Can Dogs Eat Mushrooms?

October 5, 2015 by Fanna Easter

No, Don’t Feed Your Dog Mushrooms

Can Dogs Eat Mushrooms? — leonardo sandon/Deposit Photos

Can dogs have mushrooms? The simple answer is no. Let’s look back at a recent event surrounding mushrooms and dogs.

I’ve been following Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson after he adopted two French Bulldog puppies. In the very beginning, it was a pretty bumpy ride, as both Frenchies decided to try out the swimming pool. One swam and the other didn’t. Luckily, “The Rock” saved them both and no one was harmed—just a little wet.

Then, Brutus, one of his Frenchie puppies, was hospitalized due to the ingestion of mushrooms. Unfortunately, the best veterinary care was unable to save Brutus and he crossed into Heaven last night.

This story got a hold on me. It’s horrible. It’s been 24 hours and I still can’t shake it, so I’m going to discuss mushroom poisoning in dogs. Keep in mind I’m not a veterinarian, but only a seasoned dog trainer and pet owner. If your dog ate a mushroom in the backyard recently, check out these tips. I’ll share the actions I take when my dogs are exposed to mushrooms.

Which Mushrooms are Toxic to Dogs?

To everyday dog owners, wild growing mushrooms look the same. They usually sprout in shaded damp areas lifted off the ground by a stem. Most mushrooms have short or long stems and different types of tops, and can grow in clusters or individually.

[perfectpullquote align=”full” cite=”” link=”” color=”” class=”” size=””]It’s important to understand toxic mushrooms are impossible to identify. All mushrooms look alike.[/perfectpullquote]

How to Prevent Mushroom Poisoning in Dogs

We don’t have an issue with wild growing mushrooms in dry Texas, but when visiting my family in south Louisiana, they’re everywhere. I highly suggest following these recommendations to keep mushroom exposure to a minimum.

Remove Mushrooms From Yard

Before turning our dogs loose in my mother’s large yard, we survey the area for mushrooms, fence gaps and large rodent holes (armadillo dens are very common in Louisiana). Any and all mushrooms are immediately picked up and discarded into a closed lidded trashcan away from the yard. Of course, animal den entrances and fence gaps are closed because Stella (Terrier) will push her way through. 🙂

Practice “Leave It”

Our dogs are always supervised while playing in the yard, so we can promptly ask our dogs to “leave it” if they stumble upon mushrooms. Honestly, practicing “leave it” daily is so important. You never know what’s hidden in your yard that day. Carry treats in your pocket for impromptu dog training practice sessions when your dog encounters mushrooms, discarded trash, sticks and so forth.

Keep Mushrooms From Growing

Mushrooms thrive on dead and decayed wood, so remove all decayed wood and tree limbs immediately. Also, mushrooms mostly grow during the fall season, so keep your peepers open and don’t forget to remove all those dead leaves quickly.

Keep Dogs Leashed During Walks Away From Home

By keeping your dog next to you, even during leisurely walks through the woods, you’re reducing the chances of unknown ingestion of mushrooms or any other harmful materials. If your dog wanders up to growing mushrooms, ask him to “leave it” and reward with treats from your pocket.

What If Your Dog Eats a Mushroom

Prevention is key, but sometimes dogs will quickly eat mushrooms, so swift action is needed immediately!

Leash or pick up your dog.
Grab any remaining mushrooms and put them in your pocket (keep picked mushrooms away from your dog).
Immediately bring your dog to the emergency clinic. Don’t forget to bring along your plucked mushrooms as reference. This will help narrow down treatment for your dog.
- If you live far away from a vet, contact Pet Poison Control (855) 764-7661 immediately. These veterinary experts specialize in ingestion of toxic materials and will advise you on the next steps and tips to induce vomiting if recommended. Plus, these folks are available 24 hours seven days a week.

Never practice a wait-and-see attitude after your dog eats mushrooms. There’s a 50/50 chance he’ll become sick or, even worse, the ingested mushrooms are indeed poisonous.

Let’s learn from little Brutus’ short life on earth. Keep your dog safe from poisonous mushrooms.

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What Human Foods are Bad for Dogs?

