It’s the time of year when people like to redecorate for the holidays. Sunbear Squad has a great tip to keep in mind this holiday season.

WEEKLY WATCH TIP for Nov. 2

Watch for pets that are banished from the house before new carpet or furniture arrives for the holidays; they will be wandering and hungry.

Be A Good Samaritan For Animals

In between vet visits it’s always a good idea to routinely examine your dog.

This way if there is anything out of the ordinary, like a lump,  you’ll be able to tell right away.

You can do this simple exam while watching TV together, bathing, or grooming.  Below is how to do this simple and quick checkup, a few minutes is all it takes.

Run your hands over your dog’s head and body. Any new lumps or bumps? Observe the eyes, and check inside the ears and under the tail. Give the pet a good belly rub as you check the abdomen for hardness, swelling, lumps or bumps.

Other things to check:

• Shiny coat?

• Fur coming out other than normal shedding?

• Visible discharges from eyes, nose, ears or glands?

• Lift up the side of the mouth to check whether teeth are clean and gums are pink. Bad breath and discoloration of gums are not healthy.

• The nose should be wet without a discharge.

• Ear flaps should be pink.

A few minutes every month is all it takes. You probably will notice when something is not right. Be sure to tell the vet anything out of the ordinary to help avoid serious health problems.

Thanks to ” Dear Heloise”  for bringing us this important and useful information.

*Pixie Leigh, pictured above, has learned the importance of getting a monthly checkup.

I posted this on October 2d but wanted to do a special re-post for any Dogsters who may have missed it.  The article has some great tips for a safe and fun holiday. Happy Halloween Dogsters!

Halloween can be a lot of fun, but it can also be very scary for dogs. According to Liam Crowe, the CEO and master dog behavioral therapist of Bark Busters USA, Halloween is when they hear about more dogs dying or straying than any other holiday.

I would never have guessed that, but it makes sense when you think about it.  There’s usually a lot more accessible chocolate candy in the house for dogs to get into, the result of which can be deadly. Plus, the overabundance of loud noises and door bell ringing can set off a dogs flight instinct.

As pet owners we can keep a few simple things in mind to make Halloween a fun and safe holiday for all our four legged friends.

* Don’t leave your dog outside. Even if you have a fenced yard, bring your dog inside where it is safe. If your dog is usually kept outside, bring him in a few times before the big night to get him used to being indoors. Your dog may be used to strangers, but so many little ghouls and goblins running about may be too much. Remember also that it is a natural instinct for dogs to protect the family from strangers, and on Halloween there will be no shortage of strangers.

* Keep your dog restrained. If your dog is timid or scared, or if he tends to love people a little too much, it is best to put him in a separate room away from the front door to limit his excitability, aggression, and chance of running outside and becoming lost.

* Reassure your dog. The best thing you can do for your dog when he is feeling unsettled by Halloween activities is to act as you normally would. By over-reassuring your dog or giving him an unusual amount of attention, you inadvertently can communicate to him that because you are acting differently, there must be something to worry about.

* Have your dog get used to costumes. Your dog may see his family members as strangers once they don their Halloween costumes. Before the kids put them on, allow your dog to scent the costumes. If your costume has a mask, keep the mask off when you are with your dog because dogs can become confused when they can’t see our faces.

* Check your dog’s ID tag. Be sure identification tags are secure on your dog’s collar-just in case.

* Keep candy away from your dog. Many candies-especially chocolate-are toxic to dogs. The severity of the toxicity depends greatly on factors such as breed, age, size, and how much candy was ingested. Problems may range from a mild upset tummy to vomiting and diarrhea, or even death. If you have any concerns at all, consult with a veterinarian immediately. If you want to keep your dog safe, make certain that sweets, including their wrappers, are kept well away from your dog.

* Protect dogs from candles and pumpkins. Excited or agitated dogs can easily knock over a lit candle or pumpkin. Be sure those items are away from your dog’s reach, or consider a battery-powered candle that does not burn

* Think twice about dressing your dog in a costume. While some dogs might enjoy being dressed up, many don’t. Experiment first to see if your dog likes being in a costume. If so, fine-he’ll most likely enjoy himself and the extra attention it brings. However, if he shows any resistance, don’t do it. Dogs feel enough stress around Halloween without also having to endure the discomfort and peculiarity of wearing a strange costume.

* Be prepared. If you take your dog with you while trick-or-treating, be prepared at all times. Do not let your dog approach the door of a house, and stay clear of possible gags or gangs of goblins who will gather at the door. Dogs do not understand that the person jumping out at you will not hurt you; they often think they can only help you by acting aggressively. Neither children nor adults in costumes should approach a dog without the owner’s consent.

* Have fun but think of your dog’s safety. Finally, if you want your dog to be included in Halloween festivities, think about his safety much as you would the safety of a small child. Your dog does not understand Halloween, so he needs you to provide the guidance and safety that you always do.

Thanks to Bark Buster’s for sharing those great tips.

I thought a great ending to American Humane’s Adopt-A-Dog Month would be to post tips on how to safely bring home your shelter dog.

