Boo!

Halloween will be upon us in a few days.  For me, I enjoy the unofficial start to the holiday season. Halloween brings with it, cooler weather, a change in seasons, autumn colors and people getting in the spirit with decorating.  I enjoy the scary movies and the history behind the holiday and how different cultures have their own perspective and traditions during this time of the year.

On the flip side, Halloween can be terrifying for our furry friends.  The constant ringing of the doorbell to the kids yelling ‘Trick or Treat’ to all the costumes which take away a bit of the humanness known by our dogs.  For fearful or reactive dogs, this can be even more frightening.  I know my little Boogs would be on edge every time the doorbell rang and someone was outside behind a mask.  So, in thinking about how I’m preparing my dogs for the trick or treaters, I thought I would share them with you!

If you’re going to be home and going to respond to the trick or treaters:

  1. Keep your dog in another room away from the door and give her something delicious and chewy during that time.  Putting Lily in a room away from the front door will keep her at a distance and will expose her less with the chaos of opening the door and seeing all the costumes and the high pitched voices of children.  On top of the distance away from the door, give Lily a bone will distract her and give her a job to do.  Chewing on a bone actually releases hormones which makes the dog calm down naturally.  This will help Lily in feeling more settled during this more strenuous time.  Keeping your dog away will ensure she won’t get triggered by seeing something she perceives as scary and have a fight/flight response kick in.
  2. If you will have candy from your own kids or just love Halloween candy, like I do, then ensure you keep ALL candy out of reach of your dogs.  As you may know, chocolate, in particular is toxic for dogs.  Yes, some chocolate is more dangerous than others depending on their percentage of cacao, but its better safe than be freaking out after you discovered Lily got into a bag of Nestle crunch bars.  On a side note, when Eddie and I first adopted Jack, we had to ‘Jack Proof’ (because he was completely stressed in a crate or in a laundry room) our house before we left, so anything he could destroy or think about destroying was out of reach.  It was the weekend before Halloween and I bought some bags of candy like the aforementioned Nestle Crunch Bars and Tootsie Roll Pops.  I believed I tucked them away on a high enough shelf in the pantry.  Eddie and I left for a party.  After a few hours at the party, I got the sinking suspicion Jack got into something, so I left Eddie at the party and went home.  When I arrived, I saw Jack was able to leap up to the shelf where I stashed the Halloween candy and unwrapped several miniature crunch bars and lollipops and ate them!  In the end, he survived, but my terror in knowing this could have potentially killed him, scared me and I’m WAY more careful now.  I hope you don’t make the same mistake I did.

If you’re going to be home and not answering the door/leaving home to avoid the trick or treaters:

  1. I would suggest keeping your dog in another room away from the door as I mentioned before.  It may be a good idea in crating your dog so the constant ringing of the doorbell doesn’t completely set off your pup.
  2. You may want to also consider posting a note on your door saying something like “Happy Halloween! Don’t Ring the Doorbell or Knock.  I Don’t Have Candy”.  This way, you don’t need any explanation of why you are making the request while at the same time you’re ensuring Lily’s safety.  Its also pretty straight forward which won’t cause much confusion.  Hopefully, for a child who isn’t old enough to read, their parent will be there and be able to redirect their child towards another house.  I’m considering this option as I would like to keep the stress down in the home for Jack and Bernie.
  3. Plan ahead of when you’re taking Lily out on a walk.  You’ll want to consider the time frames of when kids will be out in costumes walking around in groups or with just their parents, so Lily doesn’t get triggered and completely freak out.

However you take Halloween whether you celebrate it or not, please keep your pets safe and plan ahead of how you’ll ensure they are relaxed while the chaos ensues outside!!

Happy Halloween!!

A Little Bit About FAT

Did you know the heart’s preferred source of energy is FAT?  Did you know FAT has a 2:1 ratio of energy compared to carbohydrates?  Did you know of the protective qualities of FAT for the brain? I for sure didn’t until I learned about nutrition.  Everything I “knew” about food completely contradicted this “new” information.  Even doctors believe FAT is bad and patients should eat low fat.  The Western Diet has dictated the predominance of carbohydrates over fat for us and for our pets.  I’ve not done extensive research, but I can only assume the food industry which helped propelled this type of dietary requirements forward even though our collective bodies have not evolved to process this type of diet.

