Skunked! .... stinky!

So what happens when your dog gets skunked?
Skunk spray is an oil which is why it is so potent and hard to get the smell out.
Keep them outside! You do not want your dog tracking the smell through your house.

Check their eyes 1st. If their eyes are all red rinse them with cool water.
To get the smell out here is what you need:
Make sure you are wearing clothes you do not care about before bathing your dog.
Hydrogen Peroxide
Dawn Dish soap
Baking Soda
*Never store this mixture*
Here is the exact mixing directions by the humanesociety.org

• 1 quart of 3-percent hydrogen peroxide (available at your local pharmacy)
• 1/4 cup baking soda
• 1 teaspoon liquid dishwashing soap

When mine got skunked i knew about the 3 magic ingredients but didn't know the portions and we did fine just mixing a bunch of the 3 together. Don't worry about getting the measurements correct.

Mix these 3 together and bathe your dog in this without any water 1st.
Then rinse down with water.
I do a 2nd Bath right after this same way.
Then later that day or the next day I use Natures Miracle's Skunk off.
It can be found at almost any pet store and is good to have on hand just in case.

After they have had their bath I crate them for the day or night so that any excess skunk oil wont get on my bed, their dog bed or my carpet. I give them a follow up bath just because.. in the morning or later in the day.

Even though your dog now smells better the day after be aware that anytime your dog gets wet for up to 6months you will still smell the faint smell of skunk.

GOOD LUCK!

Bathroom for dogs - At aiport

Found this today and had to share after yesterdays post about Traveling with your dog

San Diego International Airport has a bathroom for dogs.

Found at : https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=547254332005862&set=a.218628804868418.56722.218621588202473&type=1&theater

Traveling with your dog

Health
Bring
doggy 1st aid kit
copy of shot records
Bring enough of your dogs food plus extra just incase
Don't panic if your dog won't poop for the 1st few days on a trip. It is normal for them to be mildly stressed by change in environment and routine.
Try to maintain as much of your pets routine as you can. Attention, Food, Play, Exercise.

Crate
Keeps your dog confined in a hotel room if you want to go out for dinner
Keeps them contained and calm in the car
What kind of crate depends on your dog. For more information on sizing and type of crate

ID
What if your dog somehow gets away from you?
Make sure that your dogs collar/leash/harness fits well and that there is no chance of them slipping out of the collar.
Also make sure you have a sturdy leash that isn't 1/2 chewed through.
Make sure your dog wears a collar with tags and make sure the tags have your CELL on it. Your dog wearing tags wont do you any good if you arent home.
Microchip is always recommended as well.
Carry a recent photo of your dog with you. If your dog gets away and you need helping finding him having a photo will be helpful.

Car
Crate your dog in the car it keeps them safe and you sane.

Exercise/Play with your dog before putting them in the car for a cartrip.
Do not allow the dog of any size to ride on your lap up front. They are at the most risk for injury from the airbag from riding up front.
If your dog is not comfortable see our article on Trouble in the car

Lodging (Hotel/Motel)
Try to find out in advance which places allow dogs. Lots of them may not allow dogs at all, have size or breed restrictions.
If your dog can stay with you PLEASE respect other guests, staff and property.
When you check in ask the management where you should walk your dog to potty them. Make sure to pick up after your dog.
Keep your dog as quiet as possible.
Don't leave your dog alone if at all possible, many dogs with bark or destroy things in a strange place.
Remember: One bad experience with a dog guest may prompt the hotel to refuse to allow any dogs in the future. Try to be polite and leave everything as it was.

Airline Travel
Health certificates are required
Crate required - each airline has different requirements
Try to get non-stop flight. Pets can get lost or mixed up just as other luggage can.

Ritter in an xpen on his 1st camping trip to Bodega Bay. At
night he was in the tent with me but during the day or in the evening
not having to worry about him and he could just hang out with us
was wonderful. 

Camping and RV trips
Having an xpen can be a life saver. This is a place you can put the dog when you feed them or just to give them a contained area to hang out with you.

Training before you go on your trip

"Wait"

Practice entering and exiting the car. Your dog should "Wait" until you release them to jump out. They should not be bolting out the car door as soon as there is a crack of the door open.

Crate Training.
 Take your dog and their crate to some friends houses that might be unfamiliar to the dog and crate them in a back room or garage while you have dinner. Get them used to being crated in other places other than home so that it wont be as scary or weird when you crate them for a short period of time in the hotel room.

"Hurry Up" / "Better Go" / "Go potty"
If your dog will go potty on command it will make life so much easier when you stop to let your dog out for a bathroom break than wasting 10-20min. walking around with them begging them to do something.
Also ensure your dog is used to going potty on leash. Lots of dogs get used to going in their own yard off leash and then refuse to go on leash. Taking the time to teach them to potty on leash is worth it instead of dealing with the headache on a trip.

Basic Manners
Walking on a loose leash, sit, down, come. Not jumping on people. etc.

Trouble in the Car?

