Archive: June 21, 2022

Dog knee injuries

thanks to Jana over at Dawg company for sharing her experience with canine knee injuries. inspect out her blog for much more on canine ACL injuries as well as canine health and wellness information.

Many people have been asking about MuttKnee Brace reviews. Please see the comments for information on the MuttKnee Brace.

If you have a big breed dog, you will hear about hip dysplasia, however the chances that somebody will speak with you about ACL injuries are rather low. The very first time we heard the words was after our canine blew her knee.

There are at least three reasons why you ought to discover about ACL injuries in dogs.

1. There are things you can do to reduce the risk.

2. understanding the indications of an ACL injury will avoid delays in diagnosis as well as treatment. That is essential since a knee with a broken ACL becomes unsteady as well as major arthritis sets in extremely quickly.

3. You may be provided with a single treatment option. While it may be the very best one, it is essential to be conscious of all choices before making any type of decisions concerning your dog’s health.

A broken ACL is the most typical knee injury in dogs

So what is an ACL injury?

ACL is short for anterior cruciate ligament. It is likewise referred to as CCL (cranial cruciate ligament).

If you take a look at the anatomy of the stifle (dog’s knee), you will see that there is no sphere as well as socket like in a hip joint. One bone is practically sitting on top of the other, held in location by connective tissue.

The two crossing cruciate ligaments are holding the bones in location as well as play a important function in offering stability of the joint. since of the anatomy of the knee, the ligaments have to endure a great deal of tension as well as that’s what makes them many susceptible to injury.

Once the ligament gets broken or stretched, the stability of the knee is lost. This results in lameness, pain as well as onset of arthritis.

When your canine provides with a unexpected onset of hind leg lameness that is not improving, you ought to suspect an ACL injury as well as have your canine inspected by a veterinarian as soon as possible. The degree of lameness will depend upon the degree of ligament damage. Your canine may begin favoring the leg, putting weight only partially (tip-toeing) or not putting weight on the impacted leg at all.

Treatment for ACL injuries in dogs

A knee with a damaged essential ligament will not get much better on its own. Your choices will depend upon the degree of the injury (partial tear, stretched ligament or completely broken ligament), age of your canine as well as anatomic elements of your dog’s knee.

There are nonsurgical treatments, such as braces (more on the MuttKnee Brace below), regenerative stem cell therapy or prolotherapy. If you have an older canine that wouldn’t do well with surgery, braces or prolotherapy may be your finest option.

However, if you have a young, healthy dog, a surgical service provides your canine the very best possibility of returning to his active life. the most prominent knee surgeries today are TPLO (tibial plateau leveling osteotomy) as well as TTA (tibial tuberosity advancement). Both these surgeries stabilize the knee by altering the bone anatomy.

An older as well as less invasive type of ACL surgical treatment is extracapsular repair. There are a number of elements that will identify whether an extracapsular repair work is an choice for your dog.

While many professionals deem this surgical treatment unsuitable for big breed dogs, there is evidence to the contrary. However, complying with strict post-op program is essential for the success of this type of repair.

How do I avoid my canine from having an ACL injury?

The many essential preventative determine to avoid ligament injuries in dogs is weight control.

People still don’t seem to recognize this, however obesity in dogs is a major health and wellness risk. Not only does obesity boosts danger of injuries as well as degenerative joint disease, it is a contributing element to a number of other conditions, including heart problems, diabetes as well as even cancer.

Exercise will not only assist keep the weight down, however it will likewise develop strong muscles. strong muscles assist stabilize the joint as well as avoid injuries.

Leash walks on even, flat surfaces are a great method to assist the canine develop muscle. Swimming is one more fantastic exercise. Be cautious when your canine is taking part in activities that include quick starts, stops, jumps as well as turns such as agility or Frisbee. With any type of sport, there is a danger of injury as well as dogs ought to slowly work into activities as well as get appropriate training as well as conditioning.Underlying conditions such as hypothyroidism as well as structural abnormalities affecting the knee such as a luxating patella likewise boost the danger of ACL injuries.

Has your canine ever injured his or her knee or other joint?

See the comments section for much more information on brace choices such as the MuttKnee Brace.

Green Bark Gummies evaluation – healthy pet dog treats for training

‘The soft as well as chewy treat that dogs like to eat’

Note: This is a sponsored post. checked out a lot more to discover exactly how you can win a bag of healthy treats for your dog.

A business called eco-friendly Bark Gummies just recently sent me a few of its healthy pet dog treats for my pet dog Ace to try. as well as let’s be honest, my feline Beamer tried them as well (Pretty much swallowed one whole).

The thing that’s so special about these treats, according to eco-friendly Bark Gummies, is they include a healthy “super food” component called chia.

What the heck is chia?

Yeah, I didn’t understand either.

Chia seeds consists of omega-3 fatty acids, according to eco-friendly Bark. as well as they have other benefits, too. For example, they:

support joint function as well as mobility

are high in fiber as well as supports healthy digestion

are an exceptional source of minerals

More details about eco-friendly Bark Gummies

I’ve been utilizing the eco-friendly Bark Gummies while training as well as walking my pet dog lately. I likewise put them in his Kong toy.

I don’t mind providing Ace great deals of treats as long as they’re healthy, as well as lucky for him he’s never had an problem with getting weight (Yeah, I’m jealous too).

These treats are soft as well as chewy (not really gummy) as well as they are shaped like bit bears. They are so cute! as well as my pet dog goes nuts over them. I normally end up breaking them in half when we’re working on training. They’re fantastic for assisting Ace focus on me when we pass other dogs.

