Category: Best Dog Trainers

A Comprehensive Guide to Dog Supplements

Posted on by AJay

A Comprehensive Guide to Dog Supplements

What Are Dog Supplements?

Dog supplements are designed to complement a dog’s diet by providing additional nutrients that may not be adequately supplied by their regular food. These supplements can include vitamins, minerals, amino acids, herbs, enzymes, and other substances to support various aspects of canine health. Much like human supplements, they come in various forms, such as pills, powders, chews, and liquids, and are tailored to address specific health needs of dogs, ranging from joint health and skin care to digestive support and immune function.

Does My Dog Need Supplements?

The necessity of dog supplements largely depends on your dog’s health status, diet, and lifestyle. A well-balanced, high-quality commercial dog food provides all the necessary nutrients for many dogs. However, there are circumstances where supplements might be beneficial:

Health Conditions: Supplements targeted at dogs with health issues, such as arthritis, digestive problems, or skin conditions, might benefit them.

Age: Senior dogs often require supplements to support joint health, cognitive function, and overall vitality.

Dietary Gaps: Homemade or raw diets might lack certain essential nutrients and, therefore may require supplements.

Breed-Specific Needs: Some breeds have predispositions to certain health issues and might benefit from using supplements as a preventative, such as German Shepherds with joint problems or Bulldogs with skin issues.

Consulting with a veterinarian before starting any supplement is crucial to ensure it’s appropriate for your dog’s needs.

The Most Common Types of Dog Supplements

There are several types of dog supplements commonly used to support canine health. Here are the most popular ones:

Joint Supplements

Joint supplements are key for dogs, especially as they age or if they are a breed prone to joint issues, like Labradors and German Shepherds. These supplements help maintain joint health, reduce inflammation, and improve mobility. They’re particularly good for dogs with arthritis or other degenerative joint conditions.

Glucosamine and Chondroitin are often used to support joint health and alleviate arthritis symptoms by helping maintain cartilage and joint lubrication.

MSM (Methylsulfonylmethane): Known for its anti-inflammatory properties, MSM is frequently used alongside glucosamine and chondroitin.

Omega-3 Fatty Acids

Omega-3 fatty acids are essential for maintaining a healthy coat and skin, reducing inflammation, and supporting heart and cognitive health. They are very good for breeds like Bulldogs and Retrievers prone to skin conditions. These supplements can also aid in the management of chronic conditions like arthritis.

Fish Oil: Rich in EPA and DHA, fish oil supplements support skin health, reduce inflammation, and promote a shiny coat. They also support cognitive function and heart health.

Gut health & digestion supplements

Probiotics and digestive enzymes support gut health, improving digestion and boosting the immune system. These supplements favour breeds prone to digestive issues, like Boxers and Dachshunds, as they help maintain balanced gut flora and enhance nutrient absorption.

Probiotics: These good bacteria help maintain a healthy gut flora, improving digestion and boosting the immune system.

Digestive Enzymes: These supplements aid in breaking down food, making it easier for dogs to absorb nutrients, extremely useful for dogs with digestive disorders.

Multivitamins

Multivitamins provide a broad spectrum of essential vitamins and minerals that might be missing from a dog’s diet, especially if they are on homemade diets or have dietary restrictions. These supplements ensure that dogs get a balanced intake of nutrients necessary for overall health and vitality. Typically, multivitamins include a range of vitamins (A, B, C, D, E) and minerals like zinc and iron.

Antioxidants

Antioxidants help protect the body from oxidative stress, support immune function, and reduce inflammation. They are especially worthwhile for senior dogs and breeds prone to cancer, such as Golden Retrievers and Boxers, as they can help manage chronic diseases and improve overall health.

Vitamins C and E help combat oxidative stress, support immune function, and reduce inflammation.

Herbal Supplements

Herbal supplements offer a natural approach to support various aspects of health, from liver function to reducing inflammation. They are used for their therapeutic properties and can support overall well-being in dogs.

Milk Thistle: Known for its liver-protecting properties.

Turmeric: Contains curcumin, which has anti-inflammatory and antioxidant benefits.

Can My Dog Have Too Many Supplements?

While supplements can be beneficial, it’s crucial to avoid over-supplementation. Excessive intake of specific vitamins and minerals can lead to toxicity and adverse health effects. For instance:

Vitamin D Toxicity: Excessive vitamin D can cause serious health issues like kidney damage.

