Dog goes to the dentist

Important that dental work be carried by a veterinarian so the procedure goes smoothly and the dog does not get injuries, which can happen in non vet dental care.

DO YOU KNOW THESE PARTS OF YOUR DOG?

WHIPPET

MINIATURE DASCHUND

SHAR PEI PUPPY

DOG ANATOMY HANDLERS SHOULD LEARN FOR GROOMING AND TRAINING
DO YOU KNOW THESE PARTS OF YOUR DOG?

1. Nose
2. Muzzle
3. Eyes
4. Flews
5. Throat
6. Occiput
7. Cheeks
8. Pennies
9. Ears
10. Chin
11. Lips
12. Stop (carpal) pad
13. Canines
14. Metacarpal pad
15. Hock
16. Pastern
17. Withers
18. Stifle
19. Neck
20. Croup
21. Tail
22. Foreface
23. Throat
24. Forehead
25. Shoulder
26. Fore chest
27. Upper arm
28. Hock joint
29. Foreleg
30. Brisket
31. Front foot
32. Belly
33. Loin
34. Crest (of neck)
35. Digital pad
36. Dew claw

INDICATE DIRECTION IN TERMS OF THE BODY                      

1. POSTERIOR
2. ANTERIOR
3. DORSAL
4. VENTRAL
5. LATERAL
6. MEDIAL

TOY CARE COMMON SENSE

Circulate TOYS

For dogs who like to play with toys

Not only do you have to supervise toy use, it is your job to maintain those toys. Keep three or four sets of toys, in different buckets, bags, baskets or containers. To maintain your dogs interest in the toys, use a different bucket every couple of days. Mix them up. Rotating the toy buckets helps keep things clean and it is also useful in dog training. Keep a bucket for highly prized play items.  Toys can be great motivators for rewarding dogs and cats. Make note of which toys your pet favors so that you may employ them in bribery and reward. Keep those for special time in a special set.  Label the buckets; 1,2,3 and Special.  Many dogs value their security in terms of personal possessions. If your dog is so inclined, pay attention to those needs by seeing that the “stash” is protected and not raided. A towel or small blanket to hide the bucket or dish from view is often satisfactory. Change the play toys bucket every other day, keep the Specials for obedience praise. Toys not being used on a particular day can be cleaned if needed. 

Weekly, check toys for safety, wear and cleanliness. Wash kongs, hard rubber toys, frizbees and nylabones with a scrub brush, water and a bit of bleach, then dish soap and water, then rinse really well. The bleach will cut the saliva and the dog smell.

Launder fluffy toys by themselves, in a washing machine. Use hot water and unscented detergents. Dry the fluffy toys in the dryer. If they do not survive the laundry, you did not want them for your dog and do not repurchase them.  Even though the toys have been in the dryer, there will be water in the squeekers, so set them out in the air for a while before packing into the toy bin. Mold could be an issue. 

Once toys are dirty, throw them away if you do not want to launder them. Discard used rawhide chews; they can harbor bacteria. Check nylabones for rough or prickly edges and cut them off or file down, or discard when worn. Supervise toy use. Watch that powerful chewers do not break off bits. If swallowed they will cause problems by getting stuck in the dogs intestines. Never assume toys are safe.

DISCARD RAWHIDE CHEWS ONCE THEY ARE WORN OR COMING APART

DO NOT BE CONCERNED IF YOUR BOY DOG LIKES PINK....
SALMON IS PINK AND THAT IS A VERY STRONG SWIMMING  FISH.

ALL TOY USE REQUIRES SUPERVISION

 SOME DOGS LOVE ANY TYPE OF EASY PLASTIC SQUEAKER TOY. WASH THESE REGULARLY WITH WATER AND BLEACH TO PREVENT UGLIES GROWING INSIDE 

CHOSE THE CORRECT SIZE OF TOYS

LAUNDER STUFFED TOYS REGULARLY;  THROW OUT WHEN DAMAGED
BEYOND REPAIR

DO NOT ASSUME TOYS ARE SAFE. INSPECT AND RESEARCH DILIGENTLY

INSPECT CHEW BONES REGULARLY. DO NOT USE RAW BUTCHERS BONES

SWITCH UP THE TOY BUCKETS EVERY OTHER DAY

BUSTER ONLY HAS 3 LEGS BUT THAT DOES NOT SLOW HIM DOWN AT ALL. HE IS AN INCREDIBLE TOY COLLECTOR EXTRAODINAIRE!

