Zoey, the Beautiful Springer

At 2:30, I decided to go for a walk with Zoey the beautiful Springer Spaniel, Stella, the cute and feisty Beagle and Roxie the sweet, loving German Shepherd.  After I “saddled” them all up and put in my ear buds, I set out the door for a nice leisurely walk.

Stella, the very protective (of me) Beagle

I was in a peaceful mood and all the dogs were easy walkers.  Believe me, that’s a wonderful thing!  The music that was playing mirrored my mood.  Have you ever noticed  that music has a way of doing that.

A few minutes into our walk, the sun bursts through the clouds and I could feel it beating down on my skin.

Folsom is very well known for its beautiful trails throughout the city, and my home backs up to one of the trails that winds this way through the wetlands.  I decided to cut through the Elementary School field to get to the shadier areas of our walk.

Besides Zoey sniffing at every bush, blade of grass and tree, everything was going great.  All of a sudden the batteries in my radio pooped out and I had to take off my ear buds.  Thank God because there was a gentle breeze blowing through the leaves of the trees which is my absolute favorite sound in the world.  Something about that sound gives me a sense of peace and all is well with the world.

Roxy the Sweet and humanlike Shepherd

About that time, Roxie decides that she wants to stop and rest.  She lays down and I wait for her.  After a while, I join her and sit down on the trail.  Zoey sat down snuggled right beside me and Stella, having to be center of attention, tried to climb on my lap.  So, there we sat – all four of us, in the shade in the middle of the trail just quietly resting and listening to the wind blowing through the trees.  What a site we must have been.

I closed my eyes and said a grateful thank you to the powers that be.

If it wasn’t for my batteries going out, I would have missed this awesome moment.

Zen comes at the most unexpected times.

Have you had a perfect moment of Zen with your best furry buddy?

Military dog barking

The Mayo Clinic defines PTSD as “a type of anxiety disorder that’s triggered by a traumatic event.  You can develop PTSD when you experience or witness an event that causes intense fear, helplessness or horror.”

The traumatizing experience can be anything, from abuse and neglect, to fireworks or witnessing war.  Gina, is a military service dog profiled in the article US PTSD Military Dog.  Gina is a highly accomplished bomb-sniffing German Shepherd, but after her wartime experiences in Iraq, she has come home with many of the same symptoms that servicemen and woman present.

As sensitive and observant beings, canines are affected greatly by their experiences, positive or negative.  Gina was witness to war atrocities, and explosive sounds, and these memories are now imprinted on her in a detrimental way.  Veterinarians have varying opinions, as to whether dogs can truly develop PTSD.  But, as PTSD is the result of one’s nervous system being altered by trauma (putting it in constant flight or fight mode), it makes sense that dogs would be affected in the same way.

People diagnosed with PTSD, experience biological changes, affecting stress hormones and chemicals in the neurotransmitters.  This can cause the nervous system to get stuck, so to speak, in a perennial flight or fight state. 

Look at a dog who has been abused, and notice his wariness, the way he’s conscious of all escape routes, and his general discomfort if anyone looks at him.  He’s ready to run, or attack, because his mentality is stunted in that fear; in those imbedded memories of his trauma.   These same behaviors can be seen in abused children, witnesses to crimes, and, most certainly, to those who have experienced war firsthand.

For sufferers of PTSD, human or canine, help should be sought as soon as possible, to prevent suffering long-term symptoms.  For people, psychotherapy and medication are in order, plus gentle love and support.

With dogs, we can use some of the same therapy techniques, such as gradual exposure therapy, and, of course, much love, support and patience.  Canine anxiety mediation is also available, plus alternative therapies such as pheromone diffusers and aromatherapy.   Gina, the service dog, is doing well now, after a year of such therapy and guidance.

Whether we can define what a dog experiences as PTSD or not, looking at the clinical and behavioral descriptions, it seems that our four-legged friends have an equal capacity to carry their trauma negatively, as humans do.

