Category: Dogs

Animals and Seasonal Allergies: Communicating with Your Pet for Relief

Post author By Marjorie Lewis
Post date September 25, 2023

As pet owners, we always strive to ensure our furry friends are happy and healthy. When it comes to seasonal allergies, our pets can experience discomfort just like we do. While it might seem challenging to communicate with your pet about their allergies, there are ways to better understand their symptoms and provide relief. In this blog, we’ll explore how the services of an animal communicator can help bridge the gap in understanding your pet’s allergies and provide much-needed relief.

Common Signs of Seasonal Allergies in Pets

Seasonal allergies, like grass and tree pollen, in pets can manifest in various ways, including sneezing, coughing, skin rashes, and sore paws. These symptoms are often visible to pet owners, and they can be treated with prescription medications prescribed by a veterinarian.

However, sometimes pets cannot fully express the depth of their discomfort. This is where an animal communicator can play a crucial role. They can help decipher your pet’s unspoken language and provide insight into the severity of their symptoms. For example, an animal communicator can uncover how much that rash itches or gauge how uncomfortable your pet feels when they sneeze.

Understanding Your Pet’s Non-Verbal Cues with an Animal Communicator

Animal communicators are trained to connect with pets through telepathic communication, enabling them to understand your pet’s thoughts and feelings through imagery. When your pet is experiencing discomfort due to allergies, an animal communicator can help you interpret their non-verbal cues more effectively:
1. Scratching or Chewing: Excessive scratching or chewing of their paws, ears, or other body parts can indicate itchiness or irritation caused by allergies. An animal communicator can provide insight into the intensity of your pet’s discomfort.
2. Licking: Continuous licking of specific areas may be an attempt to soothe irritated skin. An animal communicator can help you understand what areas bother your pet the most.
3. Rubbing Their Face: Pets with allergies may rub their face against furniture or carpets to relieve itching around their eyes and muzzle. An animal communicator can help you determine the extent of their discomfort.
4. Changes in Behavior: Noticeable changes in your pet’s behavior, such as restlessness, lethargy, or decreased appetite, could indicate discomfort from allergies. An animal communicator can delve into the emotional aspects of your pet’s response to allergies.
5. Sniffing and Sneezing: Frequent sniffing and sneezing, especially when outdoors, may suggest that your pet is reacting to outdoor allergens like pollen. An animal communicator can help you understand how your pet perceives these allergens.

Taking Steps to Reduce Allergen Exposure

While effective communication with your pet about allergies is enhanced with the help of an animal communicator, there are still practical steps you can take to reduce their exposure to allergens:
1. Keep Indoor Air Clean: Use air purifiers to filter out allergens like pollen and dust. Regularly clean and vacuum your home to reduce allergen buildup.
2. Limit Outdoor Time: During peak allergy seasons, try to limit your pet’s outdoor activities, especially in areas with high pollen counts.
3. Allergy-Appropriate Diet: Consult with your veterinarian about specialized diets that may help alleviate allergy symptoms, especially for pets with food sensitivities.
4. Regular Grooming: Regular grooming and bathing can help remove allergens from your pet’s fur and skin.
5. Consult Your Veterinarian: If you suspect your pet has allergies, consult your veterinarian for a proper diagnosis and treatment plan. They may prescribe medications or recommend allergy testing based on insights gained from an animal communicator.

While pets may not be able to verbally communicate their allergy symptoms, the services of an animal communicator can help bridge the gap in understanding. Pay attention to signs of discomfort and take proactive steps to reduce allergen exposure. If you suspect your pet is suffering from allergies, seek guidance from your veterinarian to ensure they receive the appropriate treatment and consider enlisting the help of an animal communicator to help monitor their symptoms and be sure they are enjoying a comfortable, allergy-free life. Remember, a happy and healthy pet is a cherished companion.

Beyond the Barks and Meows: Decoding Pet Body Language

Post author By Marjorie Lewis
Post date August 29, 2023

Can you imagine being in an age where verbal communication wasn’t prevalent? All animals on Earth today, including the Human animal, evolved for most of its history relying solely on non-verbal communication. Some studies show that it was not until perhaps 50,000 years ago that humans developed a spoken language, while others say it could have been around for well over 200,000 years.

