Photo credit: Katherin Noelle

Tooth decay in dogs can be painful and lead to other health problems.

Age is definitely a contributing factor, as are your dog’s immune system, chewing habits and at-home dental care.

Though your pooch might not show her pearly-whites with a “smile” command like KatherinNoelle’s Weimaraner does here, it’s  important to keep your dog’s teeth clean for health reasons.

Problems begin when plaque builds up on your dog’s teeth and transforms into a brownish substance, known as tartar. When this moves under the gum line, red, puffy gums develop, called gingivitis. Left untreated, this progresses into periodontal disease, causing the gums to recede and lose their function. This can eventually lead to tooth loss. Periodontal disease also introduces infection, which can travel in the bloodstream to affect other organs. Read more about common dental problems in dogs.

If you’ve been brushing your dog’s teeth throughout his life, chances are his teeth are in good shape. If you haven’t, it isn’t too late to start. Since February is Pet Dental Health Month, it’s time to learn, “how do you brush a dog’s teeth.”

Some dogs resist brushing, but others don’t mind it at all. If you’re just starting to brush your dog’s teeth, the first step is to pick a toothpaste. It’s important to know that you cannot use people toothpaste; people toothpaste is TOXIC to dogs. So you’ll need to buy dog toothpaste.  Start by putting a little dog toothpaste on your finger and offering it to your dog as a treat. After a few days of that, start putting your finger with dog toothpaste on it in your dog’s mouth; gently rub it in circles along your dog’s gum line.

After about a week, it’s time to introduce your dog to a toothbrush. You can use a people toothbrush if you like. Be sure to select a toothbrush for children (adult brushes are too big for many dogs’ mouths) and soft bristles. You might find a dog toothbrushto be less expensive and it’s designed specifically for dogs.

According to the National Pet Dental Association, the proper way to brush a dog’s teeth:

Position the brush at a 45-degree angle to the tooth, and make small circular motions beginning at the back of the pet’s teeth, moving forward and around to the other side. Eight to ten strokes are sufficient for each area.

The ideal schedule is to brush your dog’s teeth every day. But if you can’t brush daily, make an effort to brush your dog’s teeth at least three times a week. That schedule will go a long way to preventing tooth decay in dogs. However, even if you do brush your dog’s teeth, the National Pet Dental Association recommends if you see any of these signs, set up an appointment with your vet for a professional teeth cleaning,

• Bad breath – one of the first signs of dental disease.
• A yellowish-brown crust of plaque on the teeth near the gum line.
• Red and swollen gums.
• Pain or bleeding when your pet eats or when the mouth or gums are touched.
• Decreased appetite or difficulty eating.

Finally, Pet Education   reminds us:

Pets can have the same procedures as people: root canals, crowns, and even braces. Some veterinarians specialize in dentistry and are board-certified. New products are continually becoming available to help veterinarians and owners provide the best possible oral care for pets. February of each year is designated as Pet Dental Health Month as a way to remind owners of the importance of proper dental care.

To avoid or stall tooth decay in dogs, practice good dental care for your old pooch.

 Music: Particularly if you’re going to be gone, certain types of music may help calm your pet. According to a study from Colorado State University classical music may reduce stress in dogs. Heavy metal music, on the other hand, amplifies their anxiety and leads to more barking and shaking.

Thundershirt: You’ve probably seen the ads for this product. So far, people are saying that they work. The gentle, constant pressure of the garment, which you wrap around your pet, has shown in company surveys to improve symptoms in anxious, fearful, or over-excited dogs. Other similar products include the Anxiety Wrap and the Storm Defender.

Massage: You know how a massage makes you feel relaxed? It can do the same thing for your pet. The benefits are two-fold, as studies have also shown that time with your pet can also help reduce your stress levels. Make sure you’re calm and relaxed before starting, then simply start with the shoulders (avoid the head) and use slow, even strokes.  (Healing Touch for Dogs: The Proven Massage Program)

Toys: Pets may exhibit symptoms of anxiety because they’re bored. Spend time training them to do simple commands (sit, down, stay for dogs), and regularly bring out new toys. The Kong toy, for example, which has a treat inside a rubber ball, can be a good option for dogs that can keep them busy for hours. Once your pet gets bored with one toy, put it away and pull out another one. Then resurrect the old toy weeks later and your pet may enjoy it like new.

