Stubborn Dog, Novice Owner

Items and Services for Dogs You Never Knew Existed

September 12, 2022August 30, 2022Diane J.

My age is showing, I have stumbled across items and services for dogs that I never knew were needed. Obviously, they are needed since these items and services exist.

This post came about as I did research on my post Dogs and Swimming. It’s when I stumbled across the K9 Aquatic Center. But this isn’t the only service I discovered for dogs that took me by surprise.

Please note, this post is supposed to be in fun humor. I’m not picking on anyone who uses a few of these items and services for dogs. However, I will say, if you are paying for services like these along with paying to have your dog groomed and walked, you might want to reconsider if you really needed the dog.

Services for Dogs You Never knew Existed

When I took Pandora to the vet, I mentioned that Pandora is still reluctant to walk near vehicles. The vet recommended Behavioral Therapy. That seemed a bit drastic since Pandora is pretty good with everything else, but I looked into the place that was recommended.

What I really mean, is that I opened the website, saw the $445 fee for a one-hour consultation, and promptly decided it was okay if Pandora never walked near the road.

Personally, if my dog was aggressively trying to kill everyone and everything, I would consider Behavioral Therapy. Because the alternative would probably be a drastically, upsetting option. But for something that doesn’t affect our life, that much. I can deal with driving out to trails and spending more time with Pandora in training.

Dog Exercise Coach

You can actually hire someone to come up with exercise plans for your dog. I’m a bit baffled on this one, but I’m sure there are reasons for its usefulness.

Dog Tv

Another service for dogs, you can pay for a subscription to DogTV. Now, I’m not fully knocking this service. I have put on videos of people herding cows and Pandora gets intensely interested. Now, I don’t pay for the service, I just find YouTube videos and run those. I have also put garbage trucks (yes, there are videos of garbage trucks doing their thing for hours at a time) on the TV in stereo as a means to desensitize Pandora to load vehicles.

Yard Cleaners

You can hire someone to pick up your dog’s doo from your yard. Personally, I’m too cheap to pay someone for five-minutes of work, but if you can’t handle the doggy doo, then you do you.

I can see how this service would benefit people who may have had surgery or may have mobility issues.

Rent Yard Time

This is something I saw crop up on a local FB group. You can rent a person’s yard for your dog to run in. This isn’t a terrible idea. However, it could be an expensive one. Read up on what the people request. Some require the dog to stay on leash, which kind of defeats the purpose of letting your dog run. If you live in an urban area and it’s hard to find a calm place to let your dog run wild and burn off energy, this could be for you.

Items for Dogs You Never Knew Existed

I see so many items for dogs that we never saw thirty years ago. Maybe it’s because we didn’t have such a robust internet then. I don’t know, but now there are dog goggles, dog rear-end covers for those who don’t want to pick up the poop the bag hangs from the dog’s butt. And then the dog does his business right into the bag.

A few items for dogs that you can buy:

Beer

I bet you didn’t see that coming. There are places that brew a beer specifically for dogs. One such place is Bowser Beer. And no, there is no alcohol in the beer.

Grass

As in an artificial grass mat. There are many options. I guess if your dog won’t potty unless there’s a patch of grass, this could solve the problem.

The item for dogs that I have no words for:

There is a gadget called Puppy Tweets. You connect a USB into your computer and put a doodad on the dog’s collar. Each time your dog barks, moves, or even naps, the fob sends a tweet to Twitter. Apparently, it has a few hundred phrases to tweet. Which is good, because if you have an active dog, it will never stop tweeting. Ever. Ever.

What items or services for dogs have you come across that left you speechless?

A Recap of Pandora’s Summer

August 29, 2022August 22, 2022Diane J.

Pandora’s summer has had a few firsts and some good growth. Let’s recap how her summer has been, training wise and adventure wise.

Pandora’s Summer – June

Pandora took time to stop and sniff the flowers. Little Miss can hike five miles, swim for twenty minutes, and play frisbee for another 20 minutes and STILL have energy left over (it’s no joke when people say Cattle Dogs need a lot of exercise). So, it was a special moment when Pandora noticed my Tiger Lily had bloomed and she went to check it out.

Yes, Lilies are toxic to dogs. She did not eat, she was supervised, she’s fine.

Pandora also had her very first professional grooming session. She’s been having her nails trimmed by the lovely ladies at PNW Mobile Grooming Services for almost two years now. But when it came to bathes, we took of that. She’s not a large dog and she doesn’t shed as much as a Husky, so our bathtub suffices just fine. However, we decided to get her the full spa treatment. She wasn’t sure what to make of it, but she came out looking awesome.

