Canine Cruciate Ligament Recovery

February 27, 2015 by Fanna Easter

Dog Harness for Cruciate Ligament Recovery

Having a large to medium dog tear or rupture his cruciate ligament is tough. Supporting his rear end and keeping him quiet is enough to make you crazy! Here’s a must-have harness for your dog, which protects his back while providing support during a canine cruciate ligament recovery regardless of chosen healing process.

Help’em Up Harness

This harness is amazing! It’s heavy duty with adjustable straps to fit any size dog (10-220lbs) and wide-padded handles, yet minimally invasive so what’s not to love? Help’em Up Harness is not only for cruciate ligament repairs, but also for senior dogs with limited mobility, hip repairs and basically any type of recuperation.

Help’em Up Harness contains two pieces: a front harness and rear harness (hip lift), which attaches in the middle. You can use the front harness alone. However, it’s recommended the hip lift harness be used in conjunction with the front harness for safety measures. Check out their website for sizing and fitting.

And yes, the boys have plenty of room to potty while wearing this harness! Some folks balk at the price. Personally, I don’t see any issue. It’s worth every penny. Plus, you can’t put a price on your back so dig in your pockets — you won’t regret shelling out your hard earned cash.

Uses for the Help’em Up Harness

Supports dog’s rear when encountering steps.
Prevents slips by steadying dog’s rear end during walks.
Slows down a large dog during rehab walks to prevent further injury.
Controls dog during hydrotherapy (underwater treadmill) as harness is made from neoprene, making it buoyant and comfortable.

My Personal Recommendation

Obviously, I really like this product a lot! This harness has helped steady and slow down Sobek (Rottweiler) during cruciate ligament repair and it seems really comfortable when worn. We don’t leave it on all the time. We take it off during naps and at night. Many years ago, I purchased a large Help’em Up Harness for Kira, my Bouvier. She was riddled with arthritis during her later years. This harness was perfect for lifting, steadying and guiding her during potty breaks and car rides. Plus, it saved my back.

More:
Cruciate Ligament Repair in Dogs
Preparing for Dog Cruciate Ligament Surgery
Dog Cruciate Ligament Surgery
Dog Harness

Teaching Your Dog to Wear a Cone

February 26, 2015 by Fanna Easter

How to Make Wearing a Cone Comfortable for Your Dog

All dogs, during their lifetimes, will need to wear a cone to protect a healing surgical site or wound. A cone, also known as an Elizabethan collar, keeps your dog from licking or gnawing a specific area. Don’t forget: healing wounds itch so who wouldn’t want to scratch it, right? So instead of wearing a cone of shame, make it into a party hat!

Make the Cone a Party Hat

Most dogs wake up after surgery wearing a plastic cone and do really well wearing it. Now, there are some dogs who hate it and even freak out while wearing it. So teach your dog that wearing his party hat is fun!

Practice each step several times a day. Move onto the next one once your dog performs the behavior 4 out of 5 times during a training session.

Step 1

Show your dog a plastic cone and click/treat when he looks or touches it. Practice 5 times and end training session.

Step 2

Lure your dog’s muzzle through the cone neck hole and click/treat. Practice 5 times and end training session. You’re not asking him to put his head through it yet. Move in baby steps. You can substitute a verbal “yes” in place of the click, as both hands are busy holding a cone and lure. 🙂

RELATED: Clicker Training for Dogs

Step 3

Lure your dog’s head through the cone and click/treat. Take off cone and practice 5 more times.

Step 4

While your dog is wearing his cone, click and treat every few seconds. You’re teaching him that wearing the cone makes treats happen.

Step 5

Always reward your dog with a yummy treat when putting on the cone. Once the cone is on, I provide a large food stuffed toy for him to lick. Place the toy in a corner so it’ll hold it in place. Remember, he can’t use his paws to hold it due to the cone so secure the food stuffed toy for him.

VIDEO: Teaching Your Dog to Wear a Cone

READ ALSO: My Dog Refuses to Move

3 Reasons Why You Need Non Slip Socks for Dogs

February 24, 2015 by Fanna Easter

Non Skid Socks for Dogs

Oh, there are so many ways non slip socks are useful. I could go on and on, but here are the top 3 reasons why you need grip socks for your dog! There are tons of options out there. However, I’ll share my favorite product with you.

Benefits of Non Slip Socks

Provides Traction

Non skid socks are perfect for senior and tri-pawed dogs needing an extra bit of traction when navigating slick surfaces, such as tile and hardwood floors. With arthritis, most senior dogs’ legs will splay out from underneath them. It’s difficult to bring their legs back under them so most fall to the ground. With non slip socks, they have traction, which prevents splaying even on slick surfaces.