Bark Busters,  who uses dog-friendly training techniques, offered up these great tips.

Before You Bring Your New Dog Home:

Hold a family meeting to create rules about caring for the dog. Will he be allowed on the couch, the bed, and in all rooms of the house? Where will he sleep and eat? Who will be responsible for feeding? Who will walk him and clean up after him? As a family, you must all be consistent with your decisions or you will confuse the dog, typically resulting in the dog making his own rules and causing unnecessary tension, which can lead to undesirable behavior.

Have the necessary items your dog will need from the start: ID tags, a collar and a 6 foot leash, food and water bowls, food, dog toys, a crate and bedding, and basic grooming tools.

Plan to bring your new dog home on a weekend or when you can be home for a few days. You will want that time to get to know each other and to establish rules and a trusting relationship.

Just before you bring your dog into the home, take him for a walk to tire him out a little. Walks are not only good exercise, but they also serve as a training tool and an opportunity to establish yourself as the pack leader.

Establish Ground Rules in the First Days:At first, limit your dog to one room or area. Allow him time to familiarize himself with the smells and sounds of his new home. Try to limit your time away from home those first days; your spending time with him will help him to become more comfortable in his new home.

Keep your dog on leash for the first few weeks so you can immediately teach him what behaviors are and are not acceptable.

Expect housetraining accidents. Your dog is in a new territory and is establishing a new routine, so accidents probably will happen. Review housetraining information available from the shelter, your veterinarian or your local Bark Busters trainer. The key is to be consistent and maintain a routine.

Dogs instinctively like to den, and a crate makes the ideal place for your dog to sleep and get away from household hubbub. A crate also makes housetraining and training easier, but limit the amount of time the dog is crated. The crate should be roomy enough to allow your dog to stand up, turn around, and lie down comfortably. An alternative to a crate is to confine him in a dog-proofed part of your home, such as a laundry or mud room. You can use a baby gate or dog gate to block off the area from the rest of the house.

Most shelter dogs have been given basic vaccinations and many have already been spayed/neutered. It is important that your dog is examined by a veterinarian within a week after adoption for a health check.

For the first few days, limit guest visits to allow your dog to get comfortable with his new family. When you do have guests, ask their help in training your dog by instructing them to not pay attention to him until he has calmed down. One way to communicate this request is to post a sign on your front door informing visitors that you have a new dog in training.

A Trained Dog Makes for a Happy Human-Canine Bond:
Get guidance for training your dog. A well-trained dog is a happier dog and a joy to have around.

Dogs need a pack leader. If they don’t have one, then they try to become the leader, which can create numerous behavioral problems. Thus, you–and all people in your home (other than children under 12)–need to be the pack leader. Practice obedience training, set rules and apply them calmly and consistently, and praise your dog’s good behavior. He will see you as his pack leader and will bond more quickly to you.

It is amazing how quickly dogs learn what is acceptable and what is not. Dogs have a language of their own, and once we understand it, we can communicate better what we expect of them.

A Bright Future:
Hats off to you for bringing home a shelter dog! Your patience and training will help to create a bond that will reward you both for years to come. With the right balance of discipline, understanding and affection, your shelter dog will become a loyal, grateful and loving companion.

If you’re interested in learning more about Bark Busters dog-friendly training techniques, which leverage the same communications methods - body language and voice control - that dogs follow as part of their instinctual pack mentality, stop by their site. All training takes place in the home.

Here’s another great, and timely, tip from our friends at Sunbear Squad. This tip is also something to keep in mind after a major storm, many animals get left behind when their owners seek shelter.

WEEKLY WATCH TIP for Oct. 26

Listen for pets trapped inside as households head south for the winter. Check garages and sheds.

Be A Good Samaritan For Animals

Important information regarding a recall on Hartz Chicken Basted Chews due to potential salmonella  contamination.

The Hartz Mountain Corporation has voluntarily recalled a specific lot of its Hartz chicken-basted rawhide chips for dogs due to concerns that one or more bags within the lot are potentially contaminated with Salmonella.

The company announced the recall Friday, saying the two-pound plastic bags of chips with lot code JC23282, UPC number 3270096463 were distributed to a national retail customer it did not identify.

Hartz said the normal testing it conducts through an independent outside laboratory did not detect the presence of Salmonella in any of its rawhide products, but sample testing conducted by another laboratory did indicate the presence of the bacteria in a single bag of the chicken-basted rawhide chips.

Salmonella can cause serious infections in dogs and if there is cross-contamination caused by handling of the rawhide chips in people as well, especially children, the aged, and people with compromised immune systems.

Hartz is investigating the difference in test results and the potential source of the problem. It said there have been no reports of any animals or humans becoming ill. (Newsday)

If you have this product at home please check the lot number and take appropriate action.

It’s hunting season, this week’s  tip from the folks at Sunbear Squad is greatly appreciated.

WEEKLY WATCH TIP for Oct. 19

Watch and listen for stray hunting dogs in rural areas during the hunting season, where some are coldly abandoned for poor performance.