Today, Humans Focus On Verbal Communication, Not Body Language

Despite when scientists believe verbal language started being used, we have, by this time in our evolution, become quite focused and reliant on our verbal skills to communicate with others. Becoming ever more distant from our earlier knowledge and familiarity of the non-verbal, or body language of our ancestors. This deep ancestral knowledge of reading body language has not, however, gone away completely. It has just faded into the background of our awareness while we focus on the busy and loud human world we live in.

This loud, verbal world has left little attention remaining to focus on and “listen to” the subtle, silent, non-verbal “language” of our animal companions. The animals, however, have had little attention or use for our loud babble and have been developing and refining their non-verbal communication skills over thousands of years.

Each species has developed its own unique set of body language skills that include

Eye contact and pupil dilation
Head posture
Ear position
Body stance
Facial expression
Tail carriage and movement

These can be combined in an infinite number of combinations to express the feelings, intentions, and ideas that they need to convey to friends or foes.

Animals Rely on Body Language and Sounds

Many species have also developed sounds to use along with their body language, such as barks, meows, nickers, and chirps, but these are used as a nuance to the primary non-verbal language in most species. In fact, many scientists still do not qualify them as language because they lack some of the defining characteristics of language, such as grammar and syntax.

Some animal species are considered “vocal learners” that can mimic human speech, such as parrots, dolphins, and beluga whales, yet this is usually not considered “language” but an excellent imitation of human speech. These animals do not use human speech to communicate with their own kind, just with humans as they are taught.

Miscommunications Between Pets and Their Owners

“Whether we speak the same language or not, the most important thing is that we strive to understand one another.”

Many of us train verbal commands to our pets in an effort to make ourselves understood, and I believe that we should be making an equal effort to understand the unique signals of communication that are native to our animal companions.

In consultation with my clients, I find that many of the “problems” pet owners experience with their family pets are due to miscommunication between the two species. We speak and expect our pets to understand our meaning, yet we are often completely unaware of the language they are attempting to share with us – the non-verbal language of their own species.

The Importance of Understanding Your Pet’s Body Language

One might see a dog wagging its tail and assume it is relaxed and happy, but that signal does not carry over to the language of a cat or horse. A cat wagging his tail conveys excitement or annoyance, and when a horse “wags” his tail, you better step back because he is quite irritated and may follow through with a kick.

Whether you have adopted an adult dog, are training a young horse, or trying to negotiate with the family cat, having the skills to notice and respond non-verbally will help to develop the relationship between you.

Developing a deeper relationship with our companion animals relies on developing accurate communication between us. After all, when traveling in a foreign country, speaking louder and slower in English is not the best way to break through the communication barrier. Take the time to learn about the subtle nuance of language and communication that is used by the one you wish to communicate with.

Any individual, whether human or animal, feels better when they can express themselves, be heard and understood, and understand in response. Developing this common communication system helps to develop trust in relationships and fosters a feeling of belonging and safety.

Resources for Pet Owners

Dog Owners

Imagine being able to tell when your dog is stressed and preventing a bite based solely on the dog’s body language. Well, you can! Here is a general guide to interpreting stress signals from your dog.

Cat Owners

Cat Daddy Jackson Galaxy breaks down what you need to know about cat body language in this video.

Horse Owners

To handle a horse safely, it is important to understand the changes in expression and posture that can tell you what they are thinking. You can read more here.

An animal communicator can also help you cultivate a deeper understanding between you and your pets by translating your thoughts and ideas into images and feelings that your pet can understand. Consider scheduling your personal consultation now.

Cats Dogs Horses Pet Resources

Summer Reading for Pet Owners

Post author By Marjorie Lewis
Post date July 31, 2023

Do you love to spend some of your summer downtime reading? If so, I’ve got a great list of books for you! Whether you spend your summer lounging on the beach or browsing through an old bookstore, this list of books will help you discover a new (or old) book and begin looking at your human-pet relationship in a new way.

