Are Christmas Trees Harmful to Dogs?

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Are Christmas Trees Harmful to Dogs?Haley’s gone Christmas tree shopping with us every year since she was born. When we bring the tree back home, she waits to grab one of the trimmed branches from the bottom of the tree then prances around the yard like a reindeer with her evergreen trophy before settling down to chew on the branch for a few minutes.

It wasn’t until sometime after Christmas last year that I discovered live Christmas trees can cause health issues for some dogs. How did I miss that tidbit of Yuletide knowledge all these years? I knew about poinsettias, mistletoe and holly but I never knew that pine trees are toxic as well. I figured if I didn’t know, maybe some of you hadn’t heard about this either. So, here’s the scoop!

Potential Christmas Tree Hazards

Needles
Pine needles can be mildly toxic and could cause a puncture or obstruction in your pup’s digestive system if swallowed.
Branches
Oil from pine branches can irritate a dog’s mouth and stomach if they chew or ingest parts of the branch.
Water
The water reservoir may contain pine oil or pesticides that have leached from the tree and some additives that help keep trees fresh can be harmful if ingested.
Decorations
Electrical lights can be a safety concern for puppies or any dog that likes to chew wires and tinsel or string-type decorations can be harmful if swallowed.
Allergies
A phenomenon know as Christmas Tree Syndrome affects dogs as well as people and causes an increase in allergy symptoms due to the various molds growing on the tree.

There you have it!
While it might be overkill to call live Christmas trees hazardous or harmful for your dog, it’s good to know the facts and be aware that there can be some health issues for certain dogs.

Dog and Christmas TreeI’ve never noticed a problem with Haley after she’s carried the branches around and chewed on them a little bit but maybe she’s a tough dog or I didn’t notice a very minor issue because I was busy decorating the tree. She’s never tried to drink the water or eat any of the lights or ornaments, but many dogs do ingest all sorts of non-edible things. A bigger concern for Haley is the fact that she has allergies and her symptoms have intensified as she’s gotten older. Over the past few years I’ve noticed a slight increase in her allergy symptoms around Christmastime, so as much as I love having a live Christmas tree, next year we might have to consider buying our first artificial tree.

If you or your dog have allergies, check out this article on Christmas Tree Syndrome and suggestions for reducing mold spores from live trees.

Dog at Christmas Tree FarmThe holidays are such a busy time of the year and it’s not exactly festive to be focusing on safety hazards, but it’s smart to keep a watchful eye on your dog while you celebrate with your family. Whether it’s the tree itself or your pup tearing into a wrapped food gift from under the tree, our pups sometimes get themselves into a little mischief during this time of year. Let’s keep our dogs happy and healthy this holiday season!

What do you think? Are Christmas trees harmful to dogs? Are artificial trees safer than live trees?

Help! My Dog Has Selective Hearing

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My Dog Has Selective HearingIt’s fairly common to hear dog owners complain that their pup listens at home but not when they’re away from home or they might claim that their dog is stubborn, strong-willed or just plain dumb because he doesn’t always listen or follow commands. They say their dog has selective hearing.

Can you relate to any of these scenarios?

  • When the doorbell rings, you tell your dog to sit and stay but as soon as you open the door, he rushes to greet your guest and it’s hard to get him under control.
  • You’re enjoying a pleasant stroll with your dog walking politely on the leash until he spots another dog owner walking their dog. The closer the other dog gets, the more your pup pulls on the leash or whines, straining to meet the other dog.
  • When taking your dog along to visit a friend or relative, you ask him to sit and stay calmly by your side. He listens for a moment but his excitement gets the best of him and he soon breaks the command.

Yep, just when you’re feeling proud and confident with your dog’s training or obedience skills, one of these things happens and you feel like you have an out-of-control dog that won’t listen at all. It can be both embarrassing and frustrating. With Haley being a somewhat excitable dog, I can relate to all three of these scenarios, and maybe a few more.

You may think your dog has selective hearing but here’s what’s really happening. You’ve probably done a great job of training your pup when you’re at home and your dog listens well in most cases but then you stopped instead of moving on to the next phase which is training for the three D’s: distance, duration and distractions.

Once your dog listens and follows commands well at home in a calm and quiet environment, most of us ease up on the training and assume most of the work is done. But dogs also need to be trained for those same commands when you’re not standing right beside them or when there’s something interesting competing for their attention. If you make the effort to work on the three D’s, you’ll have a fully trained dog that will listen well in all types of circumstances and environments and that makes life with your dog a heck of a lot easier. Here’s how you can work on the three D’s of dog training.

