An Overview Of Hemp Oil For Dogs

February 24, 2017 by Fanna Easter

Hemp Oil for Dogs

With states steadily legalizing marijuana each year, the popularity of cannabidiol (CBD) oil is exploding. And when human health trends become popular, they spill over into the pet industry. People are striving to live longer, and naturally they want their pets to live longer too.

Today, hemp CBD oil for dogs is a popular health item in the pet industry. With promises of reduced anxiety, decrease in seizures, pain relief and anti-inflammatory benefits, it’s hard to ignore the benefits of hemp oil for dogs. But does it work? Which hemp oil brand works best?

While studies haven’t caught up with the hemp oil craze yet, many pet owners are seeing positive results.

Why is Hemp Oil So Popular Now?

In an effort to tap into the cannabis popularity craze, many companies are tapping into hemp CBD oil. Because marijuana is not legalized in all states, companies are touting the effects of hemp oil, which is a variety of cannabis and made from hemp seeds. Hemp has been grown for hundreds of years, yet hemp oil benefits are finally gaining recognition due to the recent cannabis craze.

RELATED: Can Dogs Be Vegan?

Hemp Oil vs. Cannabis Oil

Somehow, hemp oil and cannabis oil are used interchangeably, which causes consumer confusion. Hemp oil is different than cannabis oil (marijuana). Hemp oil contains tiny traces of tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), which is a psychoactive property. Cannabis oil, on the other hand, contains large doses of THC. This oil is made from flowers, leaves and hemp stalks of the marijuana plant, contributing to its high THC level (Hemp Oil Vs CBC Oil, 2014).

It’s important to note that cannabis oil is illegal in most states. While there are wild claims about CBD oils, it’s always best to partner with a qualified holistic veterinarian on which oil works best for your dog.

Benefits of Hemp Oil for Dogs

Hemp oil has found a firm spot within the pet industry due to its nutritional value. Hemp oil is loaded with omega-3 fatty acids, omega-6 fatty acids, protein and antioxidants. While it’s tempting to replace fish oil with hemp oil, both fats work very well together and provide a powerful punch against inflammation.

Testimonials from numerous pet owners claim hemp oil has reduced pain in canine cancer patients, decreased their dogs’ seizure episodes and reduced anxiety in dogs. Adding hemp oil to your dog’s diet is definitely something to think about, so ask your veterinarian first.

Choosing a Hemp Oil

As with any supplement, ensure the product you choose is tested by independent labs for potency. Searching for hemp oil online is daunting. Consumers are bombarded with hemp and cannabis oils claiming miracles and low prices. How to choose the best hemp oil for dogs? Ask your holistic veterinarian for hemp oil brand recommendations. My holistic veterinarian recommends Hemp RX, which is made from the entire hemp plant and produced by RX Vitamins for Pets.

Both of my dogs have been taking hemp oil for the past 9 months now, and their coats and eyes gleam. Hemp RX is only available through veterinarians, and it’s quite expensive at $95 per bottle.

Within the dog training world, Treatibles treats and oils are highly recommended by veterinary behaviorists. Treatibles infuses CBD and hemp oil into yummy treats. They recently expanded their line to include hemp oils too. Check out their website, grab a tissue and scroll through their numerous testimonials.

Giving Hemp Oil to Dogs

Hemp oil dosage varies, depending on a dog’s body weight and hemp oil brand. When in doubt, start low. Most hemp oil brands recommend 0.5 – 1mg of hemp oil per 10 pounds of body weight. Our holistic veterinarian recommended a higher dosage than most brands; however, our dogs are under the care of a veterinarian. When in doubt, seek medical advice if lower doses aren’t benefiting your dog.

Feeding dogs hemp oil is pretty easy. Give your dog hemp oil-infused treats or sprinkle drops of hemp oil on top of your dog’s meals every day.

Traditional Chinese Medicine For Dogs

February 17, 2017 by Fanna Easter

Traditional Chinese Medicine Overview

Traditional Chinese Medicine For Dogs — Roland Gruenewald/Adobe Stock

Before modern medicine existed, an ancient form of medicine was readily practiced worldwide. Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) has been around for thousands of years and originated in China. In a nutshell, TCM focuses on bringing the body back into harmony, which prevents illness from occurring.

Interestingly, you can find TCM practices worldwide. Bits and pieces have been sprinkled into different cultures, and most TCM practices are known as remedies and old wives’ tales. TCM is more than superstition. Science is proving that Chinese herbs, medicines and acupuncture really do prevent and treat ailments and illnesses even in dogs.

Check out our Traditional Chinese Medicine veterinarian’s series on TCM for dogs. Dr. Mittner explains Traditional Chinese Medicine simply.