October 1, 2015 by Fanna Easter

Dispelling Myths About Human Foods for Dogs

Foods Bad for Dogs — Indigofish/Deposit Photos

Human foods for dogs is a hot topic, which is why I’d like to dispel a few common myths surrounding bad food for dogs. I’ll also go over human foods we already know are bad for dogs just as a refresher.

Human Foods for Dogs

Myth: Bones

So many times, I hear well-meaning dog owners delicately explain to others that animal bones are considered poisonous to dogs. Believe it or not, raw bones are harmless when given in its natural state. Cooked bones, however, are an accident waiting to happen inside your dog. Cooking bones removes all moisture and causes bones to splinter, which can cause internal bleeding and obstructions. They’re also extremely difficult to digest, so most are either vomited or get caught while passing through the digestive tract. Now, picture these brittle and sharp blades passing along tissue. You can most certainly understand why cooked bones are extremely harmful.

Raw bones are soft, bendable and free of hard ends because their moisture is rich. When given with meat, raw bones are easily chewed, preventing them from getting stuck in a dog’s digestive track. Raw chicken wings and necks are the best examples of perfect bone-to-flesh ratio. They’re easy to chew, swallow and pass out the other end. 🙂

I’m not saying everyone needs to feed his dogs raw bones, but I want to make sure everyone is aware that raw bones are good and cooked bones are bad.

Myth: Raw Meat

Raw meat is actually great for your dog. It’s not poisonous. Healthy dogs and puppies digest raw fresh meats easier than kibble. With the huge dog food recall in 2007, may dog owners cringed when another kibble was on the bad list. Most recalls were due to tainted outsourced ingredients, causing hundreds of dog deaths.

Lately, many dog foods are still recalled due to bacteria hidden deep within kibble and raw meat. Understand that healthy dogs can deal with many strains of bacteria. I mean think about it: many dogs eat their own poop and survive. 🙂 When I say healthy dogs, I’m referring to dogs free of disease, as disease can most certainly cause acute reactions to bacteria since their immune system is depressed.

Most bacteria-infested recalls are for our safety, so we’re aware of their hidden dangers. Ground products are more susceptible because bacteria can easily hop in mixtures whereas whole meats (steaks, chicken wings and turkey necks) may have bacteria on the surface (which can be easily rinsed off), but the inside is completely safe.

Kibble is not immune to bacteria. Remember bacteria love hopping and hiding in ground meats, including fruits, vegetables and grain mixtures. Even though kibble is cooked, bacteria are still present. Hence, so many kibbles listed on dog food recall lists.

If you decide to feed a raw diet, you should take precautions, such as washing your hands after feeding, disinfecting surfaces and maintaining cleanliness. Unfortunately, we’re more susceptible to bacteria invasions than our dogs.

RELATED: Homemade Diets for Dogs

Fact: Chocolate, Onions, Avocados & Grapes

Now that a few human food for dog myths have been dispelled, let’s review a few common human foods that are truly toxic to dogs. It’s important to keep chocolate, onions, avocado and grapes (even raisins) away from our dogs. Pits from stoned fruit are another hazard because they’re indigestible and can cause obstructions. Also, pits will break your dog’s teeth, as they’re rock hard.

Fact: Fried Foods

Fried foods are horrible for dogs. Most dogs eat lean diets. Dogs that eat kibble keep their fat intake below 20 percent. Tossing fried chicken skin, fatty parts of meat and other fat-filled foods can send your dog’s digestive system into red alert.

When working as a vet technician many years ago, I painfully remember a Chihuahua that died after eating one slice of Pizza Hut pizza. Think about it: if you’re not used to fatty foods and I bring you down to Louisiana and pump you full of gumbo and fried seafood, your stomach will hurt and it’s your pancreas that takes the hit. Pancreatitis is extremely painful and can kill humans and dogs alike.

Fact: Xylitol

Another human food deadly to dogs, even in small amounts, is xylitol. This stuff is an artificial sweetener found in most sugarless processed foods, including chewing gum. This stuff is so deadly to dogs that my husband switched to another brand of chewing gum without this awful stuff. Yes, dogs have died after consuming as little as half a stick of xylitol gum. Also, keep your dogs from snatching chewed gum on sidewalks. You never know if it contains xylitol and it’s gross. 🙂

We’ve not only busted a few myths, but we’ve also reviewed common human foods that are bad for dogs. If something happens, please call Pet Poison Help Hotline at (855) 764-7661. They may charge a small fee, but it’s worth every penny due to their expert guidance.