Training Progress — Do you see this?! OMG!!!

And June was the month that Pandora walked near the road. She was not thrilled, but she did it.

July Recap

July was rough.

Pandora had her longest stretch away from me. I was gone for five days. Pandora usually puts the whole time I am away from home, but apparently, by the third day she would willing go outside. My understanding is that usually, my husband and sons have to coerce her to go outside. She still moped, but it was a tad less by the fifth day.

Shortly after I had returned home, Pandora had her first (minor) injury. We were playing frisbee and after one of her show-off high leaps, she landed and started limping. I focused on her leg and couldn’t see anything odd or feel anything odd. Pandora didn’t flinch when I touched all over her leg. And her leg didn’t swell. I made a note to call the vet the next morning.

The next morning, I discovered what the issue was. She’d broken a toenail. It was a vertical split, from the tip down to the quick. She had bled, how I missed it I don’t know. So, I set up a vet appointment for a week later (they’re booked, and I didn’t think she needed and emergency visit). We didn’t play frisbee or do anything strenuous for a few days and eventually, half fell off and the nail was fine.

LESSON LEARNED: Keep on the toenail trims. I usually do, but this time I forgot to book it and her nails got longer than usual.

Pandora’s Summer August

Mid-July is when Pandora discovered she could actually swim, swim. Like go out and paddle all the way in.

August has been the month of swimming. And swimming. And more swimming. It’s gotten to the point that she will ditch me about an 1/8th of a mile before her new swimming spot. She makes a beeline for that and all I get is dust.

Pandora hopes all the dogs have had a wonderful summer. And so do I.

Dogs and Swimming

August 22, 2022August 22, 2022Diane J.

Pandora has always loved the water. Her first summer with us we bought her a kiddie pool, and she splashed around in it endlessly. She loves chomping at the water as it flows out of the hose, and she loves jumping and running into water on trails. The size of the water body doesn’t deter her, whether that water is a large puddle, a stream cutting through a groove, or a bigger body of water like a retention pond, creek, or lake, Pandora will run right in.

About a year ago I had taken Pandora to a larger lake and she, of course, loved running and splashing around the water’s edge. I threw a stick just beyond where she could walk out to it, and she leaped after the stick only to discover she couldn’t touch. She turned around and ditched the stick.

Enter this year and Pandora has discovered swimming is the greatest thing ever. She might even rank it right up there with frisbee time. And that’s, like, the ultimate rating.

Dogs and Swimming – What Do We Need to Know?

Since Pandora has been swimming, my question list has grown beyond worry of the water temperature:

How long can a dog safely swim?
What are the warning signs that a dog is too tired to swim?
Does swimming wear dogs out quicker than running the trails?
When should I use a life vest on my dog?
What are the best water toys and water gear for dogs?

So, let’s jump in and answer those questions about dogs and swimming.

How long can a dog safely swim?

Apparently, water breeds can swim for upwards of an hour. Some can swim for more than a mile. But all, need to take it slow when they first begin swimming. It’s obvious you wouldn’t take your 10-month-old lab out for an hour-long swim as their first introduction to water, but what would be a good starting point?

Quite a few sites recommend slow starts. Let the dog splash around in water that’s not deep. When they do start venturing out to deeper depths, keep an eye on them. Make sure they come in and rest after a few minutes.

With each trek to the water, you can let the dog swim longer and longer.

Pandora knew what she was comfortable with when she first started swimming. We didn’t push her. Now, however, I have to pull the plug on her fun and she’s not happy when I say we’re done. The first day that Pandora discovered she loved swimming, she was quite snotty when I told her we done. Apparently, she felt she could swim the English Channel if she wanted. But she started snorting a bit louder with each swim back to shore, so I said we were done. And she stood at the water’s edge trying to stare me down. Then she stomped her paw. And finally, came to me but grumbled as she passed by. Little Miss Attitude.

But Watch Out for Over-Confidence

Pandora thinks she’s a star swimmer now. And she’s good. But she hasn’t been in any water with a good current. She’s been through a creek, but she can still touch ground there. Unfortunately, she almost jumped into a swift flowing creek. She now thinks all water is fabulous. So, when I took her on a different trail one day, we came out to a creek that was pretty high and moving fast, and Pandora made a beeline for it. Thankfully, she still listens when I tell her to wait or sit and I was able to get the leash on her before she leaped.

