Simon Goes to Work

One of the best parts about being self-employed is that I am able to bring my dog, Simon, to work with me. We are awake early today and have fresh snow to greet us. Just waiting for it to get light enough to go play outside and then we shall begin our day of work related activities.

We shall first head out to my psychotherapy practice where Simon will offer uninhibited compassion to my clients. It always amazes me how he is able to provide comfort and to lessen stress simply by his presence and allowing my clients to stroke him. He should feel extra soft after he rolls around in the fresh snow this morning!

Then it is off to the training studio for a small class in which he may participate or just practice some down stays amid great distraction. He typically excels with 'stay'- even when other dogs come right up to him and give him a sniff!

So, I am very grateful today to be in a position to spend all day with my dog. I am even more grateful that my dog seems to enjoy this as well!

Hugs to all your dogs today...

Holiday Dog Bite Prevention Tips

Visiting family and friends is part of the holiday season. Changes in routines, crowded rooms, unattended food and excited children can often lead to miscommunication between the resident dog and guests. Peaceful Pack Dog Training and Doggone Safe offer tips to keep kids and dogs safe over the holidays.
Family gatherings at a relative’s house are the source of fond memories for many. The relative’s dog may not enjoy these events as much as the rest of the family. Noise, confusion and changes in routine are stressful for dogs. Even a normally calm and docile pet may become agitated enough to bite under the extreme circumstances of a boisterous family celebration. Supervision may be lax if each adult thinks that another is watching the children. Children are the most likely victims of dog bites in this situation. Peaceful Pack Dog Training and Doggone Safe offer the following tips:
• Put the dog in his crate with a bone or favorite chew toy, at least during the most hectic times – guests arriving and leaving as well as dinner preparation and serving.
• Assign one adult to be in charge of the dog, to watch for signs of stress and protect from unwanted attention from children.
• Signs of stress include:
o The dog yawns or licks his chops.
o The dog shows the white part of his eye in a half moon shape.

• If the dog shows any of these signs, then he is worried and wants to be left alone. Put the dog in his crate or in a room away from the guests with a favorite chew toy or bone.
• If the dog licks his chops, yawns or shows the half moon eye when a child approaches or is petting him, intervene immediately and ensure that the child cannot access the dog.
• Do not allow visiting children to hug the dog. Dogs don’t like hugs and kisses. Even if the dog tolerates this under normal circumstances he may not tolerate this from strangers or in a high stress situation with lots of noise and people.
• Other signs that the dog does not welcome attention from children (or adult) guests include the following:
o The dog turns his head away, walks away or tries to hide under furniture.
o The dog freezes and becomes very still, with his mouth closed. He may be staring intensely at the person who is bothering him and may growl. This dog is a few seconds away from a bite.
o The dog growls or raises the fur along his back.

• Assign one adult to supervise each baby or toddler with no other tasks expected.
• If you have multiple dogs, consider kenneling them, crating them or keeping them in another room during large gatherings.
• Supervise at all times.

Peaceful Pack Dog Training provides group and private lessons to people and their dogs. It is our business to help people and their dogs create lasting friendships with training solutions that REALLY work!

About Doggone Safe
Doggone Safe is a non-profit corporation registered in Canada, Ontario and New York State with offices in Canada the US and Australia. Doggone Safe’s mandate includes dog bite prevention education and dog bite victim support. For general information please visit the Doggone Safe website at www.doggonesafe.com

SNOW- no classes Monday December 6. 2010

As many of you may know I have been anxiously awaiting the arrival of snow. Today, my wish has been fulfilled!

Schools have been cancelled in our area and as such classes at Peaceful Pack are cancelled for the day. I hope you all get to enjoy playing in the snow with your dogs and we will look forward to seeing you next Monday.

Woofs,
Tracy & Simon

Toys Wonderful Toys!

Dogs are a lot like children. If you don’t give them something fun to do, they will make their own fun- and often not in ways you approve of. What’s more, dogs that get plenty of mental exercise are happier, calmer, quieter and less likely to rummage through the trash or attack couch cushions. All terrific reasons your dog should have toys and this is the season for placing a special toy of two under the tree for your beloved pooch! But do not limit your dog’s toy box to one of two toys. Dogs have distinctly individual toy preferences, depending on the day, time and situation. Do some detective work and find out what truly tickles your dog.

The best toys have a purpose. They deliver food, present a challenge, squeak, or make themselves interesting in some other way. If you are new to the world of dog toys, here are some classics to begin with: Rope toys, plush toys (with or without squeakers), Hide- A-Bee (or squirrel, bird etc.), tricky treat balls, soft rubber toys or hard rubber toys filled with tasty treats like Kongs. Once you have a good selection, develop a toy strategy. Designate a popular toy for use only when your dog will be left alone, like when you need to leave your dog in her crate, confinement area, or a spare room- stuffed Kong toys are a good bet. Then, rotate the other toys daily to keep the novelty factor high.