The Green Bark Gummies are made in the united states as well as the web site states they consist of no:

corn, soy, wheat or added sugar

GMOs

artificial flavors or colors

The treats are available in four varieties: Skin & coat, hip & joint, healthy digestion as well as health and wellness & vitality.

“Chia delivers all the great oils that salmon delivers without heavy metals, ocean-borne contaminants or mercury,” according to GreenBarkGummies.com.

According to eco-friendly Bark Gummies:

1. The treats are made with white fish or wild-caught Alaska pollock.

2. The treats were established by vets as well as nutritionists.

3. The gummies are powered by one of nature’s “super foods” – chia.

4. The treats include a blend of antioxidant-rich eco-friendlies such as alfalfa, kelp, eco-friendly tea as well as chlorophyll.

5. two sizes are offered so dogs of all breeds can enjoy!

NutriCHIA

Green Bark Gummies utilizes its own component called NutriCHIA. This is sprouted chia ingrained with three omega-3 fatty acids, ALA, EPA as well as DHA, according to the web site.

Green Bark Gummies states the omega-3s are in a bioavailable form, indicating they are quickly absorbed by the body.

Would your pet dog like to win some treats?

Green Bark Gummies is providing away a bag of treats to two lucky visitors of That Mutt. need to have a U.S. mailing address to win.

For your possibility to win, just go into utilizing the Raffelcopter below. It’s simple to utilize as well as will just ask you to log in with Facebook or by supplying an email address. The contest ends at midnight PST Nov.18. two winners have been chosen.

Ordering information

Green Bark Gummies are offered on Amazon here (aff link).

Or, for a lot more info on the business or to discover a store that brings the treats, go to GreenBarkGummies.com.

What have you been training your pet dog to do lately while utilizing treats?

Helping homeless dogs get adopted

many people have good intentions when it concerns caring for dogs, cats and other creatures.

As expected, there were different opinions on whether or not canine shelters make it too challenging to adopt. I listened to these opinions.

Most of us love dogs, so we help them in the ways we know how.

For some of us, loving dogs implies caring for them, healing them, teaching them what we can and then letting them go to new families.

For others, loving dogs implies desperately pulling them from “kill” shelters and getting them into rescue groups, foster homes – and yes, just about any homes.

Both scenarios and so numerous others are examples of our love for dogs.

For one person, loving a canine might imply sitting quietly with her, stroking her ears and telling her she is a good girl before she is euthanized in a pound. Or it might imply moving a canine to another pen before spraying out her cage when the shelter’s protocol is not to relocation the dogs during cleaning time.

It might imply providing a canine one last treat or allowing her the eye contact she seeks as she is led to the “kill room.”

We do these things for dogs because we love them, and we are all working together because we all want to help.

For me, loving a canine implies doing the best I can.

I play ball when I can. I take my canine for walks when I can. We lie on the floor and spoon. We swim together and race around the couch. I invite him on my bed for snuggles. I sing to him. I press my lips to that low spot between his eyes and tell him I love him.

I foster dogs when I can, but I know when to set limits. I know I can’t foster all the time.

I accept that my foster dogs will go into homes that will not treat a canine exactly the way I would treat a dog. I accept that my foster dogs might go into homes that are not as “good” as mine, but the people there will still love the dogs just the same. They will do the best they can.

I see a purpose for pounds, shelters, rescues, no-kill animal sanctuaries, foster homes and adopters.

I also see a purpose for breeders, the people who purchase dogs and the work these dogs do. in some cases the most essential work for a canine is to love us no matter what.

I support the idea of a no-kill nation, yet I realize everyone has her own interpretation of “no kill.”

To me, the “no-kill nation” concept is a goal to get as numerous adoptable dogs into homes as soon as possible in purchase to avoid killing these dogs. To me, an adoptable canine is not suffering beyond sensible help, and he is not aggressive to humans beyond what the average trainer can manage.

Dogs ought to not be kept alive if they are suffering. They ought to not be warehoused in shelters or foster homes. They ought to not be allowed the opportunity to bite or kill a human.

It is possible to reach this point where all adoptable dogs are given a second chance. If this wasn’t realistic, then there would not be this much passion from such a large range of people.

I hate to see the shelter/rescue world divide itself.

I don’t like the hostility I in some cases see from rescue volunteers or shelter workers towards each other or towards anybody who obtained or parted with a canine in any particular way.

Most people really are doing the best they can.

I don’t like to see “facts” that are not supported or statements with no attributions.

I hate to see closed mindedness or people hiding behind “policies.” many policies could stand to be rewritten, and many of us could benefit from a broader perspective. I know I could.

We are all doing our part, working towards the same goal – helping as numerous dogs as possible.

Anyone who loves dogs and wants to help dogs has the potential to bring value to a pound, shelter or rescue.

What are you doing to help homeless dogs or dogs in general?

Why Didn’t You Rescue A Dog?

Why didn’t you rescue?

I didn’t “rescue” because I wanted to get the ideal pet dog for my family. After months of research we found the ideal pet dog for us through a local breeder.

This has nothing to make with choosing to “buy” vs. “rescue.”

It is about finding the ideal pet dog for us and meeting our side of the deal by supplying that pet dog with the best home we can.

Adopting a pet dog is a terrific way to go. That’s why I have three “hand me down” pets already.

There are likely dozens of “rescue” dogs out there that could have been a good fit for us at this time. Our puppy will also be a good fit, and in our case it’s the ideal choice.

It’s simply about finding the ideal dog. That is it.

Yet, of course, it’s complicated.

We spent years researching all options, meeting different rescued lab and shepherd mixes, going over getting a malinois from an old friend & client, emailing breeders.

