A Newsletter from
K9 Coach Learning Center, LLC
Spring 2010
Tip from K9 Coach...
Dear Dash,
My dog has started foaming at the mouth while playing with other dogs. It doesn't happen at any other time and it has only occurred in the last 6 months (he is 6 years old). Everything I have read on the internet relates to parvo or rabies but I don't believe it's that serious as nothing else about him has changed.
~Curious About Foaming
Dear CAF,
First off, I have to comment about the picture that my mom INSISTED on putting on here this time around. I know Easter has passed, but she didn't want this "wonderfully cute picture" (her words, not mine) to go un-noticed by all my readers, so I begrudgingly conceded.
Now, back to business...I know exactly what you are talking about. My best friend, Lucy, does this when she comes to my Play Group on Saturday mornings here at K9 Coach. She even gets a few bubbles goin' !
This type of foaming/drooling at the mouth is quite common and is normally a result of the dog's state of mind rather than what they are playing with. Some dogs show this phenomenon when excited, scared, or stressed, which is what causes Lucy's drools. Others show it as a sign of heat stroke from lots of running around. In most cases it disappears when the strong inducing element stops and is nothing to be concerned about.
If however your dog shows these symptoms in one particular field or location then it could be something more obscure, such as a reaction to a specific vegetation, smell or even the result of playing with a toad.
Remember, my advice is meant to provide advice only and is not meant to replace an appointment with your veterinarian. It's always a good idea to rule out medical issues first.
Until next time, bark on...
~Dash
A
Being a kid, I don't always take the best care of my toys and lately, I've noticed that some of the doggies at Gramma's house are the same way with their toys (even with some things that don't belong to them)! One day, there was stuffing everywhere and Harley
was not too happy about one of her favorite toys being destroyed by a dog other than herself.
Gramma says if destructive chewing is a problem at your house, that chances are, your dog is trying to tell you something.
She says for many years, man has domesticated dogs. We have brought them into
our civilization and, in most cases, expected them to act as people and to be a part of our families. We should understand that, in doing so, we have seeded some of our own emotions in our dogs. Dogs have learned from us to become jealous, nervous and bored.
In teenage dogs, between the ages of six to sixteen months, we see that these emotions cannot be handled as easily as the same emotions in adults. Gramma says that my daddy showed the same emotions when he was a teenager and was not able to always show mature restraint (which I find really hard to believe 'cuz my daddy is my hero).
great clients, awesome dogs, and fun and interactive training classes coming up in both York and Geneva! Do your dog a favor...WORK with her. Let K9 Coach help you build a happy, healthy & lasting relationship with your best friend. Check for dates and times of scheduled classes on our "Activities Calendar".
Tired of hearing what humans think is the solution to your doggie
problems? K9 Coach allows you to hear it straight from the pooch's mouth. "The Bark on the Street" is a place where you can ask your obedience or behavioral questions directly to someone who speaks your pup's language. Dash has almost five years of experience being a dog and she's been everywhere from the tough city life in Lincoln, to her cushy home in the countryside of york. She's got a lot of friends, from little Yorkies to giant Great Danes, so if she hasn't had personal experience with your issue, one of her friends has! So ask her anything - she'll let you know what the "bark on the street" is!
K9
Introducing your pup to other dogs is actually very important for his safety around people. When puppies play-fight, they teach each other to not bear down with their jaws when they bite. Trainers call this bite inhibition. A dog with rock-solid bite inhibition is unlikely to break the skin if he ever snaps when startled or in pain. This is critical for a family dog. Even if you don't mean to ever frighten or hurt your dog, accidents--such as closing a door on his tail, or tripping on him while he's napping--can happen.
Have you seen K9 Coach Learning Center's Facebook Page?
We are nearing 200 fans and counting! Our K9 Coach Facebook page is a great way to keep in touch with our clients by posting pictures of our daycare, training & boarding guests & to keep you informed of our latest happenings! Feel free to post photos of your dogs and let us know how your pooch is doing!
HAPPY SPRING!
FOUND IN THE TRAINING AREA...IF YOU HAVE THE MATCHING EARRING, GIVE K9 COACH A CALL!
Nolia is the companion to Lane Hansen
So, can you spare a quarter of an hour? Most commonly, the cause of chronic chewing is boredom, and if every dog owner would spend some more time each day giving his attention and affection to his dog, much of the "boredom chewing" can be stopped. Even just taking the time to have your dog do some basic obedeince commands can help get rid of any excess energy he may have. Even I, at the age of three, am able to play fun games with Dash, Harley and Kargo that help them get rid of the energy they have! I love to have Harley "sit" and "roll". I can tell she loves doing it for me too! Fifteen minutes a day is all it takes, it's just that easy!
Gramma told me a story about a twenty-month old Boxer that's a perfect example of not spending enough time with a dog. Ever since he was young, this Boxer had been an "only child" to his masters, who showered him with lots of love and attention. The dog went along with them everywhere. He would walk happily and loved tagging along with his parents.
Then, a human baby had arrived and things were not the same. The dog found himself left in the car during trips. On one occasion, mom and dad returned to the auto only to find the entire interior completely ruined! The car seats, the padded dashboard, the upholstery, all chewed up into shreds, totally obliterated. The Boxer dog was showing his frustration and releasing his excess energy the only way he knew how. He was not jealous of the baby in the family, but he was unwilling to give up his position in the family and go back to just being a dog.
Next time you catch your dog chewing a sock, shoe, or other object that he's not allowed, replace the target by taking the thing away from him, followed by a strong "No!". The item should then be replaced with his own chew toy. The toy will take his mind off the object that he was chewing and won't make him think that you are taking something away from him.
And should your life suddenly change, while altering your dog's life in addition (like having a new baby in the house), like the Boxer up above, be sure to pay attention to the new schedule and adjust your focus to avoid your dog's destructive chewing. Your dog will need a little extra care and training to prevent such behavior and to settle in with the new changes.
This page was last updated: April 7, 2010
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owners, Spring is finally here! K9 Coach has plenty to wag about this season:
