Joey, a 9-year-old Beagle/Australian Shepherd mix, has such bad separation anxiety that a German airline twice refused to board him on a plane home to the United States. They were afraid that he would hurt himself during the flight after he had already destroyed 2 airline-approved dog carriers and lacerated his nose in his attempts to escape and find his family. Now, Joey’s dad is back in Germany with no idea how to get him back to the United States.

John and Dawn MacEnulty, originally from St. Louis, Missouri, had lived in Germany for the last year with Joey, their cat Molly, and their 20-year-old daughter until John’s mother recently passed away. The family booked a flight home on United Airlines, thinking that Joey and Molly would be able to join them. Unfortunately, United Airlines had suspended their pet cargo program, PetSafe, a few days prior due to a week’s worth of incidents involving dogs.

United recommended that the MacEnultys use Gradlyn Petshipping to send Joey and Molly back home to the United States. Molly arrived at O’Hare International Airport on a Lufthansa flight about half an hour after the MacEnultys arrived on their United flight last Thursday. Unfortunately, when they turned their phones on after landing, they discovered that Joey hadn’t been put on the same flight. John told the New York Post:

“I turned my phone back on and an urgent email pops up from Gradlyn saying Joey was pulled off the Lufthansa flight. They said it was because he was acting anxious in the kennel.”

Gradlyn attempted to fly Joey home again yesterday, but pulled him from the flight for the same reason. Gradlyn CEO Kay Wissenbach sent an email to John saying that Joey damaged two airline-approved crates and that he was exhibiting “dramatic behaver [sic].” The email continued:

“… No airline will fly Joey back to USA. All person at Frankfurt tried the best that Joey could fly, but it is too danger and high risk to fly him, as you probably know and understand.”

A veterinarian in the United States had prescribed Joey Xanax to help him relax for his flight from the United States to Germany last year, but German vets refuse to do the same, saying that the safety risks outweigh the potential benefits.

Now, Joey and John are holed up in a hotel trying to figure out how to get Joey home. John said:

“He’s an anxious dog to begin with. He hates being in the kennel, he hates being separated from his people. The problem is is that, that’s a situation that doesn’t improve the longer you keep him away — it can only get worse.”

In a recent Facebook post, John said:

“So here’s the current situation: I picked up Joey today from a kennel in the Frankfurt airport. We drove to a hotel that allows pets, and we’re here regrouping. There is currently no plan in place for us to come home. As per usual I’m hearing lots of conflicting information, but no one here has offered assistance. I have a car that I can drive to wherever I need to go, and we still have Joey’s kennel to load him as cargo if need be. I want to thank everyone for their support. It’s a great help to me psychologically as this whole ordeal has been emotionally draining. You all have helped keep me going.”

Gradlyn CEO Wissenbach didn’t offer any helpful suggestions on how to get Joey back to the United States. In her email, she suggested to John that he should hire TV dog trainer Cesar Milan to train Joey to tolerate the crate and charter him back to the US.

(H/T: New York Post)

via Whisker Therapy

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Part of each sale through the iHeartDogs store is donated to Greater Good, which helps support various charities. Thanks to customers like you, happy endings, like the one below, are made possible. 

Liberty came from the Lancaster Shelter in California. She was not only petrified and shaking in her kennel, but she was also pregnant.

This was a special rescue for the Shelter Transport Animal Rescue Team (S.T.A.R.T.), as it took a great deal of teamwork to get Liberty out of the shelter and to safety.

Image Source: S.T.A.R.T. Left Photo: Before, at the Lancaster Shelter in CA / Right Photo: After, Liberty celebrates her birthday in WA

She gave birth the day after she arrived in Washington State to eight healthy puppies who all eventually found forever homes!

Today, Liberty is loved very much by her new family, and she even has a four-legged brother to play with every day.

Your purchases at the iHeartDogs store help fund happy endings like this! 

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Did you know that as many as 20% of returning veterans suffer from PTSD? One of those brave soldiers is a US Army PFC Veteran named Wally who served in Saudi Arabia and Iraq. Wally was a Paratrooper (Airborne) and Telecommunications Center Operator whose job was to decrypt top-secret information and relay it to high ranking officers. After years of devoted service, Wally found it difficult to reacclimate to civilian life in Texas.

He was diagnosed with severe PTSD and suffers from panic attacks, anxiety, and hyper-vigilance, making it difficult for him to be in public or even leave his home. But that was before Izzy came along!

Last April, Wally was paired with a highly-trained Yellow Labrador named Isabel (Izzy). Service dogs like Izzy cost about $25,000 and most insurance companies do not cover them. Luckily, there are groups dedicated to ensuring that heroes like Wally never pay a dime for the animals they need and deserve.

Along with our charity partner, GreaterGood.org, iHeartDogs provides funding to organizations like Patriot Paws that train and match companion dogs with veterans. 20% of every item you purchase from our Pets and Vets line is donated to pair veterans with these life-changing animals.

According to Wally, Izzy has completely transformed his life.

