K9 Cuisine: What is your story-how did you get into working with dogs?
Beth: I have shared my life with dogs since early childhood. They were my playmates when I was young, confidants during my youth, and constant companions through my adult life. I began teaching pet manners classes through a local obedience club in the early 1980s. This has progressed to a full time career working with family pets and performance dogs.
K9 Cuisine: What is the secret to your success with pets-how have you gotten to where you are today?
Beth: Because I love the dogs and the families that I work with, I use a holistic approach to training. There is no secret to what I do. My methods are based on scientifically proven dog friendly techniques.
K9 Cuisine: What makes you different?
Beth: Many of my clients have found traditional training methods have not been successful in helping them reach their goals. I believe that every situation is unique and deserves individual attention. Through careful observation, I identify the issues preventing the pet from reaching the goal set by the family. Once these issues have been identified, I can begin to work with the pet and the family to eliminate problem behaviors and build positive behaviors.
K9 Cuisine: What is it about dogs that you love?
Beth: What’s not to love about dogs? Where else can you find a companion that will give you unconditional love, keep every secret, never question the wisdom of that second scoop of ice cream, and greet you each day as though you are the center of their universe? They come in every size, shape and personality. Whether you enjoy curling up on the couch with a good book or spending your spare time involved in sports, there is a breed that will enhance your lifestyle.
K9 Cuisine: What is the neatest part about your work?
Beth: Without a doubt, it is meeting such wonderful people and their canine companions. There is no better feeling than being able to help a rescue dog find its place in a forever home, solve a problem allowing a dog to remain with the family that it loves, or to help a performance dog compete with enthusiasm.
K9 Cuisine: Where do you see the pet training industry going?
Beth: Pet owners today demand quality products and services for their pets. National certification will help promote skilled pet training professionals who understand and utilize humane training methods that promote the bond between pets and their owners.
K9 Cuisine: How do you fit into that-what are your future plans?
Beth: Continued education is essential for professionals in all walks of life. I will continue to stay abreast of current animal behavior research and innovations through professional organizations and self study.
K9 Cuisine: How can people find out more about you and your business?
Beth: I live on a small farm with 4 dogs, 1 parrot, 3 sugar gliders, and a variety of livestock and native creatures. The dogs and I enjoy romping through the fields and quiet walks in the forest. Many weekends are spent competing at agility trials throughout the southeast.
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K9 Cuisine is a provider of premium dog food. We’re committed to providing our customers with the knowledge, and the products, to help their faithful friends be the best they can be.
During a severe ice storm in the southern US, a pack of 3 adult Beagles and 5 puppies were sighted in a rural forest in Arkansas. The people that spotted them were fortunately animal lovers, and sought out animal rescues who could help the dogs. Thankfully, Carol and Desiree, two compassionate women, rose to the challenge.
These wonderful ladies gathered their gear and drove 45 miles to the woods where the dogs were sighted. They found the dogs waiting near a plastic tarp tent with some food that a caring Good Samaritan had fixed up for them (at right; photo by Carol). Found next to the puppies were shells littering the ground near the dogs which were evidence of hunters who were shooting at the abandoned dogs.
Carol and Desiree managed to load all eight Beagles into their vehicle and drive them back to town. There they were cared for at Little Rock Animal Village and Care for Animals, two animal rescue shelters who immediately took them into their adoption programs. Thanks to these kind people, the Beagles had warm shelter, food, and affection that cold, stormy night.
Abandoned hunting dogs perish daily of exposure and starvation all across America. Please help them whenever you can. You’ll be in good company. Thank you Desiree and Carol!
K9 Cuisine is a provider of premium dog food. We’re committed to providing our customers with the knowledge, and the products, to help their faithful friends be the best they can be.
Following is our next post in our series of articles on “Evaluating Your Dog’s Health”. This week — Paws and Toes!
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Don’t overlook routine dog paw care. Because your dog spends so much time on their feet — without the protection of shoes – they are prone to punctures or wounds from glass and other sharp objects, as well as scrapes and abrasions from cement and gravel walkways. Their little pads can even get burned on a hot sidewalk. Examine your dog’s feet on a regular basis to make sure they have not picked up any foxtails, stickers or something else sharp.
