Keeping My Dog Safe From Poisons

With the kids (and me), there are always things left around the house that our dog might get into.  What are the things that I should watch out for to protect him?  I don’t want something that I left out after the game to make my doggie sick…

All dogs, but especially young dogs, are naturally curious creatures.  This is why we advise dog owners not only to know and be vigilant about potential poisons in and around the home, but also to learn to recognize the signs indicating a dog has eaten something poisonous, and then know what actions to take.  Just because something is safe for people to eat doesnt necessarily mean it is safe for our dogs to eat.

By following these tips, you can help protect your dog from accidental poisoning:

• Toxic foods include chocolate, avocado, onions, garlic, raisins, grapes, alcoholic and caffeinated drinks, macadamia nuts, and chewing gum or candy containing xylitol (a sweetener that is safe for humans but toxic for dogs).
• Serious danger to pets continues from antifreeze/coolant, even though animal-friendly products-made with propylene glycol, not ethylene glycol-are now available.  Always wipe up antifreeze leaks or spills of any size. Pets are attracted to the sweet taste and can die from kidney failure if they ingest even a small amount of this highly toxic substance.
• Store poisonous baits used to rid your home of pests (rodents, snails, insects, etc.) in places that your dog cannot access.  Like antifreeze, some baits smell sweet but are very toxic to pets, causing severe internal bleeding.
• Keep pets away from common household cleaners (the fumes can be noxious) and heavy metals (such as lead) found in paint chips and linoleum.
• Consult with your veterinarian before giving your dog any vitamin, herbal supplement or medication made for humans.  Even small doses of medications of any kind-whether for humans or pets-can be lethal to pets.  Keep all medicines well out of your dogs reach.
• Many plants-even dead or dried-are toxic to pets. Whatever part of the plant may be dangerous (leaves, fruit, seeds), learn about the types of toxic plants that may grow in your home and surroundings (both cultivated and wild), and keep your pets away from them or remove them entirely.
• Keep your pets off lawns or gardens that have been treated with fertilizers, herbicides or insecticides.  If your dog has walked on treated lawns, wipe his feet clean as soon as you get home to avoid the possibility of him licking his paws and ingesting the poison.  Store all such chemicals in places your pet cant reach.
• Other toxic substances found outside include mushrooms and garden mulch.
•  Ask your veterinarian for a detailed list of all potentially poisonous items, substances and plants found around your home. 

Possible Symptoms of Poisoning (Toxicity) in Your Pet:

• Vomiting/upset stomach
• Labored OR shallow breathing
• Drooling
• Increased OR decreased heart rate
• Fever
• Hyperactivity OR sluggishness/lethargy
• Increased thirst OR lack of thirst or hunger
• Dilated pupils
• Stumbling or staggering
• Seizures or tremors
• Loss of consciousness

If you think your dog has ingested a dangerous substance contact your veterinarian or local animal hospital immediately.  If you are advised to bring the dog into the clinic, be sure to take along the packaging of the suspected substance or a sample of the plant you think your dog may have eaten. This can help the veterinarian know how best to treat your pet.  For more information or clarification, please contact us at Great South Florida Dog Trainers.

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Playing With Your Dog Outside in Summer Heat

Yes, I know that it is never "cold" down here in South Florida, but it really starts to get nasty into the summer months.  Should I change the way I play with Wolfie during this time?

In a very quick and simple answer, "yes".  The most important factor that should be taken into consideration is the summer heat.  Perspiration is the way that our body regulates its temperature to stay healthy and survive.  We perspire through our skin.  This gives us a very large ability to regulate our body temperature.  Wolfie perspires through his mouth; panting.  This affords a far less opportunity for body temperature regulation in extreme situations (hot South Florida summer day).

Because of this, we have to take extra precautions during the hot, summer months when playing outside with Wolfie.  Here are some tips:

• Only play outside before 9AM in the morning and 7:30PM in the evening as the sun is low on the horizon.  Never play for more than 15 minutes without taking a break.
• Always have plenty of water for Wolfie.  Even if he seems uninterested, guide him to the water from time to time.  Make it a game and splash the water in the bowl to get his attention.
• If you have a pool and Wolfie enjoys the water, throw the ball in the pool to have him jump in and retrieve it.  This will naturally cool him off.
• If Wolfie likes the water and you dont have a pool, use your hose to crate a rain shower so he can jump up and try to "eat the rain drops".
• If possible, play on a grassy, cool surface.  Concrete or asphalt can get hot quickly and since we are normally wearing shoes, we dont know just how hot the surface is.  If you have to play on these surfaces, get down and put your entire palm on the surface to check its temperature.
• Mix up your playing with some active fetch and chase the ball with more quiet grooming and scatter feeding.
• Put a leash on Wolfie and practice some attentive walking.  This is a slower exercise and also helps to promote focused obedience. You can also practice come, sit, and stay while you have him on the leash.
• Short snouted dogs are more susceptible to heat exhaustion than long snouted dogs (Pug vs Lab).  Because of that, take extra precautions when playing with your short snouted dog outside. You might think about shortening your play times or playing earlier in the morning and later in the evening.
• It is OK to have some quiet, outside time during the day if you manage it properly.  Quiet time bonding is also a very important part of your relationship with Wolfie.  Go outside and sit in the shade with Wolfie.  You can read a book or tweet on your tablet.  Give Wolfie a toy, a goodie, or scatter feed.  Still have plenty of water for Wolfie.  Dont stay out for more than 30 minutes and come inside if Wolfie becomes too active or it gets just too stifling. 
• When you and Wolfie come inside, make sure that he still has some water to re-hydrate.

