Don’t Eat That!

Whew, this blogging is sure hard work. I have been so busy riding herd on all those other daycare dogs that I haven’t had a chance to get my human helper to do my typing!

I thought I’d do a blog about everyday things that humans eat that can do some real damage if a pet should eat it.  And what better time than at the holidays?

Let’s start with the big one … chocolate. Dark chocolate and bittersweet chocolate are more harmful than milk chocolate; however any chocolate can be fatal. Just one ounce of bakers chocolate can kill a 30 pound dog. Chocolate contains theobromine, an alkaloid that affects the nervous system. It can also affect the dog’s heart rhythm. Toxicity can manifest in 2 to 24 hours, depending on the size of the dog.

Grapes and raisins can cause kidney failure. Just a few can be deadly depending on the size of the pet. If your pet has just a few , the toxicity builds up over time. Even if it doesn’t kill your dog, it can severely damage  the kidneys.

Onions and onion powder  can cause hemolytic anemia in pets. This is a condition in which the red blood cells burst. Cats are more susceptible than dogs to this condition, so avoid giving any of your pets onions.  Garlic, a relative of onions, contains these amino acids as well, but in a much lower concentration. A small amount of garlic should not be harmful to your pet, but you wouldn’t want him to eat too much. (Some dog foods do contain garlic for flavor and its health benefits, but we feel the small amount used is OK.)

Cooked bones can splinter and cause tears in the stomach and intestinal walls. Cooked chicken and turkey bones are the worst culprits. Raw bones, when fed properly, benefit dental health and are much appreciated by your pet! Make sure the bones are from a *red meat*source since any poultry bones, raw or cooked can cause problems. Raw poultry neck pieces are fine for most dogs or cats.

Too much fat in a pet’s diet can cause pancreatitis. This goes for fried food as well.  Of course, all pets need some fat in their diets for proper nutrient absorption, but be careful on giving fat trimmings to your pet as a treat. Too much turkey skin can cause a problem.

Xylitol is a common sweetener used in sugarless gum, toothpaste, and other products. Some candy is even sweetened with xylitol. This is a killer for dogs. It has no affect on human blood sugar levels, but in dogs it rapidly drop causing hypoglycemia or even liver failure.

Ham and bacon are a two-fold problem. As already mentioned, the high fat content is bad, but the way they are processed with salt is an additional problem. Too much salt in a pet’s diet, especially in a large breed dog, can  cause them to drink too much water, causing bloat. This is a condition where the stomach fills with air and can then rupture or twist, causing stomach torsion, which can be fatal.

There are many house plants can also poison your pet. Poinsettias, the bright red plant associated with Christmas, can cause extreme irritation to your pet’s mouth. All parts of the plant can be harmful. Hydrangeas and rhododendrons are also harmful, as are mistletoe and daphne.

Next keep an eye on pets around wrapping ribbon and string. These are very enticing to pets, and can cause bowel obstructions if your pet ingests them. And of course, both cats and dogs are drawn to the sparkle of Christmas ornaments. They can chew on them and cause real harm to themselves. So, if you have  pets, make sure that they stay away from the tree, and have a safe and happy holiday season!

A Dog’s Nose Knows

Hello. Nova here to talk about one of my favorite things — smells!

I love to hang my head out of an open window as we drive down the road. When I narrow my eyes and hold my ears back , I am concentrating on all the smells in the air. Ahhh. It’s the best!

Even though we are rushing by, I can pick up even the slightest of smells.  I can pick up a scent that is over a million times fainter than the scents that humans can detect. Certain breeds are even better at smelling, detecting scents that are weeks or even years old. The Bloodhound , the Basset Hound, and the Beagle have the best noses in the dog world.

Dogs don’t see especially well, so the scenery is not so important to us. It’s the smells that we love! I know where every fast food restaurant is. I know what dogs are in the neighborhood, or when a raccoon has been in the yard. I even know what our neighbor had for breakfast.

Dogs have two separate olfactory  systems for detecting smells. One is of course, the nose. My nose has more than twenty square inches of scent receptors. A human on the other hand, has just half an inch for the same purpose.

