| answered a question | How long should I walk my dog? I base the length of walks around the age and breed of the dog as well as the temperature and weather conditions. I try to do a minimum of 10-15 minutes per walk. On good days, my dog and I will go out for walks that are closer to an hour long. When we go on long walks or hiking in State Parks I make sure to bring water with us and take breaks. |
| answered a question | Anxiety advice? My dog has a lot of anxiety and I have used many different techniques to try to deal with it. When he is having more intensive anxiety, I make that we follow a specific routine with a longer walk before I leave for the day. I also changed him from a plastic crate to a wire one which made a lot of difference. I also increased how much work we do ex. heeling while walking and sitting at every intersection. This is more mentally challenging for him and provides a distraction from things that are bothering him. He now is very comfortable and doesn't show the same signs of anxiety that he was. I have spent a lot of time training him and working to desensitize him to specific things that trigger his anxiety. I have also used the calming pheromone collars which I thought made some difference but didn't fix it all. For more situational anxiety, I alternate between using a DIY thundershirt http://k9ofmine.com/diy-thundershirt/ (primarily for thunderstorms and fireworks) and benadryl. There are multiple anxiety meds that you can talk to your vet about if you think the anxiety poses health risks for your dog. |
| answered a question | Best home made dog treats? My dog loved the fish treats that our trainer made last Christmas. I think it was made from canned salmon. |
| answered a question | What are your favorite and least breed(s) or variety of dog and why? I generally prefer larger breeds. I grew up with labs and currently have a Siberian Husky. After a lot of research, I found that the husky really matched well with my personality. I love how independent and intelligent they are. They are more challenging when it comes to obedience, but I've never liked taking the easy route. I'm not particularly fond of small dogs. I've met many that are nice, but could never see myself getting one. |
| answered a question | dog problem how do i cut her nails? Hi! I started out by getting my dog used to having his feet handled. I did this by rewarding him with treats every time he let me touch his feet and put the nail clippers near him without reacting. Now that he is desensitized to the process it goes much quicker. He lays on the ground with me and he gets a treat after each foot is finished. Another option would be to use a dremel to grind the nails down rather than clipping them. Good luck! |