Excessive barking tips

I love watching the "Dog Whisperer" on television.  Cesar Millan really does some remarkable rehabilitating of behavioral problem dogs and it is amazing to watch, listen and learn.  He has a really good website that has a lot of dog advice from so many areas of topic.  Here is a recap on the excessive barking area of Cesar Millan's website.  Cesar Millan's stop barking tips  Click on link to learn more.

Cesar Millan's Best Tips to Stop Excessive Barking

1. Correct problem and follow through.  Instantly correct your dog verbally or physically the moment the behavior starts and do not stop until they subside and move on.  Consistency is key.
2. Stay Calm!  Haha a hard one for me!  But seriously, it does your dog absolutely no good to get all frustrated and then try to correct a barking behavior.  Your dog will actually "mirror" your energy.  Barking is a great release for frustrated energy.  Calm yourself first...then the dog.
3. Stake your claim to stop barking.  Does your dog bark nonstop at the same things?  Whatever it is they are barking at, claim as your own. You are the pack leader remember?  Try putting yourself physically between that object and your dog until they stop and move on.  Be calm and consistent...
4. Challenge your dog, mentally and physically.  Excessive barking can be a result of pent-up energy.  Simple solution:  Exercise!  A daily walk will help and if your dog is already quite active, then try something more challenging exercise wise for him.  
5. Get Help!  If none of these techniques help, then maybe contact a reputable dog trainer.  Another suggestion would be to get some DVD's about dog training and watch them.  Here is what Cesar Millan offers... Common Canine Misbehaviors DVD

So hopefully you can work on that annoying barking your dog may do.  I know I now have some excellent tips to help me with.  Good luck!

Our Chicken Jerky

Dogs really do LOVE our jerky.  Our "hormone free" chicken breast jerky is easy for your dog to digest.  Feel good about knowing that our product is made in the USA and at a USDA-certified meat plant that does not produce any pet food, only human-grade meats.  We do not add any artificial preservative to the jerky and it has just a touch of water and a dash of sea salt.  It is very pure and natural.  So many pet treat products are loaded with sugar, wheat and grains, which can be bad for your dog's health.  Dogs are carnivores and an all natural meat product is a smart choice to feed your dog.  

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Dogs make us "FEEL GOOD"

It is simple...dogs make us "FEEL GOOD."

Owning a dog is good for us in many ways studies and surveys have shown.  They can help us deal with anxieties and depression, get us through trauma and hard times.  Pets can even lower our blood pressure according to a 2011-2012 survey. Pet Survey  39% of American households include a dog.  These pet owners show to have higher self-esteem, are less lonely, and tend to have a greater sense of well being.  

Dogs are good therapy for us too.  Petting and playing with a dog can raise levels of "oxytocin" in our bodies, a stress reducing hormone, and lower "cortisol" in us, which is a stress causing hormone.  When dogs are around these hormones are active and people generally "feel better."   People generally feel an overall sense of comfort when they are around dogs.  So get a dog and feel better...

Dog Kissing

Chicken jerky please?

Our "hormone free" chicken jerky is a dog's favorite!  It is easy for dogs to digest and a great protein source.  

Try some today, buy online! BUY chicken jerky

Antler Chews

The antler chews from Smartdog Jerky are amazing treats for your dog! Filled with calcium and phosphorous, they are nutritious and delicious!  Small sizes for the wee ones and large sizes for the big guys.  Pick some up online today! 

Smartdog Jerky SHOP

Friday Funnies

Laguna Beach Animal Shelter

Laguna Beach is a small beachside community located in Southern California.  A pet friendly place whose residents show great support to their local shelter, Laguna Beach Animal Shelter, which was founded in 1975 by a group of volunteers.  All over Laguna you will see people walking their dogs and enjoying the beach and beautiful area.

The national average return rate of dogs back to the shelter is close to 50%.  Laguna Beach Animal Shelter tries to find the best possible fit between pet and future owner and so they have an approval process they follow.  They have only a nearly 5% return rate of their pets coming back.

You can always go online to their website and view the dogs that are available for adoption at any time.
Laguna Beach Animal Shelter Dog Photos  There are so many animals, in so many cities, in so many states across American sitting in cages just as these.  Maybe if people would take just one, it would lessen the shelters load.  Let your children have a dog to grown up with. Purebreds, mix breeds, all sorts of colors and sizes and temperaments are sitting there waiting for a loving home to go live with forever.  Dogs are such amazing companions to have.

Thank you to Laguna Beach Animal Shelter for taking such great care of these pets.  And also to the residents of Laguna Beach for all of your support to this shelter.  Please adopt a dog today.

 

Our top sellers!

These are our top sellers!  Pick some up online today.  A healthy and nutritious choice for your pet.    SHOP Smartdog

FDA recall list

Today I came across the FDA website through another page I was reading.  It is amazing to me how many links are within links on the Internet.  Endless reading material!  Anyway, they have a section called, Animal & Veterinary.  It has a list of all the dog food and treats that have been recalled each year.  It is good to be knowledgeable about our pets and their health.  If you get a chance maybe glance at this year's list and see if you have any of these products in your home.  FDA Animal & Veterinary Website

And remember that Smartdog jerky is all natural and made right here in the US!  We are a healthy and smart choice for your dog.  Try our newest item, Turkey Jerky.  It is very low in fat and great for overweight dogs.   Available for purchase online next week!  Smartdog WEBSITE

China serves dog meat in restaurants

Okay, so I have heard the "stories."  For years, since I was little, about how the Vietnamese eat dogs and cats..  I realize that different cultures eat different types of foods, meats, insects and such.  But when you grow up American, have dogs and cats as loving family pets, then it is just plain hard to stomach and accept.  But I made myself research it today, and there is an alarming amount of photos and stories on the Internet about China and their abuse of dogs that I know it is factual and not just some myth.

