I've been asked several times about how to stop a dog from barking.

I recently received such a request from one of my Healthy Happy Dogs newsletter readers, and thought I'd reprint it here together with my response, in case it helps others with this particular problem of stopping a dog from barking:

" Aloha Brigitte,

As I've said previously, I enjoy your Healthy Happy Dogs insights and updates. Keep them coming.

But today, I need your help. In December, 2006, I obtained a 2 and a half year old female Poodle from a breeder. She provided him with a single litter of one and he decided to sell her. I saw the ad, the price was right, the dog was house trained, and I went to see. She was very shy, unlike the male toy poodle who knew he ruled the roost.

Lady is a miniature and has adjusted very well. BUT she barks not constantly, and at anyone who enters our house, comes near the door, even coming up to the car, and now even when driving if someone who looks into the car.

Her tail is wagging - she will get off the chair at home and charge the door-sliding across the tiles back peddle to control her slide. No biting. She will bark even if it is a family member - my brother who does not live with us but visits - she will bark even when he comes into the living room while in the house. At first I thought it was pretty much men, as I believe the breeder was very firm with her, and she will always bark at men.

Anyway, one of the reasons I got her was for her to let us know when people approach the house, because at one point it was just my elderly mother and I living in the house. Now its my niece, her 5 yr. old, her boyfriend, and another person.

So I no longer need the "security" of having a dog barking to let us know when someone is approaching.

But how can I control the barking? I'd like her to stop when I say either "stop" or "enough".

Thank you for your help.
Colleen "

My Response to Colleen's Query on How to Stop a Dog from Barking:

Hi Colleen,

Thanks for your kind words on the Healthy Happy Dogs newsletter.

There are a number of very good dog training ebooks - that you can download and read on your computer or print out, etc. My personal favorite is here - www.DogObedience.BrigitteRecommends.com

Of course, it covers all aspects of how to train your dog - not just problem barking.

One tip you could try is the water spray method - you have to be ready with the spray bottle filled with water, and immediately Lady makes the first sound of a bark, give her a short sharp spray into her face (not too close, though with a small dog - the object is to give her a little scare - definitely not to distress her).

This method works well, but you have to spray when the barking starts, so you need to be close to her so you can do this each time she barks, until she associates barking with the unpleasant squirt. Because you want your dog to respond to a command such as "stop" or "enough", you'll need to say that command every time you squirt - and at the same time you squirt. Eventually, if Lady does bark occasionally, just saying the command should stop her in her tracks.

Alternatively there are "stop barking" products that emit a noise that dogs don't like - see here - How to Stop a Dog from Barking - or see the options below.
Hope this helps.

Regards,
Brigitte

How to Stop a Dog from Barking -

Just click on the pictures or the links below for further details of three great products which will stop your dog from barking in no time!

These systems automatically detect dog barking and respond by emitting a high-pitched tone that humans can't hear. Although the tone does not cause pain to animals, most dogs don't like it and will stop barking as soon as they hear it!

Option 1:

Bark Free Noise Deterrent - covers a 35 feet radius
- click here:

Bark Free Noise Deterrent - Stop Dog Barking
- Click Here for details

And what's really special about this model is that it can be used both indoors and outdoors alike.

Option 2:

Super Bark Free Noise Deterrent - covers a 50 feet radius: Click Here

(Does a similar job, but covers a larger area, has some additional features, and is for use outside only).

Features:

Automatic, silent ultrasonic bark control for outdoor use only

Timed control lets you set the device to work only when you're not home or at night

Built-in counter shows how many times device has been activated
Stop Dog Barking, Humanely and Safely!
- Click Here for details

Option 3:Or, if you're after a portable anti barking device, the Portable Bark Stop may be exactly what you're looking for. It has the following features:

Correct your dog's bad behavior

Personal alarm provides audible protection

Built-in flashlight included

Portable Bark Deterrent
- Click Here for details!

Here's a wonderful story sent to me by Wayne and Robin Carter, who were living on 3 acres of land in Gulfport, MS, with lots of animals.

I had a regular exchange of emails with both Wayne and Robin for a year or two, but especially Robin. I was very sad to hear that Robin passed away in November 2005 after a short but very aggressive bout, and battle, with leukemia.

So it pleases me to be able to pass on her story, which will live on even now that she's gone:

When Wayne met Robin, she had a male shih tzu named Beau and a German Shepherd named Lady.

After they got married, Wayne and Robin added to their family with a Chow/Shepherd mix - Spats, and later a Shepherd/Husky mix - Boots. Here's their story, retold to me by Wayne while Robin was still with us:

"Before Lady passed away, we got Spats. To see how Beau and Lady treated this new addition to the family was so funny. Poor Spats would try to join in their lives, and they would snub him … Yes! … they'd just get up and leave the room when he attempted to join them.