Kong Puppy Kong Dog Chew Toy Kong Puppy Kong Dog Chew Toy

Renegade Health offers six other natural solutions to calm your nervous dog. One last item to consider is the  NaturVet Quiet Moments Time Release Chewable Tablets For Dogs. The tablets are recommended to help support the nervous system in reducing stress and tension with all natural active ingredients. This formula is also recommended to support your pet during periods of anxiety and nervousness caused by traveling by car, plane or boat; grooming; thunderstorms or hurricanes; 4th of July or New Years Eve fireworks and trips to the veterinarian.

Jes stretched out in her favorite position

45% of all dogs are overweight or obese, according to a 2009 study, reports Dr. Rod Van Horn.  And the vet says the trend is continuing. Just like with people, the two biggest contributors are too many calories and too little exercise. But winter presents us with challenges to exercise your dog outside. Don’t let the weather get in the way of maintaining your dog’s health. Here’s how to exercise your dog and manage his diet.

If you feed a 10-pound dog one of the more common “milk bone” treats for small or medium size dogs, it may contain up to 45 calories. That doesn’t sound like a lot, until you consider a dog of this size only needs about 200 – 220 calories to meet their needs. This means that a single biscuit equals 21 percent of the dog’s total calories for the day!

So how do you tell if your pet is getting pudgy? In veterinary medicine we use what is called Body Condition Scores. This is usually on a scale of one to nine, with scores of 4-6 being healthy – not too thin or too overweight. In dogs, this equates to the ribs being easily felt but not seen, and as observed from above the dog should “waste in” behind the rib cage. Viewing the dog from the side, the abdomen should be “tucked up”.

So as a pet parent, sometimes you must practice tough love. Wouldn’t we all like to have that trainer and dietician who motivates us to exercise and eat right? Well, you can be that person for your pets! It will make them healthier, build stronger bonds between you and your pets, save you money and help to ensure that your pets live longer. Read Dr. Van Horn’s entire article here.

 How to exercise your dog in the winter?

I live in Minnesota so walking my bulldog isn’t realistic on many days between November – April when the snow blows and the wind howls.  But she still needs to exercise.  Here are five ideas on how to exercise your dog when a walk outside isn’t an option.

•  A walk through your local pet store. Every Saturday Jes (my bulldog) and I go to our locally-owned pet store for her food for the week.  We walk the aisles of the store before buying the items we go for. This provides Jes with both some exercise and some socialization – both important for our dogs.
  
•  We live in a two-story house so the stairs provide a good workout for Jes.  I sit at the top of the stairs and drop a ball down the steps. She runs down the steps, retrieves the ball and brings it back up the stairs to me.
  
• Play tug-of-war. There is a lot of debate about whether tug-of-war is good for dogs; especially breeds of certain temperaments. Bulldogs are one of those breeds. So this suggestion is offered with a caveat- your dog needs to be trained to stop when you say stop. And you need to stop the game before your dog’s natural instinct to “win” gets too high. Need some new toys to play tug of war with?  Here’s a special offer for Old Dog Care Guide readers:  Take 5% OFF ANY SIZE order at dog.com. Use coupon code CJDG5OFF at checkout.
  
• Join a dog playdate group. We belong to a bullies play group that meets at various doggie daycare centers where we pay a small fee ($5 per pup for our group) and bullies AND their peeps come together to play.
  
• Unlike the dog play date where you stay and monitor your dog, you can also drop your dog off at a doggie daycare where s/he’ll play with any other dogs that have been dropped off that day. 

I don’t drop Jes off at doggie daycare often, but I have a friend who takes his dog to daycare twice a week and swears it’s the best way to exercise your dog.  He says his Jack Russell Terrier comes home exhausted…and if you have a Jack Russell you know how difficult it is to tire a JRT! 

Of course, you want to consider your dog’s age when selecting the appropriate exercise for her.  I strongly DISCOURAGE you from taking an old dog to group exercise activities as the younger dogs will likely irritate your old dog.

Do you have ideas on how to exercise your dog indoors?  Please share them below.

Many people experience stress during the holidays, but did you know there is pet stress too?  Ironically, the things that cause stress in pets are among the same things that cause holiday stress in people.

According to the OM Times,

The top pet stressors are:

1. Guests coming and going for a party.
2. Relatives coming and going for an extended visit.
3. Changes in daily habits such as walking and feeding times.
4. High levels of stress and anxiety in pet owners and family members.
5. Holiday travel plans that include or do not include your pet.
6. Snacks and food that the pet is offered that they normally do not eat.