“Izzy is an amazing service dog, teammate and best friend. She helps me to feel more at ease with anxiety and my surroundings. She is always very close to me as if to tell me she is there. I love Izzy’s ‘happy ears’ whenever she sees me. I can’t say thank you enough to Patriot PAWS for giving me my life back.” 

Check out all of our Pets and Vets products and visit PatriotPaws.org to find out how you can help!

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I have been asked to write an article on signs of stress in dogs, which I think is wonderful! So, few people actually understand the things their dogs are trying to communicate to them!

I recently had a “date” over. My dog, a Belgian Malinois, remains a little “iffy” with people. But my date wanted to meet my dogs. I communicated with him to go slow and not to bend over my dog. Let him curl into you, and lightly pet him down his back and on his rump. Also, don’t get in his face or stare.

After a few moments of successful curling and what looked like affection from my dog, he noted: “his tail is wagging.” However, it isn’t that easy.

My dog’s tail was HIGH and snake-like, a little agitated. It is very difficult to express to people that a tail wag and a BITE are very common.

And, it seems no matter how many years of experience I have with training puppies and dogs, people still discount my expertise and knowledge (especially family and friends, ha ha).

It is more about what the height and wag of the tail are telling you. To the untrained eye, my dog looks very social. He curls into you and hits your leg with his shoulder, asking to be touched.

But, I see the high tail, the dilated eyes, and the slightly stiff posture. I have mostly gotten to the point that I don’t let people touch him because no one understands direction anymore.

However, in this situation, if I am looking at having a relationship, I need a potential significant other to respect my dog and me. Thankfully, even though I am not sure he believed me, he didn’t bend over my dog or get in his space. He simply petted his back and rump (which is what my boy likes).

So let’s talk about some signs of stress in dogs so that you will be educated about what dogs are trying to communicate.

After all, another dog would see how stiff and standoffish my dog was, despite the tail wag! 

Signs of Stress in Dogs

Lip Licking

Unless your dog is nauseous, lip licking isn’t normal and is a sign of stress. Dogs don’t lip lick in normal situations that aren’t full of scrumptious foods.

Panting

Yes, panting can be normal. But, there are times that dogs pant from stress. I have seen dogs in our vet clinic on cold days that are panting like crazy… this is a sign of stress and probably a very high heart rate.

Yawning

Dogs don’t yawn when they are tired.

Dogs yawn when they are stressed!

If your dog is yawning, especially in an odd situation, this is a signal that he is stressed!

Dilated Pupils

Get to know your dog’s eyes! Nothing will give you more information than his eyes and his face. Dogs’ eyes dilate when they are nervous or agitated. If his eyes look “hard,” be very mindful and careful!

Eyes Darting

Normally, your dog’s eyes have no need to dart all over the place! If his eyes are darting back and forth and around the room, he is likely looking for an escape route. This is a sign of stress!

Eyes Bulging

Again, get to know your dog! I am currently pet sitting a French Bulldog and his eyes certainly bulge more than my shepherd’s eyes, just normally! But, when he is stressed, they will bulge more and may become red; this isn’t normal and a sign of stress; as if he is trying to take in everything in his environment.

Whites of Eyes

I will say it again, know your dog’s eyes, tail, and face. If you don’t normally see the whites of your dog’s eyes, then seeing them is a sign of stress. This is one of the first things I notice as a vet tech; if the dogs’ eyes are white all around and darting around, I know he is very stressed and much more likely to bite!

Lips Held Back

Dogs who are in conflict often pull their lips back. It kind of looks like they are nauseous but can be a stress appeasement gesture. In wolf packs, the submissive wolf often pulls his lips back in almost a smile as if to say “Please don’t eat me,” but, if pushed while stressed, this dog could bite.

Snarl

Here is the opposite. Lips pursed forward and teeth shown also shows stress and aggression. If the lips look abnormally forward, then the dog may be snarling without noise at first, and this should be marked as stress and possible aggression.

Showing Teeth

Of course, in most instances showing teeth is a sign of aggression. However, some dogs “smile” as again, a sign of appeasement. Even though this is “cute” for us humans, it is still a sign of stress for dogs.

Ears High

Ears carried as high on the forehead as possible is a sign of overstimulation and possible stress and will likely lead to other behaviors.

Even floppy eared dogs can change the position of their ears.

Think I am kidding? Blow a whistle for your dog and watch his ears go from normal position to very high on his head!

Ears Pinned

Ears pinned can be a sign of fear and stress. Be cautious of a dog whose ears are pinned!

 

Tail High

High tails denote over-excitement and agitation which can also be signs of stress. Be cautious of a dog whose tail is as high on his back as it can be!

Tail Tucked

Tail tucked is a sign of submission, or fear, or both. If submission is not respected and the dog is pushed, it can likely become aggressive.

Rattlesnake Tail Wag

I call this the rattlesnake tail wag because dogs vigorously wag just the tip of the tail. This IS NOT A GOOD SIGN. A happy tail wag should start at the base and be very relaxed and side to side. If the dog looks like he is rattling a rattle, be very wary! This is a precursor to aggression.