Eventually, though, all three developed a family type bond.

When we got Spats, the Chow/Shepherd, I was an over the road truckdriver, coming home every 2 weeks … and each time I came home the "puppy" had grown, and grown, and grown … to the point that Robin was taking photos of him every few days to prove she had not gotten another dog!

Spats always knew who I was, and was happy to see me, but had become one of Robin's dogs (since Robin took care of them and was with them more than I was). So when I would come home, I would have to adjust the pack order. The dogs are very close to Robin, and protect her, so when I would come home, and try to get into the "home life" I was having to let the dogs know that I was the top dog when I was home - NOT them. I even had to TAKE my spot in the bed back each time I came home.

Then we got the new puppy Boots (the Shepherd/Husky), and the same thing happened to her where the dogs ignored her, like she did not belong. Now I am happy to say that Spats and Boots get along great. Beau who is older, and not as likely to want to play and be pulled on by the ears, or tail, has learned to avoid his new house mate, who is now much larger than he is … but they all know that Beau is the elder. Spats and Boots both push the limit at times, and that little dog puts them in their place right now - he is not affraid of either of them!

We have a joke in our house. Beau, the Shih Tzu, was raised wth Lady the German Shepherd, so Beau thinks he's also a German Shepherd!

Spats is huge, and was mainly raised with Beau, Shih Tzu, so Spats seems to think he is a small dog!

All in all our life with our animals is great … Oh, but I forgot to mention the funniest of all our pets … the African Grey we have, who calls the dogs, and gives them orders … just out of the blue. He uses either my voice or Robin's, and sometimes gets those dogs going, too!"

For any of you who don't know, an African Grey is a talking parrot!

Hope you enjoyed that amusing story as much as I did. It always makes me laugh.

I came across this article on First Aid for your dog, that I found really informative and practical, and couldn't wait to share it with you. I'm not actually sure who wrote the article, but a guy called David the Dogman has published it.

There were two things in particular that I learned from the article. The first was the misconception that all dogs can swim. Well, I don't know about you, but I was one of those misinformed people who believed this old wives' tale to be true. I was quite surprised to learn that not all dogs can swim. So if you have a puppy or young dog who've you've never taken to water, keep an eye out the first time you take him/her for a swim. S/he just might be one of the few who can't actually swim.

The other thing that really took my interest was how to help a choking dog. This is information that a neighbor of mine could have used to possibly have saved his dog's life. My neighbor's dog, Rex, was a Rottweiler like my Kara, and he was playing with his owner, John, in the park close by our home. John was being completely responsible, and was right there playing with Rex and his two other dogs. Rex had found a ball in the park. It was a small ball, about the size of a golf ball.

Sadly, and shockingly, the ball became stuck in Rex's throat and he started to choke.

Poor John did everything he could to try to get the ball out of Rex's throat, including putting his hand into Rex's mouth and trying to physically pull the ball out of Rex's throat, but the ball just wouldn't come out, no matter what John did. Imagine that poor, poor dog.

And imagine if you were John and your dog was choking to death before your eyes and you couldn't help. It's such a sad story.

There was a vet's practice only about 200 metres away, and when John realized he couldn't save Rex himself, he ran for the vet, but by the time the vet got to Rex it was too late.

This article has some great tips, so that if anything like this ever happens to your dog, you'll know exactly what to do - by pumping the chest as the author describes, you just may be in a better position to save your dog than John was with Rex.

Enjoy (and learn from) the article!

Basic First Aid for Pets

presented by David the Dogman

reprinted from the Collins Dog Photoguide

Traffic Accidents First Aid for Pets
A traffic accident is probably the most common cause of serious injury to a cat or dog. Always approach the animal with caution, it may react aggressively because of the pain.

Move the dog as little as possible, but if you must move it, it is probably best to use a blanket, sliding it underneath the dog. Seek the assistance of another person and lift the dog gently to safety. Check for heartbeat and any haemorrhaging. Attempt to stem excessive bleeding by holding a clean pad or clean handkerchief over the wound, binding it tightly with a makeshift bandage. Call the nearest vet's surgery to warn of your arrival.

Burns First Aid for Pets
The only recommended first aid is to clean off the offending substance and immerse the body part under cold running water for as long as possible. Seek professional advice immediately.

Heat Stroke First Aid for Dogs
This occurs most commonly when a dog has been left alone on a hot day without ventilation. If your dog has not already collapsed it may be panting, vomiting or frothing at the mouth.