If you don’t know the signs of pet stress, though, you won’t know that your old dog is struggling.  OM Times recommends you look for these symptoms of stress:

• Hyper-salivation or drooling
• Soiling the pet owner’s belongings
• Chewing or scratching at doors or crate
• Non-stop howling, barking, meowing
• Compulsive grooming or licking
• Tearing up furniture or pushing items off counters

You can prevent your pet’s stress by keeping his routine as consistent as possible. Feed him at the same every day and feed him his usual food. Don’t give him any more treats than usual.  Walk him or let him out at the same time every day.  Routine brings great comfort to dogs.

If you’re going to have a lot of people in and out of your home during the holidays, be sure to create a safe zone for your dog. Put his favorite toys, a bowl a water, a blanket and his crate if he has one, in a place he can go that people won’t be going into. To provide extra comfort, but a tshirt that you’ve worn in there with him. Your smell will help reduce pet stress.

For more ideas on how to prevent pet stress, check out these suggestions from OM Times.

If your Christmas meal includes a juicy turkey, a glass of wine and an elegant chocolate desert, these are just three of things you must not share with your dog.  While  the turkey meat would be OK, poultry bones are very dangerous for dogs because they tend to splinter and poke holes in a dog’s stomach.

Alcohol and chocolate are both toxic to dogs.

Other people foods that present dangers for dogs are coffee and nuts. Dogs do not process caffeine and while most nuts are bad for dogs,  Macadamia nuts and walnuts in particular can be extremely toxic.

But it isn’t just food and drink that present dangers for dogs; so can the decorations. Poinsettias, pine needles from Christmas trees and  mistletoe are harmful to animals.

Have you heard that old trick about putting an aspirin in the water your tree sits in to keep the tree fresher longer? While the aspirin is great for the tree, it treacherous for your dog, if she drinks the water.

If your dog is a chewer like my bully, watch to make sure she doesn’t chew on the wires of the Christmas tree lights or the wrapping or ribbons on the packages. Those ribbons can twist around a dog’s intestine, leading to emergency surgery and a quite costly vet bill.  If she ingests the adhesive you use to wrap the packages, she could become extremely ill as glue is another toxic danger for dogs.

Just as the Holidays often cause stress in people, it can also cause stress in your dog. When dogs are stressed they may become unexpectedly aggressive. So if you have company coming for Christmas, create a safe, private, quiet place your dog can escape to when she feels overwhelmed by your guests. If you’re going to someone else’s home for Christmas and they have a dog, be sure that you keep your eye on both dogs — especially if the dogs don’t know each other.

Global Animal reports the top 5 reasons dogs visited a vet on Christmas Day last year:

1. Gastritis / Enteritis
2. Lacerations or bite wounds
3. Soft tissue trauma
4. Foreign body ingestion
5. Chocolate poisoning

Avoid these dangers for dogs and have a safe and merry Christmas.

The Newport Harbor Animal Hospital shows us how to brush your dog’s teeth.

Please keep in mind that a tooth brushing kit meant especially for dogs is recommended, and can be purchased at your local vet or a pet store. A pediatric toothbrush may be used in place of a canine toothbrush, but a toothpaste meant for humans is NOT recommended as contents can be toxic or upset their tummy. Brushing your pet’s teeth can prevent a list of medical issues. Happy Brushing! 

Order your pet dental products on Dog.com for the lowest prices around and $4.99 flat shipping.

In addition to brushing your dog’s teeth, get your dog some chew toys.  Chew toys are a great for your pooch’s oral hygiene because as your dog chews, the toy is scraping tartar off her teeth. Another benefit of the chew toy is that it massages your pooch’s gums. That stimulates blood flow which increases the nutrients in your dogs gums and teeth resulting a healthier mouth.

Finally, feed your dog a healthy diet. The ASPCA recommends, ”avoid feeding your dog table scraps, instead giving him treats that are specially formulated to keep canine teeth healthy.” For more information on dog dental care, visit the ASPCA. 

While some people brush their dog’s teeth every day, if you feed your dog a healthy diet and give him chew toys, you’ll only need to  brush your dog’s teeth twice a week.

photo by: mensatic

I found some experts who say “yes” dogs do get car sick and some experts who say “no.” Who you gonna believe on the subject of  dogs and car-sickness? Or maybe the cause doesn’t matter as much as a solution.

Drug company Pfizer reports research that reveals 1 out of every 6 dogs get car sick.  And guess what? Pfizer just happens to make CERENIA, a drug to alleviate car sickness in dogs.  ”CERENIA is the first FDA-approved medication for the prevention of vomiting due to motion sickness in dogs.”  Cerenia is a prescription drug so you’ll need to see your vet in order to get it for your pooch.

