Diggin' Dog

Dogs digging........ 

It's a very common thing for canines to dig especially for hunting/retriever breeds such as ALL Retriever breeds, Hounds, Beagles, Pointers, Spaniels, Terriers, etc. It's in their DNA to dig. Its their JOB to hunt, find and retrieve to satisfy their pack leader, YOU.

If you don't have a working breed then other reasons play into WHY they are digging. Boredom, Cooling or Warming, the scent of fertilizer, making a den, escaping, storing food or items (hoarding), and the biggest one ATTENTION.

To first solve this dilemma you must observe your dog digging. How, where, when, and what.

HOW is your dog digging? Is it in one place like under the fence or in the middle of the yard? It is in multiple places 5 to 20 inches apart from each hole?

WHERE is your dog digging?

WHEN are they digging?

WHAT are they digging for?

First answer those questions then you can move on to finding a solution to solve it.

The one thing that will always work with ANY breed and size is EXERCISE!!!! Go for a walk!!! And make it a good walk. 30 minutes to 1 hour depending on size/breed. Make the walk a job for them to accomplish. Purchase a doggy back pack and have them carry bottles of water or their treats or snacks. This will give them the feeling of having to complete a job you are asking them to fulfill and they will be highly rewarded.

Any other questions feel free to ask


**Reminder: Every dog and household is different. What may work for others may not necessarily work for you and your dog. If you are having continuous problems, find a local trainer in your area that can help you and your family.**

Best Dog Foods

**Reminder: Every dog and household is different. What may work for others may not necessarily work for you and your dog. If you are having continuous problems, find a local trainer in your area that can help you and your family.**

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What is the best food I can feed my dog?

I am a firm believer in a Natural Food diet. Make sure the first 5 ingredients are the true protein. Stay away from Wheat, Corn and Soy. Those cheap fillers are the main cause for skin problems, bloating and your dog still being hungry after a full meal.

List of Natural Dog Foods:

Blue Buffalo

Natural Balance

Merrick

Solid Gold

Taste Of The Wild

Halo

Wellness

FROMM

Bravo

Acana

Innova

Nature's Variety

Pure Vita

Canidae

Bad human foods for dogs...

What human foods are bad for my dog?

If you like to share your food with your dog, there's nothing wrong with that. Its nice to make them "feel" apart of the family. However some foods are very harmful to your four-legged beggars.

Foods NOT to give you dog and WHY: 

• Avocado - The leaves, seeds, fruit, and bark contain persin, which can cause vomiting and diarrhea. 

• Bones from fish, Poultry, or other meat sources - Can cause obstruction or laceration of the digestive system.

• Chocolate, Coffee, Tea, and other caffeine - Contain caffeine, theobromine, or theophylline, which can cause vomiting and diarrhea and be toxic to the heart and nervous systems.

• Grapes, Raisins and Currants -  Contain an unknown toxin, which can damage the kidneys. There have been no problems associated with grape seed extract.

• Macadamia nuts - Contain an unknown toxin, which can affect the digestive and nervous systems and muscle.

• Milk and other dairy products - SOME adult dogs and cats may develop diarrhea if given large amounts of dairy products. 

• Mushrooms - Can contain toxins, which may affect multiple systems in the body, cause shock, and result in death.

• Onions and garlic (raw, cooked, or powder) - Contain sulfoxides and disulfides, which can damage red blood cells and cause anemia. Cats are more susceptible than dogs. Garlic is less toxic than onions.

 Here are some healthier alternatives:

• Bananas without the peel

• Apples without the skin

• Carrots

• Unsweetened Natural Peanut Butter (small amounts)

Always remember EVERYTHING is moderation.

Barktober Photo Contest!!!

That's right!!! Its Barktober and Buddy's Ktichen Dog Treatz is hosting a Photo Contest.

Photo Contest: You and Your Dawgy!!!

How to Enter

1. Find or take a photo of you and your dog. You can be dressed up for Halloween or not. Your dog can be in costume it doesn't matter. The cuter the photo the more "LIKES" you can get. It can be you or your kids but a human MUST be in the photo with your dog.
2. Send that photo to - buddyskitchendogtreatz@gmail.com
3. Look for your photo on our  Fan Page Album
4. SHARE your photo from that album with friends and family to get the most "LIKES" 
5. The photo with the most likes on our Facebook Page WINS!!! 
6. Contest ends Halloween Night

**CONTEST RULES: https://www.facebook.com/notes/buddys-kitchen-dog-treatz/photo-contest/337459436354335

Why Should I Train My Dog???