The second system is in my mouth. It is near the upper incisors in a tiny duct called the Jacobson’s organ. It is designed to capture even the tiniest of odors. It helps me interpret the things that I smell.

Dogs depend on their noses to identify other dogs, choose a mate, or find prey. Just one sniff of another dog and I can tell the dog’s age, sex, health, and even how tense or relaxed they are.

Some scientists believe that dogs can detect some types of cancer or even seizures in people before they even realize what is happening. Some people with epilepsy even have special service dogs as a form of “early warning” signal. The dog can sense the chemical changes in the person’s scent, and will lie on top of their human’’s feet or legs to warn them of an impending seizure. Aren’t we just amazing? I think so… but of course, I’m biased.

Now of course, it really isn’t safe to let your dog hang his head out of the window as you zip down the road at 60 miles per hour. Things can get in their eyes and do some serious damage. Bugs or road debris can get into their noses. Ouch! The best thing in this case is to roll down the window just an inch or so. Or better yet, get a window guard especially made for letting dogs get a whiff of the great outdoors while keeping them safe.

Until next time….

Not on the Carpet!!

Housebreaking your puppy is  essential to a happy home. Nobody wants to come home at the end of the day to a mess, and the frustration you experience with your new pup after an accident can hurt the great relationship you can have with your dog.

There are a great many ways to train your pup and we’ll discuss a few of them here. These are the methods that I have used in the past and they seem to work well with most dogs. Dogs naturally have an instinct to not mess in their surroundings. We can use this to our advantage in all three different methods we will talk about.

Let me start by saying that the more time you can spend with your puppy the better. Not just for housebreaking, but for training in general.

The first method is the Supervision Method: This is definitely the most successful for people who can be home for most of the day. Just watch carefully for your dog to give signs of needing to go. When you see signs such as your dog sniffing the floor or turning in circles, you can take the pup outside. When you do this, use verbal commands such as “go potty,” “outside,” or whatever term you want to use. As soon as the pup does his business, praise him and tell him what a good job they did. Praise for doing well works so much better than punishment for messing in the house. Of course, this method only works if you can provide constant supervision. If you are away from home for long periods of time, you may want to use one of the other two methods I will touch on.

Kennel (crate) method: This brings the natural instincts of the dog to the forefront. Dogs naturally want to keep their sleeping area clean. Put simply, they don’t want to mess where they sleep. You will need a kennel that is just large enough for the dog and a rug or blanket. Anything larger than this will give the pup room to defecate or urinate in the kennel with it. Take the pup out every 2-3 hours and let them do their business, again praising them when they go. You can gradually extend the time to 4 or 5 hours. Don’t leave them in the kennel for much longer than that if you can help it. As the pup gets older, he will eventually be able to hold it through the night. You can’t expect a pup younger than 6 months to be able to hold their urine for more than 4 hours, but after 6 months they will have trained their bladders to hold it longer.

Paper Training: This is probably the oldest method used. For this you’ll need newspapers or specially treated pads that are infused with an odor to attract the pup. Spread the papers out in a spot where if the urine leaks through it will be easy to clean up. Whenever you see the pup making motions, again sniffing the ground or circling, take them to the paper and set them down. As soon as they have relieved themselves, praise the pup.  Over time, move the paper closer toward the door until eventually it is outside. If you have a small dog and wish to continue having them use papers, keep them in the same spot.

Make sure you stick with one method. Changing the way you train the dog only serves to confuse them. Be consistent. Spend as much time with your pup as you can–especially the first few weeks–to ensure good results with whichever method you use. Make sure every family member uses the same commands for housebreaking.

Next we’ll talk about praise and punishment. If you walk in and see that the pup had relieved himself in an inappropriate place, there is no use in punishing him in any way. He doesn’t understand what you are punishing him for. If, however, you catch him in the act, firmly say “bad dog,” or simply “no,” then immediately pick him up and take him outside. If he does his business outside, reward him with praise. The old wives’ tale of rubbing their face in their mess does NOT work. It only confuses the dog and makes it extremely unpleasant to get kisses from him!

Keep your feeding schedule consistent. Pups will want to poop about 30-40 minutes after eating, so pay attention and take them outside. Always remember to praise them for a job well done. Pups will also need to go out immediately after waking up, either from a quick snooze or from sleeping at night. Pick them up and take them outdoors.