For more information about PTSD:  Mayo Clinic on PTSD ]]> http://waggyspettipsandtales.com/2010494-dogs-can-get-post-traumatic-stress-disorder-just-like-humans/feed/ 3 http://waggyspettipsandtales.com/2010485-flying-the-friendly-skies-with-your-pet/ http://waggyspettipsandtales.com/2010485-flying-the-friendly-skies-with-your-pet/#comments Mon, 26 Jul 2010 18:22:03 +0000 Chris L Wagner http://waggyspettipsandtales.com/?p=485 Here it is July, and we have reached the midpoint of summer vacation season.  As pet owners, we love our dogs and hate the thought of being apart from them while the family travels.  Many families incorporate their pets needs, right along with the other family members desires, when planning a family getaway. 

Road trips can be a fantastic source of fun, recreation, and education, for the entire clan, including Rover.  Most camping facilities accommodate our four-legged family members, and more and more hotels are happy to serve your dog, as well.  If staying at a hotel or motel, you may have restrictions on the size of animal they accept.  And, be prepared to pay an extra fee, or a larger deposit.

For those of you planning to get away even further from home, you may, or may not want to bring Fido along.  Airline restrictions are…well…strict, when it comes to your pet’s travel.  Plus, there are dangers to subjecting your pet to air travel.

For dogs larger than a hamster (ok, I exaggerate a little), they are required to fly in the cargo hold.  This can be an anxiety provoking experience, for even the most well adjusted, and calm animal.  Sedatives are not recommended (and some airlines prohibit their use), because the changes in temperature and elevation, can cause your animal, when sedated, to become disoriented and disabled.   And, in the extreme, can lead to deaths.

Dogs in Cargo Hold

The ASPCA and The Human Society, do not recommend air travel for pets, and airplane travel for some breeds, can be deadly.  This is most prevalent in brachycephalic animals (short-snouted breeds).  Many carriers do not even allow these breeds to travel with them.  Please refer to Trips with pets for more information.

In addition to the stress of a cargo hold, you can expect to pay anywhere from $100.00 (JetBlue) to $250.00 (United) for your pet.  If your pet is small enough to be in the plane with you, that’ll cost you an extra $100.00 – $200.00, depending on airline.  These are base prices, and can increase with dog’s size.

Even if money is no worry, and your pet is not short-snouted, problems arise with dogs in cargo holds.  The most famous story of dog air travel gone wrong, is the escape (and permanent loss) of Vivi, the Westminster Dog Show winning Whippet.  While every airline has statistics of pets lost, Continental Airlines has, by far, the worst record for delivering your pets safely.

Rufus the Boxer

Instead of stressing your pet (and yourself), with the worry of safe air travel, your pet would most certainly be safer and happier with a professional pet sitter.  If your dog is a homebody (or agoraphobic!), you may choose to have a sitter come to your home twice a day, or opt for a live-in pet sitter while you travel.  If Fido is more of a social being, boarding, in an open environment (not caged), is ideal.  Whatever your needs, there is a pet sitter in your area that can meet your needs.

Do you have any travel adventures with the airlines?  We’d love to hear them.  Happy Traveling.

Cocoa Bean the American Bulldog

Guess which one was the aggressor?  The Yellow Lab.  Bailey was an otherwise sweet,  obedient lab that according to her owner has never showed aggression before.  For some reason, she didn’t like Cocoa Bean.

Needless to say, this incident was very traumatic for me and my family and of course the owners of both dogs.  It’s not easy to learn that your dog attacked a dog and it’s difficult to see your dog with puncture wounds and abrasions.  Don’t worry, I took her to the vet and she is doing just fine.

This incident drives home the point that it isn’t the breed, but how the dogs relate to each other.   Who knows why Cocoa Bean brought out this behavior in Bailey.  We all love our dogs like they were part of the family, but we must always remember that they are animals with animal instincts.

Usually when there’s a scuffle between two dogs, I can break it up with vocal commands or squirting water in their face, but this time was different.  I tried everything to get the dog off, but nothing helped, so I have to admit, I was at a loss.

So, I thought I’d do some research and find out what I could have done in this situation and pass that information along to you.

How to break up a dog fight

Of course it’s always best to avoid them getting into a fight in the first place.  Their body language plays a big part in deciphering their behavior.

According to Cherie Langlois, here’s some clues to know when a fight might break out:

“A hard, unwavering, targeted stare.
Dominance posturing, such as mounting.
Stiff body movements.
Extreme body language: the tail held stiffly up or down, lips pulled tight against the teeth”.