Finding a Force-Free Veterinary Clinic

September 30, 2015 by Fanna Easter

Force-Free Veterinary Clinics: A Dog Trainer’s Plea

Force-free veterinary clinics are a new movement–so new that the veterinary field is unable to keep up with the change. The rise of fear-free veterinary clinics are evident by the number of programs that are being developed for launch by middle to late 2016. You’re probably wondering where you can find a force-free veterinary clinic right now and I can tell you research is key. Below, I explain how you can find the right force-free veterinary clinic for you and your dog.

How to Find Force-Free Veterinary Clinics Now

Until organizations and associations are formed and list veterinary clinics promising to abide to low-stress handling of pets, the task of finding a force-free clinic falls on us. Honestly, they’re not hard to find. It takes a bit of research and polling of friends.

Identify a Force-Free Veterinary Clinic

This is an important step because marketing savvy places can lure you in with false promises. Gone are the days of pinning dogs to the ground and compelling them to obey during veterinary visits. Remember when veterinary exams were followed by your veterinarian tossing your exhausted dog a treat in hopes of making friends again? Yeah, most dogs refused to eat them. They were still terrified. Now, dogs are rewarded with lots of treats for participating in exams and procedures. It’s a new day!

Minimal Handling

Fear-free veterinary clinics keep handling to a minimum. Handling means taking hold of a dog by using hands. Force-free clinics may hold your dog’s collar lightly with the goal of keeping him next to the veterinarian during examinations. Forcibly holding the collar to keep a dog in place, using tight leashes or wrapping her arms around your dog’s neck is not what should happen. Instead, veterinary technicians entice dogs to participate in the exam by holding a food stuffed toy to keep them standing still.

Also, veterinary staff will treat your dog for standing still, allowing the veterinarian to touch him and look into his eyes, ears and mouth. If a dog becomes startled and shrinks back from the vet’s touch or equipment, the veterinary staff gives the dog a break. Then, they should show your dog that veterinary equipment is actually fun by pairing yummy food treats when your dog looks, sniffs and finally allows equipment to touch him.

RELATED: How to Help Hand Shy Dogs

Taking Your Dog “In The Back”

If you’re like me, I cringe when vet techs ask if they can take my dogs “in the back.” Your dog isn’t too happy either, as you watch him put on the brakes the moment the back room door opens. He knows what happens back there. My brain runs wild with images of my dog being held tightly and forced to comply. Fortunately, my veterinarian has monitors, which show the veterinary staff working with dogs in the back. I could watch techs complete blood draws, take X-rays and peel off bandages as needed.

Standing still for blood draws should be voluntary. I watched vet techs feeding Sobek and Stella treats while the other tech drew blood from a back leg. All three vet techs were sitting on the ground with one tech in front feeding several treats as the other tech prepared, desensitized the area by tapping the vein, drew blood and joined the other tech in rewarding Sobek.

The results were amazing. Now, Sobek and Stella willingly and happily walk into the back room, as they’ve had such great experiences back there.

X-Rays

More and more veterinary clinics have stopped sedating dogs when taking X-ray films, so you’re probably wondering what’s happening back there. Again, force-free veterinary staff work in teams: one person holds the treats or a food stuffed toy by your dog’s head and another person is moving your dog’s body into position. It’s important to understand dogs should be rewarded while being handled. This keeps them interested and pairs good things with handling.

As the X-ray is taken, food treats stop for a millisecond (keeping the tech out of the picture) and resume immediately until either all films have been taken or the session is over.

Locate a Force-Free Veterinary Clinic

Usually, there are two ways to locate a force-free veterinary clinic. I recommend asking dog savvy friends or doing your own research. I’m happy to share my vet’s information!

