Like their human counterparts, if you get a whiff of your dog’s breath it isn’t going to smell like roses, but there is a big difference between normal doggie breath and a bad case of halitosis.  Here are three important tips to your dog’s dental hygiene and how to keep their breath fresh and clean.

Brush

According to the American Veterinary Dental College, the single best way to ensure dental health

Even kisses from this cutie can naturally be a little stinky!
Source: www.aspcapetinsurance.com

and fresh breath is brushing daily.  Like their humans, dogs can have plaque build-up which can lead to periodontal disease.  Pet stores will carry dental products for your dog like angled toothbrushes to easily reach their back teeth and pet-appropriate toothpaste.  Never use human toothpaste on your pet!  It is too abrasive and they are more likely to swallow or inhale the foam.

Puppies are more likely to get into the habit of a daily brush, but this doesn’t exclude older dogs.  Patience and positive reinforcement is the key.  Add a few treats into the session and before long they may be telling you it’s time to brush!

Crunchy Kibble & Fresh Water

Many people are in the habit of feeding their dogs only wet food; unless directed otherwise by your veterinarian, it is not ideal. Canned food is soft and likely to stick to your dog’s teeth where it can sit and fester.  Dry dog food, on the other hand, promotes chomping and helps keep teeth strong and healthy because it gently rubs away any soft plaque and tartar build-up. Try mixing half a portion of wet food with some dry food – your dog will love it!

Be sure to keep the water bowl clean and bacteria free.
Source: www.getsmellout.com

Always give your dog fresh water and make sure you rinse their bowl.  Fresh water is crucial to overall health. A dehydrated pup will have a dry, sticky, or pale mouth and gums.  Giving them the best water in the world will do no good if they drink from a dirty bowl because it can host bacteria and harmful microorganisms.

Just remember: Crunchy food “brushes” their teeth and gums and fresh water rinses the gunk away.

Crunchy Treats & Chew Toys

Like crunchy kibble, there are benefits of having crunchy treats and chew toys for your canine friend.  Crunchy treats like rawhide or dental biscuits promote chewing, which in turn promotes saliva thus keeping their mouth moist.  Their natural inclination to chew and chomp also promotes strong, healthy teeth.  There are treats that contain anti-tartar ingredients as well.  Chew toys gently rub the gums and help disperse soft tartar build-up.

Always monitor your pet.  You should be familiar if your dog is a chewer or a large chunk swallower.  If they are the latter then you must remove the treat before they can swallow a large piece, as it can get stuck in their digestive tract and cause a blockage.

Crunchy Treats & Chew Toys

Like crunchy kibble, there are benefits of having crunchy treats and chew toys for your canine

I may not know how to brush, but I’m happy to chew a brush!
Source: www.sparkpeople.com

friend.  Crunchy treats like rawhide or dental biscuits promote chewing, which in turn stimulates saliva thus keeping their mouth moist.  Their natural inclination to chew and chomp also promotes strong, healthy teeth.  There are treats that contain anti-tartar ingredients as well.  Chew toys gently rub the gums and help disperse soft tartar build-up.

Always monitor your pet.  You should be familiar with your dog’s habits and know if they are a chewer or a large chunk swallower.  If they are the latter then you must remove the treat before they can swallow a large piece, as it can get stuck in their digestive tract and cause a blockage.

Finally

It isn’t hard to maintain a healthy dog with fresh breath, but if you find that your furry friend has offensive breath no matter what you try, it may be time to visit the veterinarian, as you may be dealing with a more serious health issue beyond stinky breath.

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Citations

ASPCA.  Ten Steps to your Dog’s Dental Health.  http://www.aspca.org/pet-care/dog-care/ten-steps-your-dogs-dental-health

AVDC.  Home Care for Dogs.  http://www.avdc.org/carefordogs.html

Leonardi, L.  Wet or Dry Dog Food: Which is Better?

http://www.petcarerx.com/article/wet-or-dry-dog-food-which-is-better/838

PetEducation.com.  Water: A Nutritional Requirement.  http://www.peteducation.com/article.cfm?c=2+1659&aid=716

If you can mix up something that’s both delicious and healthy – it’s a win-win.
photo source: dogfoodnaturally.com

Are you thinking it might be time to cook your dog up a treat? Perhaps you have looked into commercial dog food and found the ingredients somewhat lacking in natural goodness? If so, we’ve come up with some of our favorite homemade dog food recipes, and even how to make a tasty canine snack. As always, keep your dog’s specific dietary needs and restrictions in mind when preparing these recipes.*

Canine Chicken ‘Risotto’

This healthy mix of protein, rice and greens is a great way to give your dog something special—without all the additives that store-bought food typically has. If your dog has a sensitive stomach, the boiled white rice typically helps. Remember not to rinse the rice after cooking. The starch acts as a binder and will aid digestion!