"Obedience training is one of the most important aspects of raising a dog. In fact, a well trained dog is by far a happier dog! Why? Because a trained dog requires fewer restrictions. The more reliable the dog, the more freedom he is given.

For example, many stores and businesses that normally won't allow dogs on their premises will make an exception for a puppy or a dog that will heel nicely by his owner's side, or will do a sit-stay or down-stay without hesitation.

And when company arrives in your home, there's no need to banish a well-behaved dog to another room for fear that he will be a royal nuisance. Moreover, because a well-mannered, obedience-trained dog is both appreciated and welcome, he receives more attention and interaction from family members, visitors, and passers-by, than does the ill-mannered dog.

You As Your Dog's Leader
Training serves to strengthen the bond between a dog and his owner. It builds communication, understanding, and mutual respect, and subtly but effectively demonstrates to your dog that you're the leader of the pack (commonly referred to as the "Alpha"). And if your dog doesn't respect you as his leader, you may both be in big trouble, particularly if he's a bit rowdy or dominant by nature.

Training May Save Your Dog's Life
Obedience training also gives the dog owner the voice control necessary to prevent numerous potential tragedies. For instance, should a dog slips out of his collar in the middle of a congested traffic intersection, he can be safely heeled across the street, then given a sit command to facilitate putting his collar back on. Or should someone accidentally leave the front door open, and you spot your dog leaving, he can be safely called back to you using the recall command.
Not only will obedience training help your dog to become more responsive, but because it enables you to have immediate control over your dog's behavior, in an emergency situation obedience training may save your dog's life. In fact, it can ultimately save the lives of many dogs, because far fewer dogs would end up in animal shelters if their owners would simply take the time to train them.
And for those dogs who do need homes, a trained dog is far easier to adopt out to a new home than an untrained one.
Statistics also show that puppies which receive early socialization, obedience, and temperament training (aggression prevention training) are far less likely to end up being destroyed by the time they turn three years of age than those that do not receive this early training.

The Consequences Of An Untrained Dog
Without proper training, many dogs are likely to misbehave. And when owners allow their dogs to misbehave, everyone suffers: The owner, because he or she lives with a dog, the dog, because everyone's down on him for misbehaving; the dog's owner's neighbors, because living next to a difficult dog is no one's idea of fun; and ultimately every dog owner, because each incidence where a dog creates a nuisance increases anti-dog sentiment, and contributes to the likelihood that tough legal restrictions will be placed on all dogs.

Obedience Training Benefits Everyone
A well-behaved, obedience trained dog is a pleasure to own because he can go virtually anywhere without being a risk or nuisance to others. And don't we all want a dog who exhibits appropriate behavior in a crowd, good manners when we have guests in our home, is reliable around children, and who doesn't threaten other dogs or passers-by?" 
~ Robin Kovary

Hip Dysplasia Problems and How To Deal

Recently a client of mine informed me that their GSD, Mandy, was diagnosed with Hip Dysplasia. What makes this case particularly difficult is that Mandy is ONLY 6 months old. On our last training session which was the review for her test coming this week, I got to see first hand how she was limping and her hip out of joint. I did some research for the best home remedies and found great medications, food and treats along with how to exercise a dog that suffers from Hip Dysplasia.

Hip dysplasia is an abnormal formation of the hip socket that, in its more severe form, can eventually cause crippling lameness and painful arthritis of the joints. It is a genetic (polygenic) trait that is affected by environmental factors. 

Please watch Dr. Q quickly explain how to exercise a dog with Hip Dysplasia

Vitamins:
1800 Pet Meds- Make sure that if your Vet suggest a certain amount of Glucosamine, match that with the vitamins you can provide. My childhood dog, Pooh Bear, thrived on Synovi G3. They smell horrible but apparently are very tasty. Pooh Bear started taking them at age 5 to keep her joints lubricated. She never suffered from Hip Dysplasia and she moved around just fine for 15 years.

Foods:
All Natural Foods automatically include Glucosamine along with other ingredients to help keep the joints lubricated, in their Senior foods. Most Senior foods start at age 7 and up.