Calcium Overload: Too much calcium can lead to skeletal issues, particularly in large-breed puppies.

Hypervitaminosis A: Too much vitamin A can result in joint pain and dehydration.

To prevent these risks, always follow the recommended dosage guidelines provided by the supplement manufacturer and consult with your veterinarian before introducing any new supplement to your dog’s diet. Regular health check-ups and blood tests can help monitor the effects of supplements and ensure your dog remains in optimal health.

Our Conclusion

Dog supplements can support your pet’s health, particularly in managing specific health conditions, filling dietary gaps, and enhancing overall well-being. However, the key to effective supplementation is moderation and professional guidance. Always consult your veterinarian to determine the best approach for your dog’s unique needs and ensure that any supplements used are of high quality and appropriate for your pet’s health status. Doing so can help your dog lead a healthier, happier life.

How are service dogs trained?

Posted on by AJay

How are service dogs trained?

Service dogs are amazing animals. They provide a lifeline for people with disabilities, allowing them to retain their independence as well as reducing the burden of everyday tasks. They are utilised for a whole range of people, from those who have long-term physical health conditions, to those struggling with their mental health. They’re also loving companions, offering a friendly face and unconditional love no matter the situation.

But how are these incredible canine assistants trained? How do they go from playful pups to steady service animals? We take a look.

Learning basic puppy skills

To start, the little miracle pups have to learn the same skills as any pet dog – how to sit, stand, lie down and stay, as well as toilet training. Assistance puppies often start their lives in foster homes, with a volunteer puppy raiser, and it’s these people that will teach them the basic skills they need to know. They will likely have support from a qualified trainer, as well as attending regular puppy training classes with other pet dogs.

Learning these commands at a young age will set the pup up for success in later life – it’s much harder to teach a dog a new behaviour once they’re set in their ways. This is particularly true for service dogs, who may need to learn specific verbal or physical cues that go along with the skills. It’s important that these are consistent, so that once they go on to live with their partner, everyone is using the same commands.

Positive reinforcement

There are many different theories around dog training, focusing on how to praise and reward good behaviour, as well as how to stop habits or naughty tricks that you don’t want. Many charities that train service dogs focus on positive reinforcement – rewarding the puppy for good behaviour, and redirecting or ignoring bad behaviour, rather than regularly using the word ‘no’. This is why you’ll see dogs in training being rewarded with treats for remaining calm and following commands, rather than being told off when they do get distracted.

The idea is that dogs learn what good behaviour looks like, and they repeat this in the future. It helps build a strong bond and make training fun, rather than something to be nervous about. It has also been suggested that positive reinforcement helps teach dogs to think for themselves, as they work out what behaviour their owner wants from them.

Exposure to new environments

A key part of any assistance puppy’s training is getting them used to new environments. Unlike regular pet dogs, service dogs are able to accompany their partner everywhere, including on buses, trains, in supermarkets and cinemas. Whilst we as humans know that these environments are safe, a puppy does not, and there are lots of new and startling noises and smells for them to get used to that they won’t be able to experience in the home. A dog’s hearing is far better than humans – they can hear a wider frequency of sounds.

Even before they’re allowed out on a walk, service puppies will be carried around by their foster carers to get them used to all the sights the world around them has to offer. The earlier this happens, the less overwhelming it is when the puppy can finally go out and explore on foot.

On to advanced training

Once the puppy has completed their basic training, they’ll go into an advanced training programme to help them develop the range of skills they need to be a particular kind of service dog. They’ll learn how to best support their new owner and may even be taught specific skills to suit the person they’ll eventually be paired with, although this tends to happen further down the line. From there, they’ll go on to change someone’s life – and all the hard work in their first few years will be worth it.

Happy Dog, Happy Owners: Why Your Dog Needs CBD

Posted on by AJay

Happy Dog, Happy Owners: Why Your Dog Needs CBD

A dog truly is a person’s best friend. We invest in their lives, find emotional comfort and relationship with our furry friends, and develop deep connections. Because of this, when we are happy, our dogs are happy, and when our dogs are happy, so are we. Unfortunately, this isn’t always the case. Sometimes our furry friends struggle, and these struggles cannot only bring down our pets, but can affect us as well. We want to see our pets happy, we don’t want to watch them be in pain, be stressed, or even be anxious. 