Animals Make Us Human by Temple Grandin – If you’ve ever owned, cared for, or had a care in the world for an animal, this book is for you. Grandin explains the core emotional needs of animals and encourages you to explore our bond with them.
Animals in Translation: Using the Mysteries of Autism to Decode Animal Behavior by Temple Grandin – Looking for a life-changing book you won’t want to put down? This book is it! It will forever change the way you think about animals and give you great insight into the way they think.
As the Stars Fall by Steve N Lee – If a heartwarming novel is more your speed, read this book. You’ll see how friendships heal us and how compassion can make us whole again.
Horse Brain, Human Brain by Janet Jones – If you are into brain science, this one might be for you. In this book, seeing, learning, fearing, trusting, and focusing are discussed from both human and horse perspectives. You’ll see just how much can be communicated between these two beings and how they can negotiate the world together.
Mental Exercises for Dogs by Timi Foster – If you and your dog want to get out and get busy this summer, try this family-friendly guide to unleash your dog’s potential.
Chicken Soup for the Pet Lover’s Soul by Jack Canfield, Mark Victor Hansen, and Carol Kline – This Chicken Soup collection shares stories about the unique bonds that animals and humans have and how pets have been teachers, healers, heroes, and friends. It’s a book that’s sure to bring you joy and inspiration.
Feline Nutrition – Nutrition for the Optimum Health and Longevity of Your Cat by Lynn Curtis – The rate of diseases such as cancer and diabetes is skyrocketing amongst our companion animals in part due to the increase in commercial “junk food” available on the market today. Often filled with chemical additives and low-nutrient fillers, these high-carbohydrate foods do not come close to the “natural” diet our carnivorous cats crave. Reading this book will help you nourish your feline friend and strengthen your understanding of their needs.
Mindfulness Coloring Book – If you don’t feel much like reading but prefer to relax into a state of mindfulness, these animal images might do the trick.

No matter if you like jumping into science or just want a heart-warming book, these books can help you deepen the bond and understanding between you and your animal by embracing new ideas. You can also deepen your bond by hiring an animal communicator which can give you even more insight into the way your animal feels and behaves.

Dogs Pet Resources

What Summer Activities Should I Do With My Dog?

Post author By Marjorie Lewis
Post date June 29, 2023

Summer is in full swing, and that means that most of us are spending more time outside. On the East Coast, it’s been an especially mild winter, spring, and summer so far, which has allowed us to enjoy mild temperatures that don’t come with many risks for our animal’s well-being. We’re sure to have more intense temperatures as the summer progresses, so here are some fun summer activities you can do with your dog and some things to consider while doing them.

Summer Dog-Friendly Activity Ideas

Go for a Swim: If your dog enjoys the water and is a competent swimmer, take them to a dog-friendly beach, lake, or pool for a refreshing swim. If you just rescued your dog and aren’t sure whether he can swim or not, allow them to watch other dogs in the water and provide them with a shallow area to test out the water in. Make sure to prioritize their safety and supervise them at all times.
Play Fetch: Find a spacious area, such as a park or backyard, and play a game of fetch with your dog. Use a frisbee, tennis ball, or any other suitable toy your dog enjoys retrieving.
Take Hikes or Nature Walks: Explore nature together by going on hikes or leisurely walks on nature trails. Choose trails that are dog-friendly and offer shade or bodies of water for your dog to cool down.
Have a Picnic: Pack a dog-friendly picnic and head to a park. Enjoy some outdoor time together while you and your pup indulge in some tasty treats. Remember to bring dog-safe food and plenty of water.
Arrange Playdates: If your dog enjoys the company of other dogs, organize playdates with their doggy friends. This can be a great opportunity for them to socialize, exercise, and have a blast.
Try Agility Training: Set up an agility course in your backyard using items like tunnels, jumps, and weave poles. This activity promotes physical exercise and mental stimulation and strengthens the bond between you and your dog.
Go on Car Rides: Take your dog on short car rides to explore new areas or visit dog-friendly establishments. Ensure their safety by using appropriate restraints or carriers while traveling.
Play in a Sprinkler or Dog Pool: Set up a sprinkler in your backyard or provide a small dog pool for your pup to splash around in. Many dogs enjoy the sensation of water, and it’s a great way for them to cool down on hot days.
Teach New Tricks: Summer can be a good time to work on training and teaching your dog new tricks. Use positive reinforcement techniques and make it a fun and rewarding experience for both of you.
Attend Dog-Friendly Events: Check for dog-friendly events happening in your community, such as outdoor markets, fairs, or dog-friendly festivals. These events often include activities and opportunities for socialization.

