A Massage to Calm Hyperactive Dogs

November 14, 2016 by Fanna Easter

Calming a Hyperactive Dog Through Massage

Last week, I explained how to massage your dog. Immediately, several readers asked, “How and could you massage a hyperactive dog or puppy?” Of course! Each and every dog will benefit from massage, especially hyperactive and easily excited dogs. One of the best benefits of calming a hyperactive dog through massage is she learns how to self-settle in the process. 🙂

Here’s how to give your hyper or excited dog a massage.

Give Your Dog Something Else to Do

In the beginning, I recommend pairing something yummy with massage. This not only teaches your dog that massages make fun things happen, but it also keeps a wiggly dog calmly busy until she learns to relax. Dog treats should last several minutes, so I recommend filling and freezing a toy with yummy food or making a peanut butter plate.

Find a comfortable seating spot, such as the floor with a pillow under your bum. The moment you sit on the floor, your dog will bounce right up to you. Place the food stuffed toy or peanut butter plate on the ground and start slowly massaging your dog.

Start Massaging the Less Wiggly Part

As your dog enjoys her treat, start massaging your dog’s back or rear end. It’s a bit tough massaging her ears while she’s licking away at food, but you can certainly give it a try. If your dog bounces with excitement when you touch her, lightly place your hand on her chest or back, and hold it there for a few seconds. Now, move your hand slowly toward your dog’s rear end.

If your dog starts bouncing around again, remove your hand and wait until your dog settles down with her toy before trying again. Sometimes, slow petting can be too much for easily excited dogs, which is completely fine. Start and move slowly in the beginning.

Of course, if your dog is uncomfortable with you approaching or touching her with food around, I wouldn’t recommend a food stuffed toy. If this happens, check out this resource guarding article.

Take It Slow

For hyper dogs, massaging them slowly is key. For example, one massage stroke should last one second. Count “one Mississippi” silently as you’re gliding your massage hand across your dog’s shoulder, chest, neck or hind legs. For smaller dogs and smaller body areas, that means slowing down even more. Slow is good.

Rhythmic sounds and beats are calming, and that pertains to massage too. After completing a one-second massage glide, continue to silently count for another second as you lift up your hand and place it back down on your dog. Better yet, use your breath to count. As you exhale, massage your dog. When you inhale, pick up and reposition your hand. Slow rhythmic massage will calm hyper dogs.

If your dog raises her head, sits up or stands, that means your hands were moving too fast. Or it could simply mean your dog has had enough. She will probably find a nice comfy spot to relax post massage, and that’s a good thing! Keep massage sessions short at first, and soon your dog will become a massage junkie.

Set the Mood

Play calming music for dogs in the background like falling rain or soft classical music. Remember, slow rhythmic music is best. In a pinch, “Riders on the Storm” by The Doors works great. 🙂 Music will calm you too. If you’re calm and relaxed, your dog will follow suit.

Take a deep breath, especially when your hyper dog gets amped. You might be surprised at her calm reaction! Keep practicing. 🙂

How to Massage Your Dog

November 11, 2016 by Fanna Easter

Massaging Your Dog in 3 Steps

Massage is a wonderful modality if done slowly, purposefully and thoughtfully. Dogs benefit greatly from weekly massages. Another fabulous benefit of dog massages is you don’t have to be an expert in canine anatomy to give your dog a soothing massage. When massaging your dog, just remember to start slowly, apply light pressure, take deep breaths and pay attention to your dog’s body language.

Take a deep breath in and out and let’s get started.

1. Introduce Massage Slowly

If body massage is new to your dog, introduce the process slowly. While your dog is standing or sitting, rub both of his ears slowly and lightly. After a few minutes of massage, you’ll notice your dog starting to relax.

Relaxed dogs will close their eyes, sigh, pass gas, slide or flop onto the ground. All of these are good things! Once your dog is relaxed, slide your open hand (palm facing dog) along each side of his neck. Keep your hand flat and fingers close together and take long strokes slowly.

Now move over to your dog’s shoulders, front legs, chest, back (stay away from the spine) and back legs. Use long and slow strokes to cover large areas. If your dog allows it, stroke upward from his paws to his shoulders. Using your thumbs, lightly massage over and under your dog’s paws and wrists. Remember, long and slow strokes are very soothing, so slow yourself down if needed.

2. Apply Light Pressure

While massaging your dog, use enough pressure to move your dog’s skin, but not too much that you move his muscles. This technique is called a Swedish massage, and it’s the most popular and requested variety by massage therapists.