While it might surprise you, giving your dog CBD can actually be an effective way to help your best friend through difficult times, injuries, or old age.

CBD, not THC

First and foremost, we are not saying to give your dog marijuana. In fact, THC can actually make your dog very sick. It is important to distinguish that while both THC and CBD come from the cannabis plant, they are different things. THC causes a reaction in humans that many of us are familiar with—whether first hand or second hand—that is known as “getting high.” CBD, however, another production of the cannabis plant, can help reduce inflammation, help to cope with stress, and improve sleep habits in humans.

While humans can tolerate both CBD and THC, your pets can only tolerate CBD, so ensure to find a healthy dose if you are considering giving your dog CBD.

Why Should I Give my Dog CBD?

There are a number of reasons why you may be considering giving your dog CBD. Obviously, this is not something that you just give your furry friend regularly for no reason. Giving your dog CBD is with the desire of improving their quality of life. 

Many dogs suffer from stress, anxiety, attachment disorders, pain, and arthritis, and CBD can be used to remedy this. 

Especially if you have a former stray, or abused pet, your dog may struggle with attachment anxiety, and stress caused by sounds or certain settings. CBD can be a great tool for helping your pet to move through anxiety symptoms, and even develop new neuropathways to assist it in healing from past mental wounds. This type of treatment should be done carefully, and notably, but may help improve your pet’s emotional ability and significantly reduce their day-to-day stress levels.

Another reason for administering CBD to your dog can be a post-injury scenario. Many dogs when injured, whether through an accident, or through a skin condition (such as fleas and ticks) have a habit of reopening wounds by biting or scratching the effected area. CBD has a significant effect of calming itches and the desire to itch for dogs. Giving your healing dog CBD can help ensure that it heals quickly, and does so without further aggravating or reopening their wounds.

Lastly, arthritis and old age are two things that we struggle watching our pets deal with.  This type of pain that comes with older joints and age can make your dog less lively, and in some cases less happy. CBD is a great tool for reducing inflammation, and mildly assisting pain reduction. Giving your arthritis-affected, or older dog CBD treats can help to treat their ailments.

How Do I Give My Dog CBD?

First and foremost, you should never give your dog a CBD supplement made for humans. The human endocannabinoid system allows us to process cannabinoids (such as CBD and THC) in a specific way. Dogs also have an endocannabinoid system, but just like other nutritions and supplements, they process cannabinoids at a different level than humans. If you administer a dose of CBD to a dog that you would give yourself, you may get your dog sick. Thus, ensure that you acquire a dog-directed CBD supplement for your pet.

Additionally, you will want a CBD treat that is paired with other compounds to help your dog best ingest, and best enjoy their CBD supplement. 

At this point, schedule a treatment plan for your pet, and keep a notebook of their treatment. It is important that you document any changes to their behavior, and that you can accurately decide when to, and when not to give your dog CBD, as well as how it is affecting their condition.

Where Can I Get CBD for my Dog?

There are a few places to get a CBD treat for your dog. ElleVet has a researched and backed CBD + CBDA product that has been clinically tested, and is tailor made for your pet. In addition, they provide a plethora of scientific data and proof regarding the use and effectiveness of their pet CBD product. Once you have found the right product for your pet, make sure that you follow the instructions of the distributor or your vet.

Top 5 Traits of a Well-trained Dog

Posted on by AJay

Top 5 Traits of a Well-trained Dog

According to data collected by the American Veterinary Medical Association, over 76,000,000 households in the U.S. have dogs. If you’re one of the millions of families who own a dog, you understand the importance of having a well-trained dog. 

If you aren’t sure how your pup measures up, this guide will describe some of the traits your dog should have. Keep reading to learn what they are. 

1. Your Dog Remains Focused 

A well-trained dog can stay focused on specific tasks. This is a dog who can take on a variety of responsibilities in any kind of setting without getting distracted.

This type of training is most often seen in a service dog. Service dogs are trained to help complete tasks that are difficult for their owners. 

2. Your Dog Doesn’t Struggle With Separation Anxiety

Another trait of a well-trained dog is one without separation anxiety. If you’ve ever done any pet sitting, you know some dogs struggle with breaking away from their family. 

You might notice separation anxiety with your dog. Even something as simple as going into another room sends your dog into a panic. 

Dogs who start getting training at an early age understand that their humans aren’t abandoning them and will do fine if left alone for some time. 