I can say from experience that Bailey did exhibit this kind of behavior.  I’ve seen this behavior before and nothing ever came from it.  One piece of advice –  please don’t antagonize the dogs – STAY CALM and try to diffuse the situation calmly.  They’re already on a trigger hair at this point and you don’t want to make it worse.  If a fight does break out, please do not try to pull them apart by their collars.  Don’t put your hands anywhere near their mouths.  You will most likely get bit yourself!

If they are already fighting, you can try:

Bailey the Yellow Lab

Spraying water in their faces

Some has said that Citronella Spray helps.  It’s a safer alternative to Pepper Spray.

Cattle Prods and Shock Collars, however this can put them in more of a fight mode and try to attack the prod or think that the other dog is hurting them and want to fight more.  You can condition them to the collars and prods, but not in the middle of a fight.  Work with them beforehand.

The most effective and safe way to stop a fight requires  two people:  Leerburg Training explains it this way,  “Each person grabs the back feet of one of the dogs. The dogs back feet are then picked up like a wheelbarrow. With the legs up, both dogs are then pulled apart.

Once the dog fight is broken up and the dogs pulled apart , it is critical that the people do not release the dogs or the dog fight will begin again. The two people need to start turning in a circle, or slowly swinging the dogs in a circle while they back away from the other dog. This stops the dog from curling and coming back and biting the person holding their legs.

By circling the dog has to sidestep with its front feet or it will fall on its chin. As long as you slowly continue to back and circle, the dog cannot do any damage to you. To insure that the fight will not begin all over again when you release the dogs, one of the dogs needs to be dragged into an enclosure (i.e. a kennel, the garage, another room) before the dog is released. If you do not do this, the dogs will often charge back and start fighting again or if you release the dog to quickly the dog will turn and attack the person who had his feet.”

Do you have effective ways of breaking up a dog fight?  I’d love to hear your stories.

Richard Nixon

In a nutshell, thousands of years ago, wolf and man reached an agreement by where man gave scraps to the wolves and in turn they protected them and became domesticated.  Since they were after the same prey, they started to hunt together.  Eventually, man manipulated canines to create breeds that could help them in all manner of jobs such as, herding sheep, killing rodents, guarding property and of course specialized hunting.  But through all that, a dog was still a dog and wasn’t on equal footing with man.

So what has changed?  As our culture became more affluent and the need for certain dog functions diminished, they became our companions, our best friend.   However, in the last decades they have become a replacement for children and in some cases, a spouse.  I’m not judging because I’m certainly one of those people that was madly in love with my dog.  She could comfort me in times of sorrow like nothing else could.

Have we become so disillusioned with humans that we’ve turned to the one creature that never judges and loves us no matter what?  Has the moral fabric of our society been so disappointing that we look at those innocent faces and yearn for a better time when people were more polite, more trusting and cared for their neighbor more?

Me with Kayla and Thanda - Rhodisian Ridgebacks

Society used to rely on their communities for spiritual and emotional sustenance.   Now, we don’t even know our neighbors half the time or are communicating with people through a computer instead of having close, intimate relationships.  Have we created an emotional hole that only a pet can fill?

Think about the events that have happened in our lifetime about our role models and leaders from all walks of life.  If you’re old enough to remember, I could put out one line or a name and you’ll be able to know how we’ve been disappointed time and time again:

“I am not a crook”

“I did not have sexual relations with that woman”

Jimmy Swaggert

James Baker and Tammy Faye

Tiger Woods

Michael Jackson

John Edwards having an affair and child while his wife is suffering from cancer

Mark Sanford hiking in the “Appalachians” – he was really in Argentina with his “soul mate”

Chappaquiddick,

and the list goes on and on.

I know people throughout the ages have been corrupt and have disillusioned their followers, but with the internet and television, their corruption is inescapable and we must face the fact that our leaders, hero’s and role models are, in fact, just human and therefore fallible.  The veil has been lifted and there’s nowhere to hide.

Are people losing hope in the human race because of a few wayward individuals?  Has this caused people to turned to the one thing that symbolizes innocence and goodness?