CHECK BONES FOR WEAR AND ROUGH EDGES, SOME CAN BE FILED 

THIS END HAS BEEN FILED DOWN WITH A DREMEL TOOL

THE TOY STASH

STORAGE BINS WITH LIDS STACK WELL

BASKETS ARE OKAY IF DOG DOES NOT CHEW. NOT SAFE OTHERWISE 

PLACE ONLY CLEAN, DRY TOYS IN BINS

PLASTIC DOLLAR STORE BASKETS IDEA

SOME DOGS LIKE THEIR TOYS HIDDEN

BEFORE YOU GET A NEW DOG, PLAN AHEAD

Do research to see where to place the dog indoors and outdoors. It must be convenient for you to access and be comfortable for the dog. No basements or Garages. No locking in the laundry room or washroom. NOT NEGOTIABLE. Dogs are social pack animals. Do not isolate your dog or hell will ensue.

Plan to collect your new dog when you have two or three days off, even if  you work from  home. Even if you are always there as a homemaker, arrange it so your time is free for the dog. Have the equipment prepared and ready to use.

 So, your dog has traveled to your house in a car crate, or on the bus in a carry crate, whatever. Just be sure you have the genuine equipment for the task. Otherwise someone gets hurt. Once home, the  Leash and Collar are put on the dog to go from the crate to where the dog will do business from now on. Here again there are several possibilities depending on you and your situation. People with yards have dog run areas, people in apartments are restricted to on leash nature calls. No matter what, your dog will require a circular area about 16 feet in circumference about 5 ft across.  This is something to consider BEFORE you bring the dog home. We make all dogs over four months walk on leash to outdoor exercise area to go potty. Even Chihuahuas. Once your dog will do his duties in that spot, you can move on, but for the time being, this will be the potty exercise area and you will establish your pack authority. Freedom is earned over time.

So, take dog to the potty area which is ready ahead of time, and see if you get a woopoo or a puddle. If successful on both accounts, dog is brought to prepared indoor private enclosure, for twenty minutes of out of crate time and observance. After twenty minutes, give opportunity to relieve again at outside exercise area and then inside to crate. Observe. Is the dog quiet  in the crate and how easy it was to put your dog in crate? Sit on a chair and think about what is next.
Each time you take your dog out to the exercise potty area, you must use the leash and collar. Do not let the dog wander around your house off lead either. Use the ribbon leash indoors. Always use the leashes and collars recommended by Nana

Indoor private enclosure on washable floor is best

outdoors on washable gravel

Paving bricks with a patch of gravel is ideal for larger guys

Place the exercise area in close proximity to your door and washing facilities lie outdoor garden hose.

fencing can be wooden but make certain it is secure and comfortable

 Enclosures give you that secret measure of control

A strip of sidewalk along side of the house works we

Doing training research

Press the budget for a bedtime crate in bedroom  if possible

Bedtime crate

private enclosure crate and car travel crate

Use old sheets to cover carpets where you place a private enclosure

HAVING THE RIGHT SWAG AND A PLAN FOR HOLIDAY PUPPY AND NEW DOGS

Time to review some of the BASICS

Lots of families will be getting new dogs as a gift for the Holidays. Lots of families will not know what hit them . Come February, lots of dogs will need new homes.

Hopefully it will all work out.  Having the right swag and a plan will help make the new dog event a positive time for everyone.

Not all of the equipment on the list is needed for all dogs, but it is sweet to have it all if you can.