What to Consider During Summer Activities

While there are a plethora of activities to do with your dog this summer, you should keep these things in mind:

Consider your dog’s breed, age, and health when choosing activities. Always prioritize their safety, provide plenty of water and shade, and be mindful of the temperature to prevent overheating.
Ask them what their preference is. Before you indulge in all the summer activities, consider using an animal communicator to help you identify what activities your dog prefers. For example, you may ask: do you prefer to chew on a bone inside with cool air? Or do you prefer to splash in the dog pool?
If your dog hasn’t had the experience before, they can’t tell you if they prefer it. Therefore, you may have to test things out. If you’re unsure if they have or not, assume they haven’t.
If you’re planning a vacation, make sure that it is one that fits the entire family…including your furry loved ones.
Plan ahead for different activities. For example, if your dog loves to go outside and run, take them in the morning and not during the hottest part of the day.
Use common sense for things that could jeopardize your dog’s safety. For instance, you wouldn’t want to give your dog the choice of going to the beach if you’re going to be out there all day. The sun and hot sand could be detrimental to your dog.

No matter what you decide to do, it’s important to take the time to enjoy your time with family, friends, and your pet. Summer is a great time for connecting and doing activities that aren’t always available to us, so be safe and have fun!

Cats Dogs Holiday Pet Tips Horses

9 Important Independence Day Tips for Pet Owners and Non-Pet Owners

Post author By Marjorie Lewis
Post date June 29, 2023

Protecting animals from fireworks is crucial during celebrations like New Year’s Eve, Independence Day, or any other events involving fireworks. With Independence Day falling on a Tuesday this year, we’re in for several nights of celebration by those around you. This means that not only do we need to be mindful of our pet’s safety on July 4th, but we also need to be mindful days before and after. The loud noises, bright lights, and sudden bursts can cause extreme stress and anxiety for animals, leading to panic, injuries, or even escape attempts.

Here are some steps you can take to help protect animals from fireworks:

Keep animals indoors: The best way to ensure the safety of your pets is to keep them inside your home during firework displays. Close all windows, curtains, and doors to minimize noise and block out the flashes of light. Provide a safe and comfortable area for them, such as a cozy room or their crate, where they feel secure.
Create a calming environment: Reduce the impact of fireworks by creating a calm and familiar environment for your pets. Play soothing music or turn on the TV to drown out the noise. Use white noise machines or calming pheromone diffusers specifically designed for pets to help create a peaceful atmosphere.
Stay with your pets: If possible, stay home with your animals during fireworks displays. Your presence and reassurance can provide comfort and alleviate anxiety. Avoid leaving them alone, as their panic may lead to destructive behavior or escape attempts.
Provide a safe space: Make sure your pets have a safe place to go if they feel scared. This could be a familiar room or their crate, equipped with their favorite bedding, toys, and treats. Creating a den-like environment can help them feel protected and minimize their stress.
Use positive distractions: Engage your pets in activities or playtime before the fireworks begin to tire them out. Offer interactive toys or treat-dispensing puzzles to keep them occupied and redirect their focus away from the noise and lights. Mental stimulation can help alleviate anxiety.
ID tags and microchips: Ensure that your pets are wearing identification tags with updated contact information. If they manage to escape or become lost, this will increase the chances of a safe return. Additionally, consider microchipping your pets and keeping the registration details up to date.
Consult a veterinarian: If your pet has an extreme fear of fireworks, consult a veterinarian. They may recommend various options, including anxiety-reducing medications, natural remedies, or behavioral training techniques to help your pet cope with the stress.
Inform neighbors: If you know in advance about upcoming fireworks displays, inform your neighbors about the potential impact on pets. This can encourage them to be mindful and take precautions as well.
Inform authorities: Contact local authorities or event organizers to advocate for quieter or alternative fireworks displays that are less distressing to animals. You may even want to educate yourself about the effects that fireworks have on wildlife and domestic animals so that you can be more persuasive. For instance, the combination of deep percussion and vibration hinders a bird’s navigation abilities. Additionally, SFGate reported on studies that showed that birds leave their nests when fireworks explode, which leaves their eggs vulnerable to predators. As a result of these findings, some towns have banned traditional fireworks displays.

By following these measures, you can help protect animals from the anxiety and stress caused by fireworks. Remember to be patient and understanding, as each animal may respond differently. Your care and attention will go a long way in ensuring their well-being during these festive occasions.

Animal Health Dogs

Dog Anxiety Awareness

Post author By Marjorie Lewis
Post date May 1, 2023

Do you have anxiety or have you ever felt anxious? Chances are that you have. Since anxiety is “an overwhelming sense of apprehension and fear often marked by physiological signs”, it’s a pretty common thing. In fact, according to the American Psychiatric Association, nearly 30% of Americans suffer from anxiety in their lifetime. That’s nearly 1 in every 3 people!

