Hypoallergenic Dogs Don’t Exist

January 29, 2016 by Fanna Easter

Hypoallergenic Dogs: There’s No Such Thing

Here’s the truth: there’s no such thing as a hypoallergenic dog. Hypoallergenic dogs began as a marketing strategy for irresponsible dog breeders many years ago. I know many websites and dog experts say differently, but please consider this important research before adopting or purchasing a dog for an allergy suffer. Get the facts first.

What Causes Allergies

If someone is allergic to dogs, she reacts to the proteins found in a pet’s dander, skin flakes, saliva and urine. Pet hair or fur collects pollen, mold spores and other outdoor allergens, according to American Academy of Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology. These substances can cause an allergic reaction or aggravate asthma symptoms in some people.

In other words, don’t assume someone is allergic to dogs. Have her tested to confirm. Testing for dog allergies is painless and will confirm possible allergens. I’ve been completely tested at least 10 times over the span of 15 years. It’s pretty uneventful, but it provides a wealth of information. So many times, dogs are tossed into shelters because of assumptions, such as being allergic to dogs. This isn’t fair to anyone, especially dogs.

Misconception of Hypoallergenic Dogs

Long, double coated or curly haired dogs shed the same amount of dander as all dogs. Somehow, Americans have been convinced that double coated dogs’ fur holds dander in or prevents dander from being shed, which is simply not true. Dogs shed skin and hair daily just like we do. Now, it may seem like double coated breeds shed less than shorter coated dogs, but that’s not entirely true either. When short coated dogs shed hair, it’s easily visible on your shirt or furniture.

However, double coated breeds must be brushed daily or their loose hair causes painful tangles. Daily brushing of long, curly haired and double coated dogs releases dog dander into the air.

Remember people aren’t allergic to dog hair; they’re allergic to dog dander, saliva and urine. In short, all dogs shed dander equally regardless of coat type.

Making a Decision

Keep it simple. If a family member is allergic to dogs, then don’t bring a dog into your home. Keeping a dog outside is cruel. This should never be a consideration ever.

If you share your home with a dog already, and a family member has recently confirmed to be allergic to dogs, it doesn’t mean the dog needs to find a new home.

Bathe your dog weekly with an oatmeal-based shampoo (minimizes dander and keeps molds and spores from traveling with your dog).
Consider allergy shots. Chances are, if someone is allergic to dogs, that person is allergic to many other things.

Getting a dog is a huge decision, so make sure you’re ready for 12+ years of commitment before bringing a dog into your home. Allergies can easily be managed. I know this personally, as I’m asthmatic and I live and work with dogs every day.

Grooming Hairless Dog Breeds

January 27, 2016 by Fanna Easter

Grooming Tips for Hairless Dog Breeds

While dreams of fur-free furniture and clothing make you smile, there are a few things you need to know about sharing your home with a hairless dog. Some of these tips just might shock you!

Hairless Dogs Still Cause Allergies

Yes, hairless dogs still have dander (skin cells), so they can certainly still cause allergies. Hairless dog breeds shed skin cells just like humans. For some reason, we attribute allergies to dog hair, but it’s really dog dander that causes an allergic reaction. Don’t be fooled by marketing ploys from dog breeders either.

Grooming Hairless Dog Breeds

Sunscreen Please

Bare skin exposed to sun for even 15 minutes can burn, which is why it’s recommended to apply hypoallergenic sunscreen to hairless spots when taking your dog outdoors. A good rule of thumb is if you need sunscreen, then your hairless dog does too. Don’t forget to reapply, as specified per your chosen sunscreen’s directions. While we tend to assume exposed pink skin will burn quicker than dark-pigmented skin, it’s still important to protect all exposed skin regardless of color.

Bathe Often

Hairless dogs need to be bathed with an oatmeal-based shampoo at least monthly. You’ll probably notice an oily film building up after a couple of weeks. Now, bathing your dog too much can cause skin irritation. Plus, harsh shampoos can dry out their skin. If your hairless dog has spots of fur, brush these areas often to minimize tangles and mats, and bathe him frequently.