Nothing felt right. I could not commit to any of these other dogs. I’m not sure why.

I kept coming back to these weims.

Some decisions just feel right, and this is one of them.

“I was hoping you would rescue,” one woman wrote on my blog.

She indicated it from the heart, out of her great love for dogs. She indicated no harm.

I’ll be honest, these kinds of comments bother me.

That someone would turn such an important, personal decision into a black-and-white moral issue. That her decision must also be my decision.

It’s ideal up there with:

“When are you having kids?” (Who said I was?)

And, “Why didn’t you take your husband’s name?” (Why didn’t he take mine?)

But I can either whine about the rescue question or I can show people about choosing and raising a pet dog responsibly.

Here’s a post on why I personally appreciate our breeder: CLICK HERE.

I love my three hand-me-down pets. I don’t call them rescues, but they are all adopted. I’m so thankful and lucky their three lives crossed with mine at the right times. Beamer, Scout and Ace are so best for me in their own ways. They are loved.

Our little puppy will be “perfect” and loved very much as well.

This is why I don’t ask a pet dog lover why she didn’t rescue.

I say, “Hi, what a nice dog.”

Related posts:

Reasons to get a pet dog vs. rescue a dog

Why my family pets are not rescued animals

Why I don’t use the phrase adopt Don’t Shop

Assisi loop – Treating Dogs with Wobblers illness + Giveaway

Today I want to let you guys understand about a product that can potentially assist to handle your dog or cat’s pain or inflammation.

The Assisi loop is a non-pharmaceutical, anti-inflammatory gadget utilized to handle pain as well as inflammation in animals. It works by utilizing low-level pulses of energy.

The loop is efficient for treating several problems in pets including:

pain management
neurological problems like Wobblers illness (more on that below)
osteoarthritis as well as orthopedic issues
wound care & healing after surgery
other inflammatory issues like pancreatitis or bronchitis

In this post, I am focusing on exactly how the loop can assist to treat dogs with neurological inflammatory problems such as Wobblers illness as well as IVDD. However, the loop can assist with a wide range of problems associated to pain or inflammation such as osteoarthritis.

This publish is sponsored by Assisi animal Health, the designer of the Assisi Loop.

Assisi loop as well as treating dogs with neurological inflammatory conditions

The Assisi loop is a non-pharmaceutical, anti-inflammatory gadget (NPAID) utilized for managing pain as well as inflammation in dogs, cats, horses as well as other animals.

It works by utilizing low-level pulses of energy to reduce the animal’s pain as well as swelling. These pulses of energy are called targeted PEMF (pulsed electromagnetic field).

To utilize the Loop, you carefully rest it on or around the impacted area for about 15 minutes at a time. The typical protocol is three 15-min sessions per day.

The loop is utilized as well as prescribed by veterinarians, as well as my dog Ace’s vet composed us a prescription for the loop for treating Ace’s tendinitis as well as arthritis. You can checked out more about Ace’s experience with the loop here.

Here’s a short video I made so you can see what the loop looks like:

The Assisi loop as well as treating dogs with Wobblers disease

Wobblers illness is a condition triggered by spinal cord compression in a dog’s neck. The compression might be triggered by bulging, herniated discs or an inherited bone vertebrae malformation.

There is no remedy for Wobblers, as well as Assisi animal health and wellness listings a few of the symptoms:

stumbling or “wobbling”
neck pain & back pain
and sometimes even paralysis

For some dogs with Wobblers, surgical treatment is an efficient treatment option. For others, a less invasive as well as more cost-effective treatment choice is utilizing the Loop.

To treat a dog with Wobblers utilizing the Loop, you would location it over the dog’s head like a collar for 15 minutes per session (typically 3 sessions per day).

The Loop’s micro-currents stimulate the body’s own healing process by increasing nitric oxide. Here is a link with more details on treating Wobblers.

Wobbers illness – Ranie the excellent dane

Assisi featured a young excellent dane named Ranie on its blog since she was effectively treated for Wobblers utilizing the Loop.

One of Ranie’s vets, Dr. Tim Crowe is featured in the blog post. He stated Ranie was able to walk prior to utilizing the Loop, however it was a struggle for the young dog.

After utilizing the loop with Ranie, Crowe stated she was able to increase on her own as well as her gait improved after just 20 minutes.

Her pain seemed to obviously decrease since of the Loop, as well as after two weeks she was running around with the other dog, he said.

“You can’t tell her from her other playmate excellent dane.”

The Assisi loop as well as treating dogs with IVDD

Another typical neurological inflammatory condition in dogs is Intervertebral disk illness (IVDD).

This is a condition where the cushioning discs between the vertebrae as well as spinal column bulge or burst into the spinal cord space. The discs press on the nerves, triggering pain, nerve damage or paralysis. unfortunately this is relatively typical in dachshunds.

Treatment choices for IVDD variety from rest as well as conventional medical administration to surgical intervention, Assisi stated on its blog. The loop is a non-invasive treatment choice dog owners can utilize at home.

IVDD – lucky the dachshund

Assisi shared an article on its blog about a dachshund named lucky who unfortunately established IVDD.

Lucky’s owner, Macy, stated the loop considerably decreased Lucky’s inflammation levels so he would no longer cry when chosen up.

“With only 3 treatments per day, I have seen continued enhancement in this bit dachshund,” Macy wrote. “A few months after starting treatment with the Assisi loop, lucky is up as well as running again, catching the sphere after having been paralyzed for two weeks.”

The goal when treating a dog with IVDD is to reduce the pressure on the spinal cord. Assisi animal health and wellness states the loop can assist by alleviating the inflammation.

