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WELLNESS

DOG TRAINING TIPS: WHAT TO DO WHEN YOUR DOG BARKS

Toronto-pet-photographer-dog-barking-tipsHave you ever been annoyed because your dog barks — and barks and barks and barks? It’s a question most pet parents would answer ‘yes’ to (including myself!) No matter how much we train a dog not to bark there will always be those occasions when they yip and yap away. However, I’ve discovered a new way to approach this matter…

Instead of scolding your furry friend when they bark at the mailman, the garbage truck or someone at the door, tell your dog “Thank you.” Actually say thank you out loud and then redirect your little minions to their bed for a cookie.

The reason is this; if you raise your voice at a dog who is barking, the dog picks up on that energy and interprets that extra sound as ‘Well everyone is on alert now! Yay!’ By saying thank you instead, you keep your energy calm and composed which translates better to redirecting a dog’s attention.

Remember a dog barks to raise awareness of what they perceive to be a danger to the group. So acknowledge their bark as a positive thing and literally thank them for their safety tip. I’ve been doing this lately with Rory and Lucy and it is proving to be a great training tactic!

PAWSH PERK:  What does a dog’s bark really mean?

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Pawsh Magazine | “The Career Issue” | Fall 2014

The new Fall 2014 edition of Pawsh Magazine “The Career Issue” has arrived! Inside we have all sorts of special features for you to devour page by page including an interview with one of the anchors from CTV’s most-watched news entertainment show ETALK, expert tips for teaching your dog dazzling party tricks, cosy fall products, moving photo essays and so much more!

Special thanks to our wonderful magazine sponsors this season — Blanket ID, Lincoln Bark, JoeysCoat, Rocky and Julio and Bowzer Box. And thanks as well to our fantastic blog sponsors DogTrot Fitness and Water In My Paint. Without your generous support this issue would not have been possible!

Without further adieu, here is the new issue! As always please be sure to comment below and tell us what your favourite pieces/articles are so we can continue to create content in the future that means the most to your furry family.

DOG HEALTH: CARING FOR DOGS WITH ARTHRITIS

Dogs-and-Arthritis-Toronto-dog-wellness-2Aging is a part of any canine life, but sometimes with those precious golden years there also comes the challenge of coping with arthritis.

This condition, which is often referred to as degenerative joint disease, subjects a dog to pain and inflammation of the joints. Just like in humans, arthritis is defined as “the breaking down of smooth cartilage that protects the bones that make up a joint” (source). Once that healthy cartilage disappears or diminishes, a joint becomes aggravated, inflamed and generally painful from the constant friction of bone rubbing against bone.

Sometimes there are additional factors at play besides genetics that can cause arthritis to present in canines. These factors can include (but aren’t limited to) broken bones, dislocation, torn ligaments or preexisting medical conditions.

For a dog suffering from arthritis their mobility can be greatly limited. Sitting and even walking can become uncomfortable, which as you can imagine is no fun at all. However, there are a few things a pet parent can do to make a dog’s life with arthritis more comfortable.

GENTLE EXERCISE
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Dogs who suffer from arthritis will find movement a challenge, but they will still need to exercise in order to keep fit and keep their joints functioning. Two highly recommended low-impact therapies are hydrotherapy (aka supervised swimming) and canine massage, as both activities allow a dog to stretch, tone muscle and limit the risk of falling.

Depending upon the case, you may also consider short, slow walks. Just be sure to keep an eye on them to make sure they don’t topple over.

SMART FOOD
Researchers have found that some human foods possess vitamins and minerals that can help soothe arthritis symptoms, such as celery, papaya and mango. Some experts believe that excessive grains in a diet can aggravate the condition, so you may want to consider removing such elements from your dog’s diet.

Eating smart and avoiding excess weight will also help alleviate some joint stress for dogs, as the more pounds they have to carry, the harder it may be to walk.

MEDICATION
Some cases of canine arthritis are so severe they may require medication and supplements from a certified vet to alleviate their symptoms.

PREVENTION IS THE BEST MEDICINE
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Of course, nobody can predict what conditions a senior dog may develop, but encouraging a healthy, active lifestyle can help to prevent the risk of developing arthritis; although avoiding this condition entirely cannot be guaranteed.

Make sure your dog exercises regularly to keep excess weight off and be mindful of their diet, especially as they age. Sometimes a dog’s food will need to be changed as they get older — and keep track of how many and what kind of treats you are spoiling them with.

(Note: Be sure to consult with your veterinarian when addressing arthritis in your dog.)

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This article was made possible by DogTrot Fitness — Canada’s exclusive distributor of the PetRun line of dog treadmills — the ideal solution if your dog doesn’t love dog parks.
dog-treadmills-dogtrot-fitness-pawsh-magazineAdequate exercise is equally important to your dog’s wellness as a healthy diet. Even if you can’t run WITH your dog, we can help you meet his exercise needs, regardless of weather. With running decks scaled to suit any stride, there’s a PetRun treadmill for every size of dog! WEBSITE | FACEBOOK | TWITTER

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