Have you ever thought that your dog might have anxiety? Even humans have a hard time identifying their own anxiety, let alone their pets. Imagine being a dog that cannot verbally communicate it or even do anything on its own to reduce it. Since the first week of May is Dog Anxiety Awareness Week, I’d like to share some information with you about how to identify that your dog has anxiety and how to help them with it as well.

Dog Anxiety Signs

Just as with any disorder, there are several signs that can also overlap with other disorders and illnesses. No matter what you expect that your dog may have, it’s a good idea to take note of the symptoms they have and how often they are displaying them. Here are some signs that could indicate that your dog has anxiety that you’ll want to take note of:

Changes in eating habits
Digestive issues such as acid reflux and diarrhea
Hiding or disappearing from view
Displays of fear, such as shaking/trembling
Lashing out unexpectedly
Unusual growling, or showing teeth

Our dogs take cues from our own behavior so relax your muscles, slow and deepen your breath and manage your own anxiety to demonstrate the desired behavior to your dog.

Why do dogs get anxious?

Anxiety can be triggered in dogs by many factors. In some cases, a dog may have a negative association with a common object used by a human such as a hat or walking cane. In many situations, the negative associations can be removed through training with a qualified professional. Big life changes like a new home or introducing a baby, new roommate, or an additional pet to the house can result in anxiety. Sometimes these changes merely require an adjustment period, but in some cases may require training to assist the dog with acclimating to the newness.

In my experience, the most common cause of anxiety with dogs is noise. Loud noises such as fireworks, gunfire, thunder, alarms, and even yelling can cause anxiety. Reactions can range from merely a bark to long periods of distress. Sometimes creating a distraction or replacing the noise with another one can help. Aids that can help reduce anxiety include:

Compression – such as a tight-fitted shirt or wrap similar to swaddling a newborn
Calming music
Running a fan
Diffusing essential oils. Be careful though, not all essential oils are safe for dogs. Some that are safe and commonly used include lemongrass, lavender, and rosemary
Massage
Use a gentle tone with your dog, and do not use a voice they may mistake as praise for their behavior this may only add confusion

Using An Animal Communicator to Reduce Anxiety

Sometimes anxiety happens sporadically, but sometimes it can become a routine issue. An animal communicator can help you to pinpoint the cause of distress. Without knowing the trigger, you may be unknowingly making the situation worse, or better yet the solution may be something simple that never occurred to you. Be proactive and plan for utilizing the above-listed aids when you know there may be an anxiety-inducing event such as July 4^th, an incoming storm, or houseguests. Consult a qualified trainer to help you work through specific reactions. You can be your dog’s greatest advocate by creating a safe environment. Not only will you both be happier, but your bond will also strengthen.

Animal Adoption Dogs

Do-odle or Don’t

Post author By Marjorie Lewis
Post date May 1, 2023

Surely you have heard of the poodle crossbreed craze, Cockadoodle, Goldendoodle, Labradoodle, Aussiedoodle, Bernedoodle, Doberdoodle, Dalmadoodle, etc. None of these name combinations are made up by us. Try Googling any dog breed with the word poodle and there’s a good chance that a crossbreed will show up. Have you seen them? They are the cutest little muppet-like cuddlepoos. But what is the huge appeal of these crossbreeds called doodle dogs and what are the risks?

The Poodle

Let’s start with the poodle, a great dog. According to the American Kennel Club, “Whether Standard, Miniature, or Toy, and either black, white, or apricot, the Poodle stands proudly among dogdom’s true aristocrats. Beneath the curly, low-allergen coat is an elegant athlete and companion for all reasons and seasons.” No wonder people want to use those traits to customize a pet that is perfect for them, but that is exactly the issue.

Why Crossbreed?

You cannot crossbreed and expect customization or the perfect outcome. For example, there is no way to guarantee that another breed crossed with a poodle will result in a hypoallergenic dog. Considering ten to twenty percent of the human population is allergic to pets, that is a trait that is particularly desirable. It likely is the root of the appeal of doodle crossbreeds to begin with, but even purebred poodle promoters will admit that no dog is 100% hypoallergenic.

The low allergy tendencies of a doodle mix depend on the percentage of poodle mixed with the percentage of the other breed. The outcome is a bit like DNA roulette unless the breeder is a reputable one that places the integrity of the crossbreed and their own reputation in high regard. A multigenerational doodle cross will have more percentage of poodle, and therefore more tendencies toward being less likely to cause allergy issues. A first generation doodle crossbreed will result in a completely different outcome than a second generation doodle crossbreed. Complicated, yes? This is why finding an experienced breeder you can trust is so important.

