4th of July and your Pup

The fourth is upon us!  We are approaching our country's 236th birthday of independence!  This is a time of celebration, food, family, and fun.  However, when you factor in the stress, excitement, and high anxiety of friend and family barbecues along with the sight and noise of fireworks, you may find yourself with a problematic pup.  Fireworks and pets just don't mix in a normal environment.  If your dog is not desensitized to loud noises, as a therapy or working dog might be for example, then it is probably best to leave him home during the festivities.

Prevention and Desensitizing:
Dogs are typically not use to the sound and disruption of fireworks. It can cause anxiety levels to skyrocket and segway into further behavior problems.  This stress can cause stomach issues, timidness, helplessness, separation anxiety, or fear-aggression.  If you have noticed your dog is sensitive to loud noises and flashing lights, try desensitizing them to this prior to the fourth. Start with playing a recording of fireworks at a low volume. Do normal fun activities with your dog, during the playback. Gradually raise the volume while treating, training and playtime. If you notice the dog withdrawing, reduce the volume until he is comfortable and begin again.

Food and Family:
I'm sure some of your guests are NOT dog people. All they know of dogs is fun and treats, or licks and rubs. Keep your pup safe from ingesting dangerous food or inedible products (ie. wooden skewers, bones, plastic ware, poisonous food).  Remember, it's not only chocolate that is harmful to dogs (i.e. onions, garlic, avocado, grapes, etc.)  It's like Christmas to your pup, with all the food around, and unmonitored plates. Before you know it your food has spontaneously disappeared, and you may be off to the emergency vet.  Be mindful of your barbecue.  You don't want to be tending to burns as well.

Flight from Fear:

This time of year has one of the highest rates of lost pets. Make sure you have your dog tagged and/or microchipped and secured in a quiet safe place. Fear of the noise may cause your dog to flee or hide. If they are loose, they could potentially run into a high traffic area or get lost by running too far from home.  Want an easy prevention?  Keep your dog at home in a safe quiet room, with the TV or radio on to provide a comfortable noise-distraction, and avoid the festivities all together.

The tips above are brief and summarized. Each dog possesses a different personality and will not theoretically react the same way. Please consult with us about your dog, and situation and we will assist you to ensure a safe and happy Fourth!

Back in the Pack
www.backinthepack.com

New Years and our Pets!

As the new year creeps upon us, we gather our family together and celebrate another blessed and successful year with resolutions on how to better the oncoming. While we are celebrating let's not forget our dear pets who unbeknownst take part in the festivities. This time time of year can be very frightening to pets of all species. The onslaught of crowds or lack there of can cause anxiety and loud noises, such as fireworks or gun fire can be very unsettling. This time of year is heavily saturated with lost or missing pets as well, resulting from fear and darting out an open door. Here is a small list of pointers to ensure your pet is safe and secure during the New Year festivities:

Make sure your pet has his ID collar with appropriate contact information. This will help ensure a safe return of your pet if found. Also, consider microchipping your pet. We now have the ability to "track" our pets whereabouts and this can be very helpful in finding your lost pet.

Have up to date photos of your pets. You may need these to update an online pet search profile or print posters.

In the home, ensure your pet has a "safe haven". With many guests in the home your pet may become anxious, give them a quiet area where they can rest and detox from the commotion.

Keep an eye on your alcoholic beverages. Dogs can become very thirsty when they are in an anxious state and are liable to lap up anything. Alcohol has proven hazardous to pets at higher amounts.

We can't all avoid the fireworks or gunfire, but we can try to lessen the noise. Secure a spot for your pet away from windows where he can avoid the 12 am celebration. Turn on music to soothe them or distract from the loud erratic noise.

Lastly, if a quiet room is not available, then let's face the loud demons with a positive attitude. Get the really good "Kryptonite" out. Once the fireworks or commotion has begun give him his favorite treat, play a game with him for distraction, start training, or allow them to retreat to their favorite place. We want to associate the noise with positivity to avoid any further anxiety or problem behaviors.