Ok, so this blog is about pets, but nutrition has long been studied on humans and extrapolated to other mammals such as our pets and then back again.  I can’t stress enough how interconnected we are with our pets and much of our diet choices can also benefit them.  I initially talked about water and how our bodies (humans, dogs and cats) are all made up of 70% water.  Water is vital in maintaining our life and its the catalyst for our daily bodily processes.  So, now let’s take a look at fat.

First, not all fat is the same nor should it be treated the same.  Some fats are more preferred in certain circumstances while other types of fat should be avoided all together.  I’ll get Trans Fats out of the way.  This a main type of fat which should be avoided.  Its a manufactured fat and one that is terrible for our health.  Trans Fats are found in processed foods like store bought pastries, cookies and even margarine.  Their changed state allows them to be softer and spreadable.  Take margarine for example, you can buy a tub of it and immediately take it out of the refrigerator and spread it on bread or butter a baking dish or easily blend it into dough for cookies because its normal state of a fat is changed so that it remains soft regardless of the temperature.  This is not normal.  Trans Fats are altered polyunsaturate fats which the body cannot normally process and digest.  When we or our pets eat food which is further removed from what is naturally found in nature, our collective bodies cannot tolerate it and therefore, disease can develop.

Now, you’re wondering, how is any fat is good?  As I mentioned earlier, the body of a person, dog or cat not only requires fat, but prefers fat for an energy source.  Since the body is only able to use one form of an energy source, the introduction of carbohydrates provides an easier method to use, but not the best method.  The body can produce its own carbohydrates, so, when we eat too many carbohydrates, what is not used up is stored as fat. Essentially, the extra carbohydrate we and our pets eat are essentially being stored as fat.  I’m not demonizing all sources of carbohydrates because there are naturally occurring foods which not only offer carbohydrates, but vitamins and dietary fiber which is also necessary for our longevity like fruits and vegetables.  The focus is on the refined carbohydrate which doesn’t offer any health benefits like white bread or pasta or sugary snacks and drinks.  The same goes for our pet foods.  Many of the pet foods are produced with low quality ingredients and list such things as corn and corn meal at the top of their ingredient list.  Corn, which is also used in producing high fructose corn syrup (the main ingredient in many of the manufactured carbohydrates) can lead to inflammation within the human and animal body. Science has connected chronic inflammation to a main cause of degenerative disease such as cancer.

Other types of fats and oils are better nutritional source of energy and enhances our food. Fats, like those found in fish oil contains Omega 3’s which is an Essential Fatty Acid can help reduce inflammation and help provide other nutritional requirements since this is something our bodies cannot produce and us and our pets MUST receive in our diets. Fat helps maintain the structure of nerve cells and the brain.  A depletion of fat in our diet and more importantly, a lack of Omega 3’s can lead to Alzheimer’s, dementia and MS.  Mammalian bodies require sufficient fat in our diets in order for the absorption of vitamins like vitamins A, D, K and E.  Pet MD Dog Nutrition gives further insight into oils and fats which provide health benefits to our dogs.

When considering how and what fats to use and when, make sure you consider the smoke point.  The smoke point is the temperature limit of how that oil can get for it before it burns. Oils are mostly unsaturated fats and since they are an unsaturated fat, they are more reactive to things such as light and heat.  Different oils have different smoke points and once an oil begins to burn and if a person or animal ingests the foods cooked in the burned oil, this can have carcinogenic effects on the body.  Check out Serious Eats.com-Cooking Fats 101.  This post further discusses how to use fat properly.

The main idea of deciding on which foods to eat and what to feed our pets is to eat as close to the ground as possible.  This essentially means eating foods which have zero to minimal processing as a way in ensuring its still in its natural state.  As for our pets, like our dogs and cats, do your research and find out if a certain food is OK for them.  I know grapes and onions are not healthy for dogs, so these should be avoided.  There are other exceptions, especially in the case of a sick or a developing animal.  I also know feeding RAW can be costly.  If you’re looking for a quality kibble, ensure its grain and corn free.  Also check the pet food ingredient list for the listing of proteins.  An animal by-product is a better source of protein than animal meal.  We are what we eat, so make it good!!

Pet Adoptions, Take it Seriously

Last week,  I met a beautiful mother of two who also has two dogs, a Chihuahua and a  6mo German Shepherd puppy (I’ve changed some of the details in order to keep the family anonymous).  She’s a new client and she’s dedicated in learning about the appropriate care of her two dogs. She has good instincts and her daughter is also involved in creating structure for the dogs, but she wasn’t sure how. She also faces extreme opposition from her husband in caring for her dogs.  I’m not going into details about the conflict surrounding the dog now.  Its a pretty delicate situation, but I will share some thinking I had about adopting a new dog or adopting a dog for the first time.

