Here's to making stinky friends

We have reached the time of year where our little skunk friends are scurrying about early in the mornings. Just about the time that we are all letting our dogs out the back door for their morning potty time. The stinky fur friends are ducking under sheds and back fences. But not before they leave a snoot full of burnt rubber and hate!

I thought maybe this would be a good time for everyone to gear up for the de-stink-afying bath ritual.

An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure though.

My first tip is to have a flashlight by the back door. Check the yard before you let the dogs out. Make some noise so the skunk has been warned. And remember that skunks are known for carrying rabies. Be sure to keep your dogs vaccines up to date.

But say your dog gets his nose close enough to receive the warning stink bomb. You will experience a very upset dog that will be shaking his head and maybe even foaming at the mouth. YOU may even shake your head and foam at the mouth.

Never fear there are some solutions that work well. Here’s what I do…

Not tomato sauce! Or tomato juice… or tomato anything. You and the dog will just hate life and end up smelling like burnt rubber, hate, AND tomatoes.

Instead try this…

Wet the dog a bit. Pack their fur (avoiding the eyes and mouth… face area) with baking soda. Then pour white vinegar over the baking soda and let it foam up real good. And the. A good degreasing dish soap bath. Dawn is the best that I know of. Rinse and repeat as many times as necessary until both you and the dog have gone nose blind and feel confident that the stink is gone. And warn your friends that you don’t want to know they can still smell it.

Sadly, most of the stink gets stuck up inside the snoot, and or near the eyes. A good degreaser soap like DAWN liquid on a rag is the best thing for that area. Also, vinegar on a rag. Neither of those are perfect but they help.

And be mindful that the dogs never, ever, learn their lesson about this. So always be diligent with the flashlight and noise before the dogs head out on their morning adventures. But happiness is a cool morning with a great cup of coffee, and a happy non stinky dog. Heres to hoping your fall is full of pumpkin spice smells!

10 steps to successfully introducing a new dog to your pack.

A common question I get is how to introduce a new dog to an existing pack, or family. It can be quite the ordeal and lots of opportunity for failure if this is not done well. I have compiled a few tips and tricks for you.

1.       Always pick a breed that will realistically fit with your lifestyle. If you will have multiple fur family members pick a breed that enjoys a bigger pack. Some dogs are single person dogs, they thrive with just one person they bond to and that is fine with them. But many dogs appreciate a fuller family. Pick a rescue that allows trial periods.

2.       When going to pick up your new dog, take an item that smells like your existing dog or dogs(or even family members if no other dogs are present). Put that item with the dog while transporting. But don’t make a big deal about it. Just introduce the smells to the dog.

3.       When you arrive at home with the new dog. Have another family member or friend (helper) to walk your existing dog or dogs outside the home on leash. And meet them on the trail away from home with your new dog. Then walk together. The humans should Greet each other without making eye contact with the dogs. And walk. Maybe this means you need to be 10 ft away from each other walking in the same direction, where you gradually get closer to each other as the dogs calm down.

4.       Take a moment to allow the dogs to sniff the same items.

5.       Allow the dogs to sniff each other. Don’t let either dog tuck their butts to not allow sniffing. There is important information shared during that interaction. Sniff and be sniffed.

6.       Once the dogs are comfortable with each other, then head back to the house.

7.       The house is a less neutral ground. And we are letting the new dog know what our boundaries are. Allowing the old dog to assert boundaries is fine, as well you should back them up and shoo the new dog away from any hot areas. All toys, food, water, and other resources should be put away and re-introduced when dogs can be contained. Starting with water. Then toys. Then food.

8.       Contain the old dog, and let the new dog sniff and explore. Then reintroduce the old dog when the new dog calms. But only if the body language indicates that curiosity is the only excitement we are seeing.

9.       After a period of time where you feel comfortable with the dogs interacting with each other, you can start leaving them for a few minutes at a time. You can go to the other room, and quietly listen to their exchanges to see if they are ok together. Increase the time and distance from them as you feel more comfortable. Don’t leave prized resources down for them to fight over when you aren’t available. I advise that containing both dogs to start when the grownups can’t be there to supervise, this separation can go on for a while.

10.   Continue going on walks together. Exercise is the great neutral zone.

Food is love.

I was digging around on the interwebs trying to gain some understanding about dog’s nutritional needs. I found this great pamphlet produced by The National Research Council of National Academies. I have provided the link for you here. dog_nutrition_final_fix.pdf (nap.edu) One of the best ways to ensure your dog lives their best life is to provide great nutrition. Food is important and we have the thumbs, thus the ability to do research.

In addition to daily regular nutritional needs. There are ways you can help your dog overcome common issues through adjusting their food.

·       Tummy upset can be soothed with pumpkin puree.

·       Anal Gland clearing/stinky butt can be relieved through increased fiber intake. I tend to use green beans.

·       Gut flora health is as big of a deal for dogs as it is for humans, so a dollop of plain low fat yogurt daily can help keep the flora in check. (if you are noticing common occurrences of ear infections, or skin flakiness or itchiness this can help)

·       Fish and fish oil is important for skin health.