Look for any foreign objects stuck on their feet or between the toes
Look for cracked, dry, irritated skin, or swelling
Watch their gate, see if they are limping
Are the toenails to long?
Small cuts or mild skin disease may cause infections in the sweat glands of your dog’s feet, resulting in swelling or abscesses between the toes – Soaking the afflicted foot in warm salt water often will relieve the pain. A more severe or persistent infection calls for veterinary care, antibiotics, and other follow-up treatment.
Invest in a pair of booties, for the hot sidewalk or the snow
HINT: If your dog steps in something gooey soften it up by rubbing the foot with margarine, peanut butter, or shortening; then work it off. Apply ice to chewing gum to make it brittle and easier to remove. You can also try soaking the foot in a mixture of warm salt water and olive or mineral oil.
This information was provided by Susan Hartzler with AlphaDog PR, which is based in Los Angeles and a chosen resource for editors, producers, writers and reporters. Alpha Dog PR is dedicated to providing the media with the most up-to-the-minute information about the rapidly growing pet industry. For more information, please visit www.alphadogpr.com or call (818) 998-6299.
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K9 Cuisine is a provider of premium dog food. We’re committed to providing our customers with the knowledge, and the products, to help their faithful friends be the best they can be.
This comes from one of our regular contributors, WebVet.com. They are having a photo contest. We would love our K9 Cuisine family to show off your pets and enter this contest!
If you’ve got some great pictures of you and your dog having fun in the sun this past summer, we’d like to invite your to submit your favorite photo.
“The Dog Days of Summer” photo contest runs from October 9, 2009 to November 9, 2009 and the first-place winner and three runners up will be prominently featured on Webvet.com and in Webvet’s blog, The Daily Dish!
So, if you want the world to see some of the special moments you shared with your dog this summer, go here and register now!
Or if you simply LOVE dogs and want to see some great photos and place your vote for who you think should be honored as the “top dog”, go here. Enjoy!
We can’t wait to see your photos!
Hope Schultz, WebVet
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K9 Cuisine is a provider of premium dog food. We’re committed to providing our customers with the knowledge, and the products, to help their faithful friends be the best they can be.
K9 Cuisine was honored to interview Marta Aldriedge of HealeyGrisham Studio – a well-known pet photography studio.
K9 Cuisine: What is your story-how did you get into pet photography and pet rescue?
Marta: I’ve been heavily involved in commercial photography for 5 years. One of the things that attracted me to HealeyGrisham Studio is their reputation for helping the community – specifically in animal rescue for companion animals. My husband and my daughter are both passionate about working with animals, of all kinds. (We’ve also rescued and rehabilitated opossums, birds, turtles, reptiles.) It has always been a part of our lives. My first rescue was a poodle that found me in 2nd grade – at school.
Hooray for the Underdog! was created by the owners of HealeyGrisham Studio. Janet Healey and Joe Grisham have been lifelong animal lovers and rescue advocates. About 10 years ago, the couple began creating portraits of rescue animals to motivate others to open their eyes and their hearts to animal rescue. In 2006, they took their efforts one step further and created a stationery/gift line, aptly named Hooray For The Underdog!. 10% percent of all proceeds from “Hooray For The Underdog!” sales is given to a national charity that distributes funds to provide spay/neuter, adoption and emergency relief services to animals across the country. Last year alone, the charity contributed 24 million dollars to more than 3400 grassroots animal welfare agencies.
Janet and Joe’s animal rescue efforts have been recognized locally on Good Morning Texas, Channel 5 news, Larry Powell.com, the Daily Candy and in The Dallas Business Journal, as well as nationally on Oprah.com and CNN.com, The Haystack Needle and in Redbook magazine.
K9 Cuisine: What is the secret to your success with the organization-how have you gotten to where you are today?
Marta: Hooray for the Underdog! is successful and growing because of the genuine desire to help grassroots rescue organizations. Along the way, there has been much support from friends and strangers who believe in the cause. When you combine something that you are good at (photography in this case) with something you care deeply about (giving rescue animals the homes they deserve), the only way you can fail is to do nothing with it. Janet Healey and Joe Grisham put a tremendous amount of time, energy, money, and belief in their idea. When they didn’t know what to do next, or how to take the next step, they did extensive research, sought out professionals, and they did it to the best of their ability. Doing their personal best – that’s really the secret.