I was on Pinterest last night, and was shocked when I came across a photo taken in China of a cage of dogs all crammed together on the back of a bike.  It was horrible!  I think of my beloved creatures and all we do to make them happy and healthy and then see these poor dogs being treated this way.  It just broke my heart.  I feel so helpless.  So the most I can do today, it blog about the truth...The truth that serving dogs and eating them in restaurants in China is allowed.  Dogs and cats are raised there just to be eaten.  Some are boiled alive.  There are wholesale meat markets in China selling dogs and cats for food consumption.

The FDA only inspects about 1-2% off all food imported from China.  Food from China, dog food and people food, are found to contain alarming levels of heavy metals such a arsenic, lead and mercury.  Stores here sell "certified organic" food that is grown in China.  The USDA does not test or regulate heavy metals in foods that are on the organic certified program.  Dogs and cats here are dying of things like diabetes and cancer and a cause of this is the high levels of toxins found in pet treats, pet treats that are made in China.  There are toxic solvents in them that cause liver and kidney damage.  I ask you to please read labels.  Buy from the USA.   Don't support China made products.
Video to watch the TRUTH

Adopt a dog!

So many dogs are sitting behind chain link fences today.  They must feel sad and alone in there, many times without even a blanket or towel to lay on...just cold cement floors.  Would be nice to rescue them all!  But sadly, there are just too many.  But you can make a difference by adopting just one of them.  Go visit a local shelter and just "look."  Just a peek, see if you are drawn to one.  Make a difference in one animal's life today.  

Smartdog Chicken Jerky

Food allergies in dogs

Why are some dog's allergic to dog food?

Dogs are carnivores and their system is designed to digest meat not plants.  Grains like corn and wheat are a frequent cause of dog allergies and food intolerance problems many dog have. Certain breeds are even more prone to develop allergies over others.  It is in a dog's genetic makeup whether they develop food allergies or not.  It can be frustrating for the owner trying to figure out what they can and can't eat.  Try new brands, read the labels clearly and try to eliminate and reduce the amount of grains in your dog's diet.  There are many choices now a days for good quality dog food.  

Sign & Symptoms of dog food allergies

• skin rash
• hives
• itching
• paw biting or licking
• vomiting

Food Intolerances

• gas
• bloating
• diarrhea
• vomiting
• naseau 

If you think your pet has an allergy or food intolerance, it is bet to contact your vet to discuss treatment options.  Many times it is just a food change that will work.  Do research yourself too online to learn more and understand it all better.  Holistic Page to get more info from, click HERE

Dog obesity

Obesity in Dogs

Today, Canine obesity is a fast growing health concern for dogs.  Many health problems can arise from a dog being obese, such as diabetes, hypertension, and cardiac disease.  These types of health problems can lead to death.  Dogs need a healthy diet and exercise just as humans do.  Look at the labels of the dog food and treats you are feeding your dogs.  Do they have meat or meat by-products?  Is there sugar or glycerin listed?  What about wheat?  Artificial preservatives? So many treat have sugar in them!  Why does a dog need sugar added to their diet?  Smartdog Jerky has none of this stuff.  Only pure meat, a touch of water and sea salt.  Our turkey jerky is our leanest meat and a great treat for an obese dog. So go pick up some all natural jerky today from Smartdog online. 

Dog walking

I can think of many times on walks, more than I can count, of dogs walking their owners.  The dogs pull so hard they choke themselves and the owner is struggling to have control of their dog.   It easily becomes a habit and one that can be hard to break.  If your dog is hard to walk on a leash then here is a great article  I came across over at Modern Dog's website. It gives advice to help conquer the leash.  

Modern Dog Website

Pets even adopt

Happy 4TH of July

Have a good Fourth of July!  Be Safe.

Fireworks

Some dogs get scared on the 4th of July.  We have already heard fireworks going off the past two nights.  The early birds.  Seeing a colorful and spectacular firework show is amazing but please use extra caution that your dogs are safe and sound.  Put them indoors when the fireworks start and relax an enjoy the show.

Adopt a dog!

Dogs and Horses

When I think of horses or ranches and how dogs fit in, I typically think about cattle dogs, and Australian Shepherds...or Great Pyrenees as "protectors."  My parents had a horse ranch while I was growing up and those were the typical dogs they had around to "work" the property and animals.    They either chased away coyotes or rounded up the horses, or helped herd the sheep.  They all had a "purpose," none lived in the house or were even allowed inside.  I learned to stop asking if they could come indoors with us, it was ranch life for all these animals and this was a part I had to accept.  

Well, this weekend I attended a horse clinic in Denver that was put on by Pat Parelli and his team.  You didn't see a cattle dog mix or Aussie running around after him and his wife, Linda.  No Great Pyrenees or such to protect the horses or their property.  Nope, they had two tiny little Dachshunds following them around.  Maybe because they are great companions or smaller travelers with their team of large horses, maybe they prefer the breed, who knows.  But, they most definitely were a crowd pleaser!  These guys were so well behaved and off leash mostly in the large area filled with people and horses.  I kept watching the little dogs run around and told myself, "pay attention to the horses!"