Unconditional Love

FAQ

What is coprophagia?

Most dogs with coprophagia are well nourished and show no evidence of a nutrient deficiency that would account for the compulsion to eat stools. These individuals may have acquired a taste preference for stools beginning in puppyhood. Other reasons suggested that may cause stool-eating include boredom, unresolved conflict, and confinement in close quarters such as a kennel. Once established, the habit is difficult to break.

 

A minority of dogs have a medical reason for coprophagia. Dogs with malabsorption syndrome, in particular, have a ravenous appetite and eat stools in an attempt to acquire additional calories. Coprophagia has also been described with corticosteroid therapy, Cushing’s syndrome, diabetes mellitus, hyperthyroidism and intestinal parasites.

 

Stool eating is undesirable, not only for aesthetic reasons but because ingesting animal feces can bring in intestinal parasites. Dogs that eat large amounts of horse manure can develop severe vomiting and diarrhea.

 

Treatment: Veterinary examination is warranted to check for parasites and other medical problems. Management includes removing stools from the environment as quickly as possible, making cat litter boxes inaccessible to dogs, and distracting the dog by providing extra exercise and interaction with pets and humans.

 

A number of ingredients have been suggested as additives to the dog’s food in order to improve digestion or render the stools unappetizing. A partial list includes meat tenderizers, crushed pineapple, Viokase, B-complex

 

vitamins, sulfur, glutamic acid, monosodium glutamate, sauerkraut, and canned pumpkin. Frequently recommended products that work in different ways to control the problem are For Bid & Deter. There are no scientific studies to confirm or deny the effectiveness of any of these additives, but anecdotal reports suggest they may be of benefit in some cases.

 

Portions – © Dog Owner’s Home Veterinary Handbook 2000 by Liisa D. Carlson, D.V.M. and James M. Griffin, MD

How do I choose the right dog for me?

How To Choose The Right Breed Of Dog For Your Lifestyle

    So...you're going to get a dog, eh?  You've been thinking about this for some time now and the moment is right.   There's room for a dog in your life and you're committed.  But before you get in your car and go select that lucky dog, may I suggest that you think about something you may NOT have considered...
    How do you and the dog match up?  I don't mean temperament or behavioral characteristics of the new dog; I mean what KIND of a dog are you about to bring in to your daily life for the next twelve to eighteen years?  I can't tell you how many times veterinarians have been involved with scenes like this one...
    Pet owner: "Doctor, can you get me something to calm this dog down?  He's really driving us crazy.  All he wants to do is play; he gets these wild streaks every day where he runs around the house knocking things over and when we do take him outside he'll run away first chance he gets.  We've got to find something to relax him."
    Veterinarian: "Gosh, you have a perfectly normal German Shorthaired Pointer here.  These hunting breeds have been selectively bred over many years to seek game, have unlimited stamina, and be able to pursue escaping game.  Why did you get a hunting breed when you live in a small apartment?"

Please...take just a little time BEFORE you make the final decision to acquire a dog and check out the different breeds that would match your living habits, your living environment, and your time freedom.  Far too often a new dog owner wants a certain breed because "Sheepdogs are so beautiful", or because "I've always wanted a dog just like Lassie", or "Boxers don't shed", or "Rottweilers are real protective".  Your decision as to which breed of dog to provide a home for should be based on practical parameters much more than on emotional factors.

Sheepdogs are beautiful...if the owners can keep this long haired, large breed of dog properly groomed.  It may not be a good choice, though, for an elderly gentleman who simply needs a little companionship!  Any long haired dog will accidentally (and sometimes not so accidentally!) bring some of the outdoors indoors.   Be prepared for sand, dirt, leaves, or water to be attached to the coat after these large breeds with long hair get a bit of exercise outdoors.  So, if you are the meticulous, perfectionist type and have spotless carpeting and valuable little Hummels and porcelain owls set on 18th Century coffee tables...ah, you just might need a little dog that doesn't shed and keeps itself similarly well refined.  Your valuable furnishings would be better protected and cherished by a little Boston Terrier, Dachshund, or Poodle.  So... you do need to match YOUR LIFESTYLE with a BREED OF DOG that was bred for a specific life style or activity.  It makes no sense to make a multi-year commitment to a dog that may not be a good fit with its environment or its owner's lifestyle.

