What does being your dog's advocate mean?

Recently, I have gotten several inquires from dog parents that are having trouble with their anxious dogs. After getting feedback from my clients, and fellow trainers; I realized that these anxious dogs are looking for an advocate. Someone who can voice their concerns to others, when needed. Our dogs can’t voice what bothers them, so it is up to us as their pet parent to voice those concerns for them. 

You will be able to tell if your dog needs an advocate if they start to display signs of anxiety. Anxiety in dogs can look like pacing, panting, shivering, barking, escaping, and destroying furniture. These are the ways your dog is trying to communicate with you that they are not comfortable with something in their environment. Being able to identify what your dog is trying to say to you is the first way you can advocate for them. 

Important body language to observe is, if your dog is displaying displacement behaviors. Displacement behaviors are normal canine behaviors that are displayed out of context, which indicate conflict or anxiety. An example of displacement behavior is licking of the lips when there is no food around. If your dog licks its lips while you are out on a walk, do a quick scan of the environment and see if maybe there is another dog or person around that your dog has noticed. Then your first response should be to create distance between your dog and the object of their anxiety. Once you have created space for your dog, observe if and when your dog becomes relaxed. You did it! You just became your dog's advocate, by listening to your dog's signals and acting in your dogs best interest you advocated for your dog, which will help build trust between the two of you.

Your goal as your dog's advocate should be to make them feel safe. If you begin to notice your dog's body language becomes anxious every time they see a child or perhaps a larger dog, then begin to scan the environments of places you take them to for these triggers. Once you identify these triggers in your dog you can better help your dog. Help them through with distance, as explained earlier, or through a dog trainer and some counter-conditioning exercises.

Sometimes you will need to be your dog's advocate to other humans. If your dog gets anxious with other people, then when a friendly person comes up and asks to pet your dog, it’s your responsibility to voice your dog's concerns. Simply by saying “Thanks for the offer but my dog likes her space” tells the person what your dog's boundaries are. And it shows your dog that you are listening to them and are actively trying to help them feel safe.

By showing up as your dog's advocate, you are building trust as well as helping your dog overcome these fears. If your dog is exhibiting any of these signs of anxiety,  I would highly recommend speaking with a dog trainer or dog behaviorist. Someone who can help you and your dog work through these anxieties to help your dog live a more balanced life.

Decompression and Enrichment Walks

A dog’s most prominent sense is their sense of smell. You could say it is their superpower! Far too often we (humans) don’t do enough to foster their sense of smell. I have often encouraged my clients to play scent games with their dogs or as discussed in a previous blog post to use a Snuffle Mat at feeding times. These are just two ways in which every dog owner can foster this natural superpower at home. But what about ways to enrich our dog's snout outside the home?

One of the best ways is through a Decompression walk. This term was coined by Sarah Stremming on her Cog-Dog Radio podcast. Sarah Stremming defines decompression walks as “a walk where the dog is allowed freedom of movement in nature.” She says this can be done off-leash or on a long line with a back clipping harness. Furthermore, she suggests decompression walks should be done out in nature in a secluded area. This will allow your dog to be a dog. To let their nose be their guide, and to get back in touch with their instincts. The benefits of decompression walks are said to be physical, mental, and behavioral.

After learning of this term I became very excited! It was like the dog training world was finally catching on to something that dog owners have been noticing for years, even though the majority of the information that was available on the subject told us to do the opposite. It was widely encouraged throughout the dog-owning world that walks are for exercise only! No sniffing or doodling around! 

In my over 5 years as a dog walker, I noticed the dogs I walked, that were active sniffers, were more tired and content after the walks, as opposed to dogs who were taught not to sniff on walks. Some trainers and pack walkers discourage sniffing to maximize the physical exercise of a walk. And I do believe that technique works and is beneficial for some dogs. However, just like people, every dog has different needs. There is not a “one size fits all” fix for behavioral, physical, and mental enrichment. We need to look at each dog individually and determine what will work best for that specific dog.

There has been anecdotal evidence that for dogs who experience fear, anxiety, stress, and reactivity; decompression walks have benefited them in the reduction of those behaviors. Trainers and pet parents who have implemented decompression walks into their schedules have noticed their once aggressive or anxious dog behaving more calmly.

Enrichment walks can also be as beneficial as Decompression walks as well. Enrichment walks are not as long, only 45 mins, and don’t have to be done in a secluded area. But the goal is the same to allow a dog to let their nose be their guide and explore. On these walks, the handler can vary their average pace from a slower walk to a quick jog. Also, the handler can sprinkle treats in a nearby bush or under rocks for the dog to discover. Using the environment, such as fallen trees, to create a makeshift obstacle course is great for the dog that is very athletic and energetic.