Ask Dog Savvy Friends

Asking dog savvy friends is probably the easiest way to find a force-free clinic and polling friends is even easier due to social media. Now that you have an understanding of what a fear-free clinic looks like, ask specific questions to ensure you’ve chosen the best place. Ask what happens during a typical visit, how blood draws are handled and so forth.

Research

Locate veterinary clinics within your area. If you find the right one, make the drive. It will pay back tenfold. I remember driving 54 miles round trip to a force-free vet clinic, as I passed dozens of vet clinics along the way. My dogs were treated with kindness, which resulted in easy, fun and quick veterinary visits. My dogs learned how to respond to scary things.

Look Up Websites

Most businesses have websites and vet clinics are among them. Force-free veterinary clinics will usually explain their low-stress handling techniques on their homepage (first page seen). If not, click on their About Us or Mission Statements page to check for any indication of low-stress handling techniques. If you’re having a hard time finding such a clinic, widen your search to 25 miles, which will undoubtedly increase your chances of finding one.

Make Calls

If nothing is listed on websites, call veterinary clinics and ask if they use low-stress handling and force-free methods. Usually, you’ll hear “Of course,” but ask about the process of a typical veterinary visit, blood draw procedure and sedation use for X-rays. Force-free veterinary clinics will happily explain details, as the receptionists are fully educated in explaining handling methods.

If you hear “We do hold patients still,” “A vet tech will hold your dog in place,” “We muzzle most dogs,” “We give treats afterwards (it should happen as your dog is examined),” “We sedate dogs because it’s easier” or general traditional handling methods, I would continue looking. That isn’t the right place.

Go With a Friend

Going with a friend is an excellent way to discover if a veterinary clinic is truly force-free. Ask to tag along when your friend brings her dog in for a checkup. Observe handling of dogs and ask veterinary staff questions if needed.

Change Your Vet’s Perspective

Many of you adore your current veterinarian and I totally understand. However, ask your vet if she would use low-stress handling during your dog’s visits. Print out this chart, which explains how a stress-free vet exam should be conducted from a veterinary point of view. Bring a plastic bag full of yummy treats and food stuffed toys to each visit and ask veterinary staff to reward your dog while being examined. If your dog must go in the back, ask if procedures can be done with you present. Explain that you want your dog to have an awesome veterinary experience, so it’ll be easier on everyone.

Not only are veterinarians passionate about pets, but they’re also business savvy. If more clients request force-free veterinary visits, you’ll probably see a change. Shoot, I remember when acupuncture and chiropractor veterinary care was laughed at about 20 years ago and now it’s mainstream because pet owners asked for it.

Don’t be afraid. Ask for force-free veterinary care. It’s the best thing for your dog!

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What are Force-Free Veterinary Visits?

September 29, 2015 by Fanna Easter

Force-Free Veterinary Visits are Here

We all know our dogs’ oh-no-we’re-at-the-vet look. You know the one when their ears are pulled back, their eyes wide and their body shaking. Usually, the look happens when we’re either pulling into the veterinary clinic parking lot or stepping inside the clinic. We feel bad, but we justify their reactions as a necessary evil.

Well, no more! There’s a new wave in the veterinary community. It’s called force-free veterinary visits. Many veterinarians are choosing to passionately follow their “do no harm” oath to the letter. By using force free and low stress handling, dogs will leave the clinic better than they arrived–not only healthier, but also more mentally intact. Force free vet visits apply to all pets, including cats, horses, birds and guinea pigs.

What are Fear-Free Veterinary Visits?

Force-free veterinary visits entail there is minimal to no animal restraint involved and dogs are encouraged to participate during vet exams. Force-free vet technicians are armed with peanut butter stuffed toys, super yummy treats and lots of praise and pats. Dogs happily eat yummy treats as a veterinarian peeks into their eyes and ears, feels their belly, and listens to their hearts. If a dog becomes concerned and backs away, the veterinary staff stops the exam and gives him a break. After a few minutes of chatting with the owner, the vet tech will entice the dog to participate again. Basically, force-free veterinary exams move at your dog’s speed.

As I’ve discussed in other articles, dogs find freedom to choose (engage or disengage within a situation) just as reinforcing as treats and belly rubs. Allowing a dog to choose is very powerful.