Assisi animal health and wellness completes its very first clinical trial

Although FDA clearance is not needed for medical gadgets in the veterinary world, Assisi animal health and wellness just recently sponsored its own two-year clinical research study trial that looked at the impact of electromagnetic fields on post-operative pain as well as motion in dogs with IVDD.

The dogs treated with the loop showed a considerable decrease in pain levels as well as a higher degree of recovery.

Could the loop assist your dog? exactly how to order a Loop

The loop is offered with a prescription on the internet with Assisi animal health and wellness or directly from a veterinarian. expense is $279 as well as it normally lasts around 150 15-minute sessions.

Click right here to discover more about ordering a Loop. You can likewise go into your zip code right here to discover a supplier near you.

(The loop works for cats as well as other animals too.)

Do you have any type of concerns about the Loop?

Make sure to leave them in the comments. If I don’t understand the answer, somebody from Assisi will chime in as well as assist you out. 

I hope most of you do not have a requirement for this product however if your dog is in pain the loop is an choice to consider.

Please share this publish with any type of pet owners who may benefit from the Loop.

Related articles:

My evaluation of the Assisi Loop

Petcurean SPIKE pet dog Treats, Remembering to Reward Our Dogs

Note: That Mutt and Petcurean have partnered to bring you this post and giveaway.

We’re giving away two $50 gift vouchers from Petcurean. Leave a comment below to enter. Click here.

Do you take your dog’s good behavior for granted?

Maybe you have a good kid like Ace who never barks, never has accidents and never chews anything.

It’s so easy to go through the day without acknowledging this!

But kid do I notice if my pet dog happens to “act up” like if he starts whining while I’m writing or if he pulls on the leash to greet another dog.

He absolutely gets my attention then, and it’s typically followed by “Ace, no!”

No wonder some dogs are “naughty” just to get our attention!

Ace will typically wag his tail when I scold him, like, “Ha! Gotcha to look!”

But I’d rather be a pet dog owner who encourages good behavior through random rewards.

Here are three basic ways to reward your pet dog for good behavior

1. use treats your pet dog loves!

Treats are not created equally!

Today I’m featuring Petcurean’s SPIKE jerky treats for dogs.

Ever used your pet dog a dry, bland treat only to have him neglect you? That’s not going to happen with these!

The SPIKE jerky treats are soft and smelly (in a good way!), best for unusual your dog. A good example of when I reward my pet dog is when he’s walking so perfectly on the leash.

These jerky treats can easily be split into tiny pieces so you can use a single strip to reward your pet dog often.

2. Reward your pet dog for good behavior you take for granted.

This is so basic, but we could all use the reminder.

Why not give your pet dog a little treat when you catch her doing the things you like? Such as:

napping on her pet dog bed

not barking when a neighbor pet dog walks by the window or

not jumping on you when you return home?

We pet dog owners typically take these good behaviors for granted.

And did I mention we’re getting a puppy next month?

I’m in for a disrespectful awakening!

Everything will be new to our puppy. He won’t know what’s expected of him – in any way – and will need lots of little reinforcements throughout the day in buy to learn.

I think it’s natural for people to reward and reinforce puppies.

However, our older dogs should have some rewards for getting it right, too.

3. mix things up!

When your pet dog is well trained and fits smoothly into your life, you don’t need to reward him every single time he goes potty outside or every single time he sits before you put on his leash.

BUT … it’s good to randomly reinforce these things with different types of rewards to keep things interesting for your dog.

Switch up the rewards you use (treats, praise, play) and try to reward your pet dog randomly for all his good behaviors here and there.

He doesn’t need a jerky treat every single time you pass another pet dog on a walk, but how about satisfying him for “watch me!” or “heel” the next time you pass a pet dog that’s extra distracting?

Some other examples of when you might reward your dog

When he sits before heading out the door

When he chooses to go lie on his pet dog bed while you’re eating

When he right away comes running when you call him in from the yard

These are all things a lot of mature, well-behaved dogs do all the time, and we just expect it of them.

Instead, let’s remember to reward our dogs every now and then for these good behaviors we take for granted.

“What a good boy!”

More info on Petcurean’s new SPIKE pet dog treats

The SPIKE jerky treats come in four flavors:

Venison (grass fed)

Cage-Free Turkey

Catfish

Cage-Free Duck

They are all grain complimentary and made with all natural superfoods such as chia, pomegranate and kale.

It’s easiest if I just share with you an example. here is the full list of ingredients from its catfish jerky treats:

Catfish, pumpkin, molasses, whole chia seeds, pomegranate, kale, mixed tocopherols (a source of Vitamin E).

Petcurean Snack Bar for dogs
Petcurean also makes a snack bar for dogs, best for those backpacking or hiking trips with your dog.

The SPIKE Snack Bars are made with chicken meal and sweet potato. They’re individually wrapped and are made without by-products or man-made preservatives.

More about Petcurean

Petcurean is a Canadian company that supplies premium dry food and treats for dogs and cats. You may recognize its lines of pet foods, including Go! and now Fresh.

Ordering information

Petcurean’s products are sold at various retailers. Your best bet is tosearch your zip code here for a location near you.

Giveaway – Win a $50 voucher for Petcurean

Petcurean is giving away a $50 gift voucher to two readers of That Mutt. need to have a U.S. mailing address to win. Or, you can enter for a pal in the U.S.

To enter, just leave a comment below. let me know why you’re interested in Petcurean’s products.

I’ll choose two winners at random on Sunday March 20.

The $50 vouchers are good at U.S. merchants for two 6-pound bags of food from either Petcurean’s Go! line or its now Fresh line.

