a more advanced diet strategy to diagnose and successfully treat their symptoms.
Work with your veterinarian to ensure that your dog’s skin allergy symptoms are not caused by other factors such as parasites, environmental allergies, stress or other diseases. Adding a veterinary dermatologist to your veterinary team can expand your pet’s treatment options. You can find a dermatologist near you.
The following are several diet strategies that may be successful in treating dogs with food allergies:
New meat source diet
If you suspect your dog has a food allergy, the easiest change to make is switching the protein source in your dog’s diet. For example, if you are feeding a chicken-based diet, switch to a beef- or fish-based diet. Read the ingredient label carefully to ensure that there is only one protein source. For example, many pet food companies will add chicken to formulas that are advertised as having primarily fish in the recipe. Once you decide on a new protein source, check the ingredients in treats and supplements to ensure that your pup only gets one source of meat protein.
Limited ingredientdiet
This diet limits the total number of ingredients, typically to one source of protein and one source of carbohydrate; for example, lamb and rice. These diets are commercially available over the counter or by prescription from a veterinarian. The advantage of prescription limited ingredient diets is that the manufacturing lines are more controlled, helping to prevent cross contamination from other formulas, which is important for extremely sensitive dogs. These diets can also be prepared at home as long as they are balanced. There are tools out there to help. For example, Balanceit.com is a website that helps pet owners design and balance a limited ingredient diet.
Novel Protein Diet
A novel protein is defined as a protein that your dog has never eaten before. This may decrease the likelihood that your dog will have a reaction. However, some foods are cross reactive. For example, a dog that is allergic to beef may also be allergic to lamb, even if he has never eaten lamb. Proteins that are often novel to dogs include duck, alligator, venison and kangaroo. These diets may also double as limited ingredient diets, as many of them are designed with itchy, allergic dogs in mind.
Hydrolyzed Protein Diet
These diets are regularly prescribed by veterinarians to diagnose and treat food allergies. To understand how these diets work, you need to understand the structure of a protein. Think of a protein like a strand of pearls. Each pearl is an amino acid. The longer the strand of pearls, the more likely the body is to consider it an allergen. Hydrolyzed diets are made up of proteins that are cut up into smaller strands of pearls. This makes each protein less likely to be allergenic. Soy, chicken and fish are commonly used to make these diets. Even though soy and chicken are common allergens, they become less allergenic when hydrolyzed into smaller proteins. Only feed this diet with hydrolyzed treats — adding other non-hydrolyzed treats could cause allergic symptoms in your dog. There are several different formulations and prescription brands of hydrolyzed diets. If your dog does not like the flavor or has symptoms while eating one, try another brand or formulation. Find examples of hydrolyzed diets here.
Amino Acid Based Diet
An amino acid based diet is like a hydrolyzed diet, but is further broken down into individual amino acids. This is like taking the strand of pearls and cutting it into individual pearls. This nearly eliminates the chances of your dog being allergic to this diet. This type of diet is only manufactured by one brand of prescription dog food. Like the hydrolyzed diet, this diet should be fed alone and without other treats and food. If this diet is effective in controlling your dog’s symptoms, it should be continued for at least 14 weeks. At that time, you can begin adding one single ingredient per week to the amino acid based diet. When adding foods back to your dog’s diet, start with foods that have less reaction potential, such as fruits and vegetables. This method will help you determine which foods cause your dog symptoms. It is safe for your dog to continue to eat the amino acid based diet for life. You can also switch to a home cooked diet or a commercial diet containing foods you have already tried that don’t cause symptoms. Amino acid based diets are less palatable compared to other diets. If your dog refuses to eat this diet, try switching to a hydrolyzed diet, which tends to be more palatable. Amino-acid based diets tend to be prescription only. An example is Royal Canin’s Ultamino dog food.
Finding the right diet to help treat your dog’s food allergies can be a process. Each time you switch your dog’s diet, take time to add in the new diet while slowly phasing out the old. Transition time should take four to seven days. You may need to try a few different diets before you find one that is effective. These diets may take four to six weeks to bring relief. Avoid treats and supplements that are not on the diet plan. No matter what type of diet strategy you are using, never stop giving your dog his prescription medications. Patience is critical! It may take up to six months to find a diet that not only works for your dog’s allergies, but is also an enjoyable flavor and consistency.
