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What's New?
November 2008
Cold Weather Considerations
Now that the temperature has begun to fall, it's time to consider how our canine
pals might be affected. With the right equipment and adjustments you can help
your dog enjoy getting outside even when it's cold out.
Lightly-coated breeds will feel the chill quickly, as will elderly and very
young dogs. Not every breed of dog can
thrive in cold weather without some sort of protection against the
elements. For Fido's sake, provide a well-fitting coat that keeps out the wind
so he can romp longer before becoming uncomfortable. If you need a coat to stay
warm outside your dog probably will too. On very cold days
you can layer a t-shirt or sweater under the coat to provide extra warmth.
Snow often collects under our dogs' feet when walking in winter causing
discomfort and pain. Keep the fur on the bottoms of your dog's feet well trimmed
to ensure that snow can't catch a ride on any extra fur.
 Winter roads and sidewalks will eventually be covered in salt which can burn
your dog's already tender pads. If possible, provide a pair of slip-proof dog
boots for your dog to wear to protect against walking on salty surfaces. When
choosing a dog boot, it's always better to have your dog try them on before you
buy them as it can be rather difficult to estimate the sizes. Dog boots made by
Muttluks,
Ultra Paws are relatively easy to find or you may choose to
make your own. There are many products on the market that can be applied to
the dog's feet which provide a barrier to the salt and condition the skin at the
same time. Some good brands of dog foot protection products are
NuHemp, 100% Natural
For Pets and
Musher's Secret. I've personally used Pam Cooking spray (non-aerosol) with
good results, too.
Nail trims are especially important during the winter months. Overgrown nails
interfere with the foot making proper contact with the ground and can cause
your dog to slip, stumble and be unwilling to walk. Long nails will split and break
more easily, get caught in carpet, clothing and blankets and often cause pain
while walking. Also, if your dog wears boots, you'll have to keep his nails
short so they continue to fit his feet. A dog whose nails touch the floor when
standing need to have them trimmed shorter.
Breed In Brief
The Glen of Imaal Terrier
The Glen of Imaal Terrier is a short legged dog that is low to the ground
with a long body. The front legs are bowed. The harsh, shaggy, medium-length
coat comes in red, blue, brindle, or wheaten. It has a rough outer coat lined
with a soft, dense undercoat. The chest is broad and strong. The powerful head
has a distinct stop and tapered muzzle. The ears are half-pricked. The nose is
black and the eyes are round and chestnut.
Glens are approximately 14 inches (35.5-36.5 cm) tall at the withers and
weight around 34-36 pounds (15.5-16.5 kg).
The Glen of Imaal is a spirited, brave and intelligent little dog. He is
tough and game when hunting, otherwise mild-mannered and calm indoors. Known to
be peaceful, patient and gentle with the family, these devoted dogs like to be
near their owners and make loyal family pets. Always playful and good with
children and likely to be feisty with other animals. This breed has a deep bark
and likes to dig and chase. Training should always be consistent with some play
in every session. Glens are keen to learn, but they sometimes try to dominate
and can be stubborn.
Photo and info provided by -
http://www.pet-locator.co.uk/built/dogs/pedigree/terriers/glen_of_imaal_terrier/index.shtml
Training Tips and Tricks
Treats, Wonderful Treats!
Dogs always love a surprise and mixing up their treats
can really energize your training sessions.
The golden rule for treats during training is “use the
smallest piece you can get away with”. You’re not delivering a meal – just
a little motivation and reward. The dog should be able to gulp down the treat
in one, quick bite. Very often, a treat that is ½ the size of a dime is
sufficient.
Here’s a list of some common and no-so-common treats that
many dogs love.
Solid
- Biscuits – Made
primarily of flour and held together with oil, this is a very cost-effective
choice. Some can be rather bland, though and may not entice dogs every time.
- Soft dog treats –
Examples are Beggin’ Strips, Pupperoni, Snausages, etc. These can easily be
broken into small, pea-sized bits.
- Vegetables
(carrots, peas, beans) – Raw is the healthiest and small pieces are a must.
- Dried beef liver
– Not as easy to break into small bits but every dog loves them. Try cutting
them up with a sharp knife ahead of time.
- Cat treats – For
larger dogs, these are already the perfect size. Some are soft and some are
crunchy – great for more variety!
- Rollover – A
log-like meat roll which can be cut into tiny pieces. Be sure to wrap and
refrigerate the unused portion after opening and any extra pieces (if there
are any left) after each training session.
- Nuts – Unsalted
are the best. Can be cut into smaller pieces with a sharp knife. Try
cashews, almonds, peanuts and walnuts.
- Chicken, beef,
pork – Cooked well, cooled and cut into small pieces
- Hotdogs –
Microwaved, oven dried, barbecued and cut into dime sized slices
- Cheerios or
Shreddies – Some dogs love these, others don’t
** Stretch Your Treats, Skip
The Fat! **
Put Cheerios or Shreddies into a plastic Ziploc baggie
along with a really smelly treat (liver, rollover, Pupperoni, etc).
Shake. All the previously boring cereal pieces will now smell like the smelly
treat! The longer you leave it, the better it will smell. If it smells good to
the dog, it will light up his nose and really interest him. This also works to
enhance plain biscuits. No extra fat or calories – just yummy smelling
treats!
Semi-solid
- Cheese – cheddar,
swiss, havarti and other solid cheeses can be cut into tiny pieces and fed
whole
- Cottage and cream cheese -
feed from a spoon (just a quick lick)
- Squeeze cheese - feed
right from the nozzle
- Peanut butter - feed from
a spoon
- Pâté – feed from
a spoon or freeze and chop into small pieces
- Baby food –
puréed meats and some vegetables – feed from a spoon or turkey baster
Liquid
- Ice cubes – plain
old water (not good for training but good for some play time fun)
- Flavoured liquid
in a dropper bottle – put some liver treats in a bottle, fill with warm
water and let sit for two minutes, shake and use.
- Gravy – special
gravy from pet food stores made for dogs – feed from a turkey
baster or a small dropper
bottle
- Beef, chicken
stock – feed from a small dropper bottle (try to use low-sodium versions)
Stay Away From:
- Foods containing
chocolate (carob is okay, just not real chocolate)
- Foods containing
real onions or garlic
- Grapes or raisins
- Foods with sugar
substitutes (xylitol, aspartame, sucralose, etc.)
These “no-no” foods can seriously damage your dog’s liver
and kidneys because a dog’s body was not designed to digest them. It’s best
not to take a chance, no matter how much Fido loves them.
When introducing new treats for the first time, go
slowly. Offer only a few at a time until you’re sure your dog can handle them.
Some may not agree with him and may cause digestive upset.
High Value vs. Low Value Treats
When you’re training a NEW behaviour or you're working in
a very distracting environment, try using a very high value treat (something
the dog rarely gets and absolutely loves). This will make the lesson very
memorable, will train attention and will enhance the dog’s attitude and
response.
When you’re working on already learned behaviours, you
can usually use lower value treats (commonly given to the dog). But it’s a
good practice to surprise the dog with a higher value treat once in a while,
randomly, during a training session. This keeps the dog interested and
guessing at what’s coming next. A guessing dog is a thinking dog!
Happy Training!
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