Deep tissue massage has a specific purpose, but it can be painful, especially over trigger points. It’s best to leave this type of massage to canine massage experts because this requires a thorough understanding of canine anatomy.

Watch your dog’s body language closely when giving him a massage. If he pulls away, lifts his head or sits up, you’re probably using too much pressure or moving too fast. Take a deep breath, slow down and focus on your dog’s ears again if this happens. Continue to take deep breaths while massaging your dog. Breathing keeps you both relaxed, which is an important part of massage.

3. Use Rhythmic Movement

Pressure is important and so is hand movement during a massage. Lightly place both hands on your dog and keep them on your dog’s body while you’re massaging him. Having both hands on your dog prevents him from becoming startled when you touch with your massaging hand. Plus, it keeps him grounded.

Place your non-massaging hand on your dog’s chest or flank while your massaging hand moves back and forth. As you’re moving down your dog’s body to continue massaging, glide your non-massaging hand downward instead of picking it up and placing it.

A great dog massage technique is to use rhythmic movement. Our brain understands and follows a predictable rhythmic sound or touch. Rain falling, a bubbling stream and soothing music all have one thing in common: predictable rhythmic sounds.

When giving your dog a massage, use your breathing to count each massage stroke. As you exhale, move your hand across your dog’s body. When you inhale, lift your massaging hand up to reposition before completing another stroke.

Dog Massage Benefits

Oh, the benefits of massaging your dog are unlimited! Massage relaxes and reduces fearful behavior in dogs. Easily excited and highly energetic dogs learn how to self-settle and relax when massaged. Massage also alleviates pain after surgery and provides immense pain relief for arthritic dogs.

During a massage, you’re able to fully examine your dog’s body for any lumps, bumps and abnormalities. And it’s true, regular massage increases circulation and removes toxins from the body. Even better is massage deepens the bond between you and your dog, and that’s priceless.

Massage your dog today. You’ll both learn to unwind, relax and breathe deeply together.

What to Do When Leaving Your Dog Alone

November 9, 2016 by Fanna Easter

Tips for Leaving Your Dog Alone

Leaving Your Puppy Alone for 8 Hours — Please don’t leave.
humonia/iStock

Oh oh, the suitcase is out. Now your dog knows you’re leaving.

It’s amazing how quickly dogs understand very subtle cues that indicate you’re leaving for vacation, work, errands or outdoors to check the mail. Next time your dog looks worried when you’re reaching for your car keys, try these dog training tips to positively change his behavior.

Pair Goods Things With Leaving

The first tip for leaving your dog alone for 8 hours is to pair good things with the action of you leaving. When we pair good things in certain situations, we teach dogs that good things happen during those situations. Think about it this way: if you’re waiting for a server to bring you a glass of wine at a restaurant, you become frustrated if it takes long. But if your server offers complimentary appetizers while you wait, it’s not so bad. Now, what if it rains $100 bills while you wait? That’s even better! You learn that waiting patiently is a good thing. 🙂

As pet owners, it’s our job to find what our dogs absolutely love! This is the first step to positively changing your dog’s behavior. Once we find it, it’s time to pair good things with leaving your dog home. Check out these examples of good things that can be paired with the action of you leaving:

Kong filled with layers of baked chicken and peanut butter
Canned food stuffed inside an interactive toy that’s been frozen overnight
Fetch with your partner
Sprinkled kibble along a huge area rug

But, How Does Your Dog Know You’re Leaving?

This next step takes a bit of detective work. While getting ready for work, watch your dog’s body language. It’s important to find which action cues your dog that you’re leaving him alone. While you assume grabbing your car keys is a cue, trust me, your dog knew way beforehand—just like getting out the suitcase is a dead giveaway.

To successfully change your dog’s behavior when you leave for work or vacation, it’s important to find the very first cue that tips your dog off. Does your dog’s face change when you’re taking a shower, running the water for your shower, combing your hair, putting out your work clothes or moving quickly around the house? My dog knows something is up the moment I touch my hair straightener. 🙂

Once you’ve figured out exactly what cues your dog that you’re leaving, it’s time to pair good things with that cue.

RELATED: Separation Anxiety in Dogs

Reiterate That Good Things Happen When You Leave

It’s important to pair something good with your “I’m leaving home” cue. As you touch your hair straightener, take a shower or put on cologne, give your dog a food stuffed toy to enjoy. If another person plans to stay home while you’re away, ask him or her to play ball with your dog outdoors. This keeps your dog happily distracted and busy with something they love.

