Should You Vaccinate Your Puppy?

April 28, 2017 by Fanna Easter

What You Need to Know About Puppy Vaccinations

Puppy vaccinations is an extremely controversial topic lately. Many pet owners are choosing not to vaccinate their dogs due to the side effects from over vaccination. Vaccinating your puppy does prevent disease, but over vaccinating can cause disease, so what should a pet owner do? Before listening to opinions and personal experiences only, it’s important to understand the facts about dog vaccines.

Dr. Ronald Schultz, PhD, Diplomate ACVIM American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine has been at the forefront of dog vaccination research. He played a pivotal role in determining 2011 recommended vaccinations for puppies and dogs. As research on pet vaccinations continue, one thing is for sure and that’s all dogs should be titer tested yearly.

What Do Puppy Vaccinations Do?

Similar to children, puppies must be vaccinated. Numerous puppies die from parvovirus every year. Yet, it could be prevented with perfectly timed puppy booster shots. Aside from parvovirus, puppy vaccinations also prevent:

Distemper
Adenovirus
Rabies

Before, puppies were given a combination vaccination, which is one vaccine that prevents multiple viruses. Now, it’s recommended to give a single virus vaccination and wait at least 3 weeks in between other vaccinations.

Which Puppy Vaccinations Are Absolutely Necessary?

It depends. Immunology is complicated, and one vaccination protocol won’t work for all puppies. There are many factors to consider, such as a puppy’s breed, genetics and environment.

Certain breeds of puppies are more susceptible to parvovirus than others, so their vaccination protocols will be different. Additionally, puppies living in shelters will need a different vaccination protocol than a low-risk puppy living in a home.

To learn more about which vaccinations your puppy should receive, visit American Animal Hospital Association’s 2011 recommended vaccination protocol. For an easier read, check out Dr. Becker’s outline as well as interviews with Dr. Ronald Schultz.

Adult Dog Vaccinations & Yearly Booster Shots

All puppies need a series of vaccinations to prevent disease, but the controversial question is: “Do adult dogs need yearly vaccinations?” Again, it depends. The best way to know if your dog needs an annual booster shot is through a yearly titer test.

[perfectpullquote align=”right” cite=”” link=”” color=”” class=”” size=””]Never assume a dog is immune.[/perfectpullquote]

During a dog’s annual checkup, a veterinarian takes a blood sample and sends it to a laboratory to check immunology for distemper and parvo. If a dog’s immunity is low for a specific virus, a booster is highly recommended. If a dog has sufficient immunity, then no vaccinations are needed.

My Experience

Never assume a dog is immune because you never know. Over a 17-year period, I’ve titer tested all my dogs for distemper and parvo and each one had sufficient immunity except my Miniature Bull Terrier. She needed a parvo booster when she was 3 and 5 years old because she had no immunity. That’s 1 out of 6 dogs with no immunity that shared the same household and environment as my other dogs.

Additionally, a very good friend of mine lost her 2-year-old Rottweiler to parvo due to lack of immunity. Her littermates were tested immediately, and 5 out of a litter of 7 had zero immunity to parvo. Annual titer tests are a must. Even better would be to titer test a dog after a booster shot for several weeks to confirm immunity.

Rabies Vaccinations

Since humans can contract rabies, state and county laws control rabies vaccination protocols. Each state and county has its own regulations based on the severity of rabies cases in the area. Many small mammals, such as raccoons, can pass along this deadly disease.

As of 2017, many states and counties recommend 3-year rabies vaccinations while some still recommend yearly boosters. Regardless of over vaccination concerns, state and county laws are strict on rabies vaccinations and can confiscate an unvaccinated dog.

Research shows dogs have immunity against rabies long after three years from their first rabies vaccination. With the said, research is still being conducted. Soon, rabies titer testing will become an acceptable from of immunity proof.

Partner With Your Veterinarian

Remember, your veterinarian wants what is best for your dog. During your puppy’s first vet visit, express your concerns and ask for single virus vaccination using the 2017 AAHA vaccination protocols. As for rabies, your vet will know the laws for your state and county as well as any epidemics within your area.