Use an Experienced Breeder

Obviously not all breeders are the same. This means that a doodle shopper must do their research! If not, your chance of getting a low allergy crossbreed is the same as adopting a mix from the shelter. That research becomes very important when you realize that the price of a doodle mix ranges from $1,500 – $5,000 and the price of a shelter dog is $50 – $500. It is even more important when you consider the number of shelter dogs needing homes. If a dog found at the shelter is a good fit, then why go with a “designer” crossbreed that may not even have the characteristics you desire in a companion pet.

Common characteristics that people assume can be controlled in crossbreeding

Physical:
- coat quality (low allergy, low maintenance grooming, curly/straight)
- agility
- overall health
Temperament:
- calmness
- intelligence
- trainability

Use a Reputable Breeder

Find a reputable breeder that you can verify through references and contact your veterinarian for suggestions. Investigate your options! If you don’t do your research, you may be unknowingly buying that knockoff Louis Vuitton bag rather than the real deal. Unfortunately, that very issue has resulted in poodle crossbreeds ending up in shelters across the country in high numbers. Not only are the dogs that result from haphazard breeding returned because they are not low allergy, but also because many shed a lot more than a purebred poodle.

If you choose to go with a crossbred or purebred dog, it is up to you to do what is necessary to find the dog that is right for you and a breeder that is responsible, because disregarding a knockoff handbag is completely different than relinquishing a living creature.

This blog was written by Rebecca Gatewood.

Animal Health Dogs

Canine Fitness Activities You’ll Both Love

Post author By Marjorie Lewis
Post date April 6, 2023

With Spring officially here, do you find that you’re not eating so much hearty food and that you’ve started to move more? As the temperature continues to increase and we have more sunny days, you’ll see more runners and walkers out and about, with and without their canine friends. If you have a furry friend, I’d encourage you to incorporate some canine fitness into your own fitness routine as there are many benefits to both.

What is Canine Fitness?

When you think of fitness in general, do you think about just physical fitness or do you have a more holistic thought? Canine fitness, just like human fitness, is more than just being physically fit. It encompasses our mental, emotional, social, and physical well-being. Here is a great blog that breaks down each type.

Canine Fitness Basics

Since physical fitness impacts so many areas of our lives, as well as our pup’s life, it’s important to keep the basics in mind. When it comes to canine fitness, the basic strategy is the same for ourselves and our pups:

Provide a healthy diet
Engage in lots of regular activity
Burn more calories than you eat
Keep moving throughout your life

While these are the basics to keep in mind, it’s also important to take the individual, person, and pup, into consideration. For instance, a husky needs a lot more exercise than a basset hound and of course, a husky with impaired vision may not be doing as much running as a husky with great vision. Just as you take your own personal history and abilities into consideration, be sure to do that for your canine friend, too!

Canine Fitness Activities

When you’re determining what activities to do with your dog, there are several things to consider. Below, I’ve included two to get you started.

Hound Type

Some dogs are sight hounds, some are scent hounds and some are attention hounds. Find out what activities suit you and your pup the best.

Exercise Preference

Find out what type of exercise your dog loves to do. Is he a runner, a sniffer, or a couch potato?

If you’re not sure what your dog likes, working with an animal communicator can help your dog to express his individual needs and preferences.

He might express that he likes:

Taking a long walk sniffing along a nature trail
Running a 5K
Hiking a mountain trail
Dog Sledding
Swimming
Nose work
Obedience
Agility
Dock diving
People watching
Squirrel watching
Frisbee
Fetch

Try something you both love so you both get all of the benefits of it! Remember that no matter what type of physical exercise you choose, you should keep your pup out and active as they age. A dog that engages in age-appropriate exercise will stay healthy longer than one that spends time on the couch.

Canine Fitness for the Mind

Throughout their active years and well into old age, dogs enjoy stimulation for their mind and their senses in addition to physical exercise. Creating ways to engage your dog through enrichment activities that they can enjoy even on a rainy day will make their life feel full. These might include:

Puzzle games
Volunteer therapy work
Hide and seek
Grooming
Chew toys
Bird watching
Visiting friends

The mental and emotional health of our dogs is just as important as their physical health. Allowing outlets for energy helps them to rest better. Allowing them outlets for their curiosity and natural behaviors reduces the risk that they will develop anxiety and unwanted behaviors. Keep them busy? Keep them happy!