1. Before actively signing the adoption papers:  Make sure all of the people in the household with whom you share a roof with are on board with having a dog join the family, or having a new dog join their already established pack.  The adults (parents, spouses, grandparents, roommates ect) in the home MUST be on the same page when it comes to the care and living situation for the dog. The process of open dialogue about the pros and cons in adopting a dog is crucial.  It allows for all people directly involved in the day to day activities of the dog to have a say in their potential role in the care of her.  If people talk openly and honestly, it will allow for the family in coming to a joint conclusion.

Some questions to help guide your discussion or your individual thinking:

  • How will I pay for vet visits (savings plan, pet insurance or other means)?
  • What will the roles (feeding, training, walking, picking up after the dog in naming a few roles) of each of the family members be in caring for the dog?  Are all on board with the members of the family having these roles?
  • What positive reinforcement trainers exist in my community?
  • Do I know about transition planning for an adopted dog?
  • What is my activity level?  What am I willing to do in exercising my dog?
  • If adopting a puppy was the option for the family (these same questions can apply for an adult dog adopted from a shelter), do I know the developmental milestones with adopting a puppy? Do I know how to house train? How will I respond if a puppy chewed on my furniture, favorite item ect? How do I keep my puppy safe when I’m away for work or school?  How often and what do I feed a puppy?  How do I teach the rules of my home and what the puppy can do or not do in the home?  How do I safely socialize my puppy?

2. WAIT!:  Ok, so you and your family decide on adopting a dog.  Now, wait!  Let the decision settle in your minds and set a date a week or so away.  This time before you actively adopt can be a way for any person to say no.  If someone does say no, then come back to the discussion and find out the reason.  Then decide if now is the time for adoption, if not, reconsider at a later date.  Many things can influence the decision making like a new job which prevents people devoting time for a new dog.  For a military member and family, it can be a PCS or a move to another state or country.  A new baby can certainly put the brakes on the adoption process.  As you can see, this wait period is important because once you adopt a dog, its for the life of the dog.  Once you sign the adoption papers and take your new furry friend home, the dog is now apart of your family and ultimately, your responsibility.

3. Consider Training Even Before Adoption and Get Your First Session Scheduled:  I mention training again since this piece of the adoption puzzle can help with the transition of a dog or puppy joining your family.  The positive reinforcement trainer will set the family and dog up for success by developing a potty schedule, how to teach the rules of the home, best food and diet tips, basic obedience and behavior modification for an adult dog.  A positive reinforcement trainer will ensure the best interest of the dog in the training process and will provide guidance on proven science based training methods.  I worked with a family who scheduled their first session the day following the adoption of their puppy.  This was the family’s first dog and they were looking for guidance on understanding puppy behavior and house training.  They have successfully integrated the puppy into their home and their family and are happy with the process.  Many families who adopt a puppy, don’t fully understand the commitment it takes in raising a well mannered puppy and often become frustrated and surrender their now adult dog to a shelter or abandon their dog all together. If these families took the time and really considered training off the bat, the family may have come to a different conclusion.

4. Understand the Needs of A Dog:  This is just as important as setting up and conducting training for your newly adopted dog.  The needs of your dog range from type of nutrition, medical care and exercise to how your dog is motivated and how do you build an emotional connection with her.  All of these components will see your new dog in a holistic way which will only make connecting with her a pleasure.  If you’re looking for a specific breed, DO YOUR HOMEWORK.  Know all of the behavior potential of a specific breed and really explore if you can meet those demands.  Working dogs in particular require mental stimulation and physical exercise on a daily basis.  They will require a job to do and must learn how to do it.  Generally speaking, working dog breeds have a higher level of energy and MUST be in a home which can provide an outlet for this energy and an avenue for learning.

Adopting a dog will change your life and your commitment and love for her will change hers. Be fully on board with adoption for the welfare of the dog.  If you or your family decide adoption is not an option at this point in time, there are other avenues for exploration.  You can consider volunteering for a shelter or a rescue.  This gives you the opportunity in spending time with dogs in shelters while giving them a chance in socializing with different people.  Adoption is forever, take it seriously!