For yearly puppy vaccinations, request titer tests for both distemper and parvovirus. If your dog falls below the normal range, complete a booster and re-titer test to ensure your dog has sufficient immunity. Vaccinations do work, but be your dog’s advocate too!

Should Your Dog Chew Pig Ears?

April 7, 2017 by Fanna Easter

Pros and Cons of Pig Ears for Dogs

Dogs love and need to chew. Chewing provides mental stimulation and exercise, keeps teeth clean, is fun and super relaxing. If dogs aren’t given plenty of chewing opportunities, they’ll likely create their own, which is never a good thing. So, should your dog chew pig ears? It depends. Learn the pros and cons of pig ear chews for dogs.

Pros of Pig Ear Dog Treats

The most appealing advantage about pig ear chews is dogs find them simply delicious! In my 20-plus years as a dog trainer, I’ve never witnessed a dog turning his or her nose up at a smoked pig ear dog treat.

Their thick hide and density make pig ears easy to chew for small, delicate chewers and senior dogs. Another huge plus is pig ear chews keep your dog’s teeth clean and gums healthy, which means fresh breath. Pig ear chews are also odorless even while your dog chews them.

Due to their popularity, pig ear dog treats are readily available at pet retailers and online, and are relatively inexpensive compared to other dog chews.

Cons of Pig Ear Dog Treats

Pig ear dog treats are high in fat. When consumed daily, pig ear chews can cause vomiting and diarrhea. Overzealous chewing dogs (power chewers) may choke or swallow large chunks, causing GI obstruction hazards.

Another pro about pig ear chews is power chewers can literally consume a pig ear chew within seconds, which can get very expensive. Most pig ear dog treats are also covered in chemicals, additives and preservatives, so choose chews made in the USA only.

Since pig ear chews for dogs taste so delicious, some dogs may exhibit resource guarding behavior and protect these treats from other dogs, people and children.

Pig Ear Chew Safety

If your dog is prone to obesity, has pancreatitis, is currently eating a bland diet or consumes chews too quickly, then it’s best to provide a different type of dog chew.

Pig ear chews are best for small dogs, delicate chewers and seniors in moderation (one chew per week). For power chewing dogs, bully sticks are a better option. Remember, supervision is vital while dogs chew. It’s the best preventative for choking or digestive obstructions.

Introducing Your New Puppy To Your Older Dog: Date Walks

March 31, 2017 by Fanna Easter

Doggy Date Walks for Your New Puppy and Older Dog

New puppies and older dogs can live together happily and peacefully so long as pet owners introduce them to each other slowly. Many pet owners assume a new puppy will improve their senior dog’s quality of life, but that’s not always the case. When bringing home a new puppy, you may find him bouncing around, biting and harassing your older dog.

Remember, your senior dog didn’t get to choose his new roommate, so it’s best to introduce your new puppy to your older dog slowly—and a great way to do that is with daily doggy date walks.

What’s a Doggy Date Walk?

Taking two dogs on a walk together is considered a “date walk.” Daily date walks provide each dog with an opportunity to get to know one another with minimal tension. Think about it this way: It’s much easier to meet a new person during a leisurely walk around the park than a formal sit-down dinner in your home.

Walking provides your puppy and older dog opportunities to meet without the added pressure of being face-to-face. Plus, doggy date walks provide needed space when meeting someone new. If a dog becomes a bit overwhelmed, he or she can increase the distance between them to feel comfortable. Date walks take the pressure off until both dogs get to know each other.

Going on Doggy Date Walks

Attach a 6-foot leash (no retractable leashes) to each dog. Ask a friend to join you, so she can hold one dog’s leash.

Provide Space

During the walk, you should keep a distance of between 3-6 feet between you and your friend. This allows your puppy and older dog the opportunity to move away, fall back or pull ahead from the other dog. Giving your dogs plenty of space is critical.