Both of these options offer your dog more stimulation both mentally and physically, which can reduce stress and unwanted behavior. For anyone who may be dealing with a hyper dog or one that has shown anxious behavior these are two great options to assist your dog with adapting to our human world.

12 Days of Christmas

Every year since I started Doggie Dreamz back in 2014, I have chosen twelve gifts, from companies that give back to animal rescue organizations, to be a part of a Gift Giving Guide. I look forward to discovering new companies that offer products that do more than just one thing. To me, the holiday season is more than getting presents, it’s about helping those that need it most. The holiday season has always been about lending a helping hand to those less fortunate. All twelve of these companies help spread this giving spirit and help charities that support animal rescue efforts across the country. I hope you enjoy this list and that these suggestions assist you with some of your loved ones on your shopping list.

 For the first day, we have chosen Rescue Chocolate. Not only do they make delicious chocolate but they also donate 100% of the net profits to animal rescue organizations around the country. This is perfect for any sweet tooth in your life that also enjoys helping animals.

For Day 2 we chose Fetch Eyewear. They have stylish frames for both prescription and sunglasses. They donate 100% of profits to animal welfare groups, making them a perfect gift for the pet obsessed!

Day 3 is for any dog lover that loves to represent their love. Hendricks & Co is an apparel company that donates to animal rescue organizations with every shirt, hoodie, bracelet, or dog accessory purchased. More than 600 rescues, shelters, and sanctuaries in the U.S. and Canada have partnered with Hendrick & Co. and to date, Hendrick & Co. has donated more than $2 million!

Day 4 of our Gift Giving Guide is all about coffee! Grounds and Hounds make delicious coffee all with a doggie theme. They support rescue organizations providing second chances to pups in need of a helping hand. 20% of all Grounds and Hounds Profits are given to rescue organizations working to make the second-chance mission a reality.

Day 5 is a great gift for a cartoon enthusiast in your life. Mutts Shop is merchandise from the classic comic strip Mutts. And 2% of the retail price of every item in their shop goes to The Humane Society’s Animal Rescue Team.

Day 6 of our 12 Days of Christmas Gift Giving Guide answers a question I get a lot…Where did you get your shirt? I have this shirt in black and it is a perfect idea for a Game of Thrones fan that is also a dog lover. What is even better is that the company, Animal Hearted, donates 25% of proceeds from every order to non-profit animal shelters and rescue organizations.

Day 7 in our Gift Giving Guide is one of the cutest things I have ever seen! It's an Operation Res-cute pup! This item comes with a book, based on the true story of a real-life rescue dog, along with a plush stuffed animal and Operation ResCUTE sticker. 100% of the profits will go towards helping shelter dogs get adopted.

Day 8 of our Gift Giving Guide is perfect for the practical Pet Parent. It's a seatbelt from Kurgo for your pup in the car to keep them safe while allowing them to enjoy the ride as well. And what is great is that Kurgo has its own foundation that helps people explore the world together, as well as organizations that help dogs in natural disaster situations.

Day 9 in our 12 Days Gift Guide is for the candle obsessed. Light and Bark Candle Co. These smell amazing and also go with any home decor style. A portion of the profits from every purchase is donated directly to a deserving rescue. These donations help shelter and rescue dogs to stay healthy and happy while they wait for their forever homes by covering costs for things like microchips, medical care, enrichment items, and funding for shelter prevention.

Day 10 in our Gift Guide is from Arm the Animals. This mask says it all, it really does save lives. For the past 8 years, this amazing company has been providing donation funds, supplying low-cost website development, graphics, and marketing services to help other organizations increase their impact.

Day 11 of our Gift Giving Guide would be perfect for your Instagram obsessed friend. The popular Instagram Profile The Dogist that was started to showcase the cute dogs of New York has become a phenomenon. And now they have started their own shop that helps fund animal rescues. The Dogist Rescue Partner Program empowers local shelters by helping fund their rescue work and highlighting adoptable dogs from their shelters and foster networks. Each season, we partner with a new rescue organization and donate a portion of each sale from The Dogist Shop to help continue their work.

Day 12! It’s the final day of our Gift Giving Guide and today’s pick is for you make-up lovers out there. Karity is a cruelty-free make-up brand that not only is reasonably priced, and is carried at CVS, but for every palette that is sold each month, Karity donates a meal to a shelter animal through the SPCA. Truly a beauty company that knows the real meaning of beauty.