What is Traditional Chinese Medicine for Dogs?

Energy flows through a dog’s body, just like our own, in harmony. Sometimes, this energy becomes disrupted due to stress, change in temperature or change in climate. When a dog’s body is in disharmony, pet owners will notice their dogs seeking a cool or warm place to lie down. Some dogs will drink excessively, cough, seem unsettled or act oddly. This is disharmony within the body. Depending on a dog’s imbalance and element sign, TCM practitioners use Chinese herbs and acupuncture to bring the body back into balance.

My Experience With Traditional Chinese Medicine

While Traditional Chinese Medicine might sound a bit bizarre and “woo-woo,” it’s the real deal. For years, I assumed TCM was a complimentary modality filled with superstition and folklore. Oh, was I proven wrong quickly. Personally, TCM has helped my chronic back issues and anxiety immensely.

As for TCM and dogs, during an acupuncture session, I’ve witnessed my dog’s appetite bounce back within seconds after his first round of chemotherapy. Additionally, my personal dogs and clients’ dogs found tremendous relief from anxiety.

Benefits of Chinese Acupuncture

While personal testimonials work, scientific proof is better. Scientific data provides proof to science-based clinicians that Traditional Chinese Medicine does work for dogs. Many veterinary oncologists today are seeking acupuncture certification due to its benefits on their clients. After chemotherapy, acupuncture can bring the body back into harmony, improving appetite and well-being.

Does Your Dog Need TCM?

All dogs are susceptible to changes in their environment, and stress is a major cause of imbalance. If your dog is anxious, your dog is acting differently, you’ve moved recently, you’ve added another dog to your household or your dog has a chronic illness, it’s worth a trip to a holistic veterinarian or Traditional Chinese Medicine practitioner.

[perfectpullquote align=”right” cite=”” link=”” color=”” class=”” size=””]TCM should be used with modern medicine.[/perfectpullquote]

As a dog trainer, many of my clients have noticed their dogs’ anxiety and stress greatly reduce once TCM practices were added to their behavior protocol. It’s important to understand, TCM isn’t a cure-all for all illnesses or ailments. TCM should be used with modern medicine.

How to Find a TCM Practitioner

Finding a Traditional Chinese Medicine practitioner can be challenging, but worth the effort. Our beloved Chinese medicine veterinarian is currently studying for her master’s degree at Chi Institute. When searching for a TCM practitioner, expect to drive a couple of hours, as many are located in larger cities. Once a Chinese medicine vet examines your dog and creates a protocol, he or she can directly ship needed supplements and Chinese herbs to your home.

If searching for acupuncture, you may find acupuncture certified general practice veterinarians in your area. You can also ask your chosen Chinese medicine practitioner for local acupuncture recommendations. Check out a few tips on finding a qualified acupuncture holistic veterinarian near you.

Which element personality is your dog? Both of my dogs are “heart” dogs. 🙂

How To Bring An Aggressive Dog To The Vet

February 1, 2017 by Fanna Easter

Bringing an Aggressive Dog to the Vet

Living with a reactive dog certainly brings everyday challenges. One particular challenge is bringing an aggressive dog to the vet. All dogs need regular veterinary care, so it’s important to take a few precautions when scheduling, arriving, waiting and leaving a vet’s office with your aggressive dog.

Why Dogs Get Aggressive at the Vet

Before diving into tips on bringing your aggressive dog to the vet, let me explain why a reactive dog (i.e. a dog that reacts to a situation) acts aggressively at a veterinary clinic. Dog aggression is a symptom of fear. Dogs will stare, growl, lunge, bark, snap and bite to stop something scary from walking toward or touching them. When scared, dogs will flee, fight or freeze similar to humans. If a dog is unable to flee, she will fight or freeze. When a dog freezes, she’s not coping with the situation; she’s shutting down. Plus, freezing will eventually turn into a fight, which we want to prevent.

How to Bring an Aggressive Dog to the Vet

Pet owners can reduce aggressive dog behavior by preparing for a vet visit that includes an exit strategy. At least four weeks before your dog’s vet visit, teach your dog that body handling and wearing a muzzle makes hot dogs rain from the sky.

Schedule for the First or Last Appointment

When scheduling a vet visit, ask for the first or last appointment of the day. Since these time slots usually fill up, you should call two to four weeks in advance. Choosing these specific appointment times will prevent a reactive dog from encountering other dogs and people in a waiting room and busy parking lot. Plus, it’s usually the quietest time in a veterinary clinic.

The first appointment of the day is usually better because there aren’t any wait times. Some clinics complete surgeries in the morning though, so ask for the first appointment after surgeries or schedule your aggressive dog first thing on a non-surgery day.