On that same note, don’t expect both dogs to walk side-by-side, especially in the early stages. Sometimes, an older dog will hang back a bit and sniff independently, so respect his request. Puppies are usually more eager and pull forward, which makes for a great dog training opportunity to reward polite leash manners.

While both your new puppy and older dog are aware they’re walking together, they also know they have some distance between them, which is a good thing.

Prevent and Redirect

If your new puppy harasses your older dog during date walks, it’s best to redirect the puppy with treats. An older dog will surely growl, snap or bite if a young puppy chases, bites his ears or jumps on him. To prevent fights, intervene quickly and redirect.

When redirecting a puppy, you should call your puppy. When the puppy looks away from the older dog, say “yes” and toss a food reward in the opposite direction of the other dog. Don’t forget to reward the older dog for remaining calm too. If your puppy insists on harassing your older dog, walk over and pick the puppy up immediately and walk ahead to prevent further harassing behavior.

Prevent Resource Guarding

During sniffing opportunities, some eager puppies will run over and investigate something that a senior dog is sniffing. When this happens, you should stop walking forward and call the puppy over for a reward. When two dogs push against each other during sniffing opportunities, this can cause resource guarding. When in doubt, don’t let it happen.

When Date Walks Don’t Work

If, at anytime, one dog tries to attack the other dog during walks, it’s best to stop all doggy date walks immediately. While doggy date walks work, they may not work in this situation. It’s unfair for the attackee to be forced to walk next to the attacker; it’s actually cruel. If this happens, discontinue walks and keep both dogs separated at all times. Contact a positive reinforcement dog trainer and veterinary behaviorist ASAP.

Daily date walks provide easy exercise, mental stimulation, and bonding time between dogs and pet owners. 🙂

The Key To Introducing A New Puppy To Your Older Dog

March 29, 2017 by Fanna Easter

How to Introduce a New Puppy to Your Older Dog

Introducing a New Puppy to Your Older Dog — Tracy King/Adobe Stock

Bringing home a new puppy with a current older dog at home can be challenging, but it can be done peacefully and positively. As dogs get older, they prefer quiet and comfy spots with minimal distractions. In contrast, puppies are loud, move really fast and can pester older dogs, which can quickly cause conflicts.

If you’re wondering how to introduce a new puppy to an older dog, start by separating them first. Keeping them separated in the beginning is the first step to peaceful co-existence. It’s a tool for teaching boundaries and polite manners while preventing dog anxiety and aggression from developing later on.

Watch Your Older Dog’s Body Language

Some pet owners assume their senior dogs will flourish with a new puppy around, but the opposite actually happens. When you introduce a new puppy to your older dog, you may notice your new puppy harassing him. If this happens, watch your older dog’s body language. If your older dog moves away from or ignores your puppy, support her decision by redirecting the puppy away from her.

Keep squeaky toys and yummy treats close by to give your puppy something else to do instead of chase his older sister. Your older dog will soon warm up to the puppy. It just takes a while to trust a roommate, especially if you didn’t pick your roommate. 🙂

Feed Meals Separately

Keep your new puppy and older dog separated during meals. Puppies should eat in their crates, so they learn good things happen there. If your older dog finishes her food quickly and walks over while your puppy is eating, redirect her with a potty break outdoors. Prevention is key to keeping your older dog from stealing food. Resource guarding behavior can easily rear its ugly head before you know it.

Never Allow Harassment

[perfectpullquote align=”right” cite=”” link=”” color=”” class=”” size=””]Allowing dogs to “work it out” never works. It never ends nicely.[/perfectpullquote]

Puppy zoomies and sharp teeth? Yikes! It’s important to provide your new puppy plenty of playtime, but never allow him to harass your older dog. If your puppy chases, climb ups or harasses your older dog, that’s your call to intervene. Immediate intervention prevents an older dog from growling, snapping or biting your new puppy. Allowing dogs to “work it out” never works. It never ends nicely.

If your new puppy runs over to pester your older dog, call him to you and reward with super yummy treats. If your puppy continues to chase your older dog, quickly walk over and pick your puppy up. Now, walk to the other side of the living room and play with your puppy. Soon, your new puppy will learn that fun happens with you, and it’s rewarding to not pester an older dog.