Barking

Barking can also be stress. Dogs bark for many reasons, but one is to communicate their stress and discomfort to us. If your dog is barking, take this information that his level of stress could be high and don’t ignore or discount it!

Lunging

Although this is a sure sign of aggression, this can also be stress.

Again, no matter how friendly you think he is, if he is growling, barking and lunging, take in this information that he is giving you and take heed!

 

There are many signs of stress in dogs!

Part of the key is knowing your dog’s normal behaviors and noticing a change.

Change of behavior indicates feeling and information.

Your dog doesn’t speak English. Sometimes, his only way to communicate his stress level to you is to change his normal behavior and hope that you will see the signs and take note!

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Parents of small children know sleepless nights are bound to happen, but what about pup parents? Many dog owners learn the hard way that like babies, dogs don’t always respect your desired sleep schedule. You love them, but that doesn’t mean you love waking up multiple times a night to deal with their crying and acting out.

Puppies don’t sleep through the night because they’re still working on house training, but it’s also a common problem for adult and senior dogs. No one can be happy when they’re forced out of bed still exhausted, and solving the problem of your dog’s sleep schedule will help everyone in the household. Before you get started with a plan, first figure out what’s causing your dog’s sleepless nights.

Reasons Your Dog Doesn’t Sleep at Night

They need to go to the bathroom.

Owners of new puppies need to accept the fact their sleep schedule will be interrupted for at least the next few weeks. Like babies, puppies are still growing, and that includes developing the muscles and self control needed to hold their pee.

According to the Humane Society, puppies can control their bladder for about one hour for every month of age. That means a four-month-old puppy can go four hours before needing to go to the bathroom. With consistent house training and time, they’ll be able to wait longer between bathroom breaks and won’t need to wake up at night.

They’re not tired.

This one seems obvious, but it’s also one of the most common reasons why dogs don’t sleep through the night. Dogs that spend the majority of the day alone do a good amount of daytime snoozing. There’s nothing else for them to do, and it’s either sleep or find ways to get into trouble. Without the chance to exercise, all their energy continues to build. Sleep Advisor tells dog owners,

“Lack of activity is going to cause anxiousness and severe buildup of unused energy – this will undoubtedly result in the absence of sleep amongst other conditions of the kind.”

What’s more, older dogs showing signs of dementia may be experiencing disruptions in their sleep-wake cycles as a side effect of the condition. Learn more about dementia in dogs here.

They’re lonely.

Separation anxiety can affect dogs of all ages. New puppies sometimes cry if they’re forced to sleep away from their owners, and older dogs develop anxiety issues that lead to behaviors like whining, barking, and destroying things.

They’re in pain.

It’s hard for people to fall asleep when they aren’t feeling well, and dogs have the same problem. Stomach aches, joint pain, skin issues, and other side effects of injury or illness are more than enough to keep a dog from a good night’s rest.

How to Help

Once you figure out what the underlying problem is, you can move forward with a solution. For some dogs, a simple change to their routine will be all the help you need. For others, you’ll need to try different ideas to find what works best. Here are a few suggestions to get you started.

1. Provide more mental and physical stimulation.

If your puppy or high-energy dog is roaming the house at night or doesn’t want to settle down once bedtime comes around, filling their day with more exercise will help. Dogs need a minimum of one hour a day of exercise, and they benefit from all the extra enrichment and stimulation you can give them.

If you work all day, consider hiring a dog walker to interrupt your pup’s lazy day of napping. That extra activity will help tire them out in preparation for bedtime. The amount of exercise a dog needs to reach the right level of tiredness will depend on their age, breed, health, and personality. You don’t want to force them into too much exercise, but it’s important to find the right balance. Brain games like puzzle toys and snuffle mats also help by engaging their minds.

2. Take bathroom breaks before bed.

When your pup is getting up every night to go to the bathroom, make sure their tank is empty before they hit the hay. Eating shortly before bedtime can help them fall comfortably asleep with a full tummy, but drinking too much water at night won’t help them sleep until morning. Make it a part of your daily routine to go out for a bathroom break right before bed. Canna-Pet suggests,

“Don’t encourage your dog to drink too much water right before bedtime, especially if he’s a heavy drinker. Filling his bowl with ice cubes will give your dog something to crunch on while staying hydrated, too.”

3. Keep evenings calm

Before you take your dog out for their last-chance bathroom break, gradually lull them into a peaceful night. Dogs base their emotions and actions largely on what their owners are doing and feeling. If you’re agitated, for example, your dog will pick up on those vibes and act similarly. If you’re calm, they’ll take the hint and begin to relax alongside you.

You can’t expect your pup to flip their switch the moment you’re ready for bed. The hour or two before you usually go to bed should be deemed quiet hours to help your dog adjust to the end of the day.

4. Start crate training

Training a dog to sleep comfortably in their crate will deter them from getting up and wandering the house. Many pet parents prefer to have their dogs sleep in bed with them, but crate training can help stop bad habits like waking up in the middle of the night. The key is to make being in the crate a positive experience for the dog. It should never be used as punishment, and instead, it’s the place your pup feels safest.