P.S. The Spike treats are not made for kitties, but …

Is your pet dog or cat interested in Petcurean’s products?

Let me know in the comments!

Is it Cruel to Dock a Puppy’s Tail?

Is it cruel to dock a puppy’s tail?

No, it’s not cruel, but it is unnecessary for most dogs.

Docking a puppy’s tail indicates to remove a portion of the tail, normally when the pup is only a few days old.

Breeds such as cocker spaniels and Rottweilers generally have their tails docked in the United States. (Tail docking is illegal in some countries.)

I bring this topic up because we have a Weimaraner puppy. His tail was docked when he was just a few days old.

His tail meets the American Kennel Club’s breed conventional for the Weimaraner:

“Tail: Docked. At maturity it must measure around 6 inches with a tendency to be light rather than heavy and must be carried in a manner expressing confidence and sound temperament. A non-docked tail shall be penalized.”

I knew our breeder would be docking our puppy’s tail (she does it herself). If that were a problem for me, I would’ve gotten a puppy someplace else.

Why are some dogs’ tails docked in the United States?

You’re going to get a different answer depending on who you ask and what breed you’re referring to.

I’m no breed expert, but here are some straightforward reasons for docking a dog’s tail:

To meet the AKC’s breed conventional (see the Weim example above)
To help a working pet dog do her job or to stop injury on the job. For example, a Weimaraner’s thin, whiplike tail could be split open while working in heavy brush.
Americans like the look of a docked tail on some breeds because that’s what we’re used to seeing (cocker spaniels, Rottweilers, etc.)

If you’re an expert on a certain breed, I’d appreciate it if you could share why your breed generally has a docked tail.

Every breed is different. Here are a few examples:

Tail docking for vizslas as working dogs

The vizsla is a reddish-colored hunting pet dog bred for pointing and retrieving. The breed has a lot of similarities to a Weimaraner.

According to breeder Florence Duggan, the vizsla’s tail is generally docked in the united states for safety reasons.

“A long tail could easily get broken while running through thick underbrush and in a heavily wooded area,” she said. “The same reasoning is used for the removal of dew claws.”

Now, injuring the tail in the field might sound silly if you never take your pet dog hunting. Until you’ve seen a severe tail injury like I have, I think it’s hard to understand this can be a real worry for some breeds. a lot more on that below.

Tail docking for Parson Russell terriers

Annette Gilliam is a breeder of Parson Russell terriers, another breed with a generally docked tail in the united states due to its history as a working dog. Her dogs are not pictured, but you can view her web site here.

She said historically the Parson Russell terrier was developed to go on fox hunts in England.

The “terrier-man” would carry the terrier in a bag while riding horseback running with the fox hound, she said. When the fox would go into a hole in the ground to hide, the terrier-man would take the terrier out and it would run into the hole after the fox to make it come out.

She said if the fox and the terrier did not come out of the hole, the terrier-man would dig and pull the terrier out by the tail. This is why they wanted the tail to be as long as a man’s hand.

Today, it’s illegal to use dogs for fox hunting in England, and Gilliam said she doesn’t know any individual who goes fox hunting in the U.S.

“It is not physically needed to dock tails now anywhere,” she said. “Some people like the look so they still do it.”

How is tail docking usually done?

Gilliam said she docks the Parson Russell terrier pups herself when they are between 3 and 5 days old, although she often leaves tails undocked depending on who is getting the puppies.

“You clamp a hemostat where you want to dock, wait 1 to 2 minutes for circulation to cease, then cut with sharp scissors below the hemostat,” she said. “They never bleed.”

Is this uncomfortable for the puppies? I asked.

“Some puppies yelp when the hemostat is first applied, but then they stop,” she said. “Some don’t notice. They don’t feel the cut because the nerves are numbed by the hemostat.”

This isn’t the only way it’s done.Our puppy’s breeder sends me pictures of the pups every day, and by day 3 the little person had a band securely bound around the idea of his tail.

I have to say this was a bit traumatizing for me at first. but a few days later, the idea appeared to have already fallen off (or maybe it was cut off), seemingly no big deal.

She sends me videos of the puppies snuggling with mommy nearly daily, and they always appear peaceful, fat and happy.

Tail docking through a veterinarianDuggan said some vizsla breeders also dock the tails themselves but a lot of use the services of a vet and have tails docked and dew claws removed at the same time.

I asked her if vets usually use anesthesia for the tail docking procedure.

“Some vets do use a local anesthetic,” she said. “But lots of feel that if it is done at 3 days of age the pain is minimal and there is no need for anesthesia. The risks of being anesthetized outweigh the minimal pain.”

Gilliam also knows of breeders who like to go through a veterinarian and some who like to do it themselves.

“I think that people who don’t breed much are a lot more likely to go to a vet or have an experienced breeder pal do it for them,” she said.

In her case, she said she had a pal and mentor who would come and do the tail docking until she learned the technique herself.

The time I witnessed a tail injury

One of the reasons frequently cited for tail docking is to stop injury in the field for hunting dogs. I think this is a legit concern, depending on the kind of work you plan to make with your dog.

I’ve never witnessed a pet dog being injured in the field (I don’t hunt), but years ago I worked at a boarding kennel and one of the dogs there – a yellow lab with a whip of a tail – would hit her tail on the chain link sides of her pen until it bled.

We tried to secure her by hanging blankets, but one afternoon I walked by her pen and observed blood anywhere and as I got closer I saw she had split the tail so that the top 3 inches was dangling, split ideal through the bone.

Imagine if you were to chop down a tree, striking it through the middle and for a split second it hangs before dividing in two.