3. Your Dog Listens to Your Commands 

Another trait of a well-trained canine companion is following commands. If you only have to tell your dog once to come before he does, you have a well-trained and behaved pup. 

A well-trained dog learns and can remember all kinds of commands easily. This is usually the case with dogs who start training as puppies. Your dog should know how to sit and stay with simple hand gestures. 

4. Your Dog Adapts Well to Change 

Most dogs, especially as they start to age, have a hard time adapting to change. A well-trained pup will be able to manage any changes to his or her environment without becoming stressed or lethargic. 

Their ability to focus is what allows them to learn how to manage their owner’s needs in every new environment. 

5. Your Dog Does Well on a Leash

One of the most common problems dog owners face is leash pulling. An excited puppy will pull on their leash as they try to explore new scents as they walk. 

Dogs who started their training as puppies will let their owners guide them and will never try to walk far ahead of them. If your dog is struggling with pulling or any other behavioral issue, you might want to consider dog training. You can try incorporating a bungee dog leash for your dog’s routine. You can learn more about it and book a session right away.  

Work to Develop These Traits of a Well-Trained Dog

These are the top traits every well-trained dog should have. If your dog is struggling in any of these areas, you should consider training. 

Check out some of our other pet blogs if you found useful information in this one. 

The Best Ways to Make Your Home Pet Safe

Posted on by AJay

The Best Ways to Make Your Home Pet Safe

In the US, around 85 million families have some sort of pet, which is two-thirds of the population! Having a furry companion is an excellent way to enrich your life. Plus, you can rescue furry creatures in need too.

Do you feel like you’re ready to add another member to your household? Then you need to make some preparations before you bring Fido home. Otherwise, they can get into trouble!

Keep reading for ways you can make your home pet safe before you introduce your new furry friends.

Store Away Toxic Substances

Pets are like babies; they’ll get into anything and everything! And when they do, they’ll want to taste whatever they find.

It’s vital that you store away all toxic substances, like medications and cleaners. Even if they’re not at ground level, you should lock these items away. You never know if your pet will jump up to where they’re not supposed to be!

Consider installing latches on your cabinets as well. Get trash cans with lids too, so they can’t get into these containers.

Remove Toxic Plants

Houseplants can really brighten up a place, but some aren’t great for pet safety. While looking at munchkin cats for adoption, you should also research all the plants you have.

You should give away those that are toxic to pets. If you can’t bear to part with your plants, at least put them high up where they’re impossible to reach. While you’re at it, place your fragile items out of reach as well.

Have the Right Flooring

If possible, ensure you have hardwood floors or tiles in your home.

In general, fabric flooring (such as carpet and rugs) is bad. Your energetic pets might trip on these things.

Also, they trap hair, bacteria, and biological waste from puppy accidents. This isn’t great for people with pet allergies, so do yourself a favor and breathe easier and clean up faster with non-fabric flooring.

Avoid Light-Colored Upholstery

Light-colored upholstery will stain easily, and when you have pets, your furniture will get ruined!

Keep your furniture looking newer for longer by going for darker colors. If you can’t afford to replace things, then at least get a dark-colored throw to protect your upholstery.

Make Your Yard Pet Friendly

Your pet won’t want to be cooped up all the time, so you need to make your yard fun and safe.

Ensure your fence is at an appropriate height and there are no loose boards. Remove toxic plants or consider installing an enclosure so you can confine your furry friends to a safe area.

Make the terrain safe by leveling it. Then add plenty of enrichment toys!

Ensure Your Home’s Pet Safe

Bringing home new pets is a huge responsibility. So take some time to ensure your home is as pet safe as possible. This will save you a lot of trouble and heartbreak!

Now you have a pet-friendly home, but there’s so much more to do to make your new pets feel comfortable. Read the rest of our blog page for more information!

Top 5 Factors to Consider When Picking a Dog Trainer

Posted on by AJay

Top 5 Factors to Consider When Picking a Dog Trainer

When some people get a dog, they automatically find a dog trainer to make sure the dog is set up for success. Others plan on training their dog by themselves but come across an issue that needs professional help, such as anxiety or reactivity.

Picking a dog trainer that works for you is very important when this happens. However, with so many different trainers and styles, how do you pick the best one for you and your dog? 

You should bear all of these things in mind. 