Maybe it’s time to take a good hard look at our society and start doing the right thing and connecting with people face to face in an honest, authentic way.  Of course, with our faithful best friend at our side.

If you have a different take on this subject, I’d love to hear it!

Taking precautions can go a long way to help  calm your pets.  Here’s a few tips to help make the 4th of July a safe, fun day for you and your pets.

If at all possible, stay at home. Make them comfy with their favorite dog bed or blanket with plenty of water preferably in the quietest room in the house.  I’m fortunate to live in an area where they still allow us to buy fireworks.  Our neighborhood goes out to our cul-de-sac to light the fireworks which is great because I can go in and check on the dogs to make sure they’re OK.

If you can’t stay home, put them in their crate with a nice bone to chew on or favorite treat.  If you don’t use a crate, keep them inside the home and close the doggie door.  Dogs, when frightened, will chew through anything to escape.  If you have to leave them outside, make sure your fences and gates are secure and there’s no possibility of escape.  In the case that they do escape, please have their  microchip information updated and they have their collar on with all identification.

Put on classical music or a CD especially made to calm dogs.  Animal Music Therapy CD’s are designed to relieve animal stress.

Try alternative holistic remedies such as our natural Spot Organics Chill Essential Oil that’s specifically made to calm dogs in all kinds of situations.  Also, the Lettuce Flower Essences from Spirit in Nature can be used as a calming effect.

Leave the radio or TV on.  If they fireworks are far away, the sound will help to drown out the noise.

Do you have any remedies that have helped to calm your pet when the fireworks start?  I’d love to hear your stories.

Wishing you all a safe, fun 4th of July celebration!

After his heart grew

From the arthritic limp to the sad eyes that are turning white due to cataracts, they bring out the best in me.  Though they may be slower and can’t hear very well, my memories float back to just how feisty she was, or the times I came through the door and she jumped up and down like I was the most awesome person in the world.

Or  the time we took her to the snow and the ice was sticking to her legs, but she just kept running and having a great time.  And all those times when she looked at me with so much love and devotion that I swear I could see into her soul.

It’s these kinds of memories that make me want to give back as much as she gave me.  If I wasn’t boarding dogs, I’d love to foster senior dogs and care for them until they go over the Rainbow Bridge (Get your tissues handy.) It would take a lot of strength to see them pass, and I applaud those wonderful people that care for senior dogs every day.  They are the best of us.

Next time you find yourself wanting to add a new dog to your family, please consider a senior dog.  Click on Senior Dog Rescues to find information and a rescue group near you.

Since they tend to have more medical problems, you can avoid unnecessary Veterinarian bills by feeding them holistic pet food as nutrition is the key to keeping them healthy and happy for years to come.  

My dog Nikki in her last years

Of course you have to be prepared for what medically comes with an older dog such as:

Arthritis

Cataracts or losing their site

Loss of hearing

Graying and coat may become dull

Muscle mass loss

Slowing down,

and other medical conditions.

However, the good far outweigh the bad.  You just needs a little more patience and a whole lot of love.

Please view this video from the Petfinder Foundation to see all the wonderful qualities senior dogs have and they are just waiting for you to take them into your heart!

Yesterday when I was taking care of Dakota a sweet Golden Retriever, it dawned on me just how therapeutic visits are – actually they’re Zen like.  It forces me to focus on the here and now and just enjoy being in the presence of this beautiful creature.  The business side of pet sitting can make you forget the reason you started sitting in the first place. 

I decided to make my first video for my blog with me in it.  I had to get over seeing myself on camera with my scrunched face and the sun in my eyes.  I looked like Popeye!  As Social Media Maven Ann Evanston says – you have to get over what you look like and just do it!  Ann’s this one’s for you.

I hope you enjoy this fun video and see how great my job is.

If you like this blog, please sign up to get new posts as soon as they come out.

My family on vacation in Montana a couple of years ago

What about those pets that can’t board and need  a pet sitter to visit them at their house? Having a plan will save the pet sitter a lot time which gives them more time to have fun with your pets.