Remove froth and lower the dog's temperature as soon as possible by placing or dousing the animal in cold water. Take the dog to the vet immediately where it will be treated with drugs and more cold water.

Poisoning First Aid for Dogs
Signs of poisoning may include collapse, muscular twitching, vomiting, bleeding or convulsion. Do not hesitate to contact the vet. Take some of the noxious substance to the vet with you if you know what it is. If the dog has recently swallowed the poison, try to make the dog vomit. Salt and mustard in water will usually work quickly, or a small piece of washing soda (sodium carbonate) pushed down the throat.

Drowning First Aid for Dogs
It is a popular misconception that all dogs can swim, but this is not always the case. You must attempt to empty the dog's lungs of water as soon as possible. You must attempt to empty the dog's lungs of water as soon as possible. Place the dog's head lower than its body, open its mouth and begin to pump the chest by pressing down on the ribs and releasing the pressure immediately. Repeat at five-second intervals.

Choking First Aid for Dogs
Sometimes a piece of stick, bone or small rubber ball may get stuck in a dog's throat. Your dog may be unable to breath as a result and swift action is necessary.

Open the dog's mouth carefully and see if you can see the object. Pumping the chest, as in the case of drowning (see above) may dislodge the foreign body, get your dog to the vet as soon as possible where the object can be removed under anaesthetic.

=====================================
Do you have any problems with your pet? Then why not send your problem to DAVID THE DOGMAN . David is a Canine Behaviourist who works and lives in Marbella, Spain. Tel/Fax (00345) 2883388. His web site is located at: http://www.thedogman.net/ . David has his own radio and TV shows, and writes for many newspapers and magazines. David has been working with dogs for many years and started his career in Israel, working on the Border Police. He has been involved in all forms of training, including air sea rescue, air scent work, and has trained dogs for finding drugs. David has devoted the past 10 years to studying behaviour and the very passive approach. He does not use choke chains, check chains, or any form of aggression.David The Dogman is available for private consultations in your home, for further details telephone; Tel; (95) 2883388
====================================

Hope you found these First Aid tips for your dog as useful as I did! Feel free to leave any comments you may have below - especially if you have any other First Aid tips relating to dogs that you've found useful.

Today I have some dog grooming tips for you - in fact, an article on grooming a dog, by Laura Wright. Laura is a life-long pet owner, who has worked as a veterinary technician for many years and has owned many animals from dogs and cats, to birds, rodents, rabbits, goats, and koi! Laura has faced all kinds of problems, and has come up with many inventive solutions when it comes to pet care. A native of California, Laura owns and shows Borzoi, and has won her share of ribbons in the ring. She currently resides in Mariposa, in the Sierra mountains, with her 3 borzoi, a dachshund, a corgi mix, and a species-confused cat named Harley.

Sounds like a very basic question, doesn't it? Dog grooming is far more than washing your dog! You need to pay attention to all aspects of the dog's anatomy, and now is the time to do it! Grooming is an important part of keeping your dog happy and healthy. I am constantly asked so many questions about how, where and when to groom, so I put some of the basics together for you here.

Grooming Basics

Starting at the top, and moving down, first check the eyes and ears. Are the eyes clear and bright? Is there any discharge, or excessive tearing? Once checked, apply a thin coating of Vaseline around the eye area, to keep water and soap out when you bathe.

Ear Grooming

Now, the ears. Most of us don't pay attention to an animal's ears, but there is a lot that can go wrong in there! First, look at the external ear. Is there dirt visible? If so, dampen a washcloth with warm water, and gently scrub. If there is a lot of grime, add a bit of shampoo. You can also purchase special cleansing cloths made for this job, but baby wipes work just as well, and are much less expensive. Use unscented, as the dog doesn't like the perfumes in many baby products! Now, sniff. Smell the ear canal. If there is a foul or bad odor there, it could be trouble. Get your dog into a vet for treatment as soon as possible.