How To Choose The Right Breed Of Dog For Your Lifestyle...

Base your decision regarding which breed to acquire by asking yourself a few questions.  
Here is a simple checklist for you:

ME	THE DOG
Do I travel often? If I do, who will care for the dog?	How big will I get?
Can I interact with the dog at lease three times a day?	Am I the quiet, sleepy type or are all my ancestors hunting dogs?
Will it matter if it sheds a lot of fur?	How much food will my owners have to buy?
Am I prepared for unexpected expenses if the dog gets sick?	Will I be tracking dirt and sand into the house?
Can I afford ordinary costs for such necessities as worming, vaccinations and spay/neutering?	Do I have special genetic problems like the Shar Peis?
Where will I exercise the dog twice a day?	Will I need professional grooming every 6 weeks?
Am I knowledgeable about housetraining and basic commands?	Were my ancestors bred for looks or behavior?
If there are lots of visitors to my house will the dog be trustworthy and friendly?	Will I be interacting with a lot of strangers or little children?
Will it adapt to the pets I already own?   And how will my current pets accept a new housemate?	Will the climate have an effect on me?
Will the dog be predominantly indoors or out?	Will I have my own house or live inside with my owners?

It is really very important to strive for the correct match because if you have to give up a dog because of "circumstances" you will not feel good about it.  It will be a very emotional experience to have to give away a dog you have lived with and grown to like.  In addition it can be a tough transition for the dog to have to enter an entirely new environment.  Do your best to make that first choice the right one.  Find a breed that suits your lifestyle and environment. Then you'll know you've got a PERFECT MATCH.

How do I train my dog off leash?

Teaching your dog to comply with you when he's off leash can be hard. Although some dogs make the transition easily, without seeming to notice that the leash is no longer attached to their collar, other dogs will take off for a long and potentially dangerous run.

Down, Boy!

Do not attempt to do off-leash work with a puppy. Only mentally mature, well-trained dogs should be worked off leash.

To keep your dog safe, never attempt to train off leash without following the training steps outlined here. In addition, always be aware of where you are and what is surrounding you. Train inside with the outside doors closed or train outside in a securely fenced area. Make sure no one is going to open the door or gate and leave it open while your dog is off leash. Be aware and be safe.

Before starting any off-leash training, evaluate your dog.

• How old is he? If he's less than eighteen months of age, give him some time to grow up. Although there are a few exceptions, most dogs under eighteen months of age are still mentally immature.
• Is he mentally mature? Some dogs are still mentally immature at two or even three years of age. If your dog has a hard time concentrating on anything (except maybe his dinner) and he is easily distracted, wait a while longer before beginning this training.
• How are his basic obedience skills? Your dog should know all the basic obedience exercises well and do them reliably. He should be able to perform all of them without lures, although food rewards are still fine.
• What breed (or mixtures of breeds) is your dog? Some breeds have a difficult time controlling themselves off leash. Many of the sighthounds, especially retired and rescued racing greyhounds, should not be off leash outside of a fenced-in yard. If you have a breed (or an individual dog) that was bred to run, is known to be stubborn, or is particularly defiant, be cautious doing off-leash work.

If you feel you can safely begin off-leash training, find a place where you and your dog can be safe. A fenced-in yard with a secure gate is great.

1. Have your dog on leash, Sitting in the Heel position by your left side. Have some really good food treats in your pocket with a few in your right hand.
2. Tuck the leash into the left pocket of your pants, or if you don't have pockets, into the waistband of your pants. Maintain your left hand in its normal position as if you were still holding the leash.
3. Do a Watch Me with the treats in your right hand.
4. When you have your dog's attention, move forward, “Fido, Heel! Good boy!”
5. After several steps, stop and have your dog Sit. Praise him.
6. Do a total of five repetitions and give your dog a break or practice something else.

Repeat these training steps over a couple of weeks, gradually making the distance you walk longer. Then make the Heel itself more challenging. Walk a zigzag pattern, turn corners to the right and to the left, Heel in a figure eight pattern, and do quick about-turns. Heeling by itself can be boring, and although your dog needs this practice, nothing says you and he must both be bored by doing it.