·       If you use treats to train then remember those calories add up. Try dehydrated chicken or liver to use as high value treats.

You don’t have to spend a fortune to keep your dog’s health in check. Though a good dog food will have quality ingredients, I have linked a dog food ingredient guide Healthy Dog Food Ingredients 101: All You Need to Know! . Remember that while dog food with great ingredients can be more expensive, it will save you money in vet bills overall. Nutrition is important.

I hope this helps. Happy Tails! - Sereta

We like to MOVE it, Move it!!!!

WE like to move it move it…..

Dogs like to move it move it.

We humans get all the good stuff from exercise. We get mood boosters via chemical processes in our brains. Moving our bodies helps keep all of the mechanical stuff working properly, like joints, muscles, and tendons.  Dogs experience some of the same benefits from exercise. Humans have adapted to changes in our lifestyles over time, dogs were bred for jobs they no longer perform on the regular. So that adaptation to their environment is much more important and being bred for traits to perform a job means it’s not as easy for them to adapt to sedentary lifestyles.

It has been my experience that dogs that were bred to work, should work, or do something as satisfying to their urges as the work would be. Herding dogs are the big misunderstood blue heeler in the room. They need to herd. They don’t just want to herd; they need to herd the same way they need breathing. They will herd you, your toddler, the cat, and all the Labradors that you can put in one room. At Annie’s Ruff House we have an outlet for all of that herding, it is called big open space with lots of other dogs that would love to please be chased around in circles.

Exercise all by itself is great. Running with your dog, walking with your dog, and dog park time, all good things. But what a dog really needs is the opportunity to do interesting things paired with exercise. There are treadmills for dogs that can run the dog and make them tired. But a better overall experience for the dog includes interesting smells, textures, tastes, and visuals. Things that will stimulate their senses in a whole-body kind of way. Running is great but running while herding a Labrador is even better. Sniffing while running is great but sniffing while running with other dogs adding interesting smells is even better. Running on a city paved sidewalk is fine, but running on a trail where coyotes, deer and/or bunnies have traversed recently is even more fun.

Care should be taken to warm up the muscles and joints before sprinting after another friend or wildlife. Just like human bodies, canine bodies should acclimate to exercise to prevent injuries. An elderly sedentary dog is going to have much different needs than say a 6-month-old puppy. Dogs will need exercise daily to maintain their stamina, flexibility, and joint strength. If you have been busy of late and your dog has had less exercise than you would like, then be cautious as you start a new program. Start with a walk if possible and move up to a run, adding time and distance a little at a time. Spend time training your dog to walk well on leash so they aren’t tempted to pull you out of the car on cold muscles and joints. Remembering to add play into your exercise as often as possible for the mental stimulation aspect of it.

Paw pads should be tempered to withstand the exercise that your dog is about to embark upon. If you will be running on pavement, consider shorter runs to build up the paw pad toughness, and consider temperature of the surface. Dogs can burn their pads on cement very easily, as well running on pavement will cause friction blisters. Work up to longer runs. Think about if you were to have to do what they are doing bare footed.

Cardio-vascular system can be overworked easily. Consider your breed, coat structure, and overall health, as well as outside temperatures. If you have a brachiocephalic (short snout) dog, then running and heavy cardio might not be the best form of physical and mental stimulation for them. A walk early in the mornings might serve them better. However, some dogs absolutely thrive in warmer temperatures. Remember that black dogs also get hot faster than a lighter color coat. Additionally, stop often for water and cool down opportunities.

Ultimately it is the human’s responsibility to ensure a safe and active lifestyle that fits the breed, or a breed that fits the human’s lifestyle. We should be providing physical exercise and mental stimulation for our dogs in the way that best suits them.

Happy Tails on Happy trails!

Keeping our pets safe in cold temperatures

We all have that one friend that just wants to be outside no matter what the temperature. It’s hard to explain to your dog why they cannot be out there when its freezing. And freezing moisture like rain, snow, sleet is especially dangerous as it sticks to their fur. We all have heard the phrase if you are cold, they are cold, and some of us have chased dogs around trying to rescue them from the cold. Some dogs are built for the cold, and some dogs just aren’t. We can’t lump them all in to one category.

We do live in Oklahoma, and we have learned to be prepared for all kinds of weather. Boy do we get the extremes. I compiled a list of knowledge bombs regarding cold temperatures with dogs.

1.       If temperatures are below 45 degrees Fahrenheit, then dogs will feel uncomfortable, but according to PetMD once the outside temp drops below 20 degrees F then dogs can experience frost bite and hypothermia.  We should be paying particular attention to paws that can be damaged if they are cold. Additionally, if they are wet or have ice stuck between their toes that should be cleared when they come back inside to warm up.

2.       Cold weather gear for the dog that isn’t bred for cold weather, or isn’t properly acclimated. If your dog is conditioned to run in the snow and pull a sled, then this may not apply to you. But if your dog lives in a climate-controlled abode on the regular you might consider getting them a coat and boots.