K9 Cuisine: What makes you different?
Marta: There are several things:
1) Janet and Joe don’t just rescue pets that they get to enjoy, (these days, they have 2 rescues that come to the studio every day), they also use their talents to make a difference for hundreds, maybe thousands, of companion animals across the country.
2) In raising awareness, rather than focusing on the abuse and neglect these animals suffer, their products showcase the beauty and charm of underdogs (and cats). The backs of these clever cards spotlight the animals’ personalities with each pet’s rescue story and their unique traits, their “special power.” In addition to greeting cards, there are also journals, notepads, folders, buttons, and pet id tags. You can purchase these items at the following websites: HoorayfortheUnderdog.com and Cardstore.com, at The Petropolitan in Dallas as well as in pet boutiques across the country.
K9 Cuisine: What is it about dogs that you love?
Marta: It sounds cliche, but dogs love unconditionally. They are always happy to see you no matter how hard their day has been!
K9 Cuisine: What is the neatest part about your work?
Marta: Wow – you know, it doesn’t really seem like “work” at all… I think knowing that I am working with other people who have the same philosophies about the day to day – that our work and our personal lives really do have to blend in order to be truly successful on all fronts. I love what I do and so do the owners of the studio, so it is not like a typical “job”. Janet Healey and Joe Grisham found a way to integrate their passion for animal rescue and commercial photography into a business model, one that also gives back. I’m fortunate to be a part of it.
K9 Cuisine: Where do you see the pet photography industry going?
Marta: Up! There are several directions pet photography will grow. We are seeing in our portrait area that because pets are part of the family, and the emphasis on family has risen because of the economy, owners want professional, fine art portraits of their animals. A couple of candid shots at the holidays isn’t enough. In advertising, I’ve seen an increase in including pets in shots, not just for pet products, but across several consumer product lines. As consumers today, we are more emotional about the purchases we make, and whether consciously or not, we want to buy from companies that we feel a connection to. Animals, especially dogs and cats, provide a common ground for everyone. I’d venture to guess that almost every American today can tell you what type of dog, and probably his name, that President Obama has. Not because he/she voted for him, but because they relate on an emotional level. I don’t think that can be said of the past administrations pets. I believe this is due to the fact that literally everyone has been affected by the financial crisis and is more sensitive, more appreciative, of relationships – even with our pets.
K9 Cuisine: How do you fit into that-what are your future plans?
Marta: We are gearing up for growth. Our stationery business has increased 200% over this time last year. Because the demand for pet photography has risen, we are brain-storming ideas that will facilitate efficiencies in locating the animals we want to shoot, both commercially and for our stationery line. As a result of attending the NY stationery show in May, we now have 30 reps across the US for Hooray for the Underdog! We expect big things in the years to come. Joe made a comment recently that he would like to see our cards become a household brand name – not unlike Hallmark. Imagine the difference it would make to the 5 million animals that are euthanized every year.
K9 Cuisine: How can people find out more about you and your organization?
Marta: My job title is Artist Representative – I represent HealeyGrisham – a successful commercial photography studio in Dallas, Texas. I’ve been working for over 20 years in commercial advertising services: design, photography, high end retouching and pre-media support. My strength and passion is in building teams and cultures – putting the right people with the right projects, and in providing over the top customer service. I have an adorable Yorkie, Sophie, who models professionally, so I get to see that side of the business as well. She is represented by an animal talent agency in Dallas, AgentBeast. They are also very involved in animal rescue. Every day I’m surrounded by people and companies who champion rescue animals. It doesn’t get any better than that!
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K9 Cuisine is a provider of premium dog food. We’re committed to providing our customers with the knowledge, and the products, to help their faithful friends be the best they can be.
This article was written by Dr. Susan Wright, a licensed veterinarian who writes for DogFenceDIY.com. We provide do-it-yourself petsafe underground fence solutions and free step-by-step guide to installation and dog fence training.