The top 3 inches of her tail was dangling, bone exposed.

I took her to the vet of course, trying to hold her tail at the base in the lobby to keep her still.

The vet took one look at the pup and right away said the tail would have to be amputated; that was the first time I heard the term “happy tail.”

I’ve heard it lots of times since.

My own pet dog Ace hits his tail on the walls by the front door and about every two years or so blood splatters everywhere. It’s never a big deal and never requires veterinary attention, but he does tend to injure his tail.

Maybe it’s a lab thing. Funny, Labs are not a breed with traditionally docked tails.

My opinion on tail docking

I’m not trying to justify tail docking one way or the other. I think it’s a matter of individual opinion and checking out your lifestyle with your own special dog.

Most of the time, tail docking is purely cosmetic (and silly). but like I said, our puppy’s tail is already docked, and I really could care less. If it were up to me, he’d have a long tail but I respect our breeder’s wishes.

To each her own.

Update: I do want to mention one final point. one of my regular readers Sean pointed out in the comments below that dogs use their tails to communicate!

Their tails are so crucial for expressing probably even a lot more than we realize, especially when they’re greeting one another. I agree with him this is an crucial aspect to consider and a strong reason lots of pet dog lovers oppose tail docking.

OK, now I’d love to hear your thoughts …

What do you think? Is it cruel to dock a puppy’s tail? Or is it still important?

Let me know!

Related posts:

Do rescues spay/neuter puppies too young?

Should I have my cat declawed?

Is spaying and neutering the ideal choice for my dog?

What you need to know about ear cropping – (from PuppyLeaks.com)

Tour with San Diego Humane society

San Diego Humane society north campus

I went to a volunteer positioning with the San Diego Humane Society. I explored the north campus, which only homes dogs, as well as I was impressed by the tidiness as well as the elaborate systems the shelter has in location for evaluating, socializing as well as training.

There were 15 people in my group, almost all women, of different ages. Some had 40 years of experience rescuing as well as fostering dogs. One woman, she looked about 22, was hoping to begin her dog training career.

We walked along the kennels, viewing the dogs. It was later in the day, as well as most of the dogs did not bark. about half were at their gates, reaching with their tongues as well as paws, seeking any type of type of connection. “Are you taking me out?”

The other half seemed to understand the drill. They understood we weren’t going to open the gates, so they stayed in the backs of their cages on their beds or blankets. Some looked out. Some just slept. perhaps they had adapted to the flow, settling in after a long afternoon as my dog Ace does on his bed at home. Dogs like a routine.

I stood with my side to every dog as I passed so they might odor me without head-on confrontations. Some lunged as well as barked when I continued on. Some wagged. Some just looked.

I was drawn to a black as well as white “Lab mix.” There was no info about him yet, other than he was still on hold for his original household to insurance claim him. He seemed to be getting restless in his kennel, however not yet frustrated. He stuck his tongue with the bars as well as whined a little, barking only when the next-door dog edged him on. His huge black paws had white markings, as well as he seemed to be trying truly difficult to sit still, like a youngster in church. He was friendlier than a few of the others. I’ll be keeping my eye on him.

The go to was a positive experience for me, leaving me energized. Some volunteers whispered unfortunate comments like, “Oh, so many pitbulls. bad things.” Or, “Look, somebody cropped her ears. bad baby.”

I tried not to feel sorry for the dogs since for the most part, these dogs are safe. While some deal with serious behavioral difficulties as well as may be euthanized because of aggression, all of the dogs will be getting what seems to be a fair chance. The shelter provides the dogs all the time they requirement to get embraced as well as teaches incoming volunteers to walk, train as well as cuddle with them. It seems like the dogs get rather a bit of interaction, provided their circumstances.

If you’re not able to volunteer at your regional animal shelter, I extremely suggest you routine a tour anyway. That method you can see where your donations (or in some cases, your tax dollars) are going as well as whether or not the group is one you want to support. There are lots of poor shelters out there, however lots of great ones, too. For me, just seeing the animals in requirement is motivating. They tell me to keep on doing what I’m doing.

What is the shelter like in your area?

Why Does My pet dog Pee On the floor whenever I Come Home?

Some dogs as well as puppies pee when they’re anxious or excited.

This is normally not a potty training issue. It’s an problem associated to excitement, nervousness or submission. The pet dog or puppy is not truly able to control themselves.

This can occur with male or female dogs as well as in adult dogs or puppies. Some puppies grow out of it as they acquire confidence or ended up being calmer.

Some don’t.

This post will review some concepts you can utilize to handle or even stop your pet dog or puppy from peeing due to nervousness or excitement. This must assist minimize exactly how frequently it happens, anyway.

For those of you going with this ideal now, there is hope!

When my weimaraner was a puppy, he would pee whenever he greeted someone. He was so excited, he’d be hopping on his hind legs, peeing everywhere! So embarrassing!

But, when he hit 6 months old or so, this habits stopped.

How to tell the difference between submissive peeing vs. ecstatic peeing in dogs

There is a difference between a puppy peeing due to nervousness or submission as well as a puppy peeing from excitement. Although, often it’s both if you have an excited, anxious puppy.

And either way, you would manage the circumstance quite much the same. You want to minimize the excitement or anxiety that is triggering your puppy to urinate.

Submissive peeing in dogs as well as puppies

When a pet dog is peeing due to submission, nervousness or fear, it is a lot more of an appeasing habits – “I respect you” or “I indicate no harm” however excitement can likewise set off the peeing.

Submissive urination in dogs is a lot more likely to occur when you crouch down or try to touch your pet dog or make direct eye contact. For example, he may squat as well as pee as you try to pick him up or try to put on his leash or even as you try to let him out of his crate.