Keep Them Entertained While You’re Away

Teach your new puppy that crates are fun, and keep your puppy crated whenever you’re not home. By now, your older dog has already earned free access to your home, so continue to allow your older dog to nap on the sofa while you’re away.

Do keep your puppy’s crate away from your senior dog’s favorite napping spots though. Try placing the dog crate in your bedroom or dining room. Turn on soft music and toss everyone a frozen food stuffed toy before leaving.

Having your new puppy and older dog in the same house with relaxing music on and letting them enjoy something yummy together teaches them to associate good things with being together. Soon, your puppy and older dog will enjoy chilling at home while you’re away.

Puppies and older dogs can get along happily, but it takes time.

Teaching Dogs Polite Manners Around Treats

January 18, 2017 by Fanna Easter

Games That Will Teach Your Dog Manners

Dogs love training treats, as they should, because dog training treats are their paychecks. Sometimes, excitement takes over around high value treats, and dogs snatch treats from their pet parents’ hands or bait bags. This behavior is frustrating. Dogs quickly learn that snatching treats from your hand works, especially if they were successful at stealing and eating the treat. If this has happened to you, then you were mugged by your dog. 🙂

Just like humans, dogs need to be taught how to behave politely around resources they want. Soon, your dog will learn that if you do this, she can have that. Here are a couple of games that will teach your dog manners around something she really loves. Remember, it’s all about self-control.

Leave It Game

When you’re standing in front of something you really want, it’s hard to stand still and ignore it. Imagine a deliciously frosted cupcake sitting inches from your hand, and your tummy is growling. Don’t like cupcakes? Then, picture a frosty mug of beer on a 110-degree day. Self-control is key here.

Your parents have likely taught you to wait until everyone else selects a cupcake before reaching for one. It’s manners 101. Self-control is a learned behavior, and most of us need daily practice to remind us to control our behavior.

Self-control is a learned behavior for your dog too. It’s time to teach your dog the “leave it” game. Hold a pea-sized piece of cheese in your closed hand and place your hand 1-2 inches in front of your dog’s nose. Of course, she’ll lick your hand, but the moment she stops touching your hand, say “yes” and give her the treat.

[perfectpullquote align=”right” cite=”” link=”” color=”” class=”” size=””]It’s important to teach dogs that human hands make good things happen.[/perfectpullquote]

Using a marker word teaches your dog her action is why she earned the reward. Take another treat and practice again. If your dog stops licking or touching your hand for a nanosecond, immediately say “yes” and reward. Practice 1-2 minutes per day. Soon, your dog will ignore your closed treat hand because she’s learned ignoring makes the treat appear.

Touch Game

It’s important to teach dogs that human hands make good things happen. The “touch” game teaches your dog to touch her nose to the palm of your hand. It’s a quick and fun dog game that can be played anywhere. Plus, this game teaches your dog how to politely earn treats instead of mugging you for them. 🙂

Holding your hand sideways, place your palm about 2 inches away from your dog’s nose. Your dog will look at you for a second and likely sniff your hand. The moment you feel her nose touch your hand, say “yes” and give her a treat. Practice for 1-2 minutes per day. Once your dog understands to touch your hand, start moving your hand farther away. Dogs learn this behavior quickly, and it’s a fun game to play with guests!

Now, your dog has learned a game that makes dog training treats appear. Be prepared, your dog may start an impromptu game to earn some treats or share food from your dinner plate. Dogs are super smart, and you can’t blame her for trying, right? If this happens, ignore it. When your dog pokes your hand, leg or treat bag with her nose, just look away for a second. Walk away and play a quick game of “touch” with your hand. This teaches your dog that an open hand means “the bar is open” and when your hand is away “the bar is closed.”

Should You Vaccinate Your Puppy?

What You Need to Know About Puppy Vaccinations

What Do Puppy Vaccinations Do?

Which Puppy Vaccinations Are Absolutely Necessary?