With time, your dog will be content to stay in the crate as part of their nightly routine. Once they’re sleeping soundly through the night without getting up, you can try having them sleep in bed with you.

5. Make them comfy

Whether you choose to have your dog sleep in a crate, on a doggy bed, or somewhere else, they need to have a designated spot that is nice and comfy. Give them soft blankets to snuggle with, and if they have an emotional attachment to a particular toy, make sure they have it before you fall asleep.

Different dogs like different things, so experiment with your dog’s sleeping arrangements to find what they like. Test having the lights off versus having a night-light and determine whether they like cool surfaces or something with extra warmth.

6. Address medical issues

If you suspect an injury or illness is keeping your dog up at night, it’s time to visit the vet. In some cases, pain medication can be used to help ease soreness and help the dog relax. Restless nights could be your hint that your dog is suffering from an undiagnosed medical condition and needs your help. There’s also the chance biting pests like fleas or mites are irritating them. Either way, your pup won’t sleep soundly until you find and treat the root problem.

Sometimes not sleeping through the night is a phase your dog will grow out of. Other times, some new habits need to be made or broken in order to get you and your pup on a healthy sleep schedule. It will take more than a few days, but consistent training and effort will make a difference. Once you determine the reason behind your dog’s wakefulness, experiment with these different methods to help you both start snoozing all night long.

h/t: Canna-Pet, Sleep Advisor, Humane Society

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Zoe, an extremely pregnant Terrier mix, was slated for euthanasia at an Alabama animal shelter when Sandi Paws Rescue, based out of Fond du Lac, Wisconsin, heard about her and knew that they had to rescue her, no matter what.

A regular rescue transport was already scheduled, but mama Zoe wasn’t fit for the traditional transport since she was so close to delivering her puppies. That’s when Sandi Paws Rescue volunteers Laura McCauley and Jamie Orr decided to drive 13 hours overnight from Wisconsin to Alabama in order to rescue Zoe and drive her back to Wisconsin. There, she would be fostered while she delivered and raised her puppies.

But this rescue turned out to be a little more complicated than anybody expected!

During the emergency trip down to Alabama, McCauley and Orr realized they were too tired to make the entire drive in one night, so they stopped at a motel in Evansville, Illinois to get some sleep. Meanwhile, a volunteer in Alabama had rescued Zoe from the shelter and was waiting for McCauley and Orr to come get her. The next morning, the pair encountered Spring Break traffic, which further delayed their trip.

Once they had Zoe and were returning to Wisconsin, a chance bathroom stop led them to find out from a traveler heading south that there was a winter storm warning just 20 miles north of them. The commuter said that there were cars and semi trucks slid off the road all over the place. McCauley and Orr decided again that it would be safest to get a motel room and avoid driving through a snowstorm at night.

It’s a good thing they stopped, because Zoe decided that it was time to have her babies! You can watch the live stream below, just be warned that there is some swearing.

The first two puppies were born on the motel bed before McCauley and Orr realized what was happening. They moved her to the bathtub, where she eventually gave birth to 5 more puppies, for a total of 4 girls and 3 boys.

The next morning, McCauley and Orr loaded Zoe and her puppies back into the car – after paying the motel for the ruined sheets and towels – and finished the drive to Wisconsin, where a foster home was already set up and waiting for the new family.

Unfortunately, Zoe and her pups were soon rushed to a veterinarian, as Zoe had a fever of 104.4 and was bleeding. It turns out that she had an infection and something – but not a stillborn puppy – still waiting to come out. She also had metritis, an inflammation of the uterus. She was placed on antibiotics and a medication to stimulate her to pass whatever was left in her uterus.

As of writing this on March 29, Zoe and her puppies were back home with the foster and Zoe is finally starting to do a little better. Her fever is gone, but she is still going to the veterinarian daily for checkups.

The rescue and vet bills are stacking up for Sandi Paws Rescue. If you would like to donate, you can make a donation via PayPal to sandipawsrescue@gmail.com; at a link on the rescue’s website, sandipawsrescue.wixsite.com; and through inquiry on the Facebook page.

(H/T: FDL Reporter, Sandi Paws Rescue)

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The American Kennel Club announced their annual ranking of the country’s most popular dog breeds this week, and there’s no surprise to which breed clinched the 2017 top spot.

Labrador Retrievers have been number one for the past 27 years in a row after dethroning the former favorite—the Cocker Spaniel—back in 1991. The Lab’s affectionate personality and goofy demeanor make it a great family pet, but they’re not the only breed worth noting.

The Lab’s popularity spreads across the country, but there are some cities where it doesn’t have enough clout to be put in the top spot. Cities like Los Angeles, San Francisco, and New York City reserve that honor for the French Bulldog. As small dogs that tend not to bark a lot, Frenchies are becoming a favorite for apartment dwellers. They’re ranked as number four nationally, and that’s coming up from being the 76th most popular breed 20 years ago.

Their popularity is partly fueled by media and celebrities, and many Frenchie fans are worried being popular won’t help the breed. As brachycephalic dogs, French Bulldogs have flat faces with shortened nasal passages. Their facial structure leaves them vulnerable to breathing problems, and many require expensive surgeries and veterinary treatments.