Good things shouldn’t stop there though. Toss your dog another food stuffed toy as you’re heading out the door too. This further pairs good things with you leaving home. After a game of fetch, your family member can toss your dog a food stuffed toy to enjoy afterwards. This prevents your dog from wandering around the house looking for you. If this seems like a lot of food, split your dog’s daily meals into frozen food stuffed treats. Now, you can head off to work guilt-free. 🙂

Pair Goods Things 95% of the Time

To be effective, good things must happen often during stressful times. If it doesn’t happen often enough, it won’t work. Keep frozen food stuffed toys in the freezer for easy access. Give your dog a delicious bully stick to enjoy while you’re getting ready for work. When it’s time to head out the door and leave your dog alone, trade the bully stick for a food stuffed toy and voila! Aim to pair good things about 95% of the time.

Now, it’s time to change your behavior too. The moment you feel a tinge of guilt develop in the pit of your tummy, picture your dog happily playing or licking a yummy food toy. 🙂

How to Help a Dog With Arthritis Naturally

November 8, 2016 by Fanna Easter

9 Natural Arthritis Treatments for Dogs

Arthritis is painful, and a common cause of major discomfort for dogs. Arthritis in dogs can happen at any age. Dogs usually develop arthritis later in life, but younger dogs can get it too.

Sobek, my 4-year-old Rottweiler, recently developed moderate arthritis in his right wrist. After playing ball outside, we noticed he was limping significantly. After a thorough vet exam the following day, we were shocked at his arthritis diagnosis. Sobek was crate rested for a week while taking anti-inflammatories. He improved, but not completely, so we added natural arthritis treatments for dogs to his routine. Now, he’s medication free and doing amazing!

Thankfully, I discovered 9 arthritis treatments that really worked for my dog. A few of these arthritis treatments for dogs I had known and some I discovered to be powerful natural arthritis treatments. One thing I did notice is it takes a combination of these treatments to be effective.

1. Fish & Hemp Oil

Hemp and fish oil have natural anti-inflammatory properties that greatly reduce arthritis pain. Instead of using just hemp or fish oil, I recommend using both for greater impact. When adding oils to your dog’s diet, start slowly to prevent an upset tummy and loose stool. My 115-pound Rottie ingests ¾ teaspoon of fish oil and 15 hemp oil drops per day. I mix them into his food and stir.

Ask your holistic vet for recommended therapeutic doses based on your dog’s weight and arthritic diagnosis.

2. Highly Digestible Glucosamine

The key is finding glucosamine that’s highly digestible. Our vet recommends Glyco Flex III chews and MegaFlex powder by Rx Vitamins For Pets, both of which I give to Sobek. Glyco Flex III contains glucosamine, green-lipped mussel and MSM. MegaFlex contains highly digestible forms of glucosamine, MSM, sea cucumber and vitamin C.

If your dog is experiencing an arthritic flare-up, try doubling the dosage per manufacturer directions for a couple of weeks. For example, Sobek’s ingesting 2500mgs of glucosamine daily per my vet’s suggestion.

3. Fresh Diet

We are what we eat, and that pertains to dogs as well. A diet of raw or cooked vegetables, fruits and meat is always best. Check out this article on creating a fresh homemade diet for your dog. If you decide to feed your dog kibble, choose high quality dog food with a specific protein listed as the first ingredient.

4. Healthy Weight

Oh, this is a big one! Keeping your dog at a healthy weight is so important. It’s amazing how fast extra pounds can add up. All those extra pounds put additional strain on arthritic joints, which causes further damage and more pain. Ask your vet to assess your dog’s weight and provide a weight goal. Remember, treats are calories too, so choose low fat varieties. Sobek lost 5 pounds, which really helped his arthritic wrist.

5. Daily Low Impact Exercise

Move it or lose it is another common and very true statement. Once Sobek’s pain was controlled, we started walking around the neighborhood. Sobek is able to move at his own pace while allowed plenty of sniffing opportunities. Start with 10-minute walks per day and slowly add 1-2 minutes per week.

If your dog is in pain, ask your vet for a physical therapy referral. Most canine physical therapists recommend exercising your dog in an underwater treadmill. This modality provides very low impact and works wonders! Now, there’s a major difference between swimming and using an underwater treadmill. If your dog panics or hates swimming, he will further damage his joints. Discuss with your vet first.