Once a dog experiences a fun and rewarding veterinary exam, you’ll notice a huge difference in his reaction next time you pull into the parking lot. You’ll probably notice tail wagging, willingness to walk into the clinic and relaxed body language while your dog is examined. Not only does your dog have a relaxing experience, but you will as well!

Why are Fear-Free Veterinary Visits Important?

Veterinarians and their staff were noticing a steady incline of fractious (biting, growling) dogs or dogs that “shut down” during vet exams, which resulted in additional difficult and scary exams in the future. Every time a dog has a negative experience at a veterinary clinic, you can bet he’ll learn to dislike vet visits even more, forcing the dog to defend himself.

Force-free veterinary staff is no longer forcing dogs to comply or pinning them to the ground for examinations. Instead, they’re enticing dogs to engage, pairing yummy treats with veterinary equipment and making sure dogs are happier than when they arrived. This is huge!

You’re probably wondering how blood draws, fecal exams and other painful screenings are handled, but you’d be shocked how easily they can be performed with minimal handling. A dog happily licking away at a cream cheese stuffed toy will voluntarily stand still as a needle is inserted into a vein during blood draws.

Yes, you may notice your dog flinch (it does sting a bit) in the area and you may even notice your dog’s eyebrows raise when a fecal loop is inserted (I would too!). However, when allowed to choose their response in a situation, most dogs choose to ignore it as they feel safe. And that, dear readers, is the secret. By allowing dogs to participate willingly, they feel safe, which is the opposite of fear.

By using force-free, or low-stress handling, veterinary clinics can actually save time while saving costs. It’s expensive to incur bites off staff members or snap multiple X-ray films of struggling pets. It’s also the right thing to do for all pets.

Our First Fear-Free Veterinary Visit

For the most part, our regular veterinarian does a wonderful job allowing our dogs to participate in all exams. However, our first fear-free veterinary exam was like watching an awakening within my dog.

Sobek is a massive Rottweiler, so you can certainly understand why most veterinary staff members look uneasy when he gleefully bounces around and exuberantly greets everyone. Recently, Sobek went in for acupuncture with Dr. Amanda Florsheim DVM who acknowledged his size by sitting on the ground next to him. Her vet tech also sat on the ground right in front of his face and fed him delicious baked chicken. During the visit, Sobek stood pretty darn still as Dr. Florsheim inserted 20+ needles along his spine, around his healed ACL scar and along his rear.

Now, I’ve had acupuncture several times before and at least a third of inserted needles burn and hurt. Sobek was allowed to choose to participate and Dr. Florishem moved at his speed, which set Sobek up for success. He happily licked his food stuffed toy and gobbled baked chicken as the inserted needles were allowed to work their magic for 15 minutes. Now, that’s a success!

What I Experienced

Allow me to express my personal experience during a force-free exam. It was exhilarating and relaxing all rolled into one. Instead of worrying about Sobek jumping around, constantly moving, licking the vet’s face or tugging on the leash, I was free to enjoy the experience. If I weren’t so wrapped up in our calm vet visit, I would’ve taken a picture, but instead chose to be present during an eye-opening experience.

As a dog trainer and pet owner, I plead you to find a fear-free veterinary clinic. Not only will it change your dog’s life for the better, but you’ll also walk away proud your dog was a superhero! That’s the best feeling!

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How to Help Hand Shy Dogs

September 28, 2015 by Fanna Easter

Hand Shy Dogs: The Real Cause

When a dog is “hand shy,” he usually ducks his head away when someone tries to touch him. If you watch closely, it’s not only “hands” that cause some dogs to shrink back, but also anything in fast motion (e.g. falling leaves or closing doors). If you’re really paying attention to a dog’s body language, you’ll notice he moves away whenever someone walks toward him too.

There are a few things you can do to build your dog’s confidence and end ducking and weaving dogs. One easy exercise is to pair delicious dog treats with your hands. Pairing food with touch seems simple enough, but there are a few things you’ll need to know before teaching a scared dog that human touch is rewarding. If you understand why dogs become hand shy, it’ll make the process of teaching new dog behaviors much easier.

What Causes Hand Shy Dogs?