1. Their Experience and Specialty

The first thing you’ll want to consider is their dog training experience. How long have they been in business? Are they used to working with the kind of dog you have?

Some dog trainers also specialize in certain issues such as reactivity, aggression, separation anxiety, etc. If this is a huge problem for you, you want to make sure that the dog trainer you chose is equipped to deal with it.

Pick a reputable trainer with plenty of experience such as k-9culture.com. 

2. Their Credentials

Anyone can create a website and call themselves a dog trainer. There’s nothing to regulate that.

With plenty of options for trainers available, you should pick someone who has credentials and client testimonials behind them. If the trainer can’t demonstrate anything that makes them seem reputable, it might be best to go with someone else. 

3. Their Style

There are many different styles of dog training. For the most part, you’ll want to look at trainers who believe in positive reinforcement. This has been proven to be the best method to teach dogs how to behave and maintain a strong bond with them.

There are also differences in location. Some people might offer in-home services, some might offer board and train, and some may even offer virtual sessions.

Which works best for you will depend on your situation.

4. Reviews

Reading online reviews is essential once you think you’ve found a trainer you like. Search for them and look to see if you can find any and if you can’t, ask if you can be put in touch with past clients.

You want to make sure they have a good reputation in the dog training community.

5. Fees

They don’t usually come cheap, but comparing trainer prices is important to make sure you can afford the services.

Don’t automatically go with the cheapest trainer, because they may be the cheapest for a reason! However, you should weigh the prices with every other factor and make a decision from there. 

Picking a Dog Trainer Can be Daunting

Picking a dog trainer can be a daunting task. You’ll be paying money for a service you want to improve you and your dog’s life, and you want to make sure they’ll treat your dog well.

Consider all of the above factors. Read online reviews, ask about their style, and see how your dog reacts to them! From there, you’ll be able to make the right decision.

For more dog advice and tips, check out the rest of our site. 

A Nose for Narcotics: The Low Down on How Sniffer Dogs Are Trained

Posted on by AJay

A Nose for Narcotics: The Low Down on How Sniffer Dogs Are Trained

Ever been in line at the airport and had a dog walk by sniffing luggage with an office? You’ve encountered a sniffer dog. This might seem like an odd way to find drugs, but drug detection dogs are a great way to find drugs without unnecessary searches or tons of technical equipment.

You might find yourself wondering how that process even starts. A dog can learn to fetch, but sniffing out drugs is another task entirely. The process isn’t as complicated as you might expect, but it still works remarkably well.

The Dogs

Not all dogs make for the best sniffer dogs. There are different sniffer dog breeds that work well, but the list isn’t very long. While dogs, in general, have incredible senses of smell and are often trainable, those breeds that lean toward service and an aptitude for training are usually more likely to be selected.

The breeds selected to be sniffer dogs are often shepherds, German or Czech, boarder collies, labrador retrievers, or german shorthair pointers. There are a few more that do well, but generally athletic and task-oriented breeds work best. 

Training 

The training to actually become a drug-sniffing dog is not hard to understand. It doesn’t revolve around treats or an actual interest in drugs. The training begins with and continues to revolve around a toy. 

Trainers will play with a dog and establish a favorite toy, often a basic towel with no scent to associate with it. Then they will wrap up some cannabis or another substance in the towel so the dog will associate that toy with that scent. Then, when they want to play they will hunt down that towel, or that scent, as a signal that they have their toy. 

This process does take time and involves training for both the dog and the handler. The dog is rewarded with the training of proper procedures on how to behave when detecting that scent, as in some cases they may paw at it, but in the case of explosives detection that would be dangerous so they can’t touch it if they find it.

In the Field

Sniffer dog practice also entails going into different terrains to detect the scent and going to new places. Going into the field to find drugs is different than training, so it is important to make it as similar as possible.

There are companies that train and run narcotic detection programs and can detail how that process looks when called in. It can be different depending on the location and what the dogs are supposed to be looking for.

Super Sniffer Dogs

Using dogs for drug detection may not seem like the most reliable practice, but sniffer dogs do tremendously well and are happy to help. The training is safe and the dogs are not put at risk with exposure to drugs or anything that could harm them when getting the scent down. If you found this information interesting to learn about, keep reading for more animal facts.

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    Most of my day is spent playing with dogs. When they nap, I’m here working on my blog. You’re welcome to reach out and connect with me.

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