Puppies are kind of like babies… a lot of work. But if you do your part by being patient and training them early, you will have years and years of enjoyment ahead of you.

Itchy Feet

Good day, this is Nova once again writing about all things DOG.

Today is about why dogs lick their feet and what you can do about it.

Dogs do not have sweat glands like humans.  (One exception is the American Hairless Terrier, which has sweat glands all over its body and cools itself by evaporation — just like people.) Dogs have glands between their pads on their feet that act a whole lot like human sweat glands.

In a dog suffering from an allergy, the sweat glands in the feet secrete histamines. The feet itch, and the dog will lick and chew its paws to try to relieve the itching. So if your dog is licking the bottoms of its feet, it probably has an allergy to something.

Something in the dog’s diet is most likely the culprit–usually corn, soy, or wheat. Putting your dog on a grain-free diet will usually stop the chewing. And of course, a diet free of grain is really better for the dog! Try changing the diet for a few weeks. Ask any of the good people at The Muttley Crew to recommend something for your dog. (They helped get me on a new food and it really helped me with some stomach problems I was having.)

Sometimes, though, it is something in the environment that the dog is allergic to. Grass, mold, pollen, or even fleas can cause the itching to start. If this is the case an antihistamine such as Benadryl or Claritin can be effective in relieving the itch. That’s right… just plain old human Benadryl. It’s best to try and get the dye-free type. Give the pet about 1/2 of a human dose (for a small dog–a large dog can take somewhat more). Just remember that, just like with people, it can have side effects such as making your pet sleepy or agitated.

A good oatmeal bath can also help. Remember to soak the feet in the tub for at least 5 minutes. Sometimes just running cool water on the feet can ease the itch by making the blood vessels constrict and making the swelling go down.

Sometimes a dog will lick so much that they cause bigger problems such as yeast infections of the skin. Symptoms of a skin infection include a yellow discharge from the pores of the skin and a darkening  pigmentation of the skin. Or the infection may show itself as a brown or reddish tinge to the color of the coat on the feet.  Yeast needs to be treated by special shampoos containing an anti-fungal. Soaking the feet in a Betadine solution can also help.

Some breeds, such as the English Bulldog or French Bulldog, have more problems than other breeds with yeasty feet. They can also have problems with yeast getting in the folds of their faces. Keep these areas dry and clean as much as possible. Always remember to bathe your dog in cool to tepid water so as not to exacerbate things. Hot water will only serve to irritate any skin problem further.

Chronic skin licking can cause long term problems as well. If your dog continues to lick a certain place over and over again they can get what is called a lick granuloma. The constant friction and moisture from licking make these deep sores very hard to heal and to deal with. An infection of the skin can result. If your dog is licking and licking a spot for hours on end, day after day, take them to the vet to help diagnose the problem. They will usually give you some sort of antibiotic cream and a E-collar. You’ve probably seen E-collars; they’re those things that look like a satellite dish around your dog’s head! They may make your dog look funny for a few days  or weeks, but they keep the dog from being able to irritate the spot. Using such substances as Bitter Apple or similar things do not work. They may keep your dog away from your new shoes, but no topical substance will stop the frantic licking that some dogs experience.

Licking can also be the result of anxiety. Some dogs lick to calm themselves and it turns into an obsessive behavior. This can also cause lick granulomas. If your pet shows signs of anxiety speak with your vet.

Older dogs lick to relieve pain such as aching from arthritis in the feet or wrists. They will lick any joint area that hurts–in the same way that humans rub their aches and pains, dogs lick. Your vet may prescribe an anti-inflammatory such as aspirin or Rimadyl.

If your dog is chewing at the base of its tail, it’s usually one of two things: fleas or an impacted anal gland. Your groomer will be able to help you with either one of these problems.

So, in closing, watch those feet. If your dog is chewing or licking, there is a reason for it.

Chasing Balls: Why dogs love it.

Hi, Nova again reporting for The Muttley Crew.

One of my favorite pastimes is playing fetch. I have the best time and it’s great exercise … not to mention the fun of spending quality time with whomever I am hanging out with. I am good at catching balls too.