Heat exhaustion is a very serious issue for dogs in the summer.  For more information, please contact us at The Best Dog Trainers in South Florida.  If Wolfie appears overly lethargic after being outside, call your veterinarian immediately.

"Mad dogs and Englishmen to out in the midday sun"

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Wolfie and the Summer Heat

It is South Florida and it is now summer.  I know that Wolfie is more sensitive to the heat than "we humans", so what should I do to keep him okey dokey?

For the current purpose of discussion, I would like to keep this short and sweet.  If Wolfie is outside, but sitting in the shade with a nice breeze blowing or if cloud cover is keeping the temperatures down to something manageable, the times I am about to give can be extended.  I am assuming that it is a regular hot and humid summer day and the sun is big and yellow overhead.

The schedule below shows the length of time that I allow our dogs to be out at any one time during the summer heat.  It is OK to let them out multiple times, but always allow at least one hour between outings:

6AM to 9AM:    30 minutes

9AM to 11AM:  15 minutes

11AM to 6PM:  10 minutes

6PM to 8PM:    15 minutes

8PM to 6AM:    no limit

Be sure to provide Wolfie water while he is outside.  Do not leave the bowl outside all day because it will become very hot and possibly burn Wolfies mouth when he drinks.  Make sure the water is clean and cold.  Also, add some ice cubes just for a little fun.  Also allow Wolfie water when he comes inside if that is when he would rather drink and re-hydrate.

Remember the old saying...

"Only mad dogs and Englishmen go out in the noonday sun".  

If you need to take Wolfie out, make sure he is safe... Not like those mad dogs and Englishmen!  For more information, please contact The Best Dog Trainers in South Florida.

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Taking Wolfie to a Restaurant

I would love to take Wolfie to my favorite restaurant, but I am afraid he would just go nuts with all the people, sights, and smells.  Is there any way I can "teach" Wolfie to be good at restaurants?

The good news is that it can be pretty easy to get Wolfie, or just about any dog, to be well behaved at your favorite restaurant.  First, you have to understand that if you like to hang out at a popular sports bar, it will take longer than if you like to sit outside at Panera Bread.  In any event, the process is the same for either place.  Here is what you do:

The intent of this training process is to slowly ease Wolfie into the new environment of the restaurant while you maintain your alpha leadership role and Wolfie continues to look to you for guidance and safety.

First, you and Wolfie go to the restaurant when there is nobody there or the restaurant is closed.  Sit off in a corner with Wolfie.  Have some food with you so that you can simulate having a meal.  Also, have something for Wolfie so that you can be in charge of his focus.  Repeat this process until Wolfie becomes completely comfortable with the environment.

Next, continue this process but enlist the help of a friend.  Have your friend slowly talk up to your table, talk with you for a moment or two and walk away.  Have your friend come again with something in his hands that he will place on the table.  Correct Wolfie if he starts to give your friend too much focus or he starts to get up.  Repeat this process until Wolfie could completely care less when people approach your table and you.  (We have now completed the "waiter test".)

We are now ready to add more people, noise, and smells to the training experience.  Come to the restaurant during a slow period, but when there still are other patrons and employees.  Be sure that you are still sitting away from a main passageway.  You should inform your waiter when you enter the restaurant that you are training Wolfie to be a good canine patron so he might see you correcting him while he is taking your order and bringing you your food.  

Have your meal and correct Wolfie if he starts to have too much focus on other patrons, waiters, etc.  Continue this process with Wolfie until you see that he is calm with the sights and sounds of the restaurant at that level of activity.  If you believe that Wolfie is becoming pensive or nervous, cut that days training session short (ask for a doggie bag) and come at a slightly quieter time for your next training visit.

Repeat the above process, slowly coming at more active times until you are coming at your normal time.  Please be aware that the really loud, crazy restaurants might just be too much for Wolfie at specific times.  In that case, you will have to adjust your schedule for Wolfie.  Also, be sure that the restaurant allows dogs.  If it doesnt, you will have to find a new restaurant.  For more information, please contact The Best Dog Trainers in South Florida.

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