Pfizer also cautions pet owners NOT to give your dog Benadryl^® or Dramamine^® because “these medicines are approved by the FDA for use in humans, not dogs.”  And they warn that if you do give your dog these over-the-counter medicines your pooch might suffer from “side effects such as sedation or hyper-excitability.” Pfizer concludes by saying, “ Since no one wants that for their pets, it’s a good idea to keep human medicines in the hands of humans when it comes to motion sickness.”  (As a side-note, my vet has prescribed over-the-counter Benadryl^® for my bulldog during allergy season.)

On a separate page of the Pfizer website they report the side effects of their drug, CERENIA as “excessive drooling (5-13%), lethargy (9%) and vomiting not due to motion sickness (5-9%).”  I don’t know about you, but I don’t care WHY my dog vomits – whether it’s from motion sickness or as a result of taking a motion-sickness drug – it isn’t a good thing.  Vomit is vomit.  And if CERENIA can cause lethargy, how is that different than the sedation Pfizer warns us about if we give our dogs Benadryl^® or Dramamine^®?

Conversely, Steve Dale, a certified dog and a cat behavior consultant  and syndicated columnist, says dogs do not get car sick. He attributes car sickness in dogs to anxiety and stress.

“Some dogs are anxious about car travel because they’ve learned that they don’t feel well on such trips — just as people do who suffer from motion sickness. Other dogs are merely either unaccustomed to traveling in the car (because they don’t do it very often), or when they do go places in the car, the destination is not fun: a veterinary clinic, boarding facility, or groomer. In these cases, motion sickness is not a factor, but the anxiety causes similar symptoms. Still other dogs are nervous in cars because they previously had a bad experience, such as a car accident.” 

“It’s rare for a dog to be upset about car rides strictly because of motion sickness; usually there’s an anxiety component. The solution might be as easy as slapping on an  Adaptil collar (a copy of calming pheromone is released from the collar,and eases anxious dogs) and offering Anxitane (L-theanine, manufactured for dogs to also ease anxiety). However, while these products (and others, including the Thundershirt) do help, many dogs also need a course of counter-conditioning and desensitization.”  

Steve Dale teaches you how to conduct that counter-conditioning an desensitization. Click here to learn how on Steve’s blog.

What do you think? Do dogs get car sick? Do you have a special cure to make your dog feel better in the car?  Please share it below.

Happy Holidays Ribbon Collars

Christmas Collar

Help your dog celebrate the Christmas holiday with a seasonal collar. Select from Candy Cane, Christmas Bones, Snowflakes, Mittens, Christmas Dots, Doghouse or Peppermint Stick Christmas collar.  These high-quality ribbon collars are backed with soft nylon webbing and finished with a solid brass D-ring and durable quick-release buckle. They’re machine washable and made in USA.  All Christmas collars come in XS, S, M, L and XL.

Alpaca Reindeer Sweater

Holiday Sweater for Dogs

The Alpaca Reindeer Sweater for Dogsis ultra lightweight, warm and comfortable – just the kind of sweater an old dog needs to keep the chill off. Made of the world-famous alpaca fiber and known for its softness, these charming hliday sweaters for dogs are hand knit by artisans in Andean mountain villages. The ribbed neck has a keyhole leash opening.

Christmas Gift for Dogs

Dog Miracle Puzzle

Dog Treadmill

Dog Treadmill

The idea of a dog treadmill seems great; especially if you live in a cold climate. You don’t have to put the parka on to take the dog for a walk. You don’t have to worry about your pooch’s paws walking on the salted streets, especially for a senior dog.  Treadmill exercise improves a dog’s health and well-being, as it helps increase muscle tone, reduce obesity, improve vitality and increase lifespan. Sturdy, dog-friendly design features whisper-quiet operation with programmable time and distance, adjustable speed settings and incline options, side rails and treat holders. It’s easy to clean, transport and store. This is the height of spoiling your pooch!

Heated Dog Bed 

Heated dog beds are perfect for older dogs who benefit from the added therapeutic benefits. Pet warmers provide your dogs the perfect amount of pet-pleasing warmth as they snuggle in their bed. This Self Warming Comfy Sleeper Dog Bed has high foam walls to create the security pets love. The soft polyfill cushion is like sleeping on a cloud.

K and H Self-Warming Lounge Dog Bed 24×30 Black

Features Include:Self warming material radiates heat back to your pet
High sidewalls for security
Easy wash and care
Pillow style cushion sleeping surface
Removable Cover
Machine Washable

We all love to share with our pets but please remember – do NOT share any chocolate with your dog, and don’t let any of your guests share it with your dog either. Chocolate is toxic for animals.