Just thinking about playing fetch makes me smile a great big doggy smile!

Chasing balls just comes naturally to most dogs. For dogs, it’s instinctual to chase small things, and with domestication and  breeding it’s become instinctual to retrieve things for humans.

When dogs were still wolves, the fastest, quietest runners were the ones who were able to catch and eat small animals. These fast runners were the ones who were able to survive and reproduce. The result is an entire species with an instinct to run and chase.

Dogs don’t confuse a rubber ball with a rabbit or a squirrel, but the love of chasing has been deeply bred in. They once did it to survive, now they do it for fun. And boy… do they have fun!

When playing fetch with a dog make sure you use a brightly colored ball rather than one that has a muted tone. It makes it easier for them to see. The bright colors stand out better against a background.

Throw the ball in their line of sight. Dog’s eyes are farther apart than ours and see movement off to the side better than something thrown right at them, although some dogs–like me–can catch a ball that is tossed right at them.

Make sure the ball isn’t too large or too small.  If it’s too big, they can’t get a good grip on it. Tennis balls are great, not only for size, but they have a fuzzy outside that makes it easier to latch onto. At our shop we also use racket balls. They are smaller than tennis balls and slightly squishier. Even the smaller dogs can play fetch with them!

Jeff here, the owner/operator of The Muttley Crew with a personal comment. I learned just recently that tennis balls made exclusively for pets can  contain extremely high amounts of lead. It’s in the paint and isn’t control by  any government agency. Most of these pet tennis balls are made in China. The worst offenders are labeled with *big box* retailer names.

So the dogs are being exposed to high lead content every time they put a tennis ball in their mouths. If your dog chews on these tennis balls, it’s even worse.

We here at The Muttley Crew only use  tennis balls made in the U.S.  in our daycare , so rest assured that we are doing our part.

If a ball is too small it can become a choking hazard. Some dogs will will try and swallow the entire ball or they will chew the ball into pieces and swallow these.  Always pay attention when playing with any sort of toy with your dog. Never leave your dog alone with a toy unless you are sure they can not or will not destroy the toy.

Have fun and until next time, this is Nova, signing off.

Why Dog Daycare

Hello.  This is Nova, the trusted reporter for The Muttley Crew. I spend my days here at Muttley’s doggy daycare. I simply love it.

Many people wonder why my person pays for such a service.  I certainly  feel she gets her money’s worth and more. Let me explain.

People ask why dog day care is such a good thing. Let me start by saying that dogs are social creatures. They love the company of other dogs. Dogs  form long lasting friendships, just like people do. If a particular dog hasn’t been in for a while, when he comes back, all of his friends will run to greet him. They sniff him all over to get an idea of what he’s been doing lately and then … off they all go, running together and playing with joy.

You would be surprised at some of the unlikely friendships that result. We have an Akita mix who is best friends with a Puggle, a Rottweiler mix, and Sheltie.  Then there’s the smaller dog, Bella, who just loves the biggest dogs in the place. She can easily keep up with the biggest and fastest guys out there!

Dogs learn behavior from other dogs more quickly than they learn from humans.  There are certain dog behaviors humans just can’t imitate. The best behaved dogs are usually the ones who have other dogs to show them how they should behave.

Of course, mother dogs are the first ones to show how the pup should behave in certain situations. The same dynamic works in a larger pack of dogs.  One or two will establish themselves as the dominant(s) in the group. Now, don’t get me wrong–the dominant dog rarely, if ever, uses physical contact to establish dominance. It is just the way a certain dog carries themselves, and in other subtle clues humans might normally miss. These dominant dogs will usually stop any sort of scuffle between others even before it starts. The “boss” dog will usually hang back and make sure all is going well with his or her pack. And the more submissive dogs are happy to have someone leading and caring for the pack! Dogs love to have someone, canine or human, to lead the way.

Dog that are left home alone all day can get bored… and when a dog gets bored they can quickly become destructive. They might chew up shoes and furniture, dig in the garbage can, or even scratch holes in the walls! A dog that gets plenty of exercise and socialization will be much less likely to act in such a way.

Dogs need doggy friends, just like humans need human friends. And you reap the benefits when your dog is at home, happy, peaceful, and sleeping from a busy, fun day at daycare.