Wait in Your Car

Park your car far away from the front entrance of the clinic. This way your dog can’t see anyone moving around. Bring two sets of keys, so you can leave your dog with the AC running and securely lock your doors. Check in with the receptionist and tell him you’ll wait in your car until it’s time to be seen by the vet. While it’s tempting to sit in the exam room waiting, this can send a reactive dog over the edge. Veterinary clinics are full of scary sounds and smells. When people and dogs walk quickly past an exam room door, this can cause an aggressive dog to panic. Most veterinary clinics will easily comply—just make sure to politely explain your dog’s needs during check-in.

Exit in the Back

Once your aggressive dog’s vet visit is complete, poke your head out the door to ensure the coast is clear. If it’s difficult to see, ask the vet tech if you can both slip out a back door or ask him to clear a path for you. Bring your dog back to your car, turn on the engine and AC, and lock up the car. Now, head back in and pay your bill. Don’t forget to take a deep breath. You did it!

Be your dog’s voice, and take charge of the situation. Trust me, veterinary clinics will easily comply with your dog’s needs. Their goal is a quiet veterinary clinic as well. 🙂

Dog Massage Tips For Anxious Dogs

January 27, 2017 by Fanna Easter

How to Massage a Dog With Anxiety

Living with an anxious dog is tough; you literally feel like the world is going to harm you. As a dog trainer, my heart hurts for dogs with anxiety because I completely understand the “tug” of your conscious mind fighting the “pull” of your panicking mind. Massage is a wonderful tool that will calm an anxious dog. When trying to massage a dog with anxiety, it’s important to teach your dog that massage is harmless, and touch is actually relaxing.

Introduce Touch First

Most dogs with anxiety flinch or step away when someone reaches out to touch them. Anxious dogs are scared, and usually move away from fast movement, which includes hands reaching out to pet them. These dogs have learned that people will try to reach out and touch them even if they don’t want to be touched. Think about it this way: If you’re scared of spiders and one tries to reach out and touch you, that’s scary!

It’s important to teach your anxious dog that hands make good things happen. Instead of reaching out to your dog, play a game of “touch.” The “touch” game teaches a dog to walk over and touch your hand. Choices are super rewarding for dogs, and “touch” gives dogs choices. If they want a treat, they can walk over and touch a person’s hand. If not, that’s OK too. Giving dogs with anxiety choices is paramount.

Now, slowly reach toward your dog (but don’t touch her yet). As you extend your hand out 1-2 feet from your body, say “yes” and toss her a treat. Continue to practice, slowly increasing the distance between your hand and her body. Once your dog will stand still and actually walk toward your extended hand, it’s time to touch her.

Start with your fingertips first, and reward her as you’re touching her. Say “yes” and give her super yummy treats. Continue practicing until she’s comfortable with hands touching and petting her.

Start Where She’s Most Comfortable

When sitting down in a chair or on the floor, your dog will likely walk over and present her head or butt for petting. This is the area she’s most comfortable for a massage. Place both hands on the area and slowly move one hand a couple of inches up and slowly slide along her body. Your other hand should remain in the same spot.

If your dog presents her face for petting, then start with slow hand slides along the side of her neck (move over ear, neck, shoulder). For your dog’s behind, place your massage (moving) hand on your dog’s side (where the ribs end, and on the side of the spine). Move your massage hand toward you (move over midsection, hind legs, rump).

Be Conscious of Your Hand Movement

Keep strokes short, slow and gentle. Apply just enough pressure to move your dog’s skin, but not muscle. When your dog is comfortable, take longer strokes. When stroking, place your entire hand on your dog with your palm touching her. Keep your fingers together, and stroke with your entire hand. Be conscious of your hand movement and refrain from pushing inward (you’ll see your dog’s body move the opposite way).

[perfectpullquote align=”right” cite=”” link=”” color=”” class=”” size=””]Allow your dog to decide when the massage is over. [/perfectpullquote]

Take a deep breath in as you stroke her side, and exhale as you lift your massage hand up to continue another stroke. Breathing will create a constant rhythm, which is important for relaxation.

Let Your Dog End the Massage

Allow your dog to decide when the massage is over. In the beginning, your anxious dog will walk away after a few seconds or minutes. Slowly, she’ll learn to enjoy massages and will stick around longer though. Now, if your dog becomes a massage junkie, end the massage once your dog has relaxed. Then, pat yourself on the back for teaching your dog with anxiety that massages are wonderful.

Goal of Massaging a Dog With Anxiety

Massage goals are different when massaging a dog with anxiety. Your main goal is to relax your anxious dog instead of releasing muscle tension or giving your dog an entire body massage. Relaxing massages teach a dog with anxiety that hands make good things happen. Remember to always use slow strokes to promote relaxation and to take deep breaths. It may seem odd, but dogs do respond when pet owners take deep breaths, and they’ll likely take one shortly after you do.