EQUIPMENT for normal dog, non-aggressive

1. Leather gloves
2. jacket or long sleeved shirt
3. Outer wear for weather
4. Soft footwear
5. Leather leash 6ft long with a spring clip the correct size for the dog
6. Chain training collar (collar 1)
7. Woven slip collar ( collar 2)
8. Bed sheets for bedding if needed
9. Pillows for beds
10. Dog towels
11. Stainless steel dishes
12. Toy bins 3
13. X pen indoors (8 panel no gate)
14. X pen outdoors (8 panel no gate)
15. Grooming table
16. Dog crates
17. Shampoo
18. Conditioner
19. Eye rinse
20. Ear cleaner
21. Q tips
22. Cotton pads
23. Facial tissues
24. Wash clothes
25. Paper towels
26. Disposable diapers for clean ups (or pee pads)
27. Wet/dry vac
28. Floor mop and bucket
29. Fragrance free cleaners and detergents
30. Slicker brush
31. Coat Rake
32. Greyhound comb
33. Zoom groomers
34. Nail snippers
35. File for nail smoothing
36. Toothbrush (people style)
37. Pet dental foam mint
38. Poop shovels for outside pen
39. Poop buckets (referred to as honey buckets)
40. Plastic bags for buckets
41. Plastic bags for dog walks
42. Rover's Brief Case from RBARK
43. 3 sets of toys suitable and safe
44. Dog kibble
45. Cookies
46. First aid kit
47. Sitting room cushion and blanket
48. Flexi leash
49. Other gear
50. A good paying, reliable job

Leads

ribbon leads for pup training

Select dishes which will be easy for the dog to use, wide enough to accommodate long whiskers or narrow enough to keep ears from dipping in, depending on the dog.

some dogs need an elevated dish but they are awkward to fill and keep clean

INDOOR DOG ENCLOSURE
This is to keep the dog out of trouble while being trained. Freedom is gained eventually as training progresses. The new dog should not be given run of the house and most certainly should not be on the human beds. Once trained cuddle all you want but not until.

Curtains drawn for bedtime

keep pets out of trouble until they know the rules

Puppies should be trained on a pee proof floor

The crate is Puppy's bed den


Indoor enclosure for new pup
Crate
Exercise pen enclosure fence
Water dish
Food dish
Toys
Floor mat
Bed cushion
Cover sheet
Blanket
Xpen curtains (dollar store table cloths work well)
If your crate is the wire sort, cover it to make it more snug for the dog (if your dog eats the covers, explain to him NOT to do that)


GROOMING
Know what equipment your dog will need for everyday care. It is wrong to rely entirely on grooming parlors to keep your dog groomed because your dog will get hurt in the process. Learn to do the task yourself.

Naturally, short coated dogs do not need a full complement of clippers etc. but they must still be groomed frequently. Grooming keeps the endocrine system healthy. All dogs need their ears, eyes, feet, coat, privates and teeth attended regularly. Ears are top on the list. Obedience training helps.

• Grooming table   This is an expense but totally worth it...almost Nana decreed. Life with a dog is much easier if you have a grooming table, yes even for Pit Bulls and St. Bernards
• Shears
• Combs face/ body
• Clippers
• Pin brush
• Slicker brush
• The stuff spray
• finishing clippers
• Nail cutter\nail grinder
• Quik stop for nails that are cut too close to the quick
• Clipper blades

• Shampoo
• Conditioner
• Towels
• Face flannels
• Sponges
• Utility scissors
• Exfoliating gloves
• Hound groomers
• Zoom grooms

• Wash Gloves
• wash leash
• wash collar
• Light
• Wash Apron or jacket and pants
• Tissues
• Paper towels
• cotton daubers
• Cotton balls or pads
• Alcohol 99% isopropyl alcohol
• Witch hazel
• Hydrogen peroxide

PET BEDS

• Sheets
• Quilts
• Towels
• Cushions

Save the cost of beds that ruin the washer, fall apart, or choke the pet. Do not use frayed, or unraveled blankets for safety. Be careful of blanket binding that is un-stitched.
If you are purchasing something new, just buy polar fleece from the fabric store, no need to hem ,just cut to sizes you want.
For recycling human old bedding, fold twin sizes in four, queens into half then thirds.  Fold sheet in half and wrap around the quilt, tuck in neatly.  Change sheet daily if needed, for laundering.  Buy bedding on sale in funky colors dogs love. For smaller guys, wrap discarded human pillows in sheets or pillow cases as cushions. Make a cushion igloo.


