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Maria G. Huntoon Canine Consulting Services
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  • Home
  • About
  • Services
  • Contact
    • New Client Questionnaire
    • Dog Selection Consult Questionnaire
  • Testimonials
  • Training Library
  • Lady'sBestFriendBlog
  • Supply Shop
  • Essential Oils
    • RELAX Essential Oil - Dropper
    • RELAX Essential Oil - Rollerball
    • CONVICTION Essential Oil - Dropper
  • The Sheba Chronicles
A blog for all things dog-related: training, behavior, fun new doggie items, veterinary information and, of course, ways to enhance your relationship with your best four-legged friend!

Lady's Best Friend

Ghostly Ghouls and Funny Shoes – Helping Your Dog Through Halloween

10/18/2016

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For many, the spirit of Halloween brings quite a celebration – with haunted houses, trick-or-treating, scary movies and costumes galore!  For our dogs, however, these seasonal festivities can cause anxiety and fear that, if not handled correctly, can cause lifelong behavioral issues.  Below are some of our common Halloween practices and how you and your kids can help set your dog up for success, making the season more fun for everyone!
​Costumes:
A ninja…zombie…superhero?  Or a cat…princess…cheerleader?   One of the most fun things about Halloween is that we can dress up to become something that we’re not, even if for just one night!  While we understand that our costumes are just that – temporary personas that we leave behind in the morning – our dogs do not understand why all of a sudden we dress or act different than we normally do.  Or why the strange creature wandering in your living room on Halloween sounds like Bobby but for some strange reason Bobby’s face is green and his nose is much bigger!  So for many dogs, costumes can create a lot of stress and confusion.  Unless we take measures to show them that underneath it all, it’s really just the same people they see every day.  To help your dog acclimate…
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The Golden Years - Caring for an Older Dog

10/13/2016

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Our dogs become such a big part of our lives that we really want to love them and give them the best quality of life through to the end of their days.  It’s not always easy when dealing with older dogs – watching them bump into things as they lose their eyesight or have a hard time navigating stairs.  But there are some things we can do to make life as pleasant as possible for our golden-aged buddies and show them how much we still care.
Dr. Alisha Selzner of Companion Pet Hospital in Fishkill is dedicated to helping people understand how to work with their senior pets.  “I always tell people that age is not a disease.  Unfortunately, as we age and as our pets age, we start to accumulate more problems that have to be managed in order to maintain a good quality of life.  Geriatric dogs can be prone to arthritis, loss of hearing, ocular conditions that lead to loss of vision, kidney failure, heart disease (leaky heart valves, thickened heart muscle, weakened heart muscle), thyroid conditions, cancerous processes, and other issues as well.”
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One such condition that can be common in older dogs is Geriatric Dog Vestibular Disease or Idiopathic Vestibular disease.  What exactly does this mean?  Dr. Selzner explains, “In general, vestibular disease is similar to vertigo in people.  A dog’s balance and sense of orientation in space can be altered.  Patients with vestibular disease often have a head tilt, nystagmus (abnormal horizontal eye movements), and may vomit or decline to eat due to nausea associated with dizziness.  Vestibular disease can be linked with an inner or middle ear infection, or in rare circumstances can be due to a brain tumor.  However, the most common form of vestibular disease in dogs is Idiopathic or Geriatric Dog Vestibular disease, which occurs in senior pets for an unknown reason.”
​How about breed-specific aging conditions to consider?  “Many breeds can be prone to certain orthopedic issues that can lead to early onset of arthritis, which worsens with age.  For example, German Shepherds, Golden Retrievers, Labrador Retrievers, and other large or giant breed dogs are more prone to hip dysplasia (a malformation of the hip joints).  Large breed dogs can also be more prone genetically to tearing the ACL ligament in their knees.  Small breed dogs can be prone to having medially luxating patellas (knee caps that pop out of place).  Dachshunds, Corgis, and Basset Hounds (all whom have long backs) are prone to developing slipped or herniated intervertebral discs in their backs,” shares Dr. Selzner.   Of course, just because your dog is of a specific breed does not guarantee these medical concerns; each dog is an individual so it is best to consult your veterinarian for specific suggestions for preventative care...
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    Maria Huntoon, CBCC-KA
    ​Certified Canine Behavior Consultant
    ​Maria G. Huntoon Canine Consulting Services

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