Dog Dental Care

A dog's teeth need attention, too, though not as much as a human's! Check to see the condition of your dog's teeth. Are they discolored, or covered with tartar? Use of a dental product made to reduce tartar can do wonders! I love DentaBones, made by Purina. They are available in a variety of sizes, and really do the job. If there are teeth that look dark, or there is a bad odor, you may need a professional to tend to your dog's teeth. Schedule a trip to the vet for a dental check-up. It isn't expensive, and may end up saving your dog's teeth. *

Coat and Nail Grooming

Brushing your dog before the actual bathing will help eliminate mats and stickers that are in there, as well as removing a lot of dead coat that can mat up when bathing. Now, check your dog's toes. Check between the toes for foxtails and other weeds that can get wedged in there. Trim the nails if needed. Some dogs absolutely hate having their nails trimmed, and will put up quite a fuss. If it is too hard to do, take your dog to a groomer, or the vet. It is really cheap to clip the nails, and they can do it fast and easy. I have three dogs who make it sound like I am torturing them when I even think of trimming their nails! For about $10, you can have it done without the muss and fuss

Bathing Your Dog

First, wet the coat thoroughly. If the dog shakes off the water, wet it again. A great way to keep the dog from shaking off the water is to place your hand along the dog's back. This usually works. Next, add the shampoo. Do this like you do to your own hair, by pouring some between your palms and applying to the coat. An easier way is to add water to the shampoo, and pour that over your dog. Do NOT apply straight shampoo directly to your dog, as it tends to 'cake' there, and won't rinse off fully. Lather up, and rinse off well. Run your hands all over, to make sure all the product is off. When washing the dog's face, gather up lather in your hands, and use that on the face and ears. It is easier to rinse off, and less likely to leave residue, and it cleans well.

Now, to dry! If you are lucky and have a blow dryer made for pets, you can dry the dog in a matter of minutes. I recommend investing in one if you have more than one dog. They can run a couple hundred dollars, but are a godsend, especially if you have a 'coated' breed, or one that sheds heavily. You can actually 'blow' the dead coat out easily, and get more out than by brushing or raking can. If you don't have an air blower, a regular hair dryer will work. Make sure it is set on 'cool'. Towel out as much of the water as possible, then blow the coat dry.

Now you're ready to groom your dog like a pro! Good luck to you!
=====================================================

Want more Laura? Click here for seasonal articles and links, emails, and more frequently asked questions

* By the way, I have NEVER had my dogs' teeth cleaned.  I ensure that I give them plenty of bones which really do keep their teeth in great shape.  If I were to use something in addition, this is what I would use - http://www.HealthyHappyDogs.com/Oral - it's completely natural, and is a liquid that you add to the dog's drinking water, and the result - no dog dental problems.  I've had wonderful feedback about this product.   

Furminator - Small - $ 39.99 Furminator - Medium - $ 49.99 Furminator - Large - $ 59.99 Guaranteed to reduce shedding better than anybrush or comb, and helps bring out your pet's natural oils, leaving a shiny, healthy, topcoat.

 

 

I receive lots of wonderful feedback on my dog health articles and dog health sites from time to time. The following was a lovely letter from a reader in Florida who was, like me, concerned about dog vaccinations, and specifically the over-vaccination of pets:

" Brigitte,

I found your Healthy Happy Dogs web site while searching for information about adverse reactions to dog vaccines. I want to thank you for providing such great information. You truly are performing a tremendous public service by educating people about the dangers of commonly used and frequently abused pharmaceutical products.

Many of us have learned the hard way that we cannot rely on our veterinarians to inform us about the negative aspects of these drugs. My own experiences have taught me that I must depend on the internet to find the best and most reliable sources of accurate information simply because many veterinarians continue to withhold information from their clients. I know not all vets are guilty of this but based on my experiences I am forced to believe that truly good vets are difficult to find. I have come to realize that homeopathy is the safe and effective choice for healthcare.

I know this all too well because I am the heartbroken mom of a rimadyl victim who did not survive and I am the mom of an amazing vaccinosis survivor. When I became suspicious and started asking questions the vets blatantly lied to me about both products. I have found far too much easily accessible information for me to believe that these medical professionals had no knowledge of the facts. While reading Bailey's tragic story on your web site I felt as though I was reading an article about my pup's horrid ordeal. The similarities were stunning!

I thank you so very much for making such gallant efforts to raise public awareness. Hopefully the day will come that we can persuade our lawmakers to implement and enforce regulations that will force ALL of the veterinary community to provide full disclosure and stop endangering the lives of innocent victims by neglecting to stay informed and by deceiving clients merely for financial gain. Unfortunately, until then we must make every effort to raise public awareness. Our furry kids' voices must be heard and WE must be their voices.

Again, I thank you! Your web site is fabulous!

Sincerely,
Debbie
Florida USA "

Thanks so much, Debbie!

Many people believe that dogs can only be trained when they're young. Learning how to train a puppy is certainly a more popular topic than how to train a dog (i.e. an older dog). But despite the old adage "You can't teach a old dog new tricks", it is definitely possible to teach a dog of virtually any age new behaviors and yes, tricks.