Whether your dog just needs more exposure getting used to the car or your dog is afraid to get in the car or maybe your dog gets carsick all the time. Some dogs get motion sickness but very few more often than not the dog just isn't comfortable and is stressed and nervous causing them to throw up.

These are all great things to practice:

I start with making positive associations with the car. Take the dog out to the car and feed him/her their breakfast and dinner in the car then get right back out and go on about your day. Good things happen in the car. Encourage your dog to jump into the car on their own and give treats once they are in. 

Once your dog looks forward to going to and getting in the car start taking your dog for short fun car rides.

Demonstrate of the wrong way for your dog to ride in the car.
DJ should not be on moms lap.

Take your dog down the street to the park to play ball. Take your dog to go see their best doggie friend on the other side of town. 

Make sure that your dog rides INSIDE the car. Dogs should never be tied down or loose in the back of a pickup truck. If your dog is in the back of a pickup truck use a crate and tie it down but still be careful of the heat. 

The safest place for your dog is lying down in the foot boards of the passengers seat if he will stay there. If not then its best they are in the back or in a crate in the car. 

If your dog gets carsick don't feed them at least 1-2hrs before they get in the car. 

As much as your dog might want to stick his head out of the window it can lead to eye injuries and isn't good for their eyes in general. I will roll mine down a little enough for the nose.

Do NOT leave your dog alone in the car in the sun for any reason for any amount of time unless you are leaving the air conditioning on for them. 

Service Dogs v.s. Therapy Dog v.s. Pet

I was reading a post on Facebook this morning on VibraPet's page. VibraPet makes some great gourmet dog food and they are great people. Their question that they posted was
"Do you know of any dog friendly places to go in the Sacramento and surrounding areas? Would like to update our list? Thanks"
Someone had responded seeming to suggest that if a store doesn't allow dogs that you should just state that your dog is a service dog to be able to take the dog in with you. 

I want to take a few minutes to clarify what is a Service Dog..what training is involved, Therapy Dog - what rights access do they have and then our Pet Dogs. 

Service Dogs

Dogs that are specifically trained to perform a minimum of 3 tasks to help mitigate a persons disability recognized by the ADA. 

Service dogs are allowed in all areas of public accomodation but only because they have had all of this training and they are assisting in their owners disability.
Minimum Standards for Assistance Dogs in Public
Public Appropriateness

• Dog is clean, well - groomed -EVERY time they go out in public
• Dog does not potty in public or in any establishment ever without being taken to a certain area and told to go on command.

Behavior

• Dog doesn't attemp to get attention from anyone in the public or their handler
• Dog doesn't disrupt the normal course of business
• Dog shows no interest in other people or animals that may be in a public area
• Dog doesn't show interest in any food on a table or on the floor anywhere

Training

• Dog should have had a minimum of 120hours in training over a period of 6months or more with a trainer and 30 of those hours should be outings to work with the dog in public places.
• Dog is specifically trained to perform 3 tasks to help with the disability
• Dog works calmly and quietly on a leash
• Dog is able to perform its tasks in public with the busiest of distractions
• Dog must be able to lie quietly beside the handler without blocking aisles, or doorways.
• Dog must be able to potty on command
• Dog stays within 24inches of its handler at ALL times unless a trained task requires the dog to go farther.

Taking your pet dog that is not a certified Service Dog into public places and claiming it is a service dog is a misdemeanor and can get you up to 6months in prison and up to a $1000 fine.
Please respect these hard working dogs that help their owners every day.
Please don't abuse the laws and make it even harder for them to have their dogs.
IAADP = International Association Assistance Dog Partners
Pet Partners
Assistance Dogs International

Therapy Dogs

Therapy Dogs are trained by their owners often with the help of a trainer to go on outings to Nursing Homes, Senior Care Homes, Childrens Facilities, Hospitals, Veterans and much more.
Therapy Dogs get certified through an organization such as Pet Partners, Lend-A-Heart, or Therapy Dogs International. These dogs only have clearance to be present in a specific list of places. They are NOT allowed in all public places nor are they allowed in any and all hospitals, nursing homes etc. Only the ones approved and on the list of the organization they are connected with.
Find out more at:
Pet Partners
Lend-A-Heart
TDI Therapy Dogs International

Pet Dogs

Finally your Pet dogs. You enjoy having them around and want to get out with them.
Their are a large number of trails, parks, some stores and many restaurants with outdoor patios that allow dogs. Please make sure to call ahead and ask though! PLEASE only take your dogs out in public if they are well behaved.  More and more places are banning dogs and not allowing them because irresponsible owners are demanding to take their dogs places or taking them without asking and their dogs dont have the manners to be in public. When your dog is well behaved ASK then take them with you where they are allowed and they can be the shinning example of what well trained dogs can be like. Some employers even allow well behaved dogs to go to work. I know Maxx and Stewie and a few others get to go to work with their owners because they are so well behaved.
PLEASE ASK before you take your dogs with you to any Public place.

