Lady's Best Friend - Maria G. Huntoon Canine Consulting Services

Making a Move – Life Transitions and Your Dog

8/12/2017

Moving is rarely easy – whether you’re just moving across town or across the country. I would know; I’ve moved a lot in my adult life, the biggest of which was just this year (939 miles to be exact!). And as of late, I’ve had several clients preparing to be in the same boat.

We all go through a major transition with a move, but our pets are often more affected by these changes than we are. Many dogs (especially those with some underlying anxiety and insecurity) prefer patterns and routines that are predictable. Preparing for a move and then actually making that move can really rock their proverbial world! So how can you make a move easier on your dog? By following these steps to make this transition as gradual and positive for them as possible…

BEFORE THE MOVE:
Make packing a fun event. When your living space starts turning to shambles with boxes everywhere, your dog is going to know something is going on. Instead of allowing this to cause your dog some turmoil, you can make packing fun by playing packing games! As you roll your glasses in bubble wrap, practice your dog’s “sit” or “down” or “go place”, and then praise and reinforce him for maintaining his position as you wrap the glass and place it in the box. Throw in some tasty treats with that reinforcement and he’ll love this game! Instead of pacing in the corner or wearily watching what you’re doing and wondering if there’s a cause for concern, he’ll think it’s great that you’re packing and asking him to be a part of it! You can even accomplish two things at once by using your dog’s dinner kibble as his treats for playing this game – dinner and packing can happen at the same time!

The Pressures of Separation – Some Tips on Working Through Separation Anxiety in Your Dog

8/2/2017

The vocalization and panting, uncontrollable drooling, destruction of property – all common symptoms of separation anxiety in dogs, and none of them pleasant. Not to mention that nobody likes to see their little furry love getting so worked up over something that is a natural part of life. We humans have places to go and things to do that can’t always involve our fur-kids!

Sometimes dogs develop separation anxiety because they haven’t had many opportunities to be alone (like in a household where someone works from home or doesn’t work and has much more time to spend with them). And so they are afraid and stressed by the thought of being independent because they don’t know how to be. Some dogs develop separation anxiety because they’ve built up a negative association to being left alone (for too long of a time, without proper stimulation, etc). And some dogs are just generally anxious to begin with so the anxiety of separation is an extension of that.

I’ve done some recent presentations and have been working with several people lately whose dogs exhibit pretty severe separation anxiety. Working through separation anxiety is a process – there usually isn’t a “quick fix” – but sometimes there are small tweaks we can make to adjust the lifestyle approach to being left alone that makes all the difference for our dogs. Perhaps you’ve already seen my article NO, Don’t Leave Me! Dealing With Your Dog’s Separation Anxiety. Here are a few more things to consider and try to build your dog’s feelings of independence and decrease his separation anxiety…

SUPERSTAR SPOTLIGHT: Angelica & Langston!

7/26/2017

I first met Angelica and Langston in August 2016. Angelica had never had a dog before (cats had always been her thing!) but she couldn't turn down this adorable hound mix that needed a home. She decided to give doggy parenting a try! When she reached out to me for help with Langston's reactivity with other dogs, we quickly discovered that much of his reactivity was a result of general anxiety - he just wasn't really confident in his own skin.

Looking at this, you wouldn't know Langston's anxiety - he's just chillin' with is best kitty friend, Oliver! Two peas in a pod :-)

I see this concern often actually - it's much more common in today's age than you might think, especially with our fast-paced lifestyles and societal pressures. Dogs can be even more sensitive to these pressures than some people - and plenty of us struggle with it as well! Luckily, with Angelica's dedication (and a little guidance from me), Langston was able to become much more comfortable out in public (though they were still working through some reactive moments with other dogs in certain situations).