Potty training puppies is certainly preferable to leaving this task until the dog is older, but perhaps you've adopted an older dog whose previous owner never bothered to learn how to house train a dog. Maybe the dog was kept outside previously.
Dogs can become somewhat set in their ways, and be less inclined to be interested in learning.

My dogs tend to look at me a little suspiciously these days if I try to introduce a new command. But once they get the idea that I'm giving them a new way to please me, it doesn't take them too long to start to comply.

Effective dog training is best achieved by a reward method, or by a combination of reward and correction. The reward training method, as the name suggests, involves rewarding your dog when s/he does something you like, and a training method that also incorporates correction involves correcting your dog when s/he does something you don't like.

Good training naturally must establish an appropriate relationship between you and your dog, and very importantly must ensure that your dog understands what you want of him/her.

The idea is to teach your dog to make his own decisions (believe it or not!) Not complicated decisions, of course, - just whether to do something or not. If your dog makes the right decision, then you reward him/her. If your dog makes the wrong decision, you can elect to issue a correction, and the opportunity to then choose the right decision. Or incorrect behaviors can be ignored in the reward training only method. Simple!I've been reading "Secrets of a Professional Dog Trainer" by Adam Katz: www.Dog-Health-Care-Information.com/dogtraining. It reminded me of an absolutely crucial point when training a dog - the fact that consistency is critical with your dog.

Because your dog is always looking for opportunities to elevate him/herself in the heirachy of your household, even just a little bit … if you don't insist on a certain behavior every single time, or conversely if you allow a misbehavior even once, your dog can end up receiving a mixed message about what dog behaviors are not acceptable and what dog behaviors s/he can get away with.

As an example, if you've taught your dog to come when called, the only way you can be certain s/he will come every single time you give the command, is if you don't give your dog a choice until you're 100 percent certain your dog will respond to your command every single time.

So the question then arises - how to train your dog to ensure that you're 100 percent certain your dog will respond every time. Well, one way of doing this is with a long leash or rope, so you can make your dog come each time you call him/her.

Adam's dog training ebook is over 300 pages long and explains all of this in much greater detail and not only tells you exactly how to train your dog to respond to specific commands, but also the most effective ways to prevent unwanted behaviors, and how to train your dog in order that you'll end up with a much better behaved dog in general.

What I really like about Adam's strategies is that his methods utilize your dog's natural instincts and drives, and because you treat your dog as if s/he is a member of your pack, rather than a child of your household, you actually end up with a happier dog. I know it may be tempting to "baby" your dog and treat them like your children, but they are dogs, and it stands to reason therefore that they're happier being treated like loved pets instead of like surrogate children which they're really not!

Some of the methods described in Adam's ebook are somewhat controversial, but I'd really recommend that you read the arguments he puts forward and make your own decision. Granted, Adam's ebook is not a literary masterpiece - actually it doesn't flow as well as it might, and it's somewhat repetitive - but the information contained in it is priceless.

And this is just one of an enormous number of resources available inside Adam's membership site.

You can see whether the membership site is something you and your dog can benefit from by going to this website - just click on the link and take a look: http://www.Dog-Health-Care-Information.com/dogtraining

There is one matter on which I really take issue with Adam, though, and that's his views on shelter dogs. He recommends against getting shelter dogs. I absolutely disagree with this sentiment, one hundred percent. For some people - people who have never had a dog and have young children, for example, a decision to adopt a shelter dog should not be taken lightly. Many (although not all) shelter dogs have been mistreated, and they need time to develop trust with a new owner. But they can be wonderful companions, and it's such a rewarding thing to be able to save a dog from being put down.

One other matter that Adam advocates is to use a prong collar. I also have reservations in relation to using prong collars and electronic "shock" collars. Personally I wouldn't use either myself.

But as I say, Adam does have some great ideas and you'll find lots of very helpful information in his membership site, whatever your particular training philosophies are.

dog behaviors dog training how to house train a dog how to train a dog how to train a puppy how to train your dog potty training puppies

When you have a dog you know how important flea medicine is for your pet. There are many types of flea treatment for pets that you can use. Most people use the products that are recommended to them by their vet. Some of the products that vets recommend are Advantage flea control, Revolution flea prevention and Frontline flea control.

However, these may not be the right ones for you to use with your dog and the dog fleas that bother them. The flea medicine that you choose should be something that you feel comfortable using.

One of the things that are catching on with many pet owners is natural flea treatment. This is a much safer alternative for your pet and your family. When you use the natural flea treatments you don’t have to worry about any harmful chemicals penetrating your dog's skin, or leaching into the environment.

Besides finding the right flea treatment for pets, there are some other things that you will want to do that will help with your dog’s flea problem.