It’s not easy to watch our beloved dogs develop the signs of advancing age. It reminds us that they don’t live as long as we do, and that our time with them is limited. Advances in veterinary care mean our dogs are living longer than ever.
Dogs are considered elderly at different ages, depending on their breed. Large breeds such as Bull Mastiffs and Great Danes are old at 6-8 years, whereas smaller breeds such as Chihuahuas often don’t start to slow down until they’re well over 10.
As our dogs age, they can develop a range of conditions that make life less enjoyable. Although many of these conditions are not reversible, there are things we can do to reduce their impact on our dog’s well being.
Most geriatric dogs will have a degree of arthritis and joint pain. This can make it uncomfortable to go for a stroll, walk up stairs, or jump into the car. Fortunately, there are some very effective pain relief medications that will help your dog feel so much better, and these are the mainstay of arthritis treatment. Other things you can do for your stiff and sore senior is to avoid slippery floors which can be difficult to walk on without falling, and give them a soft bed that keeps them off the hard floor. In cold weather, a hot water bottle or heating pad can make their nights more pleasant.
You may be aware that elderly dogs, like elderly people, can develop a type of dementia known as cognitive dysfunction, which comes on slowly and gradually. This doesn’t just distress your dog, but it plays havoc with your lifestyle. These old souls often wake at night and pace the floor, they go to the toilet in inappropriate places, and seem to forget everything they’ve learned. They can have separation anxiety if they’re left alone, and they are easily frightened by loud noises. You can see why you could find it frustrating!
While medication can really help settle these dogs, it’s also very important to manage their environment. They do well if they can stick to a familiar routine, and it helps if you don’t make sudden changes to their daily life. They enjoy outings – while they may not be up to a long walk, they’d love to go to the park to sniff the trees. Gentle playtime with other dogs is also an activity that can improve their state of mind.
Losing the senses is another unpleasant part of advancing years. Dogs develop nuclear sclerosis, a white hazy appearance to the lens of the eye. This affects their vision. It’s also not uncommon for them to go deaf. There’s not a lot you can do about either of these. As they lose their senses, these old dogs also lose touch with their world around them, and can become more anxious and afraid. Some dogs adapt better than others, but again, it’s critical to keep their environment and routine as familiar as possible. Don’t go moving the furniture if your dog can’t see, and approach them gently with a soft touch so they don’t get a fright.
Virtually all elderly dogs have a degree of dental disease. This can hurt when they eat, but more importantly, it can act as a source of infection that can affect other organs in the body, particularly the heart. If a dog has gingivitis, having his teeth cleaned by the vet will make dinnertime more enjoyable and remove the infection which could be making him feel a bit off color. You may be surprised at the improvement in his demeanor.
Female spayed dogs may become incontinent with age. This can lead to urine scalding around the vulva, and possibly a secondary bacterial infection. This is extremely painful. There are medications that will improve their bladder control and prevent scalding, and trimming the fur in this area will help keep it dry.
For dogs, getting old is inevitable. Being uncomfortable is not. If you work closely with your vet to manage these age related conditions, you’ll make sure your dog’s twilight years are as good as they can be.
Dr. Susan Wright
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K9 Cuisine is a provider of premium dog food. We’re committed to providing our customers with the knowledge, and the products, to help their faithful friends be the best they can be.
Name: Sally
Pets Species and Breed: Yorkies
Pets Age and Weight: Almost 9 yrs. old
Pets health status: Very good
Are they spayed or neutered? Yes
Brand of food: Royal Canine
Animal owned for: 9 years
Question:
What would be the best food for our two litter mate female Yorkies? It seems that one might have an issue urinating slightly in the house on the carpeting. We have not been able to catch her, however she does not potty immediately when we let her out like the other one does. We feed only dry dog food. Please suggest some good dog food and treats. They are very loving dogs! We could also use something for bad breath. Thanks!
Answer:
Thanks for your questions Sally. Any middle-aged to older dog who starts having urinary accidents or inappropriate urination (indoors, on the carpet, unusual pattern, straining, etc.) should be evaluated by a veterinarian. Not only are female dogs at risk for bladder infections (UTIs), Yorkies are known for developing bladder stones. I recommend that you see your veterinarian for a urinalysis, urine culture and possible some x-rays to check out these possibilities.