Distance

Slowly work to increase the physical distance between you and your dog when giving a command. Here are some examples:

  • Practice asking your dog to sit when you’re not standing right next to him.
  • Slowly increase the distance you move away from your dog after putting him in a stay position.
  • Work on recall by gradually increasing the distance before calling your dog to come to you.

Duration

Gradually increase how long your dog should stay in a command or position. Try these exercises:

  • Slowly increase the length of time your dog should remain in position after you give the stay command.
  • Gradually increase the time between saying your dog’s name to get his attention and issuing a command.
  • Practice having your dog remain in a down position for longer periods of time.

Distractions

Work with your dog around low-level distractions, then slowly increase the level of distractions as your pup learns to listen and follow commands even though something interesting or exciting is nearby. Start with these examples:

  • Have a family member help you by occasionally ringing the doorbell while you work on training to keep your dog focused on listening to your sit and stay commands.
  • When working around distractions (other dogs, squirrels, blowing leaves…), start far enough away from the distraction so your pup will listen to your commands, then gradually work to decrease the distance while still maintaining control of your dog’s attention.

Dog WalkThese are just a few examples of how you can train for the three D’s but you’ll want to customize your training for whatever issues your pup might need to work on. Training for distance, duration and distractions isn’t hard, it’s just that most of us don’t really think about it until we’re in one of those situations I mentioned earlier. Here are some helpful tips as you get started on the three D’s.

10 Tips for Training the Three D’s

1. One D at a Time!
To build your pup’s confidence and success, work on the three D’s one at a time. If you increase distance, duration and add a distraction all at once, your dog will most likely fail at all three.
2. Reward Your Pup
Always reward your dog and give lots of encouragement and praise as he’s learning the three D’s.
3. Work Slowly
Learning each of the three D’s is a gradual, step-by-step process.
4. Fallback When Necessary
If your dog is struggling with any of the D’s, you’ve probably increased the distance, duration or distraction too much. Go back a level to reinforce the behavior before the next increase.
5. Watch the Number of Distractions
Don’t combine too many types of distractions at once. Just like with distance and duration, it should be a gradual process.
6. Leverage the D’s
If you’re having trouble with one of the three D’s, try reducing the other two.
7. Use High-value Rewards
Whether you’re using food or your dog’s favorite toy as a reward, make sure it’s a high-value incentive to encourage your pup and to reinforce the behavior.
8. Don’t Skimp on the Number of Rewards
You may need to give more rewards than usual in challenging situations to keep your dog’s focus.
9. Attitude is Everything
Stay positive and view difficult situations as an opportunity to train.
10. Keep Practicing
Training is a process. Your dog will get there with your patience, persistence and lots of practice.

Distracted DogIt’s wonderful if your dog listens to you while at home, but it’s even better if you can take him anywhere and know that he’ll listen and be well behaved in any environment. If you think your dog has selective hearing, maybe a little work on the three D’s is all he needs. Haley’s pretty good at distance and duration, but she needs some work with distractions. Yes, it seems there’s always something to be worked on when it comes to dog training.

Have you trained your dog for distance, duration and distractions? Share your tips with us!

The Thankful Dog

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The Thankful DogA thanksgiving tradition for many families is to take turns mentioning what each person is thankful for. When Haley’s hovering around the table, hoping for a charitable donation from a pet-loving pilgrim, I often wonder what she might say she’s thankful for. Maybe it would be something like this.

The Thankful Dog

I’m thankful for the day you adopted me
And your patience while I learned where to pee.
Sorry for the time I pooped in the hall
It was rough at first, but we got through it all.

You were so kind while I learned to behave,
You showed me the world, so I could be brave.
I have all the things a good pup should own,
Good food, fresh water and toys and bones.

Our house is warm and I have my own bed
But you don’t mind if I share yours instead.
When I’m sick, you lay with me on the floor
With my head on your pillow, I let out a snore.

I’m thankful for all those rides in the car
And all the vacations we’ve shared so far.
From off-leash hikes to beaches with sand,
So many adventures across this great land.

You take me for walks even when you are tired
And take time to play with me when I’m wired.
My barking and begging can be kind of a pain
And my 3am pee breaks are pretty insane.

Remember the times I got skunked in the yard?
I was protecting my turf, just being on guard.
You try to see things through my point of view,
Trust and respect bond us like glue.

The little things you do, they sure do rock!
Like hiding my treats in a cardboard box.
I love your belly rubs when you scratch my chest
But your sock balls at night are surely the best.

When I do good things, you praise me and clap
And you always make time for my nap on your lap.
The tricks you taught me are all very sweet,
I’m thankful for you, can I have a treat?