When your dog is heeling nicely with you without pulling the leash out of your pocket, you're ready to move on.

1. For the next few training sessions, have two leashes. Hook both up to your dog's collar. Tuck one in your left pocket (or waistband) and the other in your back pocket.
2. Sit your dog by your left side in the Heel position, do a Watch Me with a good treat in your hand, and walk forward, “Fido, Heel!”
3. Walk a few steps, stop, Sit your dog, and praise him.
4. Reach down and unhook the leash that's in your side pocket. Let it hang free so it's obvious to your dog it's unhooked. (The second leash is your safety leash; it's still tucked into a back pocket, hooked to your dog's collar.)
5. Repeat your Heel exercises, walking nicely at first, and as your dog shows he can do this, challenging him. Keep the treats good and the praise awesome.

After several training sessions over a couple of days or even a week, when your dog is walking without testing the leash, with no pulling, and is maintaining his attention on you, go back to using one leash.

1. Hook the leash to your dog and hold it in your left hand with the dog sitting nicely in the Heel position. Have some really good treats in your pocket and in your right hand.
2. Tell your dog, “Watch Me!” and “Fido, Heel!” and go for a walk. When you have his attention and he's working well, stop and Sit him, and praise him.
3. Unhook the leash and drape it around your neck. Tell him “Watch Me!” and “Fido, Heel!” and go for a walk.
4. When he's walking well, praise him. After a little walk, a short one to begin with, stop, Sit your dog, and give him a jackpot of praise.
5. Repeat for a total of five repetitions.

Now this doesn't mean your dog is completely trained for off-leash work; this is just the beginning. You should continue training in this manner for a while. Go back and forth between one leash, two leashes, and no leash. Use some really good treats and change them from training session to training session so they are always exciting.

You can use similar techniques for training the Stays and Comes off leash. Get a long leash (such as 30 feet of cotton clothesline rope). Hook that up to your dog's collar and practice Stays and Comes at a distance, using the long leash to make sure your dog doesn't decide to dash away. When you feel comfortable with your training, drop the long leash to the ground where you could step on it should you need it. Don't unhook the long leash from your dog's collar until you are 100 percent sure your dog will hold an off-leash Stay and will Come to you every time you call him.

A Riders Prayer

 

A Rider's Prayer

 

Dearest Creator in Heaven, 

Give me strength to guide my horse. 

Make my hands soft and my head clear. 

Let my horse understand me & I him.

My heart you have blessed with a special love of these animals.

Let me never lose sight of it.

My soul you have gifted with a deep need for them.

Let that need never lessen.

Always let my breath catch as the sun gleams on a elegant head.

Always may my throat tighten at the sound of a gentle nicker.

Let the scent of fresh hay and a new bag of grain be sweet to me.

Let the touch of a warm nose on my hand always bring a smile.

I adore the joy of a warm day on the farm.

The grace and splendor of a running horse,

The thunder of its hooves makes my eyes burn & my heart soar.

Let it always be so.

Dearest Creator grant me patience, 

For horses are harnessed wind, and wind can be flighty.

Let me not frighten or harm them.

Instead show me ways to understand them.

Above all, dear Creator, fill my life with them.

When I pass from this world,

Send my soul to no heaven without them.

For this love you have given me graces my existence.

And I shall cherish it and praise You for it for all time.

 

Author Unknown

If A Dog Were Your Teacher

If A Dog Were Your Teacher Author Unknown
	If a dog were your teacher These are some of the lessons you might learn... When loved ones come home, always run to greet them Never pass up the opportunity to go for a joyride Allow the experience of fresh air and the wind in your face to be pure ecstasy When it's in your best interest practice obedience Let others know when they've invaded your territory Take naps and stretch before rising Run romp and play daily Thrive on attention and let people touch you Avoid biting, when a simple growl will do On warm days stop to lie on your back on the grass On hot days drink lots of water and lay under a shady tree When you're happy dance around and wag your entire body No matter how often you're scolded don't buy into the guilt thing and pout run right back and make friends Delight in the simple joy of a long walk Eat with gusto and enthusiasm Stop when you have had enough Be loyal Never pretend to be something you're not If what you want lies buried dig until you find it When someone is having a bad day be silent ..... ...sit close by. ...and nuzzle them gently.