It’s much a lot more likely for a anxious pet dog to pee when a complete stranger or new person or any individual outside the house is greeting her. This is just somebody the pet dog is not utilized to or a lot more anxious about.

Submissive urination can occur with male or female dogs of all ages (puppies as well as adults). You may notice it when your pup greets other dogs on walks or when visitors come to your door as well as greet your dog.

Some puppies grow out of it. Some don’t. I had a golden retriever that did this all her life however my weimaraner swiftly grew out of this phase when he was around 6 months old.

Dogs peeing due to excitement!

When a pet dog is peeing due to excitement, it is just that – excitement as well as losing control! This seems to be much a lot more typical in puppies as well as young dogs than in adult dogs however it can occur with adults too.

The finest method to assist your pet dog with this issue is to stay CALM during greetings.

How to stop submissive urination or ecstatic urination in dogs

Well, you can’t necessarily stop a pet dog from “excited peeing” however you can do rather a bit to handle it. right here are some concepts to try:

In general …

1. Take your pet dog outside a lot more frequently for walks as well as potty breaks.

That method her bladder will be empty as well as she’ll be less likely to pee in the home when somebody walks with the door.

If you understand somebody will be checking out soon, you can take your pet dog out for a potty break ideal before your visitor arrives. Or, you can have your pet dog greet your buddy outside.

Another choice is to kennel/crate your pet dog to provide her a long time to kick back before greeting someone.

2. limit excitement towards your dog when you come home.

If your puppy has a tendency to pee whenever you come house from work, don’t acknowledge your puppy when you very first come home. Ask other household members to do the same.

Give her 20 minutes to calm down. Don’t look at her, touch her or even acknowledge her in any type of way. I understand this is difficult to do.

Wait up until she is calm before you provide her any type of attention. Or, if you have a fenced yard, go directly outside to greet her there.

For example, if your puppy is in a kennel/crate while you’re at work, you might open her crate door without making eye contact, speaking to her or petting her as well as just head ideal outside so she follows. then greet her outside.

3. utilize a crate for your puppy.

A crate or a infant entrance can be useful for keeping your pet dog confined to a specific area.

That way, when you return house she won’t be able to run up as well as greet you as well as begin peeing. You can provide her 10 or 20 minutes to calm down before you go to her.

I like the fold-up cable crates or a basic infant gate.

4. Don’t react to your dog’s ecstatic peeing.

As aggravating as it is, it’s finest not to punish or scold your pet dog for submissive or ecstatic peeing. She can’t assist it.

Scolding her will just make her even a lot more nervous. Coddling or reassuring her just adds unneeded interest as well as excitement.

It’s finest not to react at all. just calmly clean up the mess.

5. develop your dog’s confidence.

The simplest method to develop up a dog’s confidence is to work on some solid obedience skills at house as well as then slowly work on those skills in a lot more difficult areas. things like sit, stay, down, come, heel, enjoy me, leave it.

Agility or obedience classes can truly assist develop a dog’s confidence as well. slowly taking your pet dog out as well as about to a lot more locations can likewise help.

See my article: socialization ideas for dogs as well as puppies.

6. boost your dog’s physical exercise.

This will assist decrease excess energy – the calmer the better!

Nervous dogs frequently requirement a great deal a lot more exercise just to assist them decompress. I suggest long walks off leash in nature of that is possible. If that is not risk-free for your area, then utilize a long leash as well as a harness.

Let your pet dog sniff as well as just be a dog. I suggest you do this for a great 45 mins at least 3 times per week.

7. Don’t hover over your pet dog or pet the top of his head or back.

Pet your pet dog under his chin so you’re not reaching over him.

If you crouch down to pet him or put his leash on him, do so from the side vs. head on.

8. If your pet dog pees when you put the leash or collar on …

Try utilizing a slip lead you can swiftly toss around her neck with minimal get in touch with or potentially a harness with a top hook you can swiftly clip. I like the Mendota brand shown below.

9. If your pet dog pees as you technique her kennel/crate …

Try approaching from the side vs. head on. as well as try not to crouch down at her level. prevent direct eye contact. just swiftly open the crate’s door as well as then turn away from your pet dog as well as head outside or neglect her for a few minutes.

What to do if your pet dog pees while greeting visitors:

Train your pet dog to stay on her bed or in her crate when visitors show up at your door. She’ll normally be calmer as well as a lot more safe there. provide her a Kong or bully stick while in her kennel.
Train visitors to neglect your puppy when they arrive. Ask them not to touch her, look at her or acknowledge her up until she is calm, perhaps 45 minutes after they arrive. If needed, it’s most likely much easier to keep your pup in her crate when they very first show up as well as have her greet the guests outside when she’s calmed down.
Have visitors greet your pet dog in a space with difficult floors (easier cleanup) or outside.
Warn guests of your dog’s problem as well as ask them not to respond if she does pee. a lot of people tend to make a huge show of it “Oh my gosh!” or “Oh bad baby!” Not reacting in any way is best.

Other problems associated to a dog’s ecstatic peeing:

Just since a pet dog shows nervousness/fear or submission doesn’t indicate she was abused. It’s a lot more likely associated to her personality, a lack of socialization or a lack of confidence.

You can utilize a pet dog diaper if needed. A stomach band likewise works for male dogs. This is generally a male diaper that fits around the belly.

Unfortunately, some female dogs have urinary incontinence problems after being spayed. If you believe this is an problem with your dog, it’s finest to go over it with your vet as there are medications to assist with this.