Fast forward almost a year to July 2017. I was so excited to receive an update from Angelica about Langston's progress. Though they had some changes in their lives recently, Angelica and Langston were happier than ever in their relationship. She had introduced him to the sport of dock-diving and it turns out they both LOVED it, and Langston thrived - he was more confident and much less reactive with the other dogs! Here's what Angelica had to share...

Protecting Your Dog From Deadly Toxins in Your Food, Home and Yard

5/26/2017

Take a moment to think about this… at any given point in time, we are exposed to some estimated tens of thousands of chemical toxins in our environment. In our cleaning solutions, household items, beauty products, lawn care regimens, gardens, even in the foods we eat. Many of them we don’t even realize we are being exposed to on a regular basis, yet they can cause quite adverse health effects. Our dogs’ systems are even more sensitive to many of these substances than ours are, however, and what you don’t know about these items in your home environment, could mean serious trouble or death for your dog!

I’ve consulted with my veterinarian friend, Dr. Alisha Selzner of Companion Pet Hospital in Fishkill, NY, for her insight on some of these deadly substances…

Got Toys? Puzzles and Chews That Provide a Good Outlet for Dogs

4/14/2017

You can walk into nearly any pet store and get bombarded with a plethora of dog toys. While some are merely for money-making and marketing purposes (does your dog really need a stuffed Easter Bunny that he is going to destroy in 3.2 seconds flat or a squeaky ball with your favorite sports team on it?), the good toy-making companies understand the logical need for a dog to have opportunities for the right kind of enrichment, mental stimulation, and outlet for his energy. This means having a durable item that engages your dog’s mind, that he can chew without destruction or that encourages him to interact with other social beings in the proper way, and which he can enjoy time and time again.

You may find that you already have some toys for your dog and he doesn’t seem interested in them. This could be because they are the wrong kind to fill his particular needs, he doesn’t know how to engage with a particular toy, or he just doesn’t have a preference towards the ones that he has. Every dog is different and what some dogs love, others could care less for. Have you ever met a child that has 20 toys sitting in her toy chest yet she swears she has nothing to play with and wants what her friend has? I often advise my clients that while having a number of great toys to choose from can give you a better chance at success, the number of toys doesn’t mean as much as the quality of the toys and what the dog gets out of playing with them. So to save money, I recommend steering clear of the cute ones that are easily destroyed (and then you have to replace them) or that don’t really serve a purpose for your dog, and instead spend the money to get the good stuff that will more likely engage your dog in the appropriate ways.

This is a list of some of my favorite dog toys and chews, collected over the years through use with a variety of different dogs. These items tend to hold up well, even to strong chewers (though if your dog has a strong propensity for chewing, you will want to monitor him with some of the puzzle toys at first to ensure he doesn’t abuse what the toy should be used for). You should be able to find many of these items either in a local pet store (some of the smaller boutique stores tend to carry this caliber over some of the larger chain stores), as well as online on such sites as Amazon and Chewy.

How to Get Your Dog to Stop Barking, Without Using a Bark Collar

3/28/2017

It’s a fact of life – dogs bark. It’s what they do, as nature intended. Unfortunately for many of us humans, barking is not something we love to hear in our quiet communities or when the baby’s trying to sleep.

What are they trying to say?
Dogs bark for different reasons – it is one of their forms of communication, after all, and if you listen closely enough, you will find that your dog exhibits different kinds of barks for different occasions. The guarded “woo woo woo!” when there’s somebody on the street outside your house or when they hear a noise they feel is out of place. The high-pitched and frantic “Arf! Arf!” that pierces through your eardrum when they are stressed about your vacuuming. And the drone and demanding “WOOF!” as they stare right at you while you’re working on your email as they try to tell you “pay attention to ME!” In either situation, the dog is trying to communicate something to you that he feels is important. Since he can’t just speak to us in our language and tell us exactly what that is, he speaks to us in his language (that we sometimes don’t understand). But there’s a way to bridge this communication barrier.

They Say It's "Cooler in Pooler"...