People want them because they’re cute, but many worry that too much attention will lead to under-informed owners and irresponsible breeders looking for money. As the breed continues to climb the ranks, prospective dog owners will need to do their homework.

Another dog breed that’s making waves in the ranks is the German Shorthaired Pointer. It made it into the top 10 for the first time in 2017. As part of the Sporting Group, GSPs are the overachievers of the dog world. They’ve been historically bred for hunting, and they’re also turning into a favorite when it comes to training dogs for bomb sniffing. At the same time, no one’s surprised when they take home gold at canine competitions like agility, nosework, dock jumping, and obedience. It’s no wonder they’re also beating out other breeds in popularity.

According to the AKC, here are the top 10 most popular dog breeds of 2017:

1. Labrador Retrievers
2. German Shepherds
3. Golden Retrievers
4. French Bulldogs
5. Bulldogs
6. Beagles
7. Poodles
8. Rottweilers
9. Yorkshire Terriers
10. German Shorthaired Pointers

There are 190 breeds starting with the Labrador Retriever and ending with the least popular Norwegian Lundehund on the AKC’s list, and they all bring something different to the world. Regardless of breed, the most important thing to remember about dogs is they’re all individuals; with love and attention, they’re valued members of the family. And if “mutts” were considered a breed, we’re sure they’d also rank high on the list!

Check out the complete ranking of the country’s most popular breeds here. 

(h/t: American Kennel Club)

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I don’t know about you guys, but here at Casa del Mel spring has really started to take hold. Although I still have tons of snow in the front yard, the sun-drenched backyard is almost snow free. That means we have mud in abundance. Fortunately, the worst of the mud appears only as mud prints […]


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Every dog owner wants to think that in a test of favorites, their pet would pick them every time. It’s that classic game of who belongs to who where two people stand on opposite sides and the dog picks who they want to go with. TV characters do it to determine who the dog’s real owner is, but does it work in real life?

A study in the Journal of the Experimental Analysis of Behavior suggests something dog owners don’t want to hear. According to a series of experiments, even dogs that love their owners might not pick them every time they’re given the choice. The twist is, however, it isn’t about playing favorites. Researchers found it has a lot to do with the context of the situation.

For their experiments, researchers brought in over a dozen dogs including representatives of the sporting and herding breeds as well as working K9s and hound dogs. Some of the dogs had families, and others were living at the shelter after either being abandoned or found as strays. All dogs were at least six months old, and the owned pups had been living with their families for at least four months.

The dogs with owners were tested in two different environments. For the first round, they were allowed free range of a familiar room in their house. There were at least two people in the room—one was their owner and the other a stranger. The dogs were allowed to choose who they wanted to approach and when they wanted to do it. The people were then allowed to pet the dog for however long their four-legged friend decided to stay near. While the dogs looked their owners in the eye more than they did the strangers, they chose to approach their owners first only one third of the times. The results are disheartening for a dog owner to hear, but there’s more to the story.

The same test was then conducted in an unfamiliar laboratory setting. Again, the dogs were free to choose with whom they wanted to interact. This time, however, they chose to move toward their owners about 80 percent of the time. Researchers think this suggests the dogs felt less secure in the unfamiliar environment and sought out their owners for reassurance and comfort. In the home, they felt safe enough to meet new people.

For a final round of testing, shelter dogs were brought in to determine if dogs have a preference for a person that doesn’t identify as their owner. The dog was put in a room with two strangers, and it was found most of the dogs ended up forming an almost instant connection with one person over another. They only spent a few minutes in the room, but it was long enough for them to pick which person they liked best.

Overall, the study shows a dog’s preference isn’t always as it seems. Their instinct helps determine their motive, and a dog’s choice depends heavily on how secure they’re feeling and what’s going on around them. Dogs that are naturally timid may choose their owners every time because strangers make them nervous. More confident dogs, on the other hand, are curious and like to meet new people. It doesn’t mean they don’t like their owners any less. The next time your pup seems to pick someone else over you, take it easy on them. It probably doesn’t mean what you think it does.

h/t: IFLScience

Feature Photo by Pierre Fontaine on Unsplash

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A groundbreaking lifetime study of 3,044 Golden Retrievers is hoping to find some answers about what sort of factors may lead to cancer, not only in that breed, but in all dogs and even people.

In-depth record keeping of each dog in the study aims to find common factors in dogs that do or don’t develop cancer in their lifetimes. Scientists think it is probably some combination of genetic and environmental factors that make some dogs – or people – more prone to cancer than others.

By having owners keep track of everything involving their dogs – from whether or not they eat grass to what sort of bowls they eat and drink from – researchers are hoping to narrow down the factors that are the most likely to contribute to cancer. This information could lead to insights into what leads to cancer in humans, too.

Golden Retrievers make the ideal test subjects for a study like this. Even though cancer is the number one cause of death for all dogs over the age of 2, Golden Retrievers are far more likely to develop cancer than most other dog breeds. 60% of all Golden Retrievers will develop cancer in their lifetime. They are especially prone to mast cell tumors, bone cancer, lymphoma, and hemangiosarcoma.