Keep Mosquitoes Away

Exposed skin attracts mosquitoes. Hairless dogs don’t have a layer of hair protecting their skin like most dogs. If you live in a mosquito prone area, choose pest control products that deter mosquitoes too. Personally, we’ve had great luck with natural products, such as cedar oil for our dogs. However, if mosquitoes are still pestering your hairless dog, contact your vet for topical or digestible pest control products to keep mosquitoes away.

Keep Your Hairless Dog Warm

Just like us, hairless dogs need a warm coat or jacket to protect them from the cold. It’s important that coats and jackets fit properly, so check out these tips on choosing and sizing dog sweaters. If it’s cold outside, put a sweater on your hairless dog even if it’s just for a quick potty break. Remember, if it’s too cold for you, then it’s too cold for your hairless dog.

READ NEXT: Teach Your Dog to Wear a Sweater

Dog Breed of the Week: Standard Poodle

December 16, 2015 by Fanna Easter

Standard Poodle Breed Information

Poodles are popular. You probably see tiny, medium and large Poodles everywhere. Today, let’s discuss the less common Standard Poodle, which is the largest variety of Poodles. Standard Poodles are part of the AKC non-sporting group with their original function being water retrieving dogs and their current day function being a companion. This dog breed is versatile, can easily be trained as military and guide dogs, and is wicked smart too!

Standard Poodle Temperament

General Characteristics

The Standard Poodle stands 15’’ at the shoulder (on average) and weighs between 45 and 65 pounds with a lifespan of anywhere between 10 to 13 years. Don’t let their good looks and flashy haircuts fool you though. They’re extremely smart and full of zest, so they’re not all business. Standard Poodles are usually very friendly with dogs and people alike. They’re also tolerant, making them good with children so long as they were socialized positively as puppies and adults.

Standard Poodle Grooming Needs

Yup, you guessed it, Standard Poodles require a lot of grooming. Poodles don’t shed like most dogs. Their loose hair gets caught in their curly hair, which causes matting really quickly. To minimize grooming your Standard Poodle, ask the professional dog groomer to give your dog a pet clip. Pet clip haircuts are stylish, yet shorter than most Standard Poodle clips, and only require maintenance every four to six weeks. You should still thoroughly brush your dog every couple of days or she’ll mat like mad.

They need weekly nail trims (or nail grinding) to prevent overgrown nails, which can be painful and break. Also, make sure to brush your Standard Poodle’s teeth every day. This will keep yearly veterinary dentals at bay.

Standard Poodle Training & Exercise

Standard Poodles require daily mental and physical stimulus. You can provide this by practicing polite behavior cues in short sessions, playing fetch (they’re amazing retrievers!), taking them on daily walks and joining a water sport. Not only are they smart, but they’re also extremely agile. This means they can excel in agility, competition obedience, rally obedience, nosework, tracking, dock diving, field trail (hunting and retrieving) and any other dog sport out there. Again, don’t let all their fabulous hair fool you. Standard Poodles are serious workers that love jobs!

With any dog breed, you have pros and cons, so it’s important to ensure the Standard Poodle’s characteristics and needs meet your lifestyle. If you’re interested in adding a Standard Poodle to your family, I encourage you to visit Standard Poodle Club of America for additional information on finding a responsible dog breeder or rescue in your area.

How to Train a Bulldog to Be Polite

December 10, 2015 by Fanna Easter

Teaching Your Bulldog Polite Behaviors

How to Train a Bulldog — SuziMcGregor/iStock

Bulldogs are no different than any other dog when it comes to training. However, some dog training techniques or exercises may work better when considering a Bulldog’s personality traits. Bulldogs tend to be a little more unmotivated or stubborn in my opinion. When training your Bulldog, find what your Bulldog loves most. This will make all the difference in your positive reinforcement-based training. Let’s talk about some of the not-so-polite behaviors you may encounter with your Bulldog!

Common Impolite Bulldog Behaviors

Stubbornness

In my experience, I’ve encountered some stubborn Bulldogs, especially when training certain behaviors. However, I love a challenge, so I always welcome these Bulldogs with open arms. Plus, how can you not want to love on a Bulldog? In your everyday life, you may encounter your Bulldog’s stubborn behaviors, such as your dog ignoring obedience cues or not responding to you in general.