Here’s  a few suggestions that can help you prepare your pets and your home.  Most of these topics should be covered in the pet sitting forms you filled out

Planning for your pooch and other creatures

Call your vet ahead of time and leave a credit card number with them just in case of an emergency.  Most reputable pet sitters will have a Vet Release form for you to sign.  The pet sitter will bring this form to the Vet if something should happen to one of your pets.  The Release informs the vet that the sitter has authorization to care for your pets.

Let your pet sitter know where all the shut off valves are for gas, water etc.  If you have a water pipe burst, at least they can shut it off and reduce the damage.

Give the sitter a list of important phone numbers. For instances, a neighbor  – leaving a key with the neighbor is also a good idea, Vet ( this should be with the paperwork), maybe a name of a handyman or electrician, locksmith, and the name of your “emergency contact” should the sitter not be able to get a hold of you.  This too, should be in the paperwork.

Have their favorite toys handy

Provide towels or rags to wipe dirty paws

If your pets are crated, have extra bedding or blankets in case they have an accident.

Put lights on a timer and please leave the front light on. Reptile lights should be on a timer.  The most important light for your sitter is the front porch light.  This is a must for a few reasons:  1) Safety of the sitter.  It makes it harder for “would be” criminals to hide, 2) so the sitter can see the keyhole and not have to fumble with the keys, and 3) it’s really scary to go up to a dark house!  I’ve been freaked out a couple of times.

Leave supplies in one general area. Your kitchen counter is a good place to leave your supplies. This can include a leash, medications (unless they have to be refrigerated), any additional notes, mailbox key, can opener, food and treats, etc.

Have extra supplies on hand.  Sometimes flights are delayed or canceled.  There’s a million reasons why you  may not be able to return when expected.  Always have enough food for the entire service and then a little more.  Same goes for treats and medications.

Make sure the extra key works. Usually when a pet sitter comes to your home, you need to give them a  key to get in.  You don’t want the sitter going to your home and finding out that they can’t get in and the dogs can’t get out!    That’s why you leave a number of a good locksmith – preferably one that works 24/7.

Have caged pet supplies nearby.  If you have a hamster, guinea pig, mouse, bird or any other pet that needs to have their cages cleaned, please have all the bedding, scoops and waste bags near their cage.

Leave cleaning supplies in plain sight.  I can’t tell you how many times I’ve searched high and low for either a vacuum cleaner, broom or dust pan.  Please put them where your sitter can easily find them.  If you’re hiring a professional pet sitter all this should be covered in the paperwork.

Notify your alarm company and tell them your pet sitter’s name and the duration they’ll be coming to your home.  Also let your sitter know the password in case the alarm goes off.  The alarm company will call your home to ask for a password to reset the system.  I know this because it’s happened to me.

Make sure your outside sprinklers are properly adjusted and on a timer. If you want your sitter to water potted plants, put them in one area so that the sitter doesn’t have to go around the yard watering.  Remember, this is all time taken away from your pets.

Make sure your pets are wearing all their identification. If you’re using a Citronella bark collar or an electronic collar, make sure they have fresh batteries.

Secure all outside gates and fences. If your pets have access to the backyard, they might get itchy to escape.  Check your fences for holes and make sure the gates are closed and secured properly.

Other little extra tips for your home

Adjust your thermostat to a comfortable temperature for your pets.

Empty all your indoor trash and put in the outside bins.  Your pet sitter should put out the bins on the appropriate trash pickup days.

Put your toilet lids down.  Just saying.

Close all the doors to rooms that are off limits.  It’s also a good idea to close cabinet doors.

Empty out your refrigerator of food that will spoil

If you’re going away for a long period of time, have the Post Office hold the mail for you.  However your pet sitter can get the mail if you chose not to put it on hold.

Have checks ready for your sitter, housekeeper and/or gardener if appropriate.

Close and lock doors and windows

Clean your house and mow the lawn.  I love coming home to a clean home.  A good pet sitter will clean up after herself and pick up your “doggies presents” before she leaves.

I’m sure there are a thousand other things that could be done, but I think this is a good start.  Now that you have a plan, you can have a stress and worry free vacation!

If you’ve had dogs all your life, you may know some of these hot weather tips, but if you’re a new dog owner, I hope they help you to keep your pets safe this summer.

Here’s a video of my dog boarders having fun in the pool!

