By Katy Cable-TWR
A 3 min. Read

Happy Spring! Now that we’re thawing out from our harsh winter here in So Cal (we got a few days of some hard rain!😜) it’s time to hit the hiking trails, beaches and dog parks! With that, ONE OF THE BIGGEST MISTAKES DOG OWNERS CAN MAKE becomes very apparent! Can you guess what that is? If you answered: NOT TRAINING THEIR DOGS TO BE GOOD CANINE CITIZENS, you get a ⭐️⭐️👏!

Several of my close friends are dog trainers and puppy-raisers for Canine Companions. I also have friends who train and handle animals for TV and movie shoots. One important thing I've learned is
A GREAT DOG IS MADE NOT BORN.

Sadly, animal shelters are full of dogs who didn’t get a proper start in life to meet their basic needs. As a result they developed behavior problems. An unpredictable or out-of-control family dog is not only exhausting and difficult to be around, but worse, they can pose a huge danger to property, your family members, other animals or themselves.

I learned this first hand when our family was asked to participate in a new TV show for Animal Planet called "Who Gets The Dog". The concept was three different families share a shelter dog chosen as a good match for their lifestyle. The dog spends an entire day and night with each family while the show documents the visits. Lastly, a team of dog experts chooses who the best-suited family is to adopt the dog. The winning family is awarded the dog and a year's supply of dog food.

​We were looking for a small Pug or similar dog that was good with small children and didn't need a lot of space. I also have bad allergies and couldn't have some breeds. No sooner did we get the news from Pugs and Pals that we could adopt Raisin (our first Pug), we also received a call from the show. I declined their offer to appear but they twisted my arm insisting the dog they had was perfect and we would probably want to have this one as well. I again politely refused. The last straw was when they pleaded with me to please do them a favor as they needed just one more family to complete this episode. Poor Raisin went right back to his foster family for an overnight and the TV crew came out.

The minute the cameras started rolling, in bulldozed an enormous, shedding, ball of energy named SULLY. After knocking me flat on the ground Sully proceeded to run upstairs and unleash a good liter of urine on our new white carpet. I took one look at this huge furry dog and realized in an effort to make interesting television, they had pulled a total bait-and-switch. Sully went on to ransack furniture, tear up pillows and destroy pricey decor and it just got worse from there. My then 7 year-old daughter Karley loved the dog and it was too dangerous for us to let her walk him or go near him. I wanted this "DOG-GONE " and our darling Raisin back.

To begin what stands as the thee most exhausting stressful day of shooting in my entire life, we took Sully to our local dog beach to play some games. We no sooner got out of the car when the poor dog went completely crazy tearing down the beach chasing a bird. He nearly got flattened by a UPS truck and was so out of control it took 5 huge crew members to contain him. And it just went downhill from there. By the end of the day, I looked like a basset hound from allergies and sobbing.

I told the producers we weren’t interested in keeping the dog. He was not a good fit and it was terribly dangerous. I was so upset at both their negligence and the trauma it put on this poor animal and our well-intentioned family. The final blow was watching the show on TV only to discover they had further manipulated us by editing our segment to only show Sully sleeping or calmly laying down and catching our reactions when he had been bouncing off the walls or trying to catch him before he ran out in the road and was flattened by a delivery truck. We came across as manic and Sully looked like a perfect pet anyone would be crazy not to want.

Fortunately the show was quickly cancelled! Thankfully the trend of people seeking relinquished shelter/rescue pets, as well as senior, special needs or problematic dogs, is going strong! With that, it’s extremely important to understand the best way to rehabilitate and train animals who got off to a "ruff" start.

First of all: Expect some behavioral issues and address them from the get-go. The most common being housebreaking problems. Other stress-related behaviors include excessive barking, chewing & destroying inappropriate items, escape attempts, jumping up on people and hiding.

The most important thing to remember when trying to eliminate problematic canine behaviors is the best way to teach a dog what you desire is through positive reinforcement training. Simply put, you must reward good behavior and ignore the bad. What doesn’t work is any kind of physical punishment or yelling. This will simply add to your dog's anxiety and stress plus it can make your new family member fearful of you.

Training should begin the second your new dog comes home with you. Right from the first meeting you should begin addressing your dog by their name and using basic training commands like: "Come","Sit", "Stay", "Down" and "Off!" If you're lucky you might be surprised to learn your dog can already follow a few. And when they do, give lots of love, praise and positive attention.

On the other hand, you might find that you need to do a lot more work. If your dog isn't getting the hang of basic commands, take it very slow, and work on just one command a day or for a couple of days (or weeks) before overwhelming them with others.

Your dog doesn't speak English and repeating commands over and over and LOUDER and LOUDER won’t make your pooch listen any better or learn any faster. In fact, it will just set-back progress. I know first-hand how frustrating it can be so if you find yourself having issues, I recommend enlisting the help of a professional trainer who practices positive reinforcement to show you how to communicate more effectively and offer helpful tips.

Although I'm a huge fan of group training classes, when it comes to a new shelter or rescue dog, I often recommend having a trainer work with you in your home or one-on-one first to get the basics down. You will have much more success in a group class if you have waited until a trusting bond with your new dog has been formed. This might take more time, patience and work. Remember your dog probably had a life of complete chaos and fear prior to meeting you.

It’s also a good idea to assume your dog wasn’t socialized by their previous owners. They might be distracted by other dogs making training nearly impossible.

When I rescued Olive she was a frightened little breeder pup who had never lived outside a crate. She had never seen stairs, been on a walk, or had any loving experiences with humans. She was scared to death being put in a harness, driven in a car and led into a brand new home. In an effort not to completely overwhelm her, I enlisted the guidance of top-notched trainers who advised me to gently and slowly begin exposing Olive to all the sights, sounds, smells, and other living creatures in her new environment. When she got scared, I backed off and went at her timid pace. After nearly four year's with me she still has fear issues with crates, cars and resource guarding but she's come such a long way. She now knows complex commands and loves agility games. I still work daily on her more serious issues and give her lots of praise and love!

Do your best to