Breathe deep in through the nose, and slowly exhale out through the mouth.

Why Does My Potty Trained Dog Pee In The House?

January 13, 2017 by Fanna Easter

Managing Dog Peeing Behavior

Last night, a very upset pet parent contacted me about her dog. This client was completely convinced her dog pees in the house out of vengeance. During our conversation, she mentioned her dog is completely potty trained, but has just started urinating in one spot in her bathroom. She was recently hospitalized for a week, leaving her dog home alone. She assumed her dog was peeing in her bathroom because she wasn’t home.

Once I calmed her down, I asked several questions and we chatted about appropriate steps to prevent this dog behavior from happening again. Inappropriate urination in dogs happens quite often, but it’s not caused by vengeance.

Dogs Don’t Seek Vengeance

Dogs are simply blessed creatures. They don’t seek revenge, vengeance, payback or retaliation. Honestly, that’s a wonderful way to live. While it’s easy to attribute human emotions to our dog’s actions (we are human; that’s what we do), dogs don’t think that way. Science has debunked this common dog myth too. On that same note, dogs don’t feel guilt either.

Dogs are opportunists. They make decisions based on current circumstances. Dogs do what works for them in that moment.

After asking this upset client about her dog peeing in the bathroom, it turns out Sugar Bear doesn’t like pottying outside in the rain. It had rained every day for 10 days. If Sugar Bear refuses to pee outside, his pet parent brings him back indoors and forgets about it. Well, Sugar Bear still needs to pee. So, he trots off and finds a room far away and pees in a specific corner of the bathroom. Problem solved: His bladder is empty and life can happily carry on.

How to Prevent Your Dog From Peeing in the House

Anytime a previously potty trained dog urinates in the house, it’s best to rule out any health issues first. A quick trip to your vet’s office, with a urine sample in hand, should be the first step to prevent your housebroken dog from peeing in the house.

Once your dog’s health has been cleared, it’s time to change his behavior through management. Block access to the bathroom or the one room where your potty trained dog pees with a securely placed baby gate. Managing your dog’s environment prevents him from wandering off and peeing in the house. Keep this barrier up for several weeks until your dog has learned to potty outside instead.

Take a Step Back to Potty Training 101

Start Off With Leashed Potty Breaks

Taking a step back in your dog training progress and reteaching a behavior is completely normal. Reintroduce your dog to leashed potty breaks for several days. Grab your dog’s leash, stuff a few treats in your pocket and take your dog outside in the most boring area of your home. Now, just stand there and wait.

Likely, your dog will sit, down, bark, or stand there and look at you. He’s trying to figure out how to earn the treat in your pocket. Just ignore him and wait. Your dog will walk away and urinate. As your dog pees, say “yes” softly. Once he’s done urinating, give him a treat.

The word “yes” marks the behavior you want (i.e. urinating outside) and means he earns a treat for doing this behavior. Remember to say “yes” softly or you’ll risk startling your dog and he’ll stop urinating. Oops!

If your dog doesn’t potty after 10 minutes, bring him back inside and keep an eye on him. You might want to consider crating your dog since you might get distracted. After 30 minutes or so, take your dog back outside on leash and wait in the boring spot again.

All dogs need to urinate, so the behavior will happen. If he doesn’t urinate now, he will eventually; you just have to wait for it. Continue taking your dog to potty in the boring part of your backyard until he potties on leash. Remember to say “yes” softly as he urinates and reward once he’s completely done.

Teach Him to Potty First, Play Later

After a few days of leashed potty breaks, you’ve likely rewarded outdoor urination many times. Now, take your dog outside, off leash, and reward him for peeing outside. Once your dog potties, play a quick game of fetch. Your dog will learn to potty first and play later. In the rare instance your dog runs around and plays instead of urinating outside, return to leashed potty breaks again.

Remove the Baby Gate

Once you’ve witnessed your dog urinate outside for two weeks, you can now remove the baby gate. Make sure the previous indoor potty spot has been thoroughly cleaned with an enzyme-based cleaner specifically made for dog urine before removing the gate. Watch his old indoor potty spot carefully for any new marks.

Usually, following these steps will eliminate inappropriate urination 80% of the time. However, if your dog continues to potty indoors, it’s time to hire a professional dog trainer. There are oodles of reasons why this behavior continues to happen, so it’s important for you to contact a positive reinforcement dog trainer to assess and recommend.

Hang in there!

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An Overview Of Hemp Oil For Dogs

Hemp Oil for Dogs