When using natural flea treatment for your pet you will want to go to a pet store that carries dog flea treatment products that are made from one hundred percent natural ingredients, or better yet, purchase your natural flea control products online for ultimate convenience.

These products are very effective for getting rid of fleas and they don’t contain any chemicals that can harm your dog or your family.

The natural flea treatment products that you will want to get are natural powders, shampoos, sprays and a flea brush. You may also want to look for a natural flea collar that will help to keep the fleas away. And most dog owners swear by garlic - or more specifically garlic and brewers yeast tablets to keep fleas at bay.

Besides the natural treatments you will want to make sure that you keep your dog clean. Give your dog a bath once a fortnight during flea season, using a good quality shampoo (see below for recommendation), and more often if you actually see a flea - and brush your dog daily. You will also want to make sure that you keep your house clean since fleas can get into your house. You want to make sure that you vacuum your carpet and wash anything that your dog sleeps on.

If you've already seen fleas in your carpet, or your dog has a number of fleas, you will want to pay attention to killing fleas in carpet. Before vacuuming your floors you can sprinkle some diatomaceous earth products or powdered borax products onto the carpet. This will kill any dog fleas plus the eggs. You want to let it stay on your carpet for a couple of minutes and then vacuum. You need to be sure that your kids and dog are not around when you do this, because of the potential for breathing the powder in.

Diatomaceous earth products can also be applied directly to your dog's fur (you should wear a mask while you do this to prevent breathing it in, but this product is otherwise completely safe to use).

One other thing that you will want to do to help with the problem of fleas is to mow your lawn often. You also want to keep any trees or bushes trimmed. This will make it hard for the fleas to get anywhere near your dog.

The flea medicine that you choose is up to you. However, natural flea treatment will definitely be much better and safer for your dog and your family. So you want to make sure that you use the flea treatment for pets that feels right for you and your beloved pet.

I know which one I choose!

—–

My recommendation for a great quality dog shampoo and conditioner that are excellent as part of an overall natural flea control strategy:

ONP Herbal Defense Shampoo - $12.99 ONP Herbal Defense Conditioner - $12.99 Shampoo and conditioner for a luxurious coat and contain essential oils to help repel fleas, ticks, mosquitoes, flies, and other insects.

Only Natural Pet All-in-One Flea Remedy - $14.99 Natural flea powder that safely eliminates fleas on your pets and in your home. It is completely non-toxic, chemical-free, and odorless.

Brewer's Yeast & Garlic Tablets - $9.49 These tablets help boost your pets natural defenses, maintain a healthy coat, and are fortified with vitamins and beef liver for dogs and cats. And they taste so great, they're like treats!

And for a flea care kit that contains everything you'd need, you can't go past:

Mild Flea Care Kit for Dogs - $15.99 Moderate Flea Care Kit for Dogs - $48.49 Severe Flea Care Kit for Dogs - $88.99 Choose from 3 different kits based on the severity of your dog's flea infestation. Hurry and stop the fleas before things gets worse!

Okay, I admit it - I'm not going to teach you how to train a dog to tell the time. The fact is your dog probably already can!

Most non-dog owners would never believe that dogs can tell the time. I suppose it's not one of the types of dog behaviors you'd necessarily expect to find in a dog.

But they can! And it's innate - you don't even have to find out how to train a dog to tell the time - he'll do it naturally!

Of course, our dogs know our routines like when we're due to leave the house, when they're likely to go for a walk, be fed, etc. But that's probably just habit. The dog gets used to the sequence of you putting your shoes on, picking up your keys and heading to the door - that sort of thing.

Many dogs, however, really can tell the time.

When I was a child we had an adorable black toy Poodle called Candy. My sisters and brother and I used to come home from school in two stages - the little ones at 3.15 p.m. and the older ones at around 4.00 p.m.

And who do you think would trot outside at 3.10 p.m. and again at 3.55 p.m., and wait at the top of the driveway until we arrived and greeted her? Yes, that smart little dog who could obviously tell the time!

One of my Healthy Happy Dogs newsletter readers, Roger Najarian, from Las Vegas, Nevada, sent me in the following story about another dog that could tell the time. Here's Roger's story:

" I remember my mother telling me about the dog she and her sisters had as a child. I believe she said it was a German Shepherd. Anyway, this dog (Mickey was his name) would walk the girls to school in the morning and stayed with them, and enjoyed the attention of all the other kids at the playground, until the bell rang and the kids went inside.

Mickey then would return home. The school was almost a mile from their house.