Goldens are also a handy breed to study since they are the third most popular dog in America, so there are plenty of dogs to collect a large sample size from.

Principal investigator in the study, Rodney Page, a veterinary oncologist who directs Colorado State’s Flint Animal Cancer Center, told The Washington Post that Golden Retrievers “are right beside us when we’re running, when we’re having dinner, when we’re out traveling. They basically reflect a lot of the same exposures and activities that we have.”

Requirements for owners to register their dog for the Golden Retriever Lifetime Study, managed by Morris Animal Health’s Canine Lifetime Health Project, included that the dog had to be between 6 months and 2 years old with a 3-generation pedigree and living in the 48 contiguous United States. Since the study started in 2012, that means the oldest dogs will be 8 years old this year. Registration in the study concluded in March 2015 when the goal of having 3,000 dogs in the study was met.

While it’s several years too soon to have information about the types of factors that may contribute to cancer, a few details about the lives of the Goldens enrolled in the study have been released. Some interesting highlights from a study published in CGE Journal include:

-19% of owners in the study reported having pet insurance

-95% of the dogs were acquired from breeders

-97% sleep inside their owner’s home

-84% of owners report that the primary job of their dog is to be a pet or companion rather than primarily a working or service dog

-83% of dogs receive both heartworm and flea and tick prevention

-85% of owners feed a commercial diet

-39% of the dogs swim at least once a week

-26% eat feces

-60% of the dogs live in suburban locations

Dogs enrolled in the study are required to have an extensive annual veterinary exam, which takes about 3 hours, in order to collect various samples and conduct a variety of tests on each dog. Any and all health conditions, along with samples of any tumors, are sent to the researchers of the study to analyze. The vet visits are subsidized, which means owners aren’t forced to pay for the extensive testing required for the study.

Families enrolled in the study have their own private Facebook page, where owners keep in touch, meet each other in real life, and console each other through life’s hardships – especially when those hardships relate to their dogs.

Hopefully, within the next 5-10 years, we’ll have a lot more answers about the types of factors that may lead to cancer, at least in the beloved Golden Retriever breed, and hopefully, those insights will help to prevent cancer in people, too.

(H/T: The Washington Post, Canine Lifetime Health, CGE Journal)

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Dog fears seem to be on the rise.

I blame everything on social media and people’s sheer lack of time to spend with their dog.

15 years ago, it was rare to see an adult dog that had never been walked or even been on a leash.

Now, I see these dogs EVERY DAY.

The dog spends his puppyhood in a home or a backyard without any socialization.

No wonder these dogs grow up afraid of everything in their environment.

15 years ago, I would have called this abuse.

Today, with as rampant as the phenomenon is, I am more likely to call it neglect.

However, it becomes difficult to socialize these dogs without making it feel like abuse.

Ironically, one of my best friends contacted me yesterday because she has adopted a dog that would rather spend 24 hours in his crate than come out at all. This is sad for the human and the dog.

Thankfully, she was doing the right thing by closing the door to the crate so he couldn’t hide, and forcing the dog to deal with some of his fears.

However, this is a very fine line and very difficult for most people to ride.

I run into people who either want to:

Let the dog live like a recluse the rest of his life because they don’t want him to be scared

or

Force the dog into every terrifying social situation because they think he will learn to deal.

Neither of these will work.

If you allow the dog to live like a recluse, he will never adapt and learn social and coping skills.

If you force him into every situation that scares him, you will ruin the trust between you and you will either end up with a nonfunctional blob of a dog or an aggressive dog.

It is about finding the right recipe for success.

And, I will say it looks a little different for each dog, so, know your dog!

Here Are 7 Ways to Teach Your Dog to Face His Fears

1. Positive Reinforcement

Correcting dogs that suffer from fear issues will only make them worse.

When you put a dog into “fight or flight” he has two choices: Fight (aggression) or Flight (run away and feel worse).

The best way to go about working with a dog like this is using the things that he needs for life.

Yes, he may be too scared to take treats at first.

But, the truth is that he needs food to exist.

If you aren’t feeding him out of a bowl, but instead you are using his food to reinforce good and social behavior the dog will flourish faster.

If you feed me at the buffet, and then offer me a chocolate cake to get over my arachnophobia, I am going to laugh in your face. No thank you, sir!

If, however, I am famished, and you offer to take me for food if I just look at a picture of a spider in a book (the first step), I am likely to agree.

Work your way through the more difficult things.

But reward good behaviors.

Reward “sits,” “downs,” attention, and any other behaviors you want your dog to show.

Let’s face it, your dog does excellent stuff all the time, so why not use his food, or great treats (like dehydrated liver), to reinforce these behaviors?

Ironically, rewarding behaviors the dog already shows is better than “luring”, anyway.

So, your dog will have a stronger training background!

This will also build your relationship in a positive way!

2. Push, But Don’t Push

You can’t let your dog live in his crate for the rest of his life!  That is no life!!

