K-9 LifeSavers

Just about every dog will have an "accident" at some point, due to stress, excitement, infection, or puppyhood. Some owners spend their lives on a quest to find a good cleaning solution to avoid the smells and stains that come with accidents. While we want to stress the importance of house training and regular potty breaks, we do also believe in being prepared and saving a few pennies, so here's a home remedy to help you combat the after effects of accidents.

Combine the following in a spray or empty liquid detergent bottle and keep it on hand in case of emergencies:

1 cup of hydrogen peroxide (3%)
1/3 c rubbing alcohol
1 tsp. baking soda
1/4 tsp. of liquid dish soap

With paper towel, absorb as much of the urine as possible, use a twisting motion to wick up more.
Shake the bottle and spray the solution onto the spot. It will fizz and foam, which means you got the right spot.

On laundry: spray or squirt the entire soiled area. Allow 10-15 minutes, then launder as usual.

On wood floors or tiles: give the solution enough time to stop fizzing, and then wipe it up. Spray and wipe again.

For carpeting, bedding or furniture: allow 24 hours to dry, then vacuum.

If you want to make sure you are getting all the soiled areas in your home, invest in a small black light. You can pick one up at most novelty stores, paraphernalia shops and pet stores or online. Any spots you missed will glow.

Spring is a great time to hit the trails with your favorite K-9! Many of us pack power foods like energy bars or even beef jerky for ourselved, but have you considered doing the same for your four-legged partner? Make them some homemade "beef Jakeys," pack some water for both of you and you are ready to go!

Beef Jakey's

Ingredients

• 1 small potato
• 1 clove garlic (minced)
• 1 package self rising yeast
• 1 tbsp honey
• 1 tsp Worcestershire sauce
• 2 cups wheat flour
• Beef stock (approximately 1 cup)

Directions:

• Microwave potato for 4 minutes on high, or until fully cooked
• Peel off skin and mash potato
• Add garlic, yeast, Worcestershire sauce and honey. Stir until thoroughly combined.
• Add flour and beef stock alternately until well mixed and dough consistency is heavy and stiffer than that of bread dough.
• Roll out and use a cookie cutter to cut to desired shape.
• Bake at 325 for approximately 40 minutes.
• Treats will be tough, a la beef jerky.

We all need a little love sometimes, and if you have ever wanted to be kissed on command, then this trick should fill your heart with joy! The objective to teach your dog to give kisses to you, or another person, when asked.

There are a couple of ways to teach this trick, depending on where you want the kisses to land.  It was originally designed to have your dog lick your lips, but as many people aren't fans of being quite so up and personal with their K-9 pals, you can modify it to have your dog kiss your cheek.

• For those wishing for full doggie love: Sit at dog level and place a dog treat gently between your teeth, point to your lips and give the command "kisses." Allow your dog to take the treat and as he's chewing stay "good kisses."
• For those wanting a little less romance: Place a small amount of peanut on your cheek, sit at dog level, point to your cheek and give the command "kisses." Allow your dog to lick the peanut butter of your face and say "good kisses" as he is doing so.
• Next hold the treat behind your back, point to your lips or cheek and say "kisses," if he licks or noses you, reward him with the treat and say "good kisses."
• Once your dog is smooching away on command, bring in a helper.  Ask them to put a small amount of peanut butter on their cheek, point to the keep, and cue your dog "kisses." When he licks your helper reward him and say "good kisses."
• Gradually phase out the peanut butter and ask your helper to stand farther away.  Have your helper hold the treat, so that you dog can be rewarded immediately when your dog delivers his kisses!

What to expect:

• Many dogs love to give kisses and so your dog may have this trick down in a matter of days.
• Shyer dogs may take a little longer to catch on and require a bit more coaxing, especially if you are teaching the dog to lick your lips.  This is because is a pack, dogs will lick the lips of a more dominant dog as a way of showing subservience.  Your dog also may feel in danger or being bitten by being so near your mouth; if this is the case either go slowly and allow him to come in his own time, or just teach the trick on the cheek. 

Though adopted dogs can make some of the best and most loyal pets around, they can occasionally experience separation anxiety.  Though it’s certainly understandable for a dog that has been abandoned to worry about being left again,  separation anxiety can show up in dogs that have been in your home since puppyhood, espcially if there is a change such a move or a new baby. Unfortunately it is the dog’s fears that cause him to act out and become destructive and this ends up being one of the top reasons dogs are turned into shelters.

Signs of separation anxiety can be chewing up the furniture, digging or scratching at the door, howling, barking or whining, and even going to the bathroom all over the house.  Unfortunately it can be tough to determine if your dog is going through separation anxiety, or just untrained – especially for owners that have just brought home a new dog.

The best indicator is if the behavior happens right after you shut the door to leave.  If your dog doesn’t seem to exhibit destructive behaviors when you are home, but rather follows every move you make, you may have an anxious dog.  If you want to test out your theory, close yourself into another room that your dog can’t get to and see what happens.  Though many dogs may whine at the door if they know you’re in there, does your dog go above and beyond that, trying to tear the door down, or act out in other ways? 

Sometimes all it will take is simple assurances that your dog is still important to you by making sure he gets plenty of attention and playtime – especially before and after you leave.  By exercising him before you leave, your dog will be tired, and likely to be more relaxed when you are gone.  You may also try leaving him with an old shirt or something with your scent on it to provide comfort while you’re gone.

If these tricks don’t work, or if you have a new dog, work on building up the time he’s alone. Put him in his crate, or a room he cannot see you for a short time and then come back.  Reward him profusely for good behavior.  Gradually build up the time your dog is spending alone until he learns you will always return and is more confident in being alone.  Make sure to leave him with toys, or a kong filled with peanut butter to provide some distraction for his alone time.

If you’re still struggling after trying some of these methods, you may need external help.  Your vet may be able to help by proscribing anxiety medication, or consider doggie day care so that he is busy playing with other dogs, and leans not to worry so much about missing you.

Mya is a corgi puppy that brings goodness to everyone she meets! She is looking for some playmates - of the human or canine kind! This little lady will keep you smiling for years to come!

It being the holiday season things are hectic and time seems to get away from you, and so do things like keys and memory! Wouldn't it be great if your dog could help you out by finding things?  Teach her to be Santa's little helper with the trick "find it."

The idea is for your dog to use her nose to track down and locate an object, it's great practice for tracking or utility work if you have any aspirations that way.  Begin with simple exercises, ideally using a strong-smelling treat.

•  Put your dog in a sit/stay and show the dog the treat. 
•  Allow your dog to see you place the treat under the edge of a towel about 6 feet away.
•  Let your dog smell the scent of of the treat on your hand and then send your dog to "find it."
•  Reward your dog with praise when she finds the treat.  (Finding the treat is her reward and she does not need an additional treat)
•  Repeat the process, but move further back from the towel, and place the treat further toward the center of the towel so that the dog has to work harder to get it out.
•  As your dog continues to succeed with finding the treat, begin to place the treat begin her back, so that she has to sniff it out on her own.
•  Next move to hiding the treat in another room.
•  Eventually you can move from treats to solid objects such as keys, toys, etc., but at that point the dog must bring the toy to you to gain her reward (treat).

Skittles does know how to find things yet, but she is learning things every day at her foster home and can't wait to learn more from her forever family. She is a Plott Hound/Boxer mix that has a lot of love to give and would love nothing more than snuggling up and eating some doggie candy canes!