Fear, But Not Abuse

Let’s discuss fear for a moment. We’ll compare it to human emotions because analogies paint a clearer picture of dog behavior, as we can relate it with our own behavior. Believe it or not, fear is different than abuse.

Fear is powerful. It’s a vital response needed to protect ourselves when we feel threatened. It’s deep within our very being. It’s instinctual and, at times, we can’t control it. Some individuals struggle with fear more so than others–you probably know someone who makes everyday decisions based on fear.

These people will usually discourage themselves from trying new activities and make statements, such as, “I want to run track, but I might fall down” or “I would love to open a new business, but I’m afraid to fail.” Everyone has these fears, but some people feel fear on a deeper level. It’s like their fear volume knob is turned up higher than others. The same applies to dogs. Some dogs are much more fearful than others.

RELATED: How to Train Fearful Dogs

Abuse is different. It’s something that happens to us. It’s neither an instinct nor emotion. Now, abuse can certainly alter our perspective on certain matters, but we can either rebound or succumb to abuse. It’s all about how we deal with it. Could abuse destroy a deep-rooted fearful person? It depends. If an abused fearful person learns self-confidence and practices it daily with great results, I think he or she can certainly live a wonderful life. This applies to dogs as well.

Abuse is a Dangerous Label

Yes, I firmly believe people hide behind the label of abuse. It’s almost an excuse for failure and, worst of all, not even trying. Humans seek to understand our meaning in life and abuse is a thick security blanket to hide under. It halts our learning because we think we can’t do this or that since we’re abused. Or worse yet, someone does a terrible deed, but it’s excused because he was abused. Since dogs can’t talk, they’re labeled with abuse too.

When dog owners make excuses for their dogs, they ‘re holding them back from life. I’ve seen terrible animal abuse cases and 80 percent of these dogs seek human contact–almost like craving warmth from sunshine. If any dogs should hate humans, it should be these poor tortured dogs. However, they don’t shrink back in fear. They’re rebounding from abuse.

Common Symptoms of Fear

Reactivity, aggression and anxiety are symptoms of fear, which is important to understand before trying to change any behavior. Many times, people focus on changing reactive (balking, cringing, charging) behavior instead of the cause, which is fear. Dog owners punish aggression (growling, lunging, barking), which is never a good thing. Addressing only aggression is like treating a stuffy nose caused by the flu. It’s short-term, but you’re not addressing the real issue.

RELATED: Dog Aggression

Training Exercises to Help Hand Shy Dogs

Now that you have a deeper understanding of why your dog cringes when touched, you’re now able to troubleshoot along the way. I’ve split this process into small chunks because it’s impossible to learn everything at once. You and your dog will become overwhelmed and then ultimately frustrated and give up.

If your dog barks, lunges or growls at you or other people, it’s important to contact a veterinary behaviorist. These signs indicate your dog is extremely fearful and needs additional assistance.

Grab some super yummy treats, such as baked chicken, hot dogs or cheese, and cut into pea-sized bits. Next, you’ll need a clicker. If you’re new to clicker training or need a refresher, take a peak at Clicker Training 101.

During these exercises, never force your dog to interact with someone. It will most certainly make his fears worse. Instead, reward your dog for voluntarily walking toward you, engaging in your hand and happily standing still as someone touches him. Once your dog happily walks toward you, it’s time to reward him when you’re moving toward him.

Touch

Start slow and reward your dog as he moves toward you and touches your hand with his nose. You’ll click (or say “yes”) when you feel him touching your hand. If this is too much, then reward any forward movement toward you even a shift in body weight or a step forward. After your dog learns to touch your hand, move to the next exercise.

Collar Touch

Most dogs cringe when their collars are touched. They’ve learned that fun ends or they’re in trouble when their collars are touched. If you’re not comfortable with human touch and someone grabs your face or neck, you would cringe too. Click and treat as you’re moving your hand toward your dog, then reward him for letting you hold his collar. Move slowly. If he moves backwards, go back to rewarding hand movement toward his collar again.

Chin Rest

Teach your dog to rest his chin in your open hand. I save this one for last because it takes a lot of trust, which I’m sure you’ve already built during “touch” and “collar touch” games.

Always move at your dog’s speed. If he begins to regress, take a step back and build confidence.

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