The Importance of Dental Health

Hello,  Nova Poodle reporting on this week’s topic: the importance of dental health for dogs.

I know…  it sounds kind of silly to be talking about doggie breath, but it is number one in keeping your pet healthy. Dental problems in dogs have skyrocketed in the past 10-15 years.

The main cause of dental problems these days is the addition of sugar to pet diets. Many commercial pet foods are sprayed with  sugar or high fructose syrup so that the pet will eat it. The pets get hooked on a sugary diet and their teeth suffer as well as their health.

A sugary diet is not the only reason for dental problems. Small dogs, especially those with beards or mustaches, seem to have more problems than others. The bacteria in the saliva gets trapped in the hair and gets into the mouth. Maltese and Schnauzers have particular problems with dental disease.

Dental disease can be a  killer of older pets. The toxins from the decay can get into the blood stream and make them very ill… or worse. Plaque and tartar build up on the gumline and then the teeth themselves. The worst spots are the molars right where the salivary glands are located. Next the build up will begin on the canines.

Look in your pet’s mouth and if you see yellowish or brownish stuff, this is the beginning of a tartar problem. At this point, you will be able to do something about it yourself. Brushing daily with a pet toothpaste helps keep the tartar under control. Be sure to use toothpaste made for dogs — human toothpaste will not work for dogs. It foams too much and will make them sick.  You must do this daily for it to help. If your pet won’t let you use a toothbrush, use a piece of gauze over your finger. Make sure you get the gumline! A good dental cleaning at the vet at least once a year after the age of 4 is always a good idea.

Jeff does tooth scaling at the shop without sedation. This can only be done on pets that have mild tartar build up and will allow the mouth to be worked on. It doesn’t replace a dental cleaning from the vet but is useful for prevention.

When the tartar build up is allowed to continue, the stuff on the teeth will turn gray or greenish. At this point the pet needs to see a vet to receive dental care. They may lose a few teeth if things are allowed to get this bad. The vet will put your pet under sedation and will use the same type of  ultra sonic equipment that is used on humans.

There are things you can do to help prevent dental problems before they get out of hand. As I mentioned before, brushing daily or using one of several new products made to control tartar. One of the products, PetzLife, can be found at The Muttley Crew. It must be used daily to be effective. You can use the spray and just spritz the teeth twice daily, or you can try the salmon-flavored gel, which is used like toothpaste. The dog’s saliva mixes with the product to help break up the tartar.

Another way to control tartar is to feed your dog raw, meaty bones. Raw bones are one of the best things you can give your dog. The chewing action wears off the tartar and the dogs love them. I get raw bones when I visit Jeff’s house and look forward to the special treat. The  raw bones do not splinter the way cooked bones do; however, always supervise your pet when they are chewing on anything. If a bone gets too small take it away from your pet so that the pet will not swallow it whole.

It is a fallacy that wet dog food causes bad teeth in dogs or that you should only feed kibble to prevent dental problems. Dog food that is prescribed for dental problems really does no better than any other food at prevention.

Keep up with the teeth cleaning… and I’ll be writing next week about a new topic.

Flea Season

Nova here, on assignment. This week I’ll discuss fleas and some flea treatments.

Flea season is almost upon us here in the Pacific Northwest. Make sure  you get an early start on treatment before you have a problem that can get out of control!  Not to mention the horrible skin problems fleas can cause if your pet has a flea allergy. Who wants their pet to suffer with itchy skin?

The new treatments are quite safe compared with treatments from just fifteen years ago. The most common flea treatment used to be “dipping” your dog with harmful chemicals. Of course, most groomers didn’t actually dip the dog in a vat of stuff.  They usually sponged it onto your pet and let the product sit and dry.  These chemicals could cause anything from burns to nerve damage in the pet … or sometimes even cancer. These products were bad for the groomers as well.  Plus they smelled awful!

The new “spot” treatments, such as Frontline or Advantage, are much safer and last much longer; however, *anything* you use to kill fleas can be harmful if used improperly. Be sure you follow directions exactly and *never* use the wrong size dose on your pet.

There are also newer systemic treatments that you give to your pet in pill form. The Muttley Crew carries one such product named Capstar.