Protects Hardwood Floors

Sometimes, no matter how trimmed your dog’s nails are, they still leave scratch marks on hardwood floors while running through the house. Grip socks prevent damage on hardwood floors while providing traction. It’s not fun when dogs slip and crash into your breakables. 🙂

Aids in Wound Healing

Personally, I’ve used non skid socks to aid in healing foot wounds. Wearing a sock prevents dogs from licking and irritating the wound further. I would much rather use these socks than force my dog to wear a neck cone. 🙂

Woodrow Wear Socks: My Personal Favorite

Woodrow Wear creates the best non slip socks that actually stays on your dog’s foot. They are washable, made of breathable cotton fabric and have a wide band that keeps the sock on your dog’s foot. Each sock contains non-skid pads, and they’re easy to take off or put on. Plus, Woodrow Wear socks will not turn or rotate, keeping the traction pad in place at the bottom of the foot if fitted properly. When choosing a size, I recommend sizing down, meaning choosing one size smaller than your dog’s foot, as they will stretch a bit.

WATCH: 3 Reasons Why You Need Non Skid Socks for Dogs

You may also like: Dog Tug Toy

How to Remove Dog Urine From Carpet

December 31, 2014 by Fanna Easter

Removing Dog Urine From Carpet

Dog Urine Carpet — Here are the best dog urine remover product recommendations!

If you share your home with a dog, or any pet really, you’ll encounter urine, feces or vomit. It’s part of it. 🙂 Next, you’ll have to find out how to remove dog urine. With so many products out there, which works best? I’ve gathered product recommendations from top dog trainers, breeders and show folks. See what products really work.

Nature’s Miracle

This product has been around for awhile and is highly recommended by top dog trainers. All products contain an effective bio enzyme cleaner, meaning not only will it remove the stain, but the enzymes will also remove odor. This prevents dogs from pottying in the spot again. Personally, I’ve added the Nature’s Miracle Orange Oxy Pet Stain Remover to our carpet cleaning machine, which really removed pet odors and left a clean orange scent behind. And I shared my home with four Bouviers. We have white carpet — what was I thinking?

As for removing old stains, it was okay. It works really well on fresh urine carpet spots, dog crates, dog laundry and messes on hardwood floors.

Biokleen Bac-Out Stain and Odor Removal

This is a newer product on the market, but highly recommended by seasoned dog people. So much so, I’m going to give this a try! Bac-Out contains a “blend of natural live enzyme cultures, citrus extracts and plant-based surfactants,” which is effective for removing odor and stains. This product is excellent for removing laundry stains (children or dog made), old urine, blood, vomit and fecal stains quickly.

Fizzion Pet Stain & Odor Remover

With an Amazon rating of 4.7 stars (244 reviews), I would say this is a pretty effective product! Fizzion Pet Stain & Odor Remover is another dog trainer favorite and highly recommended by professional car cleaning businesses. Plus it’s received glowing reviews from cat enthusiasts (now that means something!). This product is definitely worth a try! Not only will this product remove odor (using enzyme-based cleaners), it will also remove really tough cat odors (cat urine is the worst!). Add one tablet to 8 ounces of water. It works great in steam cleaners or on its own.

Folex Instant Carpet Stain Remover

Looking for a scent-free, yet effective stain remover? Try Folex! This product is water-based, “non-toxic, completely non-irritating to normal skin; non-flammable, contains no solvents of any kind; odor-free, no unpleasant chemicals; CFC and Petroleum Free” per Folex’s website. Plus, you can use this product on everything!

What is your favorite product to remove pet stains? The more we share, the less yellow spots we have to live with!

Calming Music for Dogs

December 8, 2014 by Fanna Easter

Dog Calming Classical Music

Dog Calming Music — Classical music works for dogs too!

As a dog trainer, I’m always looking for new things to calm anxious dogs, and I found a good one! My number fourth calming tip is to play classical music.

Why Classical Music?

I’m an old punk rock girl, and if you told me I would be listening to classical music 30 years ago, I’d scream, “I’ll never conform!” While, I maintain my anti-conformity streak, my mind craves classical music. Let me explain why.

Most classical music is rhythmic, meaning it has structure and you can predict the next beat. The most relaxing classical music has two or less instruments, which is easy for our brains to calmly follow. High pitched, miscellaneous drum or symbol beats can be unsettling. It’s sudden and jarring at times, which does not promote relaxation. Don’t believe me? Try meditating to rock, punk rock or jazz music instead of unwinding. You’ll be energized!

People are different. Some will respond to different types of classical music depending on instruments played. While I enjoy new age music, the piercing sounds of flutes will send me over the edge and will cause my dogs to howl. 🙂

Yes, classical music works for dogs!

Rhythmic classical music is relaxing for dogs also. I’ve seen it firsthand. During consults with anxious dogs, I’ll play classical music on my iPhone and watch both the dog and pet parents instantly calm.

When, How and at What Volume?

Play classical music when dogs are left alone. It’ll drown out sirens, barking dogs or construction sounds.
If your dog is anxious during car rides, you’ll see a decrease in your stress as well. 🙂
Be careful with the volume. Dogs’ hearing is much more pronounced than ours. Set at a low setting.

Check out my favorite dog classical music CD!

Which song or CD instantly calms you and your dog?