Other possibilities to think about if your pet dog pees when excited:

The pet dog might have a bladder infection or urinary tract infection

Dogs with bladder infections tend to urinate in little amounts right here as well as there since I picture they feel like they have to pee all the time (if you’ve ever experienced a UTI you understand what I mean!).

Always great to policy this out with your pup’s vet if you’re not sure. Both male as well as female dogs cant have bladder infections.

Your pet dog might be marking

Marking is extremely different from ecstatic peeing or submissive peeing, however some pet dog owners can’t tell the difference.

With marking, there is normally leg lifting (males as well as females) as well as sniffing beforehand. It’s normally to pee over or mark a specific odor or to insurance claim territory. Your pet dog may be marking if you’ve had great deals of other dogs or cats in your home.

With ecstatic or anxious peeing, the pet dog is normally crouching down as well as has a a lot more submissive posture.

See: exactly how to stop my pet dog from marking.

Do any type of of you have dogs with problems associated to submissive peeing?

What are some ideas you would suggest for others? just add them in the comments, together with any type of questions.

Related articles:

How to potty train a puppy
How to potty train an adult dog
How to stop a pet dog from marking in the house
My pet dog pees in her kennel/crate

What is the Canine good citizen (CGC) test?

My foster dog Cosmo took the American Kennel Club’s Canine good citizen test this weekend.

The average dog owner does not seem to be aware of what exactly this test is or why a dog should take the Canine good citizen test.

I only know about the CGC test because of my involvement with local dog training clubs.

The Canine good citizen program tests whether or not a dog is under control in various real-life situations.

In all honesty, the test is kind of a joke because most of the dogs (like Cosmo) practice for the test at the same place they end up taking the test. That doesn’t exactly test whether or not a dog is under control in a “public” situation.

But you know what? most skills tests (for dogs or humans) are flawed in this way. There are definitely unfair advantages.

Still, I like the basic idea behind the CGC test. The goal is for the dog and owner to work together, practicing real-life scenarios.

The elements of the test are concepts every dog owner should be working towards, regardless of whether or not she cares about actually taking the test or obtaining a certificate from the AKC if the dog passes.

Since foster dog Cosmo and I have been working hard on the CGC components for the last couple of months, I thought I’d explain exactly what is tested during the CGC test so you can think about your own dog and where you are at with him.

The CGC test includes 10 elements. The dog usually takes the test with his owner. If the dog fails the test, he is welcome to try again another time.

What does a dog have to do to pass the Canine good citizen test?

1. The dog must accept a friendly stranger.

During this part of the test, the dog must remain relatively calm when meeting a new person. The dog may be sitting or standing at his owner’s side while an evaluator – the “friendly stranger” – approaches and says hello. The friendly stranger won’t pay any attention to the dog at this point, and the dog is expected to remain where he is without jumping at the stranger, barking, growling or wiggling around.

2. The dog must sit or stand politely while the friendly stranger pets him.

This is the part of the test where a lot of dogs get extra excited! The friendly stranger now asks if she can pet the dog! The dog must remain relatively calm while he is talked to and patted on the head and body.

3. The dog must sit or stand nicely for grooming.

At this part of the test, the evaluator will pet the dog some more, brush the dog, lift each of the dog’s front paws and touch each of his ears. The owner can talk to the dog and offer encouragement, but she can’t block the dog from biting or force him to hold still.

4. The dog must walk on a loose leash, not necessarily in a formal “heel” position.

This demonstrates that the dog will walk nicely without pulling on the leash. If the leash is tight, the dog does not pass. The owner can talk to the dog and tap her leg for encouragement. The walk will include a left turn, a right turn, two “halts” and a 180-degree “about turn” to the right.

5. The dog must remain under control while walking through a crowd.

Again, the leash must remain loose. The dog can show some casual interest in the people who make up the crowd, but he can’t jump on anyone, bark or growl.

6. The dog must sit, lie down and stay on command.

These are pretty self-explanatory. The owner can give more than one command, but she can’t force the dog into a sit or a down. The dog can’t follow her after she tells him to stay.

7. The dog must come when called.

Again, a pretty easy concept. The dog does not need to come and sit in a formal “front” position. He simply needs to approach his owner when she calls him.

8. The dog must not act aggressively or overly excited around a new dog.

The dog and handler will cross paths with a “stranger and a dog.” Both will stop and shake hands while their dogs sit calmly at their sides. The dog does not pass if he pulls on the leash, growls or barges towards the other dog.

9. The dog must remain under control when presented with a distraction.

A distraction could be a sudden noise such as a chair being dropped or it could be someone pushing a stroller. The dog can show normal interest or surprise, but he shouldn’t pull on the leash, bark or freak out in any way.

10. The dog must remain calm when separated from his owner for three minutes.

This part of the test shows that the dog is able to remain calm and under control with someone else even if his owner steps away for a few minutes. The dog can walk around or watch for his owner, but the leash should remain loose. The dog shouldn’t cry, bark or show distress.

More about the Canine good citizen test

If a dog passes nine of the 10 elements,he is allowed to retake the element he did not pass.

Dogs can wear slip or “choke” collars or martingale collars, but they can’t wear prong or pinch collars, Haltis, gentle Leaders or anti-pulling harnesses. and obviously no shock collars are allowed during the test. Dogs that are “good citizens” should be able to remain under control without these types of training tools.

Treats are not allowed during the test, either, but owners are encouraged to talk to their dogs and repeat commands as needed. It’s nothing like a formal obedience competition.

The cost of the test depends on where you take it. For us it was $10. It is another $8 to obtain an official certificate from the AKC if the dog passes.

Stay tuned to hear all about Cosmo’s Canine good citizen test!