As far as the bad breath, just a change in food is not going to solve this problem. Most often, bad breath is a sign of a more serious underlying problem called periodontal disease. Periodontal disease often results in tooth and gum infections, pain, loss of teeth and even organ damage in pets and affects approximately 80% of dogs by age 3. At-home prevention (daily brushing) is as important as regular dental cleanings by your veterinarian. Please read my article about bad breath in dogs.
As far as the best food for your Yorkies, I always prefer a natural food that uses ONLY human-grade ingredients and avoids the use of meat “meals” (like chicken meal) as these are always considered “unfit for human consumption” due to the questionable quality of rendered ingredients. Natural diets will also avoid exposing your pet to artificial dyes, preservatives and flavoring additives–many of which are known to be cancer-causing agents (carcinogens). As the consulting veterinarian for Halo, Purely for Pets, I know these are the standards for this particular pet food, and I recommend it highly. You can also ask your veterinarian for other healthy alternatives.
K9 Cuisine had the honor to interview Brian Pierce, an animal lover and dog walker. We hope you enjoy his story below!
K9 Cuisine: What is your story-how did you get into walking dogs?
Brian: I have been caring for pets, on and off, for over 7 years. I started my first pet care business in Berkeley, CA in 2002 and have been going strong since. In 2007, my family moved to New Jersey where I started working with animals again part time until this past January when I launched my new business here in Jersey. I began in this line of work after becoming a product of the dot-com bust in San Francisco. I was working freelance and comtemplating my career plans. I realized how much I loved walking my dog every day and began researching what it would take to do it for a living. Soon afterwards, I became a full-time dog walker.
K9 Cuisine: What is your secret to success?
Brian: Easy…treat every animal as if they were your own. This way, you know you are providing the best care possible for each of your clients. Being flexible with clients helps also. Let them know you are working for them and not the other way around. Always remember that you are providing a service, one which can be easily taken away from you if you do not do the best job.
K9 Cuisine: What makes you different?
Brian: My personal touch and attention sets me apart from other walkers and pet care professionals. I prefer to go above and beyond my particular call of duty. Not only does this please my clients, it also makes my clients talk to others about me and I get more clients to please!
K9 Cuisine: What is it you love about dogs?
Brian: Dogs don’t judge. They don’t argue (with me). They are always so happy to go out with me and love getting the chance to run and play. It makes me happy to see how happy they can be.
K9 Cuisine: What is the neatest part about your work?
"Brian's dog, Bodhi"
Brian: Being my own boss (except for all of my clients which are my bosses). I love working for myself. I feel like I have more control over my career and my success and failures. And being around dogs, I just love them!
K9 Cuisine: What are your future plans?
Brian: I can see my company becoming the best pet care service offered this side of the Hudson. I was voted Best of the Bay Dog Walker in SF in 2005. There is no reason I can’t do that again and more. I plan on growing more and more, but constantly maintaining the personal touch that has made me so successful.
Brian: I am a guy that has had a variety of careers. It’s not so much that I can’t settle on anything, but I get bored after a couple of years. But now, I have found something I love to do and I know I am good at. I am a pretty fun guy that is always looking at life thru fun-colored glasses. I see the funny in everything. I am light-hearted and goofy…which makes things more difficult for my wife! Corie is a wonderfully patient woman that understands my quirks and celebrates my weirdness…thankfully! I probably relate better to our 2 kids, Kelsie (5) and Dylan (2). Kids make more sense to me than adults! They are our whole lives and we love how silly and goofy they can be too. I am originally from Shreveport, LA and am a graduate of LSU.
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K9 Cuisine is a provider of premium dog food. We’re committed to providing our customers with the knowledge, and the products, to help their faithful friends be the best they can be.
Deborah Flick is one of those students that we all wish we had. I met her on Twitter and from there, discovered her blog about Sadie. Her posts about Sadie, their experiences, and dog training in general continually blow me away. I suppose her vivid writing style should come as no surprise, since she has a Ph.D. in Communication, but it’s just such a special treat to find great writing online. I enjoy her posts and hope you check out her website and delve into Sadie’s world.