3.       Nose Balm is a must for the dry cracked noses. Just like humans, the dry air wreaks havoc on sensitive areas. The nose gets moist and then dries out over and over again wicking all the oils off. The nose balm can also be used on paws to keep them supple.

4.       Dogs that are super young or super old are more effected by the cold. Smaller dogs and those with thin coats are more susceptible to problems in cold temperatures.

5.       If your dog is shivering its cold (or sometimes excited, but let’s assume cold if its cold outside), if they are holding a paw up or whining. Signs of hypothermia include lethargy, muscle stiffness, weakness, decreased mental alertness, and loss of consciousness.

Ways to help your dog expend energy when they are cooped up indoors.

1.       Brain puzzles. Play hide and seek with the treat, or hide treats in a scrunched-up towel/blanket. Or put treats in an old plastic water bottle with the lid removed so the treats fall out. Or buy a ready-made puzzle where your dog must work the puzzle to get the treat. This helps to mentally stimulate the dog when they can’t be outside checking their pee mail.

2.       Work on training. Example of an easy to train command:

Leave it. Put a treat in your hand and show it to the dog, when they act interested close your hand and say “leave it”. Do this over and over again watching for your dog to check your eyes for a command. When the dog successfully ‘leaves it’ then let them have the treat. Do it again, and each time make them wait longer to get the treat. As you indicate the dog can get the treat use a marker like “ok” to indicate its ok to get the treat.

3.       Take them to doggy daycare. Always a great way to expend energy. Make sure your doggy daycare has plenty of play space, and has a plan for cold days.

4.       Bundle up and go play in the snow. Always fun but be sure to have some towels in the dryer when you get home. Pull a fresh warm towel out when you get home and let your dog snuggle up.

5.       Make a tiktok and become internet famous. Create a facebook page to show off your good boi/girl. Do a photo shoot with fun hats. OF course this is all way more fun for the humans than it is for the dog, but they love that you are including them in your life.

Stay warm today friends. Snuggle up with your dog. Don’t leave them outside by themselves in inclement weather.

8 tips for stress free boarding.

Dogs feel your stress so remember when you are planning your vacation to think about what your dog might be experiencing.

Here at Annie’s Ruff House, we have been doing this for over a decade and we have it down to a science. Here are 8 tips to make your dog’s boarding stay a smooth success.

1. Have an ongoing relationship with the boarding facility. We have found that dogs have significantly lower stress when they have come to our facility prior to boarding, or have attended daycare on a regular basis. We get to know their personality, their likes and dislikes, and they get to know the routine well in advance of spending the night with us, which comes with also missing your family and your routine.

2. Choose a facility that has lots of opportunity for exercise. Exercise and play release dopamine in the brain that aid in lowering stress. Just like humans that get tired while traveling, dogs get tired while boarding and a tired dog is a happy dog. This helps them sleep well through the night.

3. Make sure you have all the necessary items for boarding. Here’s a quick list of necessary items we need for your dog to have a great stay.

   1. Up to date shot records.

   2. Food from home in a sealable container … staying on their diet helps them feel at home.

   3. An item to sleep with that smells like home. We suggest a t-shirt. But a favorite toy works well too. Be mindful to alert staff if the dog might consume said item, so they can be on the lookout for excessive chewing.

   4. Quick release collar (side clasp collar), and a static leash.

   5. Medications, and a current list of emergency contacts.

4. Know the facility schedule, how to access webcams if applicable, and how to contact the facility should you have questions. It can be stressful for pet parents to not be able to get in touch with someone at the facility. So,knowing the hours of operation, and the best times to talk to staff is helpful. Watching the webcams is a great way to settle your mind as you start worrying about your pet while you are away.

5. At Annies we encourage you to check our social media page for live videos, and photos. Friends request your facility or follow your facilities page on social media. This will allow you to see the facility staff engage with other clients.

6. Load your car the night before, this removes the act of going and the act of packing as one and the same in the dog’s mind. This will help you have a calmer exit the house and enter the care experience.

7. Take some practice car rides if your dog isn’t well versed in riding in the car. This is another reason why going to doggy daycare is helpful in reducing stress. Some dogs only ever experience the car when they go to the vet. That creates a sometimes-negative experience for them with the car rides. Some dogs like the car rides so much that they become crazy in the car. We suggest getting a good restraining device like a Click IT harness system to keep them safe in the car.

8. Remove your emotion from the situation. It’s hard to not act stressed when you are indeed stressed about travelling, about leaving your dog, about leaving your house, etc. But try to act fairly bored, or ho-hum about the experience. And maybe take your dog on a walk and to potty before they get into the car. This eliminates accidents and the stress around that for you and them. Also, wait to feed your dog until you get to the facility, or feed them several hours before leaving to reduce car sickness.

We hope this helps you have a smooth boarding stay and ultimately a stress-free vacation. Follow along for additional content around your dog’s care. - Sereta Wilson, Owner Annies Ruff House