This pill kills all the fleas on your pet within 45 minutes and then is out of their system. It does not, however, keep working after the intial dose. It is *not* residual. So if you have a severe infestation you will need to give your pet a pill every day.

The folks here at The Muttley Crew are awaiting a new flea protection system that has been in use in Europe for several years. It is non-toxic and is completely pesticide free. I’ll keep you informed when it’s available!

Take care and look for my reports on a weekly basis!

The Importance of Grooming Your Pet

Hello, Nova here, giving out my weekly advice.  This week it is about grooming your pet.

Grooming your pet is more important than you might  think.  Not only does it make a pet like me look great, but it can uncover underlying health issues.  During the grooming process, a good groomer will assess a pet’s overall condition.  They check for bumps or lumps, or check to see if a known lump is growing.  It’s amazing the things that owners don’t notice … not that they don’t touch their dog, but they usually don’t pet every inch of their pet at the same time!

A groomer will notice if a skin condition is apparent and if so, can advise the owner about how to help.  Sometimes it’s a food allergy that causes the problem. Sometimes it’s allergies to mold or pollen that make a pet itchy.

A groomer may suggest a new food and/or give the pet a medicated bath to help relieve the itchiness.

Dogs (and cats) have scent glands located on either side of their rectum.  Small dogs need to have their anal glands expressed.  Large dogs can usually take care of it themselves.  An experienced groomer or bather should be able to take care of this without too much trouble.  The groomer will not force the glands to express, as this could seriously injure the pet. If the groomer feels that they cannot do it safely, they will suggest that the owner take the pet to their vet.

Next we’ll talk nails. Toenails to be exact.  If a pet’s nails get too long it can cause the pet’s toes to bend in an unnatural way.   This can cause arthritis in the toes and feet, making it painful for the pet to walk.  Long nails can also cause dogs–especially older dogs–to slip on slick floors.  Obviously, your pet can get hurt this way.  Torn ACLs, hip problems, and shoulder problems are just a few of the things that can happen.

The groomers will also check the pet’s ears for infection. Infections can happen if the ears get too much moisture and/or the pet eats a diet too high in simple sugars. This type of infection is usually caused by yeast. A yeast infection is apparent by a strong odor and a brown tinge to the inner ear hair. The other thing a groomer will check the ears for is mites. This presents as an almost black goo inside the ear canal. A pet  can also get a bacterial infection of the ear.  This will require antibiotics to cure . Symptoms of this are swelling of the ear canal and the ear flap . There is usually a foul-smelling, yellowish drainage.  All of these infections need to be treated by a veterinarian.

The groomer will “pluck” out any excess hair from the ear canal if there is no evidence of infection. This will help keep the inner ear dry and infection free.

Lastly, pets really enjoy feeling clean. They may not like the bath itself, but if you’ve ever seen a freshly bathed dog, you can tell by the way they act that they feel great!

Hello world!

We are The Muttley Crew:  Portland’s Finest Dog Grooming and Doggy Daycare.  We are located at 806 NW Murray, Portland, Oregon 97229

Our Phone numbers are: 503-626-8212 or 1-866-muttley and our Website is themuttleycrew.com

Our day care is very different than most.  We take in a very limited number of dogs on any given day.

Our daycare sees the same pets on a regular schedule. The dogs develop deep bonds with each other and often pick out one or two buddies to team up with.  David, who supervises the daycare area, is every dog’s best friend. They just love the guy!

We encourage our clients to bring their pets in on a set schedule.  Dogs thrive on consistency . They love to see the same friends on a regular basis. It’s not that they can’t develop new friendships — they certainly do.  But they also really like to see that one special friend.

Our grooming salon is second to none.  Our three groomers have a combined 60 years of experience.  Two of our groomers are CMGs (Certified Master Groomers).  We all can groom ANY breed to breed standards, but each of us has a specialty!

Our retail area is currently in expansion.  We sell only 5- and 6-star rated foods.  Most are grain-free, free range foods made from human grade products.  We do not sell any food products from China.  Most of our treats are also grain free and made from free range meats with no rendered products.

We are committed to making this a safe, healthy  fun place for your pet. We encourage you to stop in for a visit!