Once your pup loves water, watch them. Little buggers go for anything with water, with no care in the world.

Dogs and Swimming: What are the warning signs that a dog is too tired to swim?

According to Paw Leaks, these are the signs your dog is probably too tired to continue water play:

“You also have to constantly look out for signs of exhaustion such as:

Excessive thirst
Purple or bluish gums
Rapid pulse
Easily distracted by sniffing
Losing interest
Yawning
Lying down
Hiding
Bad posture”

For Pandora, I noticed she was snorting more with each stick fetching swim. She was definitely breathing harder. When Pandora is having fun, she won’t stop, I have to end the moment of fun. We’ve just gotten to a point when she’s playing frisbee that she will take a breather in the shade every second or third throw. But that’s only if we are at home. Otherwise, she won’t stop.

Does swimming wear dogs out quicker than running the trails?

According to the K9 Aquatic Center (who knew there were swimming places just for dogs?):

It may surprise you to know that for a dog, 1 minute’s swimming is equivalent to about 4 minutes of running, according to Dr. Arleigh Reynolds, a Veterinary Surgeon and Canine Physiologist.
The Benefits of Swimming – K9 Aquatic & Wellness Center (k9aquaticcenter.com)

The K9 Aquatic Center also lists a bunch of other positives of dogs swimming. Mostly the same reasons it’s good for humans; easier on the joints, helps build muscle, good cardiovascular exercise, etc….

Swimming is definitely a great idea for dogs like Pandora that are athletic. Her joints take a beating when she’s leaping for her frisbee. What a great idea to help her joints heal.

Dogs and Swimming: When should I use a life vest on my dog?

A lot of sites cover this. Obviously, if you are in lake water with a lot of wake from watercraft or rivers and creeks with swift currents, it would be wise to use a life vest.

However, I was surprised to learn about some breeds that cannot swim. I knew, not all dogs could swim, one of my sister’s German Shepherds sank when he fell in the water. They were right there and saved him, don’t worry. I guess that was when I learned not all dogs can swim.

Anyway, dogs with short snouts are not great swimmers: Pugs, bulldogs, boxers, etc…, the water goes right up their nose and then you can run into the issue of dry drowning. Apparently, Pugs like water, so they would benefit to have a life vest.

And when your dog is hanging out on the boat or at the lake for the whole day, a life vest might be a good idea, especially if they are like Pandora and will keep going no matter how tired they are.

What are the best water toys and water gear for dogs?

Well, I can’t speak from experience, but here are the ones I am looking at for Pandora. These are all Amazon links (some of the links may be affiliate links):

ChuckIt! Amphibious Bumper Floating Fetch Toy – 73% five star rating out of 6,738 reviews

http://West Paw Zogoflex Hurley Dog Bone Chew Toy – 74% five-star rating out of 7,688 reviews

Chuckit! Ultra Fetch Stick Dog Toy – 76% five-star rating out of 4,012 reviews

Wave Runner Soft Foam Water Skipping Ball – 80% five-star rating out of 904 reviews

Dog Float Bumper Toy – 74% five-star rating out of 489 reviews

Hyper Pet Flippy Flopper Dog Frisbee – 76% five-star rating out of 13,595 reviews

Life Vests for Dogs

I haven’t decided on the vest we’re going to try, but these are the ones sitting in my Amazon wish list:

The Expensive One: RUFFWEAR, Float Coat Dog Life Jacket – 91% five-star rating out of 1,067 reviews.

The More Reasonably Priced One: Apetian Dog Life Preserver – 74% five-star rating out of 146 reviews.

The Shark Fin (hard to pass up my dog looking like a shark) One: ASENKU Dog Life Jacket Pet Life Safety Vest – 78% five-star rating out of 3,172 reviews.

The Great Review Rating and Great Price One: VIVAGLORY New Sports Style Ripstop Dog Life Jacket – 83% five-star ratings out of 8,662 reviews.

What toys, equipment, or tips do you have for dogs who love to swim? Comment below.

Dogs and Spring: Bees, Water Temps, Yard Equipment

April 18, 2022April 18, 2022Diane J.

Dogs and Spring: Bees, Water Temps, and Yard Equipment. Photo courtesy of Pixabay user: umsiedlungen

Last spring (2021) my husband was out doing yard work when he riled up a hornets’ nest. He got stung seven times and he’s allergic. So, we raced inside to deal with him ASAP. Later, when all was calming down, I noticed Pandora was acting funny. She looked like she had downed a pot brownie glazed with hallucinogenic magic mushroom sauce. She was whipping her head around looking for something we couldn’t see. And she’d lick her side and one of her back legs.