Ingredients:

• 2 cups boiled Organic Chicken, cut into small chunks (thighs and breast work well here)
• 2 cups Rice – whole grain or white
• 2 handfuls Leafy greens, such as Kale or Spinach, finely chopped

Directions:

1. In a nonstick pan, add chicken, cooked rice and greens.
2. Add ¼ cup water and stir. Add more water if necessary, to bring the mixture to the desired consistency.
3. Once cooled, divide into containers with tight lids, and store in refrigerator for up to 5 days.
4. Serve alone or as an addition to your dog’s typical meal.

Hearty Herby Beef Stew

This meat and veggie stew is a nice treat and grain-free alternative – which can be helpful with dogs that have allergies or skin problems. Throwing in the parsley is a neat trick to keep dogs’ breath fresh and clean!

Ingredients:

• 2lbs Organic Beef
• 1 cup finely chopped carrot
• ½ cup diced sweet potato
• ½ cup butternut squash
• Handful of fresh parsley (for fresh breath!)

Directions:

1. In a nonstick pan, add beef and cook until no longer pink
2. While meat is cooking, boil sweet potatoes, carrots and squash for 5 minutes, or until slightly softened (can cook longer for dogs with teeth problems, or for smaller dogs)
3. Drain veggies and add to meat.
4. Add fresh parsley, stir and cool
5. Divide into containers with tight lids and store in refrigerator for up to 5 days.
6. Serve to your dog with or without a portion of his meal – either way, he’ll love it!

Ice Pops

For a treat in the summertime, try our favorite treat for pups (and humans, too!) Dip pieces of apple or carrot into smooth peanut butter then drop them into an ice cube tray or a cookie sheet lined with wax paper and freeze for 1 hour.

Once frozen, divide into containers with lids and store for up to 3 months. Your dog will love them and these treats will cool him down in the midday sun!

Your dog is likely to love any of these additions to his diet, just as you love preparing them, so have fun and don’t forget to use these treats as rewards for great behavior!

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*Please research or ask your vet before you introduce something totally new or change your dog’s diet completely, as some dogs need certain vitamins, minerals and supplements. The recipes listed above are recommended as an addition to your dog’s current diet, not as a total replacement.

A Drag Down the Sidewalk? No Yanks!

Some trainers recommend that you stop or turn around every time your dog pulls. But, it’s nearly impossible for you to walk your dog while stopping every time he pulls! It’s time for different solutions.

Some trainers recommend that you stop or turn around every tie your dog pulls. But, it’s nearly impossible for you to walk your dog while stopping every time he pulls!

Pulling on leash is a drag for both you and the dog. Sadly, many good dogs miss out on regular walks because their exuberant pulling makes it too unpleasant for their owner, or in some cases, totally unsafe. With a low center of gravity and “four wheel drive” power, even small and medium-sized dogs can quickly exhaust their owner’s arms and be tough to control.

The good news is that your dog’s pulling can be greatly reduced – and fast – just by choosing the right (gentle) equipment. Then, if/when you are ready to do some training work, you can modify the behavior on a regular flat collar. In this two-part article, we’ll teach you both types of training solutions: first, management (the quick fix) and  then modification (long-term behavior training).

To start, let’s explore: why do dogs pull?

• A dog’s natural pace is much faster than ours.
• Dogs are interested in more scents, sights, and sounds than we are and they want to investigate them all, now. This is especially true of young pups.
• Dogs don’t know that the sidewalk is the designated “walking zone” – they follow their interests, not the path.

All of the above are reasons why a dog hits the end of the leash. Once that happens, dogs keep pulling the whole time, every walk, every day, because it works! Every dog quickly learns that when they pull, they go in the direction they want, because we follow (to make it easier on us, in the short term). Some trainers recommend that you stop or turn around every time your dog pulls. But, it’s nearly impossible for you to walk your dog while stopping every time he pulls! So, let’s look at different solutions that work:

Management

Management is a trainer’s term for “get it under control” without having to do any training work. In other words, set the dog up for success, regardless of his behavior issues. Management is great if you don’t have any time to train and you want the problem under control right away. Even if you are planning on doing a lot of training work later, the first step is management, so that the behavior stops getting practiced as soon as possible.

The front-clip harness is easily accepted by most dogs, and can quickly reduce their pulling strength anywhere from about 50 – 90%.

The most humane and effective tools to manage pulling are front clip harnesses and head halters. Both will make it difficult for the dog to have the momentum and control to pull you, and they do so without causing the dog pain. The front clip harness is easily accepted by most dogs, and can quickly reduce their pulling strength anywhere from about 50 – 90%, starting on the very first walk. The head halter takes a little more time to fit and get the dog used to, but it is extremely powerful and can make some of the toughest pullers feel as light as a feather. This “power steering” tool takes away the dog’s leverage by connecting at a point that is hard to pull from – his head and chin. Also, where the head goes, the body follows, hence one popular product’s name – the Gentle Leader.

There are many good front clip harness and head halter products available to you, and they are easily found in pet stores and online retailers. Check out Premier, Sense-ation, Sporn, and Halti – all established brands that have been reducing pulling for years.

Stay tuned: In our next blog/newsletter, we’ll talk about how to modify pulling behavior for the long-term, regardless of what equipment you use. Sign up for the newsletter on the left side of this page.