Treats:
All Natural treats that include Glucosamine are below

• Blue Buffalo - Jolly Joints
• Zuke's Hip Action 
• Dogswell Happy Hips
• Loving Pets Gourmet Carrot & Chicken Dog Treat Wrap
  
  

For My 30th Birthday 2013!!!!

Well the time has come again, however this time it means so much more. 

IT'S MY BIRTHDAY!!!! 

My favorite holiday of the year, well other than Thanksgiving. 

A friend of mine, decided this year for her birthday she wanted to "Pay It Forward". She asked for her friends and family have joined her and the response has been great. Many have "donated to cancer organizations, children of fallen soldiers, dog shelters, paid for random people to get drinks or food, helped friends with groceries & medical bills and more." Her birthday wish has inspired me to do my own birthday wish. 

For my Dirty 30 I want to ask all my friends and family to donate $5.00 to the list of Rescue Organizations below. Many of them have a very big importance to me since as a Professional Dog Trainer I have worked closely with them myself to help guide dogs to their FURever homes. You can choose to donate to more than one but I ask that everyone PLEASE donate to at least ONE Organization. Every one of your donations help with Vet bills, travel expenses, food, training, medication, and overall care of the animals they have in their care. This birthday wish  means more to me this year since I have grown so much in my business and working different dogs and learning so much about how a rescue organization works and how much effort there is that has to be put in to keep every animal they come in contact with alive and placed in homes.

So for my 30th birthday April 30th, Please choose one, two or more organizations to donate $5.00.This is a great idea also cause this year I'm not near my friends and family to celebrate but I feel this way they can still be apart of my birthday wish.

New Leash On Life - Santa Clarita, CA

http://www.newleash.org/donation

Barks Of Love - Fullerton, CA

http://www.barksoflove.org/

G.R.A.S.P.  (Greece Residence Assisting Stray Pets) - Greece, NY

http://www.graspinc.org/donations/donate-funds.html

Paws and Purrs Rescue - Henrietta, NY

http://www.pawsandpurrsrescue.org/donate/

Scottville Animal Pet Adoptions - Scottville, NY

http://www.petadoption.cc/

Pitty Love - Rochester, NY

http://www.pittyloverescue.org/donate/

Much Love Animal Rescue - Los Angeles, CA

http://www.muchlove.org/donate/

The Pongo Fund - Oregon
 http://www.thepongofund.org/contact/donation-page/

The Mia Foundation
http://www.themiafoundation.com/How-you-can-help.html

Reiki for Pets by Ruth

Reiki by Ruth writes about the benefits and use of Reiki. 

Sometimes our pets are anxious, aggressive, or otherwise stressed (obsessive licking or scratching are quite common) and we don't know why. Or maybe you do know, but have run out of solutions for correcting the behavior. Training can help A LOT for dogs, but sometimes they seem to just be stuck and you and the trainer can't get them to move ahead.

Reiki can be a huge help to dogs (and all animals, really) in this instance. Reiki is a form of Japanese energy work. It works on the chakra and energy systems prevalent in Eastern Medicine. All living things are made up of energy. Everyone has energy pathways running through their bodies that can become blocked due to stress or illness. Frequently physical illness is caused by stress.

Reiki has worked wonders on pets adopted from shelters. Changing families is an enormous stress even if all the homes are loving. Unfortunately sometimes the dog may have been in a bad situation. It's frequently not going to be possible to find out an adopted or stray pet's full history, but Reiki energy doesn't need to know the information. The energy goes where it is needed in the body on its own.

It seems on the surface that our pets have very short memories, but in fact, some incidents will stick with them for life. There is a dog I worked with  named Kody. He was very carefree as a puppy. When he was a couple years old, a family friend came over to his house and teased him. He got spooked. After that he was never quite the same. He became fearful of this person in particular and even just men in general. He'd bark aggressively when anyone came over and he began peeing on the floor when men approached him.

I went to Kody's house and sat down on the floor near him. He loved attention and eagerly came over to see what I was up to. I let him know that everything was ok and no one wanted to hurt him. I placed my hands out facing him so that he could feel the Reiki energy. After he relaxed I was able to place my hands directly on his back. Reiki practitioners pass energy to the client through their hands. In many cases the dog will fall asleep during a treatment in what many practitioners refer to as a 'reiki nap'. Kody was considerably more relaxed when I left his house that day. I went back periodically to give him more treatments and his relaxation lasted longer and longer with each treatment.