Be A Good Samaritan For Animals

With Halloween only two weeks away there are many articles warning about chocolate being potentially fatal to your dog if ingested.

What pet owners may fail to realize is that everyday over-the-counter and prescription medications are the cause of over 89,000 calls to the ASPCA Poison Control Center.

The experts at ASPCA have complied a list of the top 10 human medications they receive the most emergency calls about.

NSAIDs
NSAIDs (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs) like ibuprofen or naproxen are the most common cause of pet poisoning in small animals, and can cause serious problems even in minimal doses. Pets are extremely sensitive to their effects, and may experience stomach and intestinal ulcers and-in the case of cats-kidney damage.

Antidepressants
Antidepressants can cause vomiting and lethargy and certain types can lead to serotonin syndrome-a condition marked by agitation, elevated body temperature, heart rate and blood pressure, disorientation, vocalization, tremors and seizures.

Acetaminophen
Cats are especially sensitive to acetaminophen, which can damage red blood cells and interfere with their ability to transport oxygen. In dogs, it can cause liver damage and, at higher doses, red blood cell damage.

Methylphenidate (for ADHD)
Medications used to treat ADHD (Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder) in people act as stimulants in pets and can dangerously elevate heart rates, blood pressure and body temperature, as well as cause seizures.

Fluorouracil
Fluorouracil-an anti-cancer drug-is used topically to treat minor skin cancers and solar keratitis in humans. It has proven to be rapidly fatal to dogs, causing severe vomiting, seizures and cardiac arrest even in those who’ve chewed on discarded cotton swabs used to apply the medication.

Isoniazid
Often the first line of defense against tuberculosis, isoniazid is particularly toxic for dogs because they don’t metabolize it as well as other species. It can cause a rapid onset of severe seizures that may ultimately result in death.

Pseudoephedrine
Pseudoephedrine is a popular decongestant in many cold and sinus products, and acts like a stimulant if accidentally ingested by pets. In cats and dogs, it causes elevated heart rates, blood pressure and body temperature as well as seizures.

Anti-diabetics
Many oral diabetes treatments-including glipizide and glyburide-can cause a major drop in blood sugar levels of affected pets. Clinical signs of ingestion include disorientation, lack of coordination and seizures.

Vitamin D derivatives
Even small exposures to Vitamin D analogues like calcipotriene and calcitriol can cause life-threatening spikes in blood calcium levels in pets. Clinical signs of exposure-including vomiting, loss of appetite, increased urination and thirst due to kidney failure-often don’t occur for more than 24 hours after ingestion.

Baclofen
Baclofen is a muscle relaxant that can impair the central nervous systems of cats and dogs. Some symptoms of ingestion include significant depression, disorientation, vocalization, seizures and coma, which can lead to death.

This is great information to have, keep those drugs away from busy paws.  Be sure to keep your vet’s, and emergency vet’s, info handy at all times.

This week’s tip really hits home.  We recently adopted Logan, a Bernese Mountain dog rescue, and we were told when he was saved his weight was only 64 lbs.

This is a dog who should be a least 90 lbs, he’s on the small size.  He is now around 85 lbs and doing well.  When we got him he was up to about 80 but still to thin and his hip bones stuck out.  Thanks Sunbear Squad for such a great tip!

WEEKLY WATCH TIP for week of Oct. 12

Watch for protruding backbones, ribs, and hips before winter coats hide these signs of neglect. Look at every pet you pass.

Be A Good Samaritan For Animals

On Sunday I posted a story about Max, Mad Max And The Convertible, who got loose after the car he was riding in was struck.

Luckily that story had a happy ending, this one doesn’t.  This story, while extreme, does reinforce the importance of making sure your dogs are secure in the car.

A Bronx, NY man who failed to show up in municipal court has had a warrant issued for his arrest.  James Dannenberg, is wanted for charges stemming back to a traffic stop when he was pulled over on suspected drunken driving.

Morris County Sheriff’s Officers stopped Dannenberg on March 27 after spotting his Toyota Camry allegedly swerving on Route 80 westbound near exit 30.

Dannenberg was being handcuffed and placed in a police car when six of his seven dogs jumped out of his car through a broken driver’s side window that was covered with cardboard and a towel.

Four of the dogs were hit and killed immediately, another was killed when officials tried to corral it and the sixth dog was later found dead on the road.

Dannenberg was also charged with careless driving, driving with a revoked license, failure to exhibit all documents, failure to maintain a lane, failure to keep right on a highway, fictitious plates, overdue inspection and obstructed view, in addition to seven counts of animal cruelty and improper transport because his dogs were not properly secured in the car.

Dannenberg is a homeless man who hasn’t been seen since not showing up for court.  If anyone has any information regarding his whereabouts they should contact the local authorities.  This is such a sad story, on so many levels.

Being homeless, I’m assuming Dannenburg could not afford these dogs,  yet he kept them anyway.  This leads me to believe that he truly cared and loved the dogs.  He probably did the best he could for them, but the bottom line is he isn’t fit to take care of himself let alone another living being.

*The handsome boy in the truck above is our very own Dogster member , Pharaoh.