Walking the trails

There are a number of beautiful walking/hiking trails in the area.
I encourage you to get out with your dog and check some of them out.

Just some reminders.
Horses
Make sure to socialize your dog around a horse 1st.
Many of the trails are also frequented by horses, if your dog has never seen a horse before you dont want the unpredictable to happen on a narrow trail with no room for you or the horse to get away.
Poop
Please pick up your dogs poop on the trails. Lets keep them dog friendly. More and more trails are banning dogs because of the waste owners leave behind.
Useful tip: Get poop bags in a bright color (red or blue). If you will be coming back the same way you came I bag up the poop and leave it on the side of the trail then on the way back pick it up so i don't have to carry it the whole way down and back. MUST remember it though.
1st aid Kit
Make sure to bring a 1st aid kit with you! It's always better to be prepared than sorry later.
Ticks
Even if your dog is on flea and tick preventative make sure to check your dog before you put them in your car after a walk on the trail. A Tick can jump on your dog even if they are on preventative - they just wont bite and they will then eventually jump off... but you don't want that to be in your car or at your home.

Snakes
Watch out for rattlesnakes! We recommend rattlesnake aversion training for your dogs.
Other people and dogs
Be courteous to other people and their dogs. Do not allow your dog to run up to another person or dog. I know you love your dog but not everyone else does and not everyone else is dog friendly.
Keep your dog leashed unless you have 100% voice control. For others safety and your dogs.
Pepper Spray
If a loose dog or other wild animal comes running up or charging you and your dog. Pepper Spray can be enough to deter it enough for you and your dog to get away.
Bring Water
Bring water for you and your dog!


Contact us if you have any questions about any of these. 
We have a good friend with a horse and are more than happy to setup a private lesson with you to do some obedience and socialization around the horse so that your dogs 1st encounter with one isn't out on the trail. 

Dobermans and their colors

Fawn (Dilute of red), Red, Blue (dilute of black), Black

Tug of War MUST have rules

More and more i'm having people come into training and having previously been told or read somewhere that you should never play tug with your dog.
Tug without Rules is a disaster waiting to happen.
Tug without Rules teaches posession when the dog is allowed to have the toy and run off with it in victory and can lead to guarding and possessive behaviors with toys.
TUG WITH RULES is a GREAT game and can help build a positive relationship with you and your dog.
Rules to TUG
1. ) Dog must enjoy the game

2.) Dog must want to bring tug back when you let go
3.) Dog must drop it when you ask

How do I accomplish these rules?

Put your dog on a leash and start with holding the end of your dogs leash. You want the leash to be loose and for the dog hardly to know its there.
Start playing tug with your dog. Get your dog engaged in the game. It should be give and take but keep tension on the tug at all times. Don't allow the dog to thrash their head around.
You let go of the tug but hold onto the leash and back up and encourage your dog to bring the toy to you. Keep backing up until the dog brings it to you. You are holding the end of your dogs leash so that your dog cant run too far away but dont reel your dog in you want your dog to want to come to you. If your dog takes the toy to the ground i encourage him to bring it back up. As soon as the dog brings it back up tug again then repeat letting it go.
I want to create the idea in my dogs mind "Wait we were playing" and want the dog to run back at me with their toy not running away from me in victory of "winning" the game.
Once your dog is doing fairly well with this then mid play with tug i will take the toy to the dogs level hold onto the toy on both sides of the dogs mouth where he is holding the toy and hold the toy still. When the dog lets go - don't pull the toy away yet hold it still wait till the dog actively backs up. Release the dog to play again. The faster the dog lets go the faster you get to play again.

Furyk playing with Rules: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BhqMdAU3W4Y&feature=c4-overview&list=UUUcqW_f8ZqmHni8Pk0Eq7GQ

Flirt Pole / "Woof stick"

This morning we were watching the news and they showed a clip at the SPCA about using a "woofstick" as a great way to exercise your dog. We thought it would be a good idea to give you some more information and background information on this. The "Woofstick" is more commonly known as a flirt pole and was originally used to build prey drive to chase and bite for puppies that would later be trained to bite for sport

work (Schutzhund, French Ring, Mondio Ring). So knowing what its supposed to be used for do you want to do this for your dog? Do you want to increase your dogs prey drive? Probably Not!
You CAN use the flirt pole to exercise your dog but you need to add in some training and impulse control so that you have control of the game and so that it wont teach bad habits.
Make sure the dog has a solid foundation in obedience before playing.
Just like all games you want to start with the dog having a strong interest and desire to play.
Once the dog is into the game then add some rules.

Have the dog hold a sit or down while you move the pole around and then release them to the toy.
For more advanced dogs have them Sit or Down mid run after the toy or call them too you.
You dont want to increase their drive for a moving object if they cant still come when they call.
This is a great game to play with them that adds more rules to a high arousal game.





I got a video of Amber this morning her 1st time with a flirt pole.
She was interested but not completely engaged so we didn't add in the obedience.
See vid here: http://youtu.be/CpoInZKL5l8