Dog Training Dogs

Is It Ever Too Late for Dog Training?

Post author By Marjorie Lewis
Post date January 26, 2023

Are you considering adopting a dog but are hesitant to adopt an older one? Adopting a dog is a big decision. As we stated in our previous blog, 6 Things to Consider Before You Adopt A Dog, there are several things you should consider when doing so. That list expands when you are looking at a more elderly dog. Adopting an older dog has several pros and cons, such as bypassing inevitable puppy behavior (pro) and knowing the dog’s personality (con). One of the things that there are many misconceptions about is whether or not you can still train an older dog. The short answer is yes! Despite the saying “you can’t teach an old dog new tricks”, you can absolutely teach an older dog new responses so it is never too late for dog training. Before we dive into that, let’s get a better understanding of what dog training can entail.

Types of Dog Training

Styles of Dog Training

In another blog about needing a trainer, we discussed what might prompt someone to get a trainer, what to consider before hiring a trainer, getting input from others and how animal communication can be a resource. Now, let’s look at the different types of dog training. According to Pet Keen, there are 4 different styles of training.

Positive Reinforcement. (My personal favorite). This is all about praise for good behavior.
Dominance Training. With this training, you’re utilizing methods that communicate to the dog that you are the alpha and that the dog submits to you.
E-collar Training. E-collars use shock, noise, or vibration to correct unwanted behaviors.
Clicker Training. This signals the dog that it’s reward time when they’ve done something good.

Specialized Dog Training

Outside of the 4 styles of training, there are also 8 different specialized trainings. Some of these are not fit for all dogs so it’s important to hire a reputable trainer that will thoroughly discuss each.

Behavioral
Tracking
Obedience
Therapy
Agility
Retrieving
Service
Protection

Finding the Right Dog Training

Take a moment to think about the way you learn. Do you have to write things down or do what you’re learning yourself to get it to “stick”? Humans are just like dogs in that we each learn differently so knowing how your dog learns and understanding each type of training is important. For instance, if you have a hound, tracking could be a really good way to train your dog since they are natural hunters with extra-strong sniffers. As I just demonstrated, the breed may be something to consider when choosing a type of training. The type of training you choose will also depend on things like:

Age – you won’t necessarily want agility training for a 14-year-old dog.
Health condition – if your dog has severe anxiety, you may not want it to do service training.
Desired outcome – if your dog is showing undesirable behaviors that you want to diminish, you wouldn’t want to focus on therapy training.

No matter what type of training you choose, the only time age should be a factor is if their age is directly related to a health condition or physical ability. Otherwise, age should not deter you from teaching your dog a new behavior or trick.

Dog Training for An Aging Dog Could Be Difficult, Not Impossible

When it comes to training your dog, it is easier to teach a new response than to “un-teach” one that has already been learned. So, you can teach an old dog a new trick but it is harder to re-train a trick or behavior pattern that they have already learned.

It is much easier to teach a young dog that is open, energetic, and ready to explore. Young dogs have not had much time to learn about themselves and their environment so they don’t have predetermined responses to new experiences or commands. However, please note that you should be mindful of what you teach a young dog. They learn quickly whether you mean to teach a behavior or not.

As dogs grow and age, they gather information about their environment. They make assumptions and “download” patterns of responses based on past experiences. These “learned” responses may be correct (desired) responses from the human point of view or they may be labeled undesired or incorrect by the human. The dog does not label events and responses as “good” or “bad” as we do. They tend to learn what brings positive responses (praise, reward) and negative responses (pain).

Their labels and our labels do not always agree.

With all of this considered, be strategic and intentional about the way you are interacting with and training your dog and you’ll continue to strengthen your bond!

Dog Training Dogs

Misconceptions About Dog Behaviors

Post author By Marjorie Lewis
Post date November 30, 2022

Naughty playful puppy dog border collie after mischief biting pillow lying on couch at home. Guilty dog and destroyed living room. Damage messy home and puppy with funny guilty look

I’m sure you’ve heard the saying “A dog is a man’s best friend”. There’s no denying that these loyal and loving animals can really be our best friends and companions. While they can be our best buds, this doesn’t mean that we completely understand each other. Think about our relationships with humans whom we speak the same language with. There are still so many misunderstandings. Imagine how many misunderstandings there are between dogs and humans! Below, I outline some common dog behaviors and common misconceptions about them to help you foster a better relationship with your furry friend.