About the phrase: What a good dog!

The word WHAT clearly and emphatically pronounced, instantly gains a dog’s attention in a distinct fashion. WHAT A GOOD DOG! WHAT DO YOU THINK YOU ARE DOING?; WHAT IS THAT NOISE?
THIS IS A WORD YOU MUST USE A GREAT DEAL WITH DOG TRAINING
When praising your dog with a pat, pat on the sternum and say WHAT a good dog.
When praising your dog with only a word of praise and no patting, say, “WHAT a good dog”
The manner in which you praise your dog is most important.


About crate training 

The best way to crate train is to start when you are going to be at home for a few days.  The idea is to teach your dog to stay in the crate quietly while you go about your chores or watch tv etc. After you have given him the opportunity to go poo and pee, to have a drink and a snack, put your dog in the crate. Take off the collar or leash.  Be sure the bedding is safe, no strings etc to swallow and tangle the guts up. Once the crate gate is closed, use your voice, a magazine or whatever to persuade your dog to lie down be quiet, in no uncertain terms, in the crate while you are busy.  You must give a pee break every twenty minutes or so until you actually see your dog has gone and will be comfortable locked up. If any screaming is going on you need to be sure the dog is not in distress. Be very effective in telling him to be quiet in the crate.  It seems to take forever but persist and eventually, he will quiet down.

The crate is a safe haven for the dog and in will be used throughout the dog's life

A Puppy crate that wheels to the door and outside is the Cadillac of housebreaking equipment

Pup must be calm and quiet in the crate

After dogs are trained , their crates can be kept open in bedrooms

Water dishes
When it comes to providing drinking water for your dog at home, the type of water dish is important. The shape should not only work for the dog, but since you have to pick it up and wash it out a lot, it should be easy to grasp and carry. If your dog has long ears that dip in the water when he drinks use a tall narrow bowl that lets his ears hang on the outside when he drinks from it. Seeing their own reflection in shiny stainless steel bowls, disturbs some dogs to where they will not drink. Dishes that look earth natural are ideal. Dogs prefer them too. Get in touch with your community pottery clubs; sometimes they have left overs or rejects that are perfect for water dishes. Dogs with short or flat muzzles need a wide bowl type of dish, pointy faces can use a narrow dish. The material is important too. Stay away from any type of plastic, especially ice cream buckets. They can affect the pigment on a dog’s nose and lips so that just can’t be a good thing.
Keep the water dish freshened. Just because there is water in the dish that does not mean the water is fit for your dog to drink. If he has licked out of it at all, it most likely saliva you are looking at and not water. The water dish needs to be emptied out and refilled at least twice a day if not more. ANNA LEE changes water dishes AM NOON PM and before bed. The water dish needs to be washed daily with hot soapy water and rinsed thoroughly. If you let scum and mineral deposit build up around the dish rim expect to be cleaning up tummy bug messes. (puke and poop) Yes dogs drink out of toilets and puddles and so would you if that was the only water you could get at. Dogs to not turn on the water tap (I had a Doberman who did but that was one dog in how many?) and I suspect if they did they would use water from the tap before water from the toilet.

Pet supply stores too have no shortage of food and water dishes, so consider your dogs needs before you purchase. There are slow feeder dishes, anti-tip dishes (difficult to pick up for refilling) portable dishes, and dishes on stands for tall dogs. There are low profile dishes,  anti-chew dishes, raised sloping dishes, anti-ant dishes. There is no shortage of dog dishes and new ones are developed daily as companies jump on the pet product band wagon. Base your choice on the shape of your dog, his habits, the material the dish is made of, and how easy the dish is to look after.
Keeping your dog healthy with good food, fresh water at all times, exercise, love and clean bedding, establishes the trust needed to build a solid obedience training relationship. If your dog cannot trust you to provide clean water, bedding, food and exercise, he will not trust you at all. Obedience training is a discipline and a learning experience.

earth tones and clay looking human bowls are nice

Stainless steel water dish is easy to clean with vinegar and hot water

stainless steel dish with hanger for inside crate or pen

Have lots of safe toys available for the pup and be sure to supervise. remove damaged toys and replace them.