Let me know of any other companies that you enjoy or buy from that give back to animal rescues in the comments below.

Essential Oil Guide for Pet Parents

If you are anything like me, you want your home to be a place of calm and comfort, and one way to create that is through the use of essential oils. The ones I use in my home are Peppermint and Lavender. But our homes are not ours alone; we share them with our fur babies as well. And it is good to know what essential oils provide healthy and healing effects in our dogs as well as to know which ones are toxic to steer clear of. What’s great is that the oils that are safe for use with pets are found to have the same healing effects in pets as they do in humans. Meaning you could use essential oils as holistic alternatives in some situations with your pet. However, ALWAYS consult your Veterinarian before using anything as medicine. 

My preferred way to disperse my oils is through the use of a diffuser. Add one to two drops of essential oil to a water-based diffuser. When we use a diffuser in our homes, we tend to just drop in the oil and go about our business. However, when using them as a pet aid, only run the diffuser for ten minutes. Then, let the air clear for about 30 minutes. Our dog’s nose is more powerful than ours is so for them to receive the desired healing effects of the oils, it takes a shorter time. 

Another way you can use your essential oils is topically. If you prefer to apply oils directly onto the skin make sure that you use an oil that is diluted. Do not use undiluted oils, they will make your dog sick. To dilute your essential oil, aim for one drop of essential oil for every tablespoon and a half of coconut oil. Coconut oil is a great way to apply essential oils directly onto your pet’s skin. Make sure you always do a patch test first to ensure your pet won’t have a reaction to the oil. 

Below are the essential oils that are safe to use around dogs along with the desired effect that oil can have on your pet.

Chamomile- reduces stress, and calms upset stomach.

Frankincense- immunity boost, and calms digestive tracts.

Ginger- reduces joint pain, clear respiratory tracts, and soothes stomach.

Lavender- reduces anxiety, calms carsickness, and insomnia.

Myrrh- soothes skin irritation. 

Cardamom -normalizes appetite, colic, coughs, heartburn and nausea.

Fennel-  Balances pituitary, thyroid and pineal glands

Peppermint- aids in joint pain, supports  respiratory health.

Now we have come to the essential oils to NEVER use. The oils listened below are proven to be poisonous to your pet. 

Citrus Oils- Lemon, etc.. Lots of household cleaning products use these essential oils in their formula so make sure you check your cleaning items ingredients.

 Pine

 Ylang Ylang

 Tea Tree- According to a report published in the Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association, there have been hundreds of instances of tea tree oil toxicity in pets.

https://avmajournals.avma.org/doi/abs/10.2460/javma.244.1.95

Remember this is just a guide but ALWAYS discuss with your veterinarian before using essential oils as treatment. I hope you enjoyed this month’s blog! And let me know in the comments below with essential oils are your favorite. I consulted my essential oil expert Mary and you can email her too if you have any questions at watersrobbins@gmail.com.

Snuffle Mat Basics

In our last blog post I listed all the dog products on Amazon that I recommend, which included a Snuffle Mat. After that post I received so many questions about what a snuffle mat was. So I decided to do a whole article dedicated to the wonders of this amazing tool. 

A snuffle mat is a tool to feed your dog that activates their sense of smell, encourages their natural foraging instincts and stimulates their mind. It is essentially just a rubber mat with strips of material, but the benefits are huge for your dog. 

Your dog’s sense of smell is one of their greatest super powers! And as dog owners we often times don’t encourage them to use their sense of smell enough. A snuffle mat is one way we can help do that. This means your dog will have to work to get their food. They have to use their nose to find every last bit of kibble. Nosework in dogs has been shown to improve a dog’s self-reliance and increase their positive judgment. (Science Direct)

Dogs have a natural drive to hunt or forge for their food. In making your dog work for their food through either training or enrichment tools like a snuffle mat, helps your dog feel as though they have earned their meal. Pairing a snuffle mat with training cues is a great way to engage their forging behavior and also helps teach your dog impulse control as well. 

To introduce your dog to their new snuffle mat first sprinkle some treats on the top of the mat so your dog will get use to this new toy. Once they have successfully eaten all their treats from the top of the mat, place a higher value treat like cheese or chicken onto the mat and ruffle the mat to ensure the treats are deeper down. Then once your dog has gotten use to this new tool you can start to place their kibble onto the mat for each meal. 

Let me know if you or anyone you know currently use a snuffle mat and what your thoughts are on how it effects your dogs behavior? I hope you found this article informative and helpful.