Pool Play

Here at Waggy’s Pet Sitting, the first of our dog boarders have christened the pool and are enjoying playing in the water. Before I started boarding dogs, we had taken the fence down and were enjoying how our yard looked without the obstruction of the black mesh fence.

It didn’t take long for us to put it back up after we started taking in dog boarders. It was so stressful thinking that one would fall in, panic and not remember where the stairs are and drown. I’ve even had very agile dogs fall due to running around the yard and getting too close to the edge.

So, being worry free had to win out over the beauty of the yard. Remember to always supervise pets while they’re in the pool.

Never leave your dog in the car!

Whenever I can, I bring my dog boarders with me when I do errands. That all stops once the weather starts to get warm. The temperature in the car can rise to over 100 degrees in a matter of minutes and can be fatal.

Get out the sunscreen and insect repellent.

The sun does not discriminate between humans or animals. They can burn and get skin cancer just like we do. Make sure to get their noses including inside their nostrils, exposed lips, tips of the ears if they have ears that stand up. Your light colored dogs are even more susceptible to burns. Be careful not to get the sunscreen in their eyes. I’ve done that to myself and it burns and stings. If your in a high insect area, purchase insect repellent made for animals.

Make sure they have plenty of water.

Leave an extra bowl or water chiller outside with fresh cool water for all your pets. If your outside water bowl is left out too long, bacteria can form and possibly make your dog sick, not to mention all the bugs that float in, but don’t get out. When walking your dog, have a water device so you can give your dog frequent water breaks.

You may have to change your exercise and walking routine.

Where I live in Northern California, it get over 100 degrees on many of our Summer days. Therefore, I have to adjust the walking schedule of my dogs. If we haven’t walked by at most 8am, it will be too hot and we’ll have to wait until the sun goes down. Always bring water with you on the walk or jog and give to your dog if you see that he’s panting excessively. Always check for signs of heat stroke.

I lived in Arizona for a couple of years and not only did you have to walk them at the crack of dawn or night, but their paws can burn on the concrete or street. If your dog will wear them, dog booties will keep their paws from burning.

Play indoors more.

I often throw a ball down my hallway for the dogs. You can even run them up and down the stairs, or play with their favorite dog toy with them. I’m used to dogs playing in my house and I realize this may not be the case for everyone.

Water play

Keep them cool even if they don’t have a pool to swim in. One of my sitters gets a couple of plastic play pools and the dogs have a great time. Sometimes I cool them down with the hose, but not for too long. I don’t want to waste precious water.

Keep uneaten food up.

We get a ton of flies in the Summer. Uneaten food especially wet food, can get inundated with flies and/or ants. If your dog or cat likes to nibble, take the food off the floor and put it in the refrigerator. You can offer it to him in a little while. However, if they don’t eat their breakfast, it’s best to throw it away and start with a fresh bowl for dinner due to bacteria getting into the food.

Go to a Pet First Aid Class.

Pet first aid classes are a must for any pet owner and/or pet sitter. They teach you the basics of pet first aid including knowing the signs of Heat Stroke and Heat Exhaustion. The American Red Cross has classes and leaves you with a full color Pet First Aid reference book. You can read my prior post on Heat Stroke here.

Keep your pets coat trimmed down.

More frequent trips to the pet groomer may be in order especially for long, thick coats. Be sure to check with your groomer if this is right for your pet. Grooming certain kinds of dogs may not be the best option as their coat may help keep them cool in hot weather. Shave down to about an inch long for extra protection from the sun.

Watch human outdoor play.

Hot weather brings out the gardener and BBQ king in all of us. Be aware of the lawn fertilizers, pesticides and sprays that your using. Use pet friendly options whenever possible. My dog used to stand by my husband waiting for scraps or juice to drop from the BBQ! When having friends over for Summer fun, please ask that they don’t give your pets table scraps as some may be toxic or just plain bad for them.

Watch out for snakes.

I recently wrote a post on Venomous Snakes and how to prevent you and your pets from getting bitten.

Visit your Veterinarian

Visit your vet and stock up on flea, tick and heart worm meds. Make sure your pet is tested for heart worms in you aren’t on a year round routine.

Do you have hot weather tips that I didn’t mention? I’d love to hear them.