My mom adopted a Pitbull that was so scared, she lived in my mom’s closet.

She thought it was best not to force the dog, however, after several months the dog’s behavior actually got worse.

At first, she would venture out occasionally to visit, but eventually she would stay in that closet from sunup to sundown, and at the very end, she would try to attack anyone who tried to make her move.

It is easier to do little pushes in the beginning.

Push them, expect them to make tiny changes, but don’t traumatize them.

Shutting the closet door, or putting the dog on leash so she could lay at her feet would have been best.

Taking her to Walmart to socialize would have been waaaaay too much!

Get the idea?

3. Build Trust

Trust is built.

Do you trust everyone you meet, right away?

I don’t!

I used to be more trusting, or as my brother says “naïve” but with life, comes life lessons.

Trust is built, especially for someone or something that feels a little broken.

Do whatever you can to build trust and not break it!

For instance, I used to have a puppy that was terrified of people he didn’t know.

I tried getting people to give this puppy treats so that he would associate people with good things.

Inevitably, the same people would want to pet him (he was incredibly cute), and I had a hard time telling them “NO” after they had just done me a favor.

By allowing people to do something he didn’t want, I was breaking our trusting relationship.

I remember one time holding his tail so a small toddler could touch it. He was undoubtedly filled with terror, and I was thinking the toddler wasn’t going to hurt him. It was a poor decision on my part!

He learned that hackling, growling and snapping would keep these people at bay, and I wasn’t helping the situation.

As soon as I learned to stop people from EVER touching him, he learned to trust ME!!

Just because someone gave him a treat or talked to him, didn’t mean they would touch him.

It was after that, when he learned to trust me.

Don’t push him so hard your dog loses his trust in you.

Without you, he only has himself and his teeth!

Take care of him first!

Who cares if you make someone mad?!

4. Teach Him Calming Mechanisms

I work with a lot of dogs with fear issues!

I like to teach them to calm themselves.

In humans, we call this “biofeedback”; imagining we are somewhere else and learning to control our heart rate and our blood pressure.

Dogs can’t be taught the same, but they can benefit from some of the same techniques if you take the time to do it!

Teach your dog to relax himself with your touch and some massage.

I always find it ironic when people balk at the 20 minutes a day it takes to teach your dog this technique.

20 minutes is less than one sitcom.

20 minutes is probably much less than some of you spend on social media or watching TV.

Give your dog the time he needs, especially if you have taken on a dog that has fear issues!

5. Teach Him Coping Skills

Teach him coping skills!

We all need them!

I HATE bridges!

Ironically, I am pet sitting for a friend over a huge bridge as I write this. We are supposed to get a lot of snow, and so I begged my friend to take my shift. Ha ha.

My usual coping mechanism is to just pick a point on the road in front of me and watch that while not glancing at the cars around me or the water.

I know it sounds ridiculous, but we all have fears, and ways to cope.

When I am in a social situation that is difficult for me, I play music in my brain to deal with the stress and relax me, or I find the pet in the house and spend time with him.

You need to teach your dog to have coping mechanisms because his brain doesn’t work like ours.

He can’t come up with his own!

I have a Malinois that is a little terrified of everything.

If he belonged to someone else, he would show aggressive tendencies to keep his “fears” and people at bay, but I have taught him “coping mechanisms” through obedience.

You see, he has to have good obedience skills.

Then, when something scary happens, I can ask him to perform and, instead of getting worked up, his mind says “I CAN DO THAT”. This way, he can be successful in those situations.

Without excellent obedience, he would be forced to deal with things on his own; and that wouldn’t end well for anyone!

So, work on your obedience!  It will help to relax your dog!

The puppy I used in the earlier example had lots of coping skills and obedience.

When he would see something that scared him, I would get him to perform a multitude of obedience commands and fun tricks to keep his mind off the fear: Sit, Down, Touch, Spin, High Five, Watch, Roll Over… the sky was the limit.

I have taught my current dog eye contact and focus.

By looking at me, he can let go of the things that scare him in his environment, and he will be rewarded.

It also has a calming effect on him.

I realized this one day when I was out for a jog.

He was jogging about 3 feet in front of me (but not pulling, of course) and we saw a man running with a double stroller.

I guess the whole look of that situation scared him because immediately he put HIMSELF in heel position and looked up at me with extreme focus.

It was as if he was telling me, “Hey mom, I am scared of that, I don’t know what it is… so can I just look up at you until it is gone? Thanks!”

I recognized what he was doing, slowed down, and rewarded him heftily for such a good decision.

I realized by teaching him that behavior for so long, he had formed his own coping mechanism for stress! It was a miracle moment!

You can do the same with your dog if you are rewarding and consistent with your obedience!

Let’s agree: this was more acceptable than lunging and growling at the man with the toddlers; instead, he looked like a superbly trained dog, and no one else would even suspect fear as the driving factor.

6. Keep Him Calm in the Interim

There are lots of supplements and natural pills that can help him be calm in the interim of stress!

Many of these have been researched and can just help your dog feel calmer about his environment.

7. Talk to Your Vet

If your dog’s fear is extreme; talk to your vet.