3/13/2017

Well, we’ve finally started settling into our new life here in Pooler, Georgia – at least, as much as we can after 2 weeks! In the past week and a half since we left New York, we’ve unloaded the three PODS we packed prior to our leaving (two for our home and one for my husband’s office), I’ve finished painting two more bedrooms, we are getting to know all the associates at the local WalMart and Home Depot (to which we’ve visited every day thus far), and our three animals are adjusting even better than we had hoped (my husband’s cat Abby, who is known for being antisocial, has been spending much more time in the “common” areas of our new home and not just in her happy room)...

Bonding Time - 5 Fun Experiences to Share With Your Dog

2/13/2017

It doesn’t have to be Valentine’s Day for us to show our dogs we love them. In fact, our domesticated dogs are social animals, and that means they crave social interaction with us on a regular basis to keep them mentally and emotionally balanced. Dogs without adequate human bonding time will often become destructive, distant, disrespectful and develop behavioral issues. It’s not their fault if this is happening – it means we as their humans aren’t giving them what they need (they are domesticated, after all).

It doesn’t mean you have to spend hours every day revolving your life around your dog. You don’t even have to do these things every day (though some of them you certainly could). But making a little bit of time goes a long way in creating balance in your relationship with your dog and will filter into other areas of your life too…

I Can See Clearly Now: Your Dog's Eye Health

1/23/2017

While dogs have extremely strong senses of smell and hearing, their sense of sight is also important in helping them live a healthy and well-rounded life.

Dogs, just like people, can potentially develop a plethora of ocular (eye) problems. Some of these problems can immediately affect your dog’s vision, while others, if left untreated, can negatively impact your dog’s vision over time. It is always strongly advised that any ocular problems be evaluated immediately by your veterinarian. While your regular veterinarian is equipped to treat many ocular diseases, there are some cases that may require referral to a veterinary ophthalmology specialist. To get the lowdown on canine eye issues, I’ve consulted my veterinarian friend Dr. Alisha Selzner from Companion Pet Hospital in Fishkill.

“When it comes to ocular issues, you should never take a ‘wait and see’ approach, because that ‘wait and see’ approach could be detrimental to the health of your dog's eyes, and your dog’s overall quality of life,” explains Dr. Selzner. "Even if you have leftover medications (either prescription or over the-counter) from a previous eye issue or from another dog, you should NEVER begin treating your pet’s eyes without first discussing the case with your veterinarian." Dr. Selzner continues, “Using an inappropriate medication or supplement to treat an eye problem can potentially make the problem much worse. If an ocular problem is noted after hours, please contact your local veterinary emergency clinic.”

The eye is a very complex structure, with many different anatomical parts and functions. Therefore, it’s best left to the professionals who understand this anatomy and can assess the eyes in an educated manner.

New Beginnings – Starting the New Year Off Right by Strengthening Your Bond With Your Dog

1/9/2017

It’s so common – the New Year’s resolution that flops. We start out gung-ho and then fade after a couple of months, or maybe even a few weeks. Why? Because many of us choose New Year’s resolutions that are quite difficult, unrealistic, or beyond reasonable expectations. It’s been said that the best way to keep a New Year’s resolution is to make it clearly attainable in small steps that you can easily add into your lifestyle routine (that way it doesn’t seem like you are making major changes). One of the best New Year’s resolutions that I can think of? Increasing your bond with your dog!

Having a strong bond with your dog by making time for him, finding things you can do together, meeting his needs so he can meet yours, and providing positive and respectable leadership means that you won’t find your dog with behavioral issues that involve more time and patience to fix. You’ll both be happy and he will be a pleasant addition to your family – not just “one more thing” on your already full plate of life. So how can you build up your relationship with your dog in a way that is feasible for your busy schedule?

Author

Maria Huntoon, CBCC-KA
Certified Canine Behavior Consultant
Maria G. Huntoon Canine Consulting Services

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