If you would like to try Reiki for your pets or you know they would highly benefit from the relaxation, contact Ruth.

She is available on weekends and weekday evenings.

Nature's Variety: Raw Organic Chicken Formula RECALL

I just recently went to a new All Natural Dog food store in the upstate NY area and it quickly became my new favorite pet supply store. I LOVE their large variety on all natural dog and cat foods they have. They also have a refrigerated section for raw diets. Not too long ago I explained what a raw diet is and the Pros and Cons.

Nature's Variety has a raw diet line of frozen proteins such as chicken, beef, venison, duck, lamb, duck, bison and rabbit. Its great because its FROZEN and you feed it to your dogs FROZEN. Its a bit pricey but worth it for a great raw diet.

Unfortunately a few days ago, they had to RECALL the Organic Chicken Raw food. The report is below.

QUALITY ASSURANCE NOTICE:  Nature’s Variety has announced a voluntary recall of one batch of Instinct® Raw Organic Chicken Formula with a “Best if Used By” date of 10/04/13. This action is being taken because pieces of clear plastic may be found in some bags and could cause a potential choking risk to pets.  The source of plastic has been identified and the issue has been resolved.
The affected product is strictly limited to a single batch of Organic Chicken Formula with the “Best if Used By” date of 10/04/13.  
This includes:
• UPC# 7 69949 60137 1 – Instinct Raw Organic Chicken Formula medallions, 3 lbs. bag
• UPC# 7 69949 70137 8 – Instinct Raw Organic Chicken Formula medallions, 27 lbs. case
• UPC# 7 69949 60127 2 – Instinct Raw Organic Chicken Formula patties, 6 lbs. bag
• UPC# 7 69949 70127 9 – Instinct Raw Organic Chicken Formula patties, 36 lbs. case
The “Best if Used By” date is located on the back of the package below the “Contact Us” section.  The affected product was distributed through retail stores and internet sales in the United States and Canada.  No other products were impacted.
Nature’s Variety became aware of a potential issue after receiving a consumer complaint.  The source of the issue was identified and resolved.  To date, there have been no reports of harm to dogs or cats.
Reed Howlett, CEO of Nature’s Variety, stated, “At Nature’s Variety we take quality and safety very seriously.  We believe that under all circumstances, the health and safety of pets comes first.”
Consumers feeding the affected product should discontinue use and monitor their pet’s health, and contact their veterinarian if they have concerns.  Consumers who have purchased one of the above products can obtain a full refund or exchange by either returning the product in its original packaging or bringing a proof of purchase back to their retailer.
Consumers with additional questions can call the Nature’s Variety Consumer Relations team at 1.888.519.7387 Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. CST.

Hartz Mountain - Chicken Chews and Pig Skin Twist Wrapped in Chicken RECALL

This is a voluntary recall. Please check your dogs treats. 

We are taking this action after recent Hartz testing found trace amounts of unapproved antibiotic residue in samples of Hartz Chicken Chews™ and Oinkies® Pig Skin Twists wrapped with Chicken products. Even though two-thirds of the products we tested did not contain antibiotic residues, we would rather be overly cautious by voluntarily withdrawing these products from the market.

These antibiotics are approved for use in poultry in China and other countries, including European Union member states, but are not among those approved in the U.S. Based on the FDA’s review of the New York State Department of Agriculture & Markets (NYSDAM) results, there is no evidence that raises health concerns, and these results are highly unlikely to be related to the reports of illnesses FDA has received related to jerky pet treats.

Immediately upon learning of this finding, Hartz contacted the FDA to share our test results and execute a nationwide voluntary withdrawal.  There have been no known illnesses to date associated with the consumption of these products.
“Upon learning about the nationwide voluntary withdrawal of several other brands of chicken jerky products through media reports, Hartz acted immediately to begin additional testing to determine if the same unapproved antibiotic residues were present in our products,” said Sean McNear , Sr. Director of Quality and Regulatory at Hartz Mountain.

There is no indication that the trace amounts of unapproved antibiotic residue are linked to the FDA’s ongoing investigation of chicken jerky products produced in China. The trace amounts of antibiotic residue do not pose a health or pet safety risk.
No other Hartz products are affected by this withdrawal.


If you have these products contact the Hartz Consumer Affairs team (24 hours/day 7 days/week) at 1-800-275-1414 for a product refund or go to www.hartz.com for additional information.
**SOURCE The Hartz Mountain Corporation