Barking

Dogs will be dogs and barking is what they do to communicate with everything – humans and animals. While barking is normal, it can be excessive so it’s important to be aware of why your dog is barking.

If they are barking because someone is at the door, it’s their instinct to protect you. If your dog is just standing in front of you and barking for no apparent reason, they could just want attention, may need to go outside, or may be hungry. The reasons a dog barks are infinite so remember that if it’s starting to get on your nerves, yelling is only going to fuel the fire. It’s important to remain calm and communicate in a non-aggressive way. After all, your dog doesn’t necessarily know what you’re communicating to him.

Misconception: The dog should understand what I want from him.

No dog instinctively understands the rules for living amongst humans. The boundaries and expectations that we hold for our pets must be defined and trained for the dog to understand. While our dogs do learn to interpret our tone of voice, posture, and facial expression, they do not understand our words. Consistency, patience, practice, and positive reinforcement are our best tools to cultivate understanding in our dogs.

Aggression

Do you have that dog that, no matter what, always shows aggression towards people or other animals, especially dogs? If a dog doesn’t get much time around others, they may show their protector instinct as a default behavior because they don’t know how to communicate with others, even their own kind.

Misconception: Dogs always understand one another.

It is true that dogs have a “language” all their own. They use stance, posture, facial expression, and tail wagging to indicate to other dogs their intent to play or avoid contact. Most dogs will pick up on this non-verbal language shared by many breeds and interpret it correctly. However, there are many dogs that were not socialized at an early age, or at all, and will not understand the customary signals. Help your dog to learn this language early through careful socialization and plenty of dog play.

Chewing

If you’ve had a puppy before, you’ve probably experienced the chewing stage to some degree. Dogs are chewers because they use their mouths for exploration, second to their noses. Since puppies have so much to get familiar with, they tend to chew more often. What about those dogs who are no longer puppies that are still chewing everything? You may get very upset with them because they should “know better”, which brings us back to our first misconception. It also may be because they are not given what they need to keep from being bored and use chewing as a way of entertainment. They could also not like their environment and chew to destruct it. Regardless of the reason for chewing, it’s not always the dog’s fault.

Misconception: It’s always the dog’s fault

There are so many times when a dog is punished or corrected for what we call “bad behavior” when in fact, the behavior is a completely natural one for a dog. Quite often the misbehavior is simply a misunderstanding of our expectations. As responsible dog owners, we should always ask ourselves what role we have played in this behavior we have labeled “bad”. Have we taken the time to clearly teach the required skill? Have we trained clear boundaries and made our expectations clear so our dog can understand? Take the time to put yourself into the dog’s perspective and see the world as they do. Is it still clear that this was “bad behavior”?

Digging

Going back to the point of being bored, your dog could be excessively digging because they have nothing to keep them entertained. Remember that dogs who spend a lot of time outside will naturally dig because they want to bury a toy or because they want a cool place to lie down. If your dog is digging, you don’t have to task them with a “job” to stop it. There are other ways to mitigate digging.

Misconception: Dogs need a job

While it is true that boredom can cause all sorts of behavior issues, a “job” is not always the answer. Dogs have no concept of a “job” as we do. Dogs do need regular activity, and an environment that is enriched with sensory stimulation, and for some dogs, trained tasks give them stimulation and focus for their energy.

Dog Behavior Misconceptions Can Be Lessened with Animal Communication

Misconceptions are a part of life and at the same time, there don’t have to be so many. Hiring an animal communicator can help you get an understanding of why your dog has certain behaviors. Once you have an understanding, you can work together to change those behaviors.

I’d like to leave you with two things to keep in mind about your dogs as you embark on the journey of better understanding.

Dogs don’t experience guilt. The postures and expressions we see in a dog and interpret as guilt are usually fear or anticipation of punishment. This is based on the owner’s posture and tone of voice, not guilt from a past behavior. Therefore, you should use positive reinforcement to change behavior, as scolding them will not make them feel guilty and not do the act again.
You can teach an old dog new tricks. Old dogs can absolutely learn new tricks. If the dog is mentally and physically able to respond to cues and rewards, it can learn. In fact, learning a new skill or trick can add interest and energy to an older dog and enrich his senior years.