Happy Thanksgiving

Are dogs grateful for all the things we do? Maybe Haley doesn’t have all these thoughts but I have no doubt that she appreciates many of the things I do for her. She’s a thankful dog and I’m thankful to have her in my life. Is your dog a thankful dog?

How to Make Your Dog Howl

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How to Make Your Dog HowlI’m sure I’m not the only person who’s howled at my dog, hoping she would join in and howl along with me, right? Some of you might have dogs that like to howl, like scent hounds or wolf-like dogs such as huskies, but Haley’s not one of those dogs. No matter how much I sacrifice my self-respect in attempts to get her to join me, she’s not having it. She barks, she whines, she yips, she yawns, but…no howl, no way! [pardon the pun]

Long ago, some cultures thought dogs had psychic abilities and the howl of a dog meant someone was about to die, yikes! The truth is a lot less dramatic, howling is just a form of communication and here are a few different ways canines use howls to relate information to each other.

Why Dogs Howl

Pack Communication
Packs of canines howl to pull members back together or to help lost pack members reunite with the group. This could be why some domesticated dogs howl from separation anxiety when their owners leave the house.
Protecting Territory
Canines may use howls as a warning to others when protecting their territory or to warn pack members of a potential threat. Haley sometimes uses a howl-like bark when strangers approach the house.
Auto-Response
The electronic howl of a siren makes some dogs answer with a howl of their own. It probably sounds so similar to a real howl that a dog’s instinct kicks in and they respond.
Bonding
Group howling among dogs (or you and your dog) could be a bonding ritual similar to how people bond by singing together.
Distress
Dogs have been known to howl when they’re sick or injured to either cry for help or to express pain.
Alert Signal
Hunting dogs often howl to alert each other or their human hunters when they’ve located their prey.
Attention
If a bored dog gets attention by howling, they quickly learn to howl anytime they’re bored or lonely.

The Haley Howl

I’ve only heard Haley howl one time and I didn’t get to witness it in person. A few years ago we set up a video camera for a short time to observe Haley’s behavior when we weren’t at home. Towards the end of a Christmas holiday when my son and daughter-in-law were heading back home, they said goodbye to Haley and we all left the house to have lunch together before they left town. Here’s what happened after we left the house.

I was shocked when I watched the video! Was that really her, howling? I wish she would have been standing in the camera’s view but she was looking out the window and probably hoping to call her pack back home. They say each wolf has a distinctive howl that’s like a vocal fingerprint, acoustically calibrated to carry over long distances. Maybe this is Haley’s vocal fingerprint which includes blowing out air and yawning. I did mention she wasn’t good at howling, right?

If you want to teach your dog to howl, try these ideas!

How to Make Your Dog Howl

  • Howl or sing in a high-pitched tone at your dog, then praise and reward with treats when they mimic you. After your dog starts to catch on, combine the howling with a command such as “Sing” or “Howl”.
  • Use a harmonica or other musical instrument to experiment with different pitches to try to make your dog howl.
  • If your dog howls when they hear a siren, start giving them a command or cue when it happens. Give praise or treats to reinforce the behavior.
  • Play different types of music to see if your dog will respond and howl. For some reason, the theme song to Law and Order works for a lot of dogs.
  • Download an app with sirens or sounds for getting your dog’s attention and experiment with your pup.
  • Set up a video camera and record your dog when you leave the house to see if they howl.

Singing DogThe last idea was the only one that worked for Haley. She tries really hard but either she needs some howling lessons or I could use some of your suggestions. I’d love to hear her howl again, so share your secrets for how you make your dog howl.

How to Make Your Dog Howl

Doing Your Part to Make Vet Visits Productive

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Have you ever been disappointed after taking your dog to the vet? Maybe you felt like you didn’t get the level of care you expected or you were confused about a diagnosis or treatment plan. Maybe your concerns weren’t fully acknowledged or addressed.

A few months ago I wrote 10 Ways to Find a Good Vet for Your Dog but that’s only half of the equation. You and your vet work as a team to keep your dog happy and healthy so today’s post addresses your role in helping to make vet visits productive. Check out the following tips to find out what you can do before, during and after your appointment to ensure you’re making the most of your pup’s next visit to the vet.