Your vet can prescribe medications that will help your dog relax.

I never understand when people are so adamant that they use no drugs on their dogs; while most humans have been on some medication in their life.

I have certainly needed antidepressants.

I even went through a period, after a death, where I needed anti-anxiety medication because I had panic attacks.

I didn’t have control over my body’s response.

The medication helped me to get more in tune with my brain and come up with a better solution.

If your dog needs them, why not use them?!

Now, I will note that medication without this behavior modification will likely not help.

But, medication, along with behavior modification, can be a godsend to those who are struggling, both canine and human partner!

Follow these tips, and you will be on the road to a confident dog in no time!

via Whisker Therapy

Everything is bigger in Texas – and that includes dog cakes!

This weekend at the Mighty Texas Dog Walk in Austin, Texas a local bakery not only raised the bar for the Guinness World Record for Biggest Dog Cake, they SHATTERED the previous record!

Set by Petmania of Ireland just last year, the largest cake (before this) weighed 202 lbs. and served over 150 dogs. The people at Elly’s Sweet Shop of Austin spent time breaking down their regular-sized pupcake recipe and reworking it to make sure that they didn’t sacrifice taste for size.

The cake was made with dog-safe ingredients, baked at their bakery, and taken to the event where it was assembled, decorated and weighed. Their cake tipped the scales at 304 lbs. – making the previous “biggest dog cake” look like a cupcake!

After they confirmed the weight, the cake was cut and served to the lucky pups in attendance. It made it into the Guinness Book of World Records, but did it pass the taste test?

Looks like the dogs approve!

 

Featured Photo: Elly’s Sweet Shop/Facebook

via Whisker Therapy

Maybe you can relate: every time you finish giving your dog a bath and release him from the bathroom, he immediately starts zooming around the house and rubbing against everything in sight. Why is that?

What we call “the zoomies” or “the crazies,” scientists call a FRAP – Frenetic Random Activity Period. Whatever you call it, it’s amusing to us humans but seems joyful for our pups.

There are lots of theories out there, none of which have been verified, but all of which sound plausible. Here are 5 theories about why dogs get the zoomies after a bath.

#1 – He’s releasing pent-up energy

You know how the release of adrenaline you get after you do something scary – like giving a speech in public, skydiving, or talking to an attractive stranger – makes you feel shaky, like you have too much energy? You might even flap your hands to release some of that extra energy. Your dog has to sit still through a thing he hates and wants to escape from, but he can’t escape until he’s clean and rinsed.

Once the torture of the bath is over, your dog wants to release all that extra energy he has from sitting relatively still during an activity that he probably dislikes. Besides, anybody who works on their feet knows how torturous standing in one place can be when you aren’t able to walk around freely. Your dog is just stretching his legs.

#2 – He’s trying to dry off

No matter how many towels you use on your dog after the bath, he’s probably going to be damp still (unless you use a professional hair dryer).

Just like the movement of air over your hair helps to dry it, even on a cool setting, running around the house probably causes enough air flow to speed up the drying process. Rubbing himself against the carpet, sofa, or dog bed helps remove even more moisture so that your dog can get dry quicker.

Even dogs that enjoy swimming probably don’t enjoy being wet after a swim unless it’s a hot day outside and the dampness helps them feel cool. In your climate-controlled home, being damp probably makes them feel a little chilly.

#3 – Your dog wants “his” scent back

While you may prefer your dog to smell like flowers, he would prefer to smell like dirt, grass, and dead things.

Smelling like their environment helps dogs (and their ancestors, wolves) to sneak up on their prey. He also wants to smell like he belongs, and his idea of belonging isn’t smelling like perfume. Also, dogs have a sense of smell that’s at least 10,000 times better than ours, so even the slightest hint of a scent in the shampoo that you use may bother your dog enough for him to want to try to rub it off of himself.

It probably took him a long time to smell just the way he likes, and now you’ve made him start the process all over again!

#4 – He’s trying to get water out of his ears

Unless you put cotton balls in your dog’s ears before the bath, there’s always a chance of getting a little bit of water in your dog’s ear canals.

If you’ve ever gone swimming, you know how the world sounds “wrong” when you have water trapped in one of your ears. Your dog probably feels the same way. The rush of air when they run and the friction as they rub their head on any solid surface may help to dislodge water from their ear canals, which may make them feel better. Water trapped in the ear canal can lead to an ear infection, so it’s beneficial if they can dislodge that water first.

#5 – He’s expressing his joy and relief at being finished with something he doesn’t like

If you’ve ever celebrated the end of exams or a difficult project at work, then you can understand why your dog might want to celebrate the end of an awful bath with a few victory laps around your home. They can’t go out for drinks to celebrate, so the zoomies are as good a way as any to express their relief at surviving a stressful event.

And really, doesn’t your dog just look ecstatic as they run around the house with a grin? They may even dip into a play bow or two, or bring you their favorite toy to play with. Why not help them enjoy their celebration with a little bit of play time?

(H/T: Rover, Puppy Leaks)

via Whisker Therapy