Some dogs are dissectors, another word for toy destroyers. Messy as it can be, it’s perfectly normal canine behavior- dogs are predators, after all, and need an outlet for those pounce and shake urges. If your dog is a dissector, provide legitimate things for her to attack and let her indulge her hobby. Don’t worry; she will not graduate to your possessions. Spare your budget by collecting the stuffing and putting it back in the toy- your dog doesn’t care is she splits apart the same stuffed alligator seven times! Or sue hand me down stuffed animals that your friends’ children no longer want, or buy in bulk from a goodwill store- just be sure to remove choking hazards like eyes and buttons. Many pet supply stores sell bags of squeakers that you can then insert for added entertainment and allure. Remember, dogs get busy. Make it with toys not trouble.

Maine Natural Health's OmegaMaine Pet ROCKS!!

It really is wonderful when I am able to find a product that is both fabulous and is produced locally here in Maine. The folks at Maine Natural Health and founder Dr Leighton have been producing all natural omega 3 fish oils in a state of the art facility in Warren, Maine. I am sure that many of you have read about the research that describes many health benefits of a diet rich in omega oils- both for us and our canine companions.

Maine Natural Health has generously offered our readers a 20% discount on their Pet Products. Simon and I encourage you to give it a try! To activate your coupon, just copy and paste the link below onto your web browser address bar.

http://store.mainenaturalhealth.com/pets-c8.aspx?Coupon=SIMON

Woofs & Good Health to all!

Chewy Salmon Treats

Baking some Chewy Salmon Treats to bring with us to Wag It tomorrow for our Rally O trail. It is my hope that they will inspire Simon and I to greatness!


The Basic Recipe
Pre-heat oven to 350 degrees.

Mix All together:
14 to 18 oz. canned fish- do not drain (salmon, tuna)
2 or 3 eggs
1/2 cup cheese finely grated
1 1/2 cups four (oat, wheat...)

Spread onto an oiled 9 x 13 inch baking sheet.
Bake about 20 minutes.
A large chef's knife works well to cut them. After cutting remove from pan to cool.
Makes about a bazillion training size treats!

Feed to your dog- who hopefully relishes them- woof, woof woof!

Halloween Dog Bite Prevention Tips

Changes in routine and the strange sights and sounds associated with Halloween can cause stress in a normally placid family dog. Keep dogs out of the fray by securing them away from the door and providing a long-lasting chew treat. Teach kids to Be a Tree and stand still if any dogs come near them on Halloween.

Halloween is lots of fun for kids, but many dogs will be confused or upset by kids in strange costumes and by lots of people coming to the door, but never being invited in. Peaceful Pack Dog Training and Doggone Safe (www.doggonesafe.com) offer the following tips for dog owners, kids and parents:

Dog owners:

1. Secure your dog behind a closed door or in a crate in a room away from the front door or the party if children are meeting at your house.
2. Give him a juicy bone from the butcher, a sterilized bone or Kong stuffed with hotdog, Rollover or other soft dog treats or a pre-stuffed bone from the pet store.
3. Play music or leave a TV or radio playing in the dog’s room to help mask the sounds of the activity at the front door.
4. Close drapes so that the dog does not see people coming and going through the window.
5. If you have a dog that barks at the sound of the doorbell, disconnect it or watch for trick-or-treaters so that they do not have to ring or knock.
6. Puppies and dogs that like to chase can get overly excited by costumes with dangly bits or streaming material. Supervise very carefully if you have a dog that may try to play with your children’s costumes while they are wearing them. Teach kids to Be a Tree and stand still if the dog does start nipping at their costume since the more they move, the more exited the dog will get.
7. Keep your dogs (and cats) indoors around Halloween time. Pets have been stolen, injured or poisoned as part of Halloween pranks or other rituals.


Kids and Parents:

1. Avoid houses if you can hear a dog barking behind the door, you can see a dog behind a screen door or you see a dog tied up in the yard or barking behind a fence.
2. Never approach any dog, even if you know him. He may not recognize you in your costume.
3. If an owner opens the door and there is a dog there, just stay still and wait for the dog owner to put the dog away. You can tell them you do not want to come near the dog. Do not move toward the person and dog. Wait for them to come to you to give you your candy. Wait for them to close the door before you turn and leave.
4. If a dog escapes just stand still and Be a Tree (hands folded in front, watching your feet). He will just sniff you and then move on. Wait for the owner to come and get the dog before you turn away.
5. If you meet a loose dog, Be a Tree and wait until it goes away.
6. It is best to ignore other people’s dogs on Halloween if you meet them out walking. The dog may be worried about all the strange creatures that are out and about. Even if you know the dog, he may not recognize you in your costume.


Here is a great video from Emily Larlham, a truly gifted dog trainer, to get you in the spirit- enjoy!

http://www.youtube.com/user/kikopup

Peaceful Pack Dog Training and the Peace Pups wish everyone a safe and happy Halloween!