9 Things to Do Before Your Visit

1. Keep a Medical Journal
Let’s face it, there are a lot of things we need to keep track of these days and it’s easy to forget what and when certain treatments or vaccinations were given. Download a smartphone app or buy a cute, little notebook to record a medical journal for your pup. Update it each time you visit the vet and add any health related notes that come up between vet visits. Take it along with you during appointments and you’ll have the information at your fingertips if it’s needed.
2. Use Common Sense When Researching on the Internet
Dog Searching Internet

Photo by Jesse757 / CC BY 2.0

I’m a big believer of being informed and knowledgeable about health related issues that might affect Haley, but I’m also cautious about taking advice or using the internet to diagnose ailments. Always keep an open mind and consider your vet to be your ally and partner in keeping your dog healthy.
3. Make an Appointment
Trust your gut instinct instead of waiting until your dog is really sick before heading to the vet. Don’t drop in without an appointment unless it’s an emergency and even then, try to call ahead to let them know you’re coming. If you have several issues to discuss during your visit, try to make an early morning appointment since some offices may run behind schedule late in the day.
4. Make a List of Questions
Have you ever left the vet’s office then realized you forgot to bring something up? It’s easy to get distracted while trying to keep your dog calm and talk to the vet so don’t feel silly about making and referring to a list of questions and concerns.
5. Perform a Physical Exam
I once found a lump on Haley the very next day after a vet appointment to aspirate a different lump. I now inspect her regularly and before every appointment just in case there’s something else that needs to be checked out. Also, monitor and note any changes in behavior that could point to a medical problem so you can relay that information to your vet.
6. What to Take (and not take) Along.
Make sure you remember your medical journal, any requested specimens (urine, stool samples, etc.) and maybe a few treats to reward your pup when the exam is over. Don’t have someone else take your dog unless they know all of your dog’s health details and can answer questions and approve treatment. Also, don’t try to sneak in extra pets for an exam unless they have an appointment too.
7. Arrive On Time
This should be common sense and common courtesy but many vets complain about clients being late and putting them behind schedule. Arriving late might mean your dog’s time with the vet could be cut short as well as clients that are scheduled after your appointment. Be considerate of the vet, staff and other clients by arriving on time.
8. Keep Your Pup Under Control
While waiting to see the vet, be considerate of other people and their pets by keeping your pup close to you and under your control. Avoid stressing out other pets that could be ill or injured by giving them plenty of space.
9. Relax
Vet visits can be stressful for you and your pet. Just walking into the office makes some pets tremble with fear and there’s a good chance you might be stressed about your pup’s health, as well as how much the treatment might cost. Since dogs often pick up on our energy, try to stay calm. I know it’s not always easy, but taking a few deep breaths can really help.

4 Things to Do During Your Visit

1. Be Present
Everyone’s time is valuable so make the most of your visit by giving your vet your full attention. It’s hard to believe, but some people actually answer or talk on their cell phones during an appointment. Turn off or ignore your phone and make your dog’s health a priority.
2. Be Clear
You know your dog best and your vet relies on you to clearly communicate symptoms, concerns and other relevant information about your pup. Refer to your notes if you have multiple issues and be clear about your expectations, whether medical or financial.
3. Be Honest
Fibbing or stretching the truth about things that affect your dog’s health can be harmful and can prevent your dog from getting proper treatment. Be honest, even if it might be embarrassing. Also, be sure to let your vet and staff members know if your dog has been aggressive in the past.
4. Ask Questions
If you’re confused about something or are unsure about the suggested treatment, be sure to speak up. Veterinarians would rather you ask than have you walk away confused or walk away in search of a new vet. Don’t hesitate to ask your vet to repeat something you didn’t hear clearly, it’s better to be safe than sorry.

4 Things to Do After Your Visit

1. Reward Your Pup
The moment Haley steps outside the exam room, she shakes it off, her tail starts wagging and she looks at me with a huge “Whew, it’s over!” grin, then she gets lots of praise and those treats I brought along.
2. Take Care of Business
It’s probably not your favorite part of the visit, but while paying your bill you’ll also receive any needed medication and additional instructions. This is a good time to ask any last minute questions and pick up specimen bottles if you need to bring in a urine or stool sample during your next visit.
3. Update Your Medical Journal
Remember that cute, little journal I mentioned? When you get home, update it with the date and details of the appointment along with any observations or additional information. It’s good to do this right away while everything is still fresh in your mind.
4. Follow Through
Follow your vet’s instructions or schedule for giving medication and don’t be afraid to call the office if you have any questions or concerns after your appointment. If your vet mentioned your pup needs to lose a few pounds or exercise more, make the effort and follow through to keep your dog fit and healthy.

Remember, you have a big role in helping to make vet visits productive. By working as a partner with your vet, you can ensure the best quality of care and improve the overall health of your dog. Now, I’d love to hear your ideas and tips on how to make vet visits less stressful and more productive!Doing Your Part to Make Vet Visits Productive