What gifts are you getting for your dogs? Have you come across something out of the ordinary? Please share your “finds” below!

Going for walks is one of those activities that identifies the alpha dog in the relationship; and that is YOUR role. Therefore, you control all aspects of the walk.

How to walk the RIGHT way

While in the house, call the dog to you to put on her collar. Don’t take her collar to her to put on.

1. After he has his collar on, go to the door and command your dog to sit. Once he’s in a sit, you go out the door and then invite him to follow. The alpha always goes out the door first.

While walking your dog must stay at your side. Do not allow her to walk in front of you or go wherever she pleases unless you give permission.  I have two commands:

1. WALK – means by my side, straight ahead
2. FREE – means my old dog can sniff around, go to the bathroom, whatever she wants.

Your dog should not lead you while walking

When encountering other dogs and people while walking, put yourself between your dog and the oncoming dog. That’s the alpha dog’s job. If you opt to allow the dogs to interact, do it in a controlled manner. The people come together; have the dogs sit on your “outside” side and once everything is under control you can offer your dog the “FREE” command. Be sure to pay close attention to how the dogs interact so that you can move along on your walk if the encounter is less than positive.

If you are learning how to walk an old dog, add these tips to those above.

When to walk. In order to minimize the risk of bloat, walk your old dog before a meal, not after.

Speed. Don’t expect Fido to walk at the pace he used to. Think of it as more of a stroll the two of you enjoy together.

Bring water. Carry a bottle of water for your dog and part way through the walk pour some slowly and he’ll be able to lap it in, as if it were a drinking fountain. Many pet stores carry a product that is a bottle and bowl all in one. Or carry a small, folding bowl with you and take a water break halfway through your walk.

Surface. When puppies are younger it’s suggested you walk them on a hard surface like a road to help wear down their nails. However, the opposite is true when walking an old dog. You want to walk your old buddy on soft grass or dirt to avoid damage to his footpads. And if the surface is slippery for any reason, an older dog will be nervous and may even slip.

Use a leash. Even if your dog is well behaved off leash, you still want to use a leash when walking an old dog. If something catches your old friend’s eye he may forget his age and go chasing after it. The older your dog is the greater the risk of this resulting in pulled muscles or joint damage which, of course, means longer recovery time due to age. Don’t take the chance. Use the leash.

If you learn how to walk your dog properly you’ll never feel the frustration of being pulled here and there and walks will be as enjoyable for you as they are for your dog. But beyond pleasure, it’s your responsibility to control your dog when you’re in public and these simple rules (above) will go a long way in helping you maintain that control.

Dr. Joanne Righetti, better known as Dr Jo, is an animal behaviorist  with a PhD in animal behaviour and a background in zoology.  She has written several books, including Dog Aggression Problems Solved.  Dr. Jo tells us that in order to solve behavior problems in dogs, we need to understand what causes the behavior.

Here are five reasons why dogs bite, according to Dr. Jo.

 Reason to bite: Negative experience

Some dogs may be aggressive because of negative experiences in the past. Often these traumatising events have occurred during puppyhood.

 Reason to bite: Pain and illness

Medical conditions such as thyroid disorders, neurological problems, brain tumours and seizures can all be responsible for aggressive behaviour in dogs. These are impossible to diagnose at home, so must be ruled out at your vet clinic prior to any behavioural therapy taking place.

 Reason to bite: Limited resources

When resources are in short supply, demand increases. Dogs tend to value resources that they need to survive. Resources such as food, shelter and companionship are very valuable commodities Most dogs are generous in their sharing capacity. They allow their humans to share their resting spots – usually our sofas! A small number of dogs, however, refuse to share their resources. Often there will be one particular resource that they are particularly motivated to guard.

 Reason to bite: Redirected aggression

A common cause of injury in canine aggression situations is redirected aggression, where the object of the dog’s aggression is not the intended recipient. Redirected aggression can occur in several situations and is likely to depend on your dog’s reactivity levels. Aggression is often redirected towards owners when a dog fight is interrupted.

Reason to bite: Attention

Attention can be a powerful reinforcer of behaviour. It may not be the cause of your dog showing aggression but it may contribute to your dog’s ongoing aggressive behaviour.   Read Dr Jo’s blog here 

If you’re concerned about your old dog’s aggressive behavior or want more information on why dogs bite and what to do about it, read Dr. Jo’s e-book Dog Aggression Problems Solved .  Anxiety is another reason some dogs exhibit aggression.  If you think your old dog may be suffering from anxiety, you may be interested in Dr. Jo’s book Dog Anxiety Problems Solved (Pet Problems Solved).