Lack of Maturity

You’ll usually witness a lack of maturity in puppies, but you may also see it in older Bulldogs. You’ll likely notice problem behaviors (chewing, mouthing, etc.), spurts of wild behaviors and inability to maintain focus.

How to Teach Your Bulldog Polite Behaviors

Good news, ladies and gentlemen! All of the above mentioned issues can easily be managed by using positive reinforcement based training.

Remember, the key to training your Bulldog is to find out what motivates him whether it’s a chew toy, steak or squeak toys. Stubbornness doesn’t mean your dog is refusing to do a behavior; it just means he’s either confused or doesn’t really know what the cue means. When the latter happens, take a moment to refresh the cue you’re teaching your dog. I mean, seriously, sometimes we forget how to do things too. For lack of maturity issues, take a few steps back and give your dog plenty of items to chew on. If your Bulldog is still biting your hands, revisit mouthing techniques.

Good luck and kiss your Bulldog today! Yes, on the lips!

How to Teach Your Golden Retriever Polite Behaviors

December 4, 2015 by Fanna Easter

Training Golden Retrievers Polite Behaviors

Golden Retrievers are one of my favorite dogs to work with. They’re outgoing, driven, and usually pretty food and toy motivated. Over the years, I’ve worked with a number of Golden Retrievers, but unfortunately, I’ve never had the pleasure of sharing my home with one. Working with them on a regular basis has given me great insight into their common characteristics and behaviors. Hopefully, that can help you live more comfortably with your Golden Retriever.

Not-So-Polite Golden Retriever Behaviors

All dog breeds have their quirks and differences just like people. Becoming familiar with what is considered normal breed behavior will help you tailor their behavior to your lifestyle. With Golden Retrievers, you may deal with a lot of mouthy behaviors, such as always picking up unacceptable items or mouthing your hands while playing, petting or greeting. Let’s talk about how to make some of these Golden Retriever behaviors a little more manageable.

Always remember: with any unwanted behavior, you want to provide your dog with an acceptable behavior.

Mouthing (Putting Mouth on Your Hands)

In this case, we want to provide your Golden Retriever with proper chew toys and retrieval items, such as Kongs, Nylabones and retrieval toys for play. To help prevent your dog from mouthing you during playtime, only interact with him with his toys. This way, when your dog mouths you during petting, you can redirect his attention with your hand that contains the food treat while you pet with your other hand.

Sometimes, Goldens can become fascinated with mouthing unacceptable items. However, we can help them make the right choice by making the unacceptable item less intriguing. You do this by using a chewing deterrent on the unacceptable items, which may be your keys, remote controls or shoes. Be sure to follow the directions on the bottle. Most of the deterrents are water-based, so you most likely need to reapply every couple of days.

Now that you’re providing your dog with the appropriate chew toys and deterring them from the unacceptable items, make sure you praise all correct behavior to increase the likeliness of your dog repeating it.

Excitable Greetings (Jumping Up)

Excitable greetings are nice to come home to because you can tell how happy your dog is to see you, but on the other end of the leash it’s not so nice of a behavior when you’re carrying groceries or you have a guest coming over.

Again, teaching an alternate behavior is the best place to start; in this case, it’s the “sit” behavior. Start in a low distraction area. Use a high value food reward to lure your dog into the behavior and reward once he successfully sits. Gradually fade the lure after many dog training sessions and begin asking for the behavior in lieu of the jumping.

Another great tool you can use to gain more control of your dog during walks is the head collar or front clip harness. These dog products help you redirect your dog on walks and allow you to ask for the known “sit” behavior instead of him jumping on people.

All dogs have their own personalities and characteristics. It’s all about figuring out how to live more harmoniously with your specific dog breed and enjoying all the great things about him. Using a little bit of training and management will most certainly help facilitate polite behavior.

Hypoallergenic Dogs Don’t Exist

Hypoallergenic Dogs: There’s No Such Thing

What Causes Allergies

Misconception of Hypoallergenic Dogs

Making a Decision

Grooming Hairless Dog Breeds

Grooming Tips for Hairless Dog Breeds

Hairless Dogs Still Cause Allergies