Pups, Pools & Ponds

Until the warm weather arrives permanently and you can train your puppy how to swim to steps or exit strategy, uncovered pools and ponds in the cold weather pose eminent danger to very young and very old dogs. Danger from falling in accidentally when exploring their new environment or when playing with other dogs, death from drowning or Hypothermia could result. Pups depending on breed aren't very sure footed until over 6 sometimes 9 months or more. Older dogs tend to suffer from vision and sometimes balance issues making ponds and pool dangerous. Things u can do? Put young or old dog out alone and watch them, you could also utilize an X-pen or keep dog or pup on a leash or line. Especially when snow is on the ground Dogs often can't decipher what is pool or pavement. Just a tip having had a close call myself multiple young dogs running my 8 wk old pup got knocked in, thankfully I was there to retrieve her.

Spring Puppies

https://www.facebook.com/Mrs.BonesBowtiqueDear Dog Lovers,
Spring is a great time to add a puppy to your life, particularly because you will have all Spring and Summer to train them. Spring is also a good time to add Adult dogs and rescues as you will have more pleasant weather to spend time with them in. Taking walks, playing fetch, or just taking in the great outdoors getting to know your family. Remember when adding a new family member it is always good to have their accessories in advance particularly a quality collar and leash. The collar and leash work as a conduit to you the owner and make your new four legged friend feel an attachment to you. This is the initial forge of the bond between dog and owner.https://www.mrsbones.com

Dear Mrs. Bones, what do you think about Thundershirts?

Thundershirts do work and are based on the same principle of swaddling a baby. If a newborn baby is not swaddled in a tight blanket the arms and legs flail and the baby cries. The baby craves the snug security and warmth of the womb. With dogs a tight fitting shirt , Thundershirt or any tight fitting shirt will work to accomplish that same feeling of security. Bella was a rescue very skittish of strangers wouldn't allow anyone to pet her. Her owner was using her in the capacity of a hearing assistance dog. The owner lost her hearing as a result of a medical condition, rescued Bella who took to the job like a duck to water with the exception of her anxious aggression .
Thundershirts can be hot so I explained that any tight fitting Lycra cotton blend will work. So we put a TuTu on her and as you can see in the pictures her entire demeanor changed. From frightened wallflower hiding behind her owner to jumping on furniture and seeking affection from people she would normally hide from.
Incidentally Bella is a Great Dane Basset mix, look at those feet!

Fit Club for Luna, "Green Dog Syndrome"

So Luna enters her second week of daily and dietary supervision. It is important to observe the dogs food intake and don't give them treats! If they are behaving extra special give them a low salt rice cake (not flavored) unlike humans the dogs really like them! I think it is more the crunchy texture than the taste but they do like them and they are low on calories.
Another problem when cutting a dogs diet can be what I call "The Green Dog Syndrome" this is when a dog chooses to recycle there own waste by eating it again after they poop. This in effort to remain feeling full. Certainly not a mouth their mother would want to be kissed with? I'm sure not what Al Gore had in mind to prevent Global Warming? So what to do?
Well, there are a few simple steps to curing "The Green Dog Syndrome"
First watch where they go to relieve themselves and quickly pick it up. This precaution can be problematic when there are multiple dogs or a large property that allows for them to choose a secret spot.
I prefer more aggressive behavior modification like flavoring their food with canned pumpkin, pineapple juice, canned pineapple, or spinach that makes stool repulsive to them as it should be? Another is add a few sprinkles of MSG to food to make the excrement repulsive to the dog.
An old time fix for this behavior was feed the dog a little black licorice the flavor cures the impulse to recycle.
As a last result if the flavors don't work and the dog seems intent on being a "Green Dog"? Put some Lemon Juice or Tabasco Sauce on the poop as soon as you see it and leave it there for the
dog to find, the taste will make them think the next time they choose to recycle the wrong item?