School was let out at 3:30 in the afternoon. Every day, without fail, Mickey, no matter what he was doing, and that included sleeping, would get up at 3:10 and walk down to my mother's school. He would sit patiently at the schoolyard gate, until my mother finally came out. Of all 9 children in my mother's family, Mickey's favorite was my mother.

They would all walk home together and enjoyed this time ritual for several years. He only did this on school days. He knew the difference.

So, if anyone ever says, dogs can not tell time, tell them about Mickey. It wasn't a once or twice thing, this went on for years.

I will always remember my mother telling me this (on more than one occasion). I've remembered it for nearly 50 years now, and even today, it brings a smile to me. I pass this on to you now, and hope that you share it with others. I hope it brings a smile to you. its so amazing, when you think about it.

Some people, I'm sure, may not believe it, but if you knew my mother, you would know that the story was 100% truth (she was not one who would embelish a story, or make it a little bigger than what it really was).

Please share this with your readers. I hope that a few will remember it, and tell it to others. Knowing that what this amazing dog did, will live on further, makes me very happy.

My very best to you, and your dogs (family).
-Roger "

I'm sure your dog can tell the time, too - it's only people who don't have dogs who don't believe this!

Leave your "my dog can tell the time" story in the comments below!

Does your dog always having a lush, soft coat?

Does your dog's skin remain rash and itch free?

If you said yes to either or both of the above questions, yours is a very fortunate dog.

More likely, like me, you said "No", or, perhaps "Sometimes". Most of our dogs suffer from a dull coat and/or dog skin problems or skin irritation of some type from time to time. Some poor dogs seem to be plagued by dog skin conditions, which often causes them to molt, or even to pull their own fur out in an attempt to relieve the itchiness.

This can be caused by a number of things, including a vitamin deficiency.

Even if you think you're feeding your dog an ideal diet, it may not be so. For years my vet complimented me on the great health of my dogs due to the largely raw diet I fed them, but little did I realise that down the track they would begin to develop degenerative conditions which I can now only attribute to a failure to supplement with vitamins and/or other supplements.

Of course, diet can impact on your dog's skin condition and the look and feel of your dog's coat in a major way. But sometimes even an ideal diet is not enough in and of itself.

Kara, my Rottweiler, has pretty sensitive skin - she gets a rash from coming into contact with the pollen from certain plants, and she develops an immediate allergy to even one flea bite. And sometimes she's itchy for no apparent reason at all. Yes, Kara really suffers from dog skin allergies, and often has incessantly itchy skin - poor dog.

My Staffordshire Bull Terrier, Jet, is more hardy in the coat and skin department. Jet's pretty lucky. She doesn't get incessant itches very often at all, although she has been known to molt once or twice in her 12 years. It hasn't happened for several years now, though - not since I started giving my dogs supplements for their skin and coat.

So what is the most effective way to look after dog skin problems? Well, in addition to your dog's diet, you should use a two pronged strategy - dog skin supplements and an excellent dog shampoo.

To keep your dog's skin and coat in tip top condition and health, these two areas are really important:

ONE - to treat the skin from the inside - I recommend a wonderful fatty acid supplement which contains all the nutrients your dog needs for a healthy skin and shiny coat. It also reduces shedding if your dog's coat is prone to that. These great tasting tablets really do reduce itchiness, and work on the cause of the itch - whether it be due to allergy or other skin condition. They contain Omegas 3, 6 and 9, plus OptiMSM and other Vitamins for a healthy coat.

   
 (Just click on the bottles of Dermatrix above, or click here).  You'll love the results of Dermatrix on your dog's skin and coat!

TWO - a good dog shampoo is the second really important aspect to a healthy skin and coat. When my dogs were younger I sometimes used cheap shampoos from discount stores. I came to the conclusion that this was really false economy. They cleaned the coat reasonably well, but weren't particularly beneficial to the skin. Now I use a wonderful oatmeal shampoo which help relieve itching and dry, flaky skin. And the coat comes out really silky and it really seems to have a lovely shine. Oatmeal shampoo for dogs is also all-natural, and contains no chemicals.
 

Doc Ackerman's Oatmeal Shampoo 20 oz. - $ 9.99 Doc Ackerman's Oatmeal Shampoo 1 Gallon - $ 49.99  A penetrating shampoo that contains 3.8% Colloidal Oatmeal. Can be used for itching, dryness, scaling of dandruff, and certain types of dermatitis. Excellent for routine bathing to help control body odors.

Or if you really like the smell of oranges, there's a particularly good dog shampoo and conditioner formulation. It's called the Herbal Orange Cream Shampoo and Conditioner, and it's a favorite with dog groomers and vets, and has been for 20 years. Again, it's all-natural without any chemicals, and it also has a great aromatherapy soothing effect on your dog!