Dogs and Spring: Bees, Wasps, Hornets, and Yellow Jackets

Pandora had been stung, too. I called my older sister who has not only had many dogs, but cats, gerbils, lizards, ferrets, and more over her lifetime. Some of them have been very needy in the medical department. What to do? She recommended I give Pandora a Benedryl. The antihistamine is beneficial for pups, too. The tablets we had are 25 mg., which worked well since Pandora was 27 pounds and the recommended dose for dogs is 1 mg per pound.

Dog-on-it-parks.com has a great recommendation for pups under 25 pounds: “Most Benadryl comes in 25 mg tablets, which is easier to dose for larger dogs but for small dogs, try children’s Benadryl in a 12.5 mg dose (the liquid option makes it easy!).”

The American Kennel Club gives these tips for what to do when your pooch is stung:

Carefully remove the stinger with tweezers.
Apply a paste of baking soda and water to the site of the sting
Apply an ice pack to relieve swelling and pain.
Ask your vet about giving your dog a dose of oral antihistamine.
Give your dog fresh water and watch them carefully.

Allergic reactions usually occur within 20 minutes, but can be delayed for hours.

The UK Kennel Club offers some tips of what to watch for if you think your dog was stung:

Whining
Agitation
Swelling
Lumpy looking skin
Biting, nibbling or pawing at the place stung
Drooling

Keep an eye on your pooch, shoo them away from the venomous flying raisins and invest in some Benedryl. Store brand versions are cheaper and just as good. And for those whose pups are under 25 pounds, Children’s Benedryl:

Dogs and Spring: Water Temperatures

If you live in an area where the temperature doesn’t drop below 50 degrees, you don’t have to worry about your pooch and the water. I mean, maybe you have to worry about what resides in the water, but the temperature may not be a concern.

But for northern states and other areas, we need to think about the water temperature. Particularly, when you have a water dog. Pandora is a water dog. Her new thing is adding frisbee play with water time, she’s over-the-moon about that.

A few weeks ago, we had a gorgeous spring day with temps in the mid-60’s. I took Pandora out for a walk at one of her favorite trails where there is a fabulous creek that she loves. She splashed and leaped and had her usual awesome time. But the next weekend, the weather was hovering around 39 degrees. And as we passed her favorite water hole, Pandora went in. She didn’t act phased by the temperature, but I worried about her getting wet especially when we still had another 30-minutes before we made it back to the car.

Yes, I should have put her leash on. Clearly, I let my mind wander. I know Pandora will always go for the water. The day after Christmas we were staying with friends when a big blustery snow came in. With windchill it was frigid and the snowdrifts around the water’s edge were building with each gust. At one point, Pandora went out potty, and the next she made a break for the water. We’re talking freezing temps here. Thankfully, she came back after my initial shriek of panic.

What are the recommended swimming temperature?

The Swim Guide recommends: “Temperatures above 7 °C (45 °F) are safe for the majority of dogs, but temperatures below -6 °C (20 °F) may lead to frostbite or hypothermia after a while.”

And Rover.com reminds us: “However, length of time swimming is also a major factor. A quick dip or splash in a cold body of water isn’t likely to cause a problem for an otherwise healthy dog, especially if you dry them off afterward.“

Thankfully, Pandora was only in the water for about 5 minutes, and she didn’t get her whole-body in. The water came up to the underside of her belly.

The first link for The Swim Guide also gives symptoms of hypothermia in dogs and more water tips to consider.

Finally, Lawn Equipment and Dogs

Dogs and spring are a great combination. They are excited to be outdoors and chasing all the fun flying insects, sprinting across the yard after toys, and enjoying time with you outside. However, despite how happy it makes them, it’s best to leave the pups inside while mowing or weed-eating your lawn. Or using any other machinery that makes yard work easy. If you have a large yard and your dog hates the sound of the equipment, you may be fine, but if your pup is young and wants to be near you, best to let them indoors. Even mulching-mowers can spit rock chunks.

And of you don’t have a mulching mower with a bag on it, beware. Our old mower shattered a long, thin window at our old house. The window was easily 8 feet from the ground and about four feet long and one foot high.

When we moved to our new house, that darn mower shot a rock through an upper window.

Be safe. Know your dog, know your equipment, make an informed decision.