These tips will help to keep your pet safe during the new year roll around. Our pets are our family, celebrate and enjoy them, just don't forget to protect them;) Happy New Year from Back in the Pack!!!

DJF

Family, Fun & Festivities with the Furries

Family, Fun, & Festivities with the Furries

The holiday season is upon us, and your furry friend is feeling a bit anxious. As much as you are distracted by visiting guests or family, and the stress of holiday shopping, your pet will need a little more supervision and attention. Not what you wanted to hear? Here are a few tips to keep your canine anxieties at bay, and help to ensure a happy healthy pet during the season.

1. Your tree and decor. Remember it is natural for your dog to want to chew. Be careful and mindful of what holiday ornaments you use on your tree. Lights, breakable ornaments, a tree holder with a fresh oasis of water each day, candles, and poisonous plants can attract your pups. Keep a watchful eye, and place these items high and out of reach for your canine friend.

2. Training. Unwanted behaviors like barking, jumping, and stealing food are common and natural for dogs. Training is essential to keep these behaviors at an acceptable level or rid them completely. New guests in the house tend to not enforce your same rules, and will not apply discipline. Keep training fresh in your dog's mind by using each arrival of guests as a training opportunity. A trained well balanced pet is a happy pet.

3 . Avoid temptation. Let's be honest, you have a food motivated dog. If you leave the food on the counter, with no supervision, the temptation is clear. Avoid putting your dog in the position of choice. Yes, on a normal occasion, they know better, but in an anxious state, all is fair game. Block off areas of the house that may increase your pet's temptation. Crate, or baby gate your pet during times he can not be supervised. Keep guests from giving table scraps, it may even be better to remove your pet from the area all together to keep the rules in check.

4. Exercise. Snowing? Ice? Too much to do? No excuse, your pet does not understand. The winter season is the prime time for stressed under exercised pets. You wonder why they are destroying the garbage, marking the house, tearing down the ornaments or the tree. Boredom and excitability. It is essential to keep your pet well exercised and tired during this time, mentally and physically. Use mental puzzles and games to keep them occupied and entertained during festivities, but don't forget they need their walk before you shop!

5. Accept me, accept my dog. Let's not go by this motto, this season. Some of your guests are not use to the 3 German Shepherds on your lap. It can be overwhelming for a dog to get use to all the guests in their home. Avoid forcing them to do so, and avoid forcing guests to accept them. That can lead to an uncomfortable and dangerous situation. Watch for visible signs of stress, heavy panting, licking of lips, yawning, or hiding. Give your pet a safe spot away from the commotion. I know you want everyone to love your pet, but love him first.

Remember to keep your emergency vet's number handy in case of unexpected events.
Following these tips will help to keep your season bright and manageable, at least with your dog, I can't guarantee the family! Holidays are meant to be a time of family and festivities, but don't forget to keep your pet's mental health in mind, it will make everything easier along the way.
DJF

Please enjoy the link to our holiday card:

Merry Christmas & Happy Holidays from Back in the Pack

Winter Crazies!!

This is the "Cabin Fever" time of year for most of our pups. "It's too cold", you say..."Too much ice or snow, no place to walk them", "My dogs hate the snow, and won't go outside!" Believe me I've heard it all, but the dogs don't care for them, I promise.

Each time you leave the house they wish they were going with you, and that anxiety builds and builds, until finally your shoes are eaten, they've torn the pillows on the couch, ransacked the garbage, ate your houseplants, soiled the carpets, and start taking out their frustration on each other. Even longtime canine siblings seem to be having problems with each other and you have to separate them. The excuses just don't matter to the dogs.

FYI folks. Whatever you do in the Spring and Summer do in the Fall and Winter, it's a year-round commitment. Consistency is key!! Check out some of the activities you can do in the winter with your pup. Stay tuned for more tips and pics!