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When Nana Will, our dog trainer, said reward-based clicker training was the way to go, and the only way if I wanted to work with her, it was a no-brainer. You see, Nana is a “cross-over” trainer, and, to my mind, that gave her a lot of credibility. When Nana helped me train my previous dog, Morgaine, we used compulsion techniques. I remember Nana saying to me when Morgaine was about 6 months old and ready for her first lesson in ‘heeling,’ “You’re not going to like this,” meaning I wasn’t going to like the choke-chain-collar-pop correction ‘necessary’ to teach Morgaine that not heeling was not good. She was right. But, by compulsion standards, Nana’s approach was mild and Morgaine was a confident, resilient dog.
Then along came fearful, reactive Sadie in 2006 and, again, I called Nana. In the meantime, as she tells it, Nana was blessed to have been able to study with some of the greats, including several years with Marian Breland Bailey before her death in 2001.
I’ll never forget Nana (who has been training service dogs for over 20 years) telling me this story: After teaching her service dogs to do EVERYTHING using reward-based clicker training she said she noticed a huge difference. “The compulsion trained dogs did their jobs–opening doors, picking up keys, delivering the telephone to their person’s lap, and so on. But, the positively trained dogs not only did their jobs, they were really HAPPY!” I wanted ‘happy’!
During our weekly private sessions, Nana tutored me in using a clicker and rewards—I was all thumbs at first and my timing was miserable. But, with practice and Nana’s guidance I caught on and Sadie advanced despite my fumbling. And, because Sadie is fearful and very sensitive I know working with her will be a life-long undertaking.
So, at Nana’s urging I immersed myself in the works of Patricia McConnell, Jean Donaldson, Ian Dunbar, Karen Pryor and many others. Now, for me, like Nana, there is no looking back.
You can find Deborah Flick’s entertaining and educational blog about Sadie here or follow her on Twitter: @boulderdog1.
K9 Cuisine is a provider of premium dog food. We’re committed to providing our customers with the knowledge, and the products, to help their faithful friends be the best they can be.
How many times have you caught your dog drinking water out of the toilet and thought, “no worries, I cleaned it yesterday?” Or what about finding Fido licking the kitchen floor and feeling a bit relieved because it was mopped that morning?
The truth is that despite the fact that the toilet and floor are technically considered “clean”, it’s highly likely your pet is ingesting toxic chemicals. Unless of course, you use non-toxic, pet-friendly cleaning products.
Household cleaning products are not the only hazards to your pet. A recent study conducted by The Environmental Working Group, a Washington, D.C.-based not-for-profit research organization, reported some pretty alarming results. In the study, 23 dogs and 37 cats were tested for the presence of 70 industrial chemicals. Findings revealed the following:
The animals tested showed contamination with 48 of the 70 chemicals tested
Forty-three of the chemicals were found “at levels higher than those typically found in people”
Blood and urine samples taken from the dogs studied were found to be contaminated with 35 chemicals, including 11 carcinogens, 31 chemicals toxic to the reproductive system, and 24 neurotoxins.
So, you ask, how can I protect my pet? While there are no sure-fire solutions, there are some sensible precautions you can take, including:
Don’t use chemical pesticides and herbicides on your lawn
Select pet foods that are free of preservatives and dyes
Replace foam pet beds and furniture with ones using natural materials
Avoid flea and tick collars, which deliver a constant dose of pesticide to your pet; consult your vet for alternative flea and tick treatments
Avoid optional stain-proofing treatments on furniture, carpets and auto upholstery
Use filtered tap water in your pet’s water bowl
Use metal food and water bowl, rather than those made of plastic
Most pet owners are terribly diligent when it comes to monitoring their pets’ diets and general health. However, sometimes it’s those things right in front of us that we overlook and as a result, don’t realize how they can negatively impact our pets’ health.
So, as the loving pet parents we know you are . . . stop, take a look around and get a clear vision of what’s going down. If you do, you’ll ensure you keep your pet safe, sound and happy!
This post was written by Hope Shultz, President and COO of WebVet.com.
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K9 Cuisine is a provider of premium dog food. We’re committed to providing our customers with the knowledge, and the products, to help their faithful friends be the best they can be.
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