Doc Ackerman's Orange Cream Shampoo - $ 9.99 Doc Ackerman's Orange Cream Conditioner - $ 9.99 This shampoo and conditioner are used extensively by groomers and veterinarians. Deep cleaning, with a fresh citrus aroma, to give your pet the ultimate shiny coat.

Or, if you're wanting to keep fleas at bay, try the herbal shampoo and conditioner below:

ONP Herbal Defense Shampoo - $ 12.99 ONP Herbal Defense Conditioner - $ 12.99 Shampoo and conditioner for a luxurious coat and contain essential oils to help repel fleas, ticks, mosquitoes, flies, and other insects

If your dog is anything like my Rottweiler, Kara, your dog's fur is probably often dusty and not so great to stroke.  Kara loves rolling in the dirt outside.

When the dirt in the backyard is dry, I can brush out the dust and dirt without too much trouble. But when it's damp, Kara needs to be washed to really get her coat clean again.

And when it's been pouring rain for a day or two, I actually try to keep her inside the house as much as possible. Because, yes, she rolls in the wet, sticky mud, when she gets a chance. You should see the mess she gets in. She can be covered in mud from head to toe. And she's most put out when I won't let her in the house in that state!

That's when the shampoo really comes in handy!

And for the fatty acid tablets which your dog will love to take, which will promote a lush, shiny coat and itch-free skin, you'll want to try Fatty Acids for Dogs.

Let me know if you have any questions/comments/feedback.

I'd love to hear from you.

Just post your comments below!

Does your dog mind taking tablets?

I don't know why it is, but medicines for both humans and our pets usually taste bitter or otherwise revolting. And dogs are notoriously suspicious when it comes to being asked to take tablets of any description. Remember, your dog has an acute sense of smell! It's difficult indeed to persuade the average pooch to swallow any medication designed to cure any illness, disease or disability from which he/she is suffering. Your poor dog doesn't understand that you're trying to assist him/her. No, they invariably view such treatments with utter contempt and disdain.

My Rottweiler, Kara, is actually not too bad with tablets. Mostly I can easily prise her mouth open, drop the medication onto the back of her tongue and then hold her mouth closed for a few seconds, gently stroking her throat a few times, and she'll generally swallow it without too much fuss. Or if it's a really nasty tasting one, a lump of peanut butter around the tablet will generally do the trick quite nicely.

Not so my Staffordshire Bull Terrier, Jet. Oh no!

Fortunately Jet has been surprisingly illness-free during her 12 years. I can only hope this picture of health phenomenon will continue for the remainder of her days. Because on the odd occasion when I do need to have her swallow anything faintly resembling a tablet, oh my goodness, what a fuss!

I dread giving her tablets. You'd think that she'd know by now that I wasn't trying to poison her. But no. She runs away and cowers in corner, slipping deftly away whenever I get close. And when I do catch her, and throw the tablet into her mouth you'd think Jet's life depended upon her making every conceivable attempt to spit the tablet out. Peanut butter? Forget it - she just licks it all off and spits the tablet out. Tasty cheese? Same thing. Crushing it up and mixing it in with her raw meat/scrambled eggs/tinned tuna? Not a chance. Up goes her nose and away she trots.

So the only option is to hold that mouth closed until the tablet disintegrates, because oh my goodness, Jet is absolutely determined not to swallow. It takes several minutes of hanging on tight to her mouth and keeping it closed while I stroke her throat, and while she pushes her tongue out between the little gaps in her teeth over and over again making every possible attempt to disgorge the offending tablet, and when that fails, she simply froths at the mouth. And froths and froths and froths until I think she's almost going to suffocate. And when it's all over, she refuses to have anything to do with me (for at least 10 minutes until the terrible memory of it fades!)

I suppose I should count my lucky stars that one of my dogs is a pushover with the dreaded tablet taking scenario!

There is ONE type of tablet that my Jet LOVES to take, though - it's not a "tablet" kind of tablet - it's her delicious, chewable arthritis care tablet - Jet just loves them. She thinks they're treats! Jet hasn't actually shown any real signs of arthritis, but because she's getting on in years, I thought she'd benefit from some arthritis care as a preventative. Check out the ONLY tablet my Jet will take here! (Click on the pictures below, or simply CLICK HERE.)

So if you're concerned about arthritis in dog or have been looking for a dog arthritis medication that is natural and works, not only will this natural dog arthritis medicine do wonders for your dog's arthritis, but your dog will LOVE taking these tablets as well!

What a bonus!