6. Regular Chiropractic Adjustments

Regular chiropractic adjustments will reduce your dog’s pain while preventing additional wear and tear of joints. Immediately after a chiro adjustment, Sobek was able to move easier, had more range of motion, seemed less in pain and literally slept for two days. This was a game-changer for Sobek, so I highly recommend searching for a holistic veterinarian certified in canine chiropractic care.

7. Bone Broth

This was another game-changer too! Every day, Sobek drinks one cup of bone broth, which has most certainly reduced his arthritic pain. Bone broth is rich in calcium, glucosamine and collagen. Not only does bone broth help arthritic joints, but it helps chronic tummy issues too. Learn how to make homemade bone broth here.

8. Massage

Everyone loves a good massage—even your dog! Massaging muscles around painful joints will reduce inflammation and pain immensely. Start by slowly gliding your flattened hand along the area and applying light pressure. Place warm compresses over areas in pain while massaging other limbs used to support that area. When in doubt, ask your vet exactly where you should massage your dog.

9. Physical Therapy

If your dog’s pain isn’t improving, ask your veterinarian for a physical therapy referral. Canine physical therapists work with your dog, you and your vet to develop and implement a plan to reduce your dog’s pain and prevent further joint damage. I’ve watched miracles happen with physical therapists, so it’s definitely worth it.

Partner with your veterinarian to make the best decisions for your dog. Remember, it takes a combination of natural remedies to provide the most impact. Please share what’s worked for your dog below!

6 Ridiculous, Yet Common Dog Myths Dispelled

November 4, 2016 by Fanna Easter

Dog Myths Dispelled: Know Your Dog Facts

You’ve heard these dog myths before, I’m sure. Every pet owner has encountered myths about dogs from well meaning animal lovers, and it’s time to dispel these dog myths. While growing up in South Louisiana, people would say that feeding a dog gunpowder will make them mean. Um, no. It will make them sick; not aggressive.

Believe it or not, I heard these 6 ridiculous dog myths this week and I’m here to debunk them.

Giving Your Dog Human Food Will Cause Begging Behavior

via GIPHYFalse. Giving your dog “people” food won’t cause your dog to beg. Now, giving your dog food (even his own kibble) from your dinner plate or the dining room table will teach your dog to beg.

Think about it this way: If someone hands out cupcakes or $10 bills by the toilet, you would hang around the toilet if you like cupcakes and money. In a nutshell, if good things happen in specific areas, your dog will learn to hang out there. Instead of handing your dog food tidbits from the dinner table, give your dog a food-filled Kong in his crate. That way, you can enjoy your meal and your dog learns that dog crates mean peanut butter Kongs (a good thing!).

Your Dog’s Warm Nose Means He’s Sick

via GIPHYNope, this is false too. Your dog’s nose reacts to the temperature or humidity and not illness. Dogs’ noses will look and feel warm, especially after a long nap. If your dog acts differently, hides in another room, refuses to eat or drink, limps, vomits, or has loose stool, then he’s probably sick.

Dogs Eat Grass Because They Have Worms

via GIPHYFalse. Dogs eat grass because they like it, especially young green grass that grows during springtime. When dogs eat grass, it’s best to keep them outdoors for a few more minutes, as most will vomit afterwards. If you notice worms in your dog’s poop or around his anus, then it’s time for a vet visit.

Humping Dogs are Seeking Dominance

via GIPHYThis is false too. Humping is a normal part of play behavior; it has nothing to do with dominance. When playing, each dog has his or her own specific play style. Some dogs pull ears, others grab another dog’s hocks and some dogs hump. If the humpee feels uncomfortable, he moves away and the humper learns to change his play style or no one will play with him.

Allow Dogs to Work It Out

via GIPHYBeyond false. Never allow dogs to work it out, ever. Allowing dogs to work it out will teach dogs to fight it out. If one dog is bullying another dog and the scared dog is unable to get away, he will fight to get away. This is called fight or flight behavior. If you’re unable to leave a scary situation, then you’ll fight to get away. When in doubt, interrupt or prevent your dog’s behavior and consult an experienced positive reinforcement dog trainer.

Dogs Run Through Doorways First to Show Dominance

via GIPHYNope, this is false too. Dogs run through doorways first because they weren’t taught differently. It has nothing to do with dominance. If you’re walking toward a doorway, such as the back door, your dog runs through the door because he wants to go outside. That’s it, I promise. Now, it’s the pet owner’s job to teach a dog to wait at the door. This prevents dogs from running out and getting hurt.

What’s the craziest dog myth you’ve ever heard? I promise I won’t laugh. I may giggle a bit, but won’t laugh.