The Question,

My wife and I have a Bichon that is 2 1/2 years old. As of the past six months his scratching has become excessive. Is there a dogfood or supplement that you could recommend that would be beneficial? We are feeding him “Orijen” and supplementing that with “Dynovite.” Are there other ideas?

Thanks..Ron

You’ve tried everything, but the same bad behavior keeps popping up over and over again.  You’ve read the books, watched entire seasons of the Dog Whisperer, and tried your hardest to exude a dominant, reassuring energy.  And yet, nothing changes.  We’ve all been there.  Sometimes you just get stuck in a rut with your dog.

I sincerely believe that our pets are complicated creatures with curious habits strong instincts and a mighty range of possible dysfunction.  Sometimes its necessary to get some outside help, some perspective to help a relationship grow, whether it be man and beast or man and woman.  Think of it as marriage counseling.  Try not to take it as an insult or a weakness.

The next step is deciding what kind of outside help.  In recent years, dog training philosophies have enjoyed an increase in interest and suffered an increase in argument.  There are so many different and at times contradicting instructions and theories that they can make a head spin faster than the ceiling after a frat party.

So! I’ve put together a few tips I’ve collected to help one find the perfect dog trainer/obedience class.

• A wise and reputable trainer will put the safety of your dog first.  He or she must inquire about vaccines before allowing you in to the class.  This will insure that all dogs in a shared environment are healthy and protected.
• The trainer must be open and clear about the techniques used by him.  Make sure you are comfortable with the methods used.  Intuition and common sense will inform you whether they are humane.  Remember, ultimately you know your dog best.
• Pay attention to the trainer’s interaction with both you and your dog.  Are they open? inviting? calm?  Does your dog take to them?
• Share your pup’s history with the trainer.  Inform her of his patterns, schedule, and good and bad behavior.  Help the trainer by sharing what you’ve found works for your dog.  Every dog IS different.
• If you are sitting in on a class, pay attention to the mood in the room.  Is everyone there enjoying themselves?  Are they stimulated and curious?  Does your dog get along with the others?  A positive, comfortable environment is crucial for growth.
• Don’t be afraid to ask the other clients about their experience, their successes and their frustrations.
• Due to the variables in dog breeding and temperament and owner commitment and experience, a good trainer will not guarantee any certain results.  They can only guarantee their own integrity, professionalisms, and experience.
• A good trainer will also be interested in innovations in dog training.  Inquire if they are in any kind of network or group that helps them stay vibrant and informed.
• Don’t expect the class or the trainer or even your dog to do all the work for you.  Deciding that you want a well behaved dog and a strong bond is an incredible commitment, one that requires time and devotion.

And, most importantly, enjoy yourself!  It is an incredible gift to share your life with a dog : )

Urine Off:

A young dog has only 28 milk teeth

Dogs take between 10 and 30 breaths every minute

A dog’s heart beats between 70 and 120 times a minute, compared with a human heart which beats 70 to 80 times a minute

A dog’s temperature is between 100.2 and 102.8 degrees Fahrenheit

Dogs do not sweat by salivating. They sweat through the pads of their feet.

Female dog bites are twice as numerous as male dog bites

The Chow Chow dog has a black tongue

A dogs sight is better than that of a human in dim light

Dogs have a visual range of 250 degrees compared to the human range of 180 degrees

A dog can hear sounds 250 yards away that most people cannot hear beyond 25 yards

The average dog’s mouth exerts 150 to 180 pounds of pressure per square inch. Some dogs can apply up to 450 pounds

And My Favorite…

Dogs have twice as many muscles for moving their ears as people!

“George Washington, the father of our nation, is also the father of American Foxhounds. In 1770, Washington imported a number of hounds from England and in 1785, he received a number of French foxhounds from the Marquis de Lafayette. These hounds, carefully bred and maintained by Washington, are the founders of today’s American Foxhound. More than 30 hounds were listed in Washington’s journals, including “Drunkard,” “Tipler,” and “Tipsy”.

Thomas Jefferson became interested in Briards while serving as minister to France. He purchased a pregnant female named “Buzzy” and started his breeding program. Lafayette also sent Jefferson purebred dogs — two Briards to help protect his sheep.

James Buchanan’s large Newfoundland, “Lara,” was a celebrity around the White House because she would lay motionless for hours with one eye opened and one eye closed, always sure to keep an eye on her owner.

John Tyler bought his wife an Italian Greyhound named “Le Beau.”

Ulysses Grant’s son, Jesse, owned a Newfoundland named “Faithful.” President Grant, having observed his son’s heartbreak over the untimely deaths of several of his previous dogs, told his White House staff, “If this dog dies, every employee in the White House will be at once discharged.”"

Find More First Dog Trivia

The Question,

“Hi there! I”m trying to choose a food that will help my Bernese mountain dog puppy with his loose stool problems, but the more I look at different brands, the more confused I get. Can someone help me?  He was originally on Iams, and didnt do well with it, so he was switched to Nutro Ultra Holisitic.  He’s been on that for a little over a month now, and he’s still not any better.  The vet has cleared him of any intestinal problems, and has suggested that he needs a food with higher fiber.  He was thinking Blue Buffalo, but internet research and discussions with canine nutritionists has just made me more confused than when I started.  I know that when I add pumpkin to his diet, his stools improve, but I dont want to use that as a long term option in case it masks illness in the future.  He hasnt been getting treats lately as we’ve been trying to get him sorted out, just some canned pumpkin, and a spoon of cream-cheese to make him take some antibiotics he was prescribed.  He no longer receives these while we’re sorting this out. Thanks!”

~Ashley

The Answer,

Thanks!

~ Dr. Sandra Miller