Natural Ways To Dispose Of Dog Poop

June 23, 2017 by Fanna Easter

What to Do With Dog Poop

Dog poop. It’s part of sharing our homes with dogs. No one likes to talk about it unless his dog poops in the house, but it’s important to discuss given that there are 60 million homes in the US that have dogs.

So, what should you do with a backyard full of dog poop? Most pet owners throw it away in the trash, or mow over it hoping it disappears into the dirt. If you’re trying to figure out what to do with dog poop, try these easy and natural ideas for disposing it.

Dog Septic Tank

The idea of using a dog septic tank is a highly controversial solution for discarding dog poop. Many experts feel dog poop septic tanks can contaminate waterways and that landfills are the only way to dispose of dog poop. Other experts believe dog septic systems are a natural and “green” way of disposing fecal matter that also minimizes landfill space. With little data to support either side, setting up a dog septic system becomes a personal preference.

If you share your home with one or two dogs, or have several small dogs, then installing a dog poop septic system just might work for you. Dog poop septic tanks are available online. To install a dog septic tank, dig a hole and fit the plastic container inside it.

There’s also a DIY version for handy pet owners who don’t want to spend a couple hundred dollars (the good ones cost about $200). Once installed, continue to add a steady supply of enzymes (available at home improvement stores) to help break down your dog’s fecal matter. Dog poop will break down faster in warmer climates, so adjust the amount of enzymes as needed for your area.

Poop Scooping Business

One thing is for sure and that’s ignoring dog poop doesn’t work. Dog poop attracts unwanted insects, it stinks and no one wants a poopy shoe. If you’re busy and you don’t want to worry about safely disposing of your dog’s poop, then hire a dog poop scooping business to pick up dog poop for you.

These businesses offer weekly, bi-weekly and monthly yard cleanup. Plus, they can address urine lawn burns. These folks are professional and disinfect between homes to minimize any cross-contamination. Many pet owners are thrilled with this service and highly recommend it, so this is certainly an option for disposing of dog poop.

Landfills

One thing is for sure, it’s best to pick up and remove dog fecal matter daily. Pick up your dog’s poop during walks, and mostly importantly, pick up fecal matter from your backyard, regardless of your dog’s size. Dog feces attracts bugs, it stinks and it can resemble appetizers for some dogs, especially if undigested particles are present. Pick up and dump fecal matter into a bag, and dispose during weekly garage pickup.

How do you dispose of your dog’s poop?

How The Delta Air Lines Incident Could Have Been Prevented

June 21, 2017 by Fanna Easter

Man Attacked By Emotional Support Dog

Emotional Support Dog Attacks Passenger — bychykhin/Adobe Stock

On June 4, an emotional support dog attacked an Alabama man inside a Delta Air Lines plane prior to takeoff.

When Mr. Jackson boarded the plane to take his assigned seat, he found Mr. Mundy sitting in the middle seat with his 4-year-old chocolate lab-pointer mix on his lap. Immediately after Jackson took his window seat, the emotional support dog started growling at him.

Shortly after, the approximately 50-pound dog lunged at Jackson and started biting his face. Mundy, a military service member, tried to pull his emotional support animal off from Jackson, but failed. Jackson received severe lacerations and 28 stitches.

Mundy was re-assigned to another flight, but with his emotional support animal in the kennel that time.

Why This is So Tragic

This incident could’ve been prevented. However, with loose emotional support animal laws and regulations, it’s easier said than done.

Service Dogs vs. Emotional Support Animals

Service dogs and emotional support animals are completely different. It’s so important to land this point. Service dogs are specifically trained to perform a function for a person with a disability. Emotional support dogs have minimal training.

Honestly, the level of training emotional support dogs have are equivalent to everyday pets living with their family. Many pet owners enroll their dogs as fake emotional support animals online so they can fly with their dogs on a plane at no cost.

Mundy’s dog should have never been put in that situation. He wasn’t trained for it. Dogs bite when they’re scared, and obviously that situation was too stressful for this dog.

Usually, airlines place service and emotional support dogs in the first row, so a large dog has room to lie down and move around. Allowing a 50-lb lab-pointer mix to sit in his pet owner’s lap during a flight is ludicrous. But who is to blame? We don’t know the full details yet.

Airlines

Let’s look at this situation from an airline’s perspective. They were following the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) pertaining to service dogs. These laws are very strict, but there’s a huge gray area that is not discussed in the ADA regulations—and that’s emotional support animals.

Until emotional support dogs are addressed, airlines will continue to assume all dogs are fully trained to follow service dog requirements. As a result, service and emotional support animals, regardless of size, are allowed to fly on a plane unconfined for free.

Military Service Member

Many veterans suffer from post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and bring a service dog into their homes for comfort and to perform specific tasks. It’s unknown why this military service member was assigned or purchased an emotional support dog, but I’m sure there’s a reason.

So many veterans become extremely attached to their new canine friend because there’s no judgment—just pure unconditional love. Folks with disabilities tend to purchase service dogs and emotional support animals for $20,000 per dog, which is usually fund-raised.

Unfortunately, there’s no training standard for an emotional support animal, so it’s a potluck what type of training each dog receives. Most reputable service dog organizations have a long waiting line for dogs while minimally trained dogs are always available (which is a red flag). Unless you’re in the dog training industry, it’s easy to believe slick marketing claims. Without a doubt, Mundy will fear for his emotional support dog’s fate when lawsuits ensue.

The Gap: Dog Trainer?

Nothing was mentioned about the dog trainer or organization that trained this service member’s emotional support dog. Maybe this dog never received formal training at all, or was trained by a novice dog trainer. As a professional dog trainer, I’m not blaming the dog trainer by any means, but I seriously wonder why a dog was put into this situation if he wasn’t ready.

What You Can Do

If you need an emotional support animal, only acquire a highly trained dog from a reputable organization. Refrain from training your own emotional support dog because it’s impossible. Only experienced service dog trainers are able to equip both pet owner and dog for extreme situations that are common for emotional support dogs.

If You’re Going To Feed Your Dog Raw Bones, Feed This Kind

June 16, 2017 by Fanna Easter

Raw Bones for Dogs

Raw dog food diets are certainly a huge trend in the pet world now, and rightly so. Many pet owners attest raw diets have cured canine allergies and even held back cancer, affording dogs a longer life. When feeding dogs a raw food diet, it’s important they consume raw meaty bones—but this is where many pet owners and pet professionals disagree.

As someone who’s provided raw bones for dogs for more than a decade, I do think raw dog food diets work for dogs that tolerate them. With that said, I’m a nervous wreck when it comes to feeding my dogs raw bones. Here’s what I do to minimize fractured teeth, obstructions and the obsession that my dogs might have bits of undigested bones in their stool. And yes, my dogs thrive on their raw diets!

Best Raw Bones for Dogs

I feed raw meaty bones instead of raw bones. Feeding your dog too many raw bones can cause constipation while raw meaty bones provide the perfect balance of meat-to-bone ratio. Never ever feed your dog cooked bones. Once bones are cooked, they lose their moisture and can cause obstructions. Raw meaty bones should be 50% of your dog’s daily meal unless otherwise advised by your holistic veterinarian.

If you’re a nervous pet owner like myself, try feeding your dog raw chicken wings. They’re easy for most dogs to chew and swallow, and the bones are smaller than rib bones, chicken thighs and chicken backs. For large dogs that swallow chicken wings whole, try giving them turkey wings instead.

What If You’re Scared to Feed Raw Meaty Bones?

Don’t worry; I’m the same way. Once, my large Rottweiler ate an entire chicken back and pooped tiny, undigested bones the next day. I freaked out and swore I would never do it again ever. While many raw dog feeders laughed at my reaction, I learned to grind up raw bones for my dogs. 🙂 I feel much better about feeding my dogs raw bones, and their teeth are gleaming white now too!

Grind Up Raw Bones

For pet owners who make their dog’s raw meals, it’s best to grind raw bones in a heavy-duty grinder. Just toss in chicken backs, turkey necks, wings and so forth, then grind away. Mix your ground-up bones into your dog’s veggie mixture and voila!

If cleaning a raw food grinder is not your cup of tea, then you can purchase ground meat and bones from pet food companies. Most small pet stores offer these pre- ground mixtures with the perfect meat-to-bone ratio. Also, many raw pet food companies have local distributors within your area, so contact them for delivery dates (usually once a month).

Calcium Supplement

Dogs need calcium, which they can get from raw bones. However, if you omit raw bones, then you must include a calcium supplement to your dog’s raw or cooked meals. Dogs need to eat a balanced diet, and calcium is an important aspect of that.

Try feeding your dog raw bones. You’ll be shocked at the difference in your dog!

From a Dog Trainer: Most Comfortable Dog Harness

June 12, 2017 by Fanna Easter

Ruffwear Front Range Harness Review

As a professional dog trainer, I tend to focus on dog training equipment. One such equipment every dog needs is a comfortable dog harness.

With that said, dogs shouldn’t wear one every day, but they should wear a comfortable harness to vet visits, on walks and so forth.

In this post, we’ll review my favorite dog harness: the Ruffwear Front Range Harness. Read on to learn why I’m completely in love with this harness!

Adjustable Fit

An easily adjustable dog harness, with multiple adjustment points, is the secret to a well fitting harness. With so many different dog breeds, including mixed breeds and dogs with wide chests, having an adjustable harness with wide straps is vital.

The Ruffwear Front Range Harness is not only adjustable, but it also has a large collar area. This prevents the harness from riding up or restricting a dog’s airway. Also, all straps can be easily unbuckled, so you don’t have to push your dog’s legs into the harness.

Super Comfy

The soft foam padding around the shoulder and chest area makes this dog harness very comfortable. For the most part, the majority of pressure is applied on and around a dog’s shoulder and chest during walks. This prevents chaffing, especially for short-coated dogs with little or no hair.

In addition, each adjustable strap gives and takes as a dog pulls, or moves around, which prevents chaffing and rubbing too.

Doesn’t Restrict Shoulder Movement

So many well-intended harnesses restrict a dog’s shoulder movement due to straps positioned right behind a dog’s front legs. This strap placement coupled with a strap wrapped around the front part of a dog’s chest makes it difficult for a dog to fully extend his forelimbs when walking, trotting or running. When shoulder movement is restricted, this puts pressure on the rest of a dog’s body, which can cause issues later on.

Plus, straps positioned this way will rub and chaff behind a dog’s front legs, which is extremely painful and can happen within minutes of a walk. The Front Range Harness allows plenty of room between a dog’s forelimbs, so dogs are able to use their full range of motion.

Great for Pulling Dogs

For the most part, I’ve stayed away from non-training harnesses because most dogs pull on leash. Seriously though, what’s fun about walking a pulling freight train down the road?

Many pet owners use front attachment training harnesses for strong pulling dogs, but these dog harnesses restrict a dog’s movement. Ruffwear’s Front Range Harness combines comfort, security and a secure front attachment that prevents dogs from pulling while on leash—hurray!

Super Secure

Sometimes, dogs will learn specific ninja moves, so they can flip and twist right out of their harness, which is scary. Ruffwear’s harness has multiple adjustable attachments that should fit snuggly.

Loose harnesses will chaff, and dogs can easily escape them, so ensure your dog’s harness is adjusted correctly.

Give this comfortable dog harness a try, and tell them Dog Training Nation sent you!

WATCH: Most Comfortable Dog Harness Review

Is Your Dog Bored?

May 26, 2017 by Fanna Easter

Bored Dog: Symptoms and Solutions

Signs of a Bored Dog — Patryk Kosmider/Adobe Stock

Most dogs are bored, especially if they’re left home alone while their pet owners work all day. For the most part, dog boredom behavior resembles excessive behaviors because bored dogs are trying to expel excess energy.

Being bored is not a good thing for dogs, and most don’t appreciate it like humans. Think of a bored child; that’s how a bored dog feels. If your dog displays these bored dog behaviors, check out the following boredom busting solutions!

Signs of a Bored Dog

1. Excessive Barking

Easily, excessive barking is the most common behavior of bored dogs. Most pet owners assume dogs bark to protect their property, but that’s not exactly true. Bored dogs look for something to do, and barking is an easy outlet.

Excessive barking can happen anywhere, but it most commonly happens when dogs are left alone in backyards or inside their homes. Bored dogs will bark at anything—even at noises a half-mile away or falling leaves (this is quite common). Dogs left indoors usually sit on windowsills barking at anything and everything that passes by.

Many pet owners assume barking is a good thing; it gives their dogs something to do and keeps intruders out. But excessive barking teaches dogs to bark to make things go away. As a self-enforcing behavior, barking provides some type of satisfaction to a dog. Think about it this way: When a dog barks, it makes a squirrel run away, mail deliverer leave or jogger disappear.

Barking is a slippery slope, and it can become a habit rather quickly. Your dog will eventually learn to bark aggressively to make something scary go away, such as house guests or the veterinary staff, which isn’t a good thing.

2. Destructive Behavior

When dogs are bored, they’re looking for something to do. Your drapes, pillows, bedding, toilet paper, kitchen counters and trash cans are all fair game. So often, pet owners return home to a living room filled with pillow stuffing and an exhausted dog snoozing right next to it. If this happens, just pick up the pillow stuffing and vow to provide boredom busters to your dog daily.

Never get angry. It’s just confusing to your dog, and remember dogs do not feel guilt. Rather, dogs are freaked out by your angry behavior. Channel your dog’s pillow popping energy toward something else. 🙂

RELATED: Is Your Dog Confused?

Boredom Busters for Dogs

Daily physical exercise and mental enrichment are key boredom busters for dogs. Mental enrichment is just as important as physical exercise, so choose three boredom busters from the list below and provide daily. For maximum benefits, rotate between each boredom buster to keep your dog busy while you’re away.

10 Boredom Busters

Feed all meals inside of a Kong (freeze to last longer). Toss food stuffed toys as you leave for work.
Fill puzzle toys with high value treats.
Walk your dog for 30 minutes. Hire a pet sitter if needed.
Play fetch.
Practice dog training skills (e.g. touch, down, sit, loose leash walking, come when called, etc.) once you return home from work.
Grab a few boxes and toss treats inside one. Nose games are exhausting and fun and a great way for dogs to find their dinner.
Once home, play tug for 20 minutes.
Have fun with a flirt pole. A flirt pole mimics a running squirrel. This is a great activity for late afternoons.
Before leaving for work, toss a handful of high value treats in the yard (or high pile rug). Your dog will have to hunt for each kibble.
Take your dog on a car ride.

Give your dog something to do, so he doesn’t find his own boredom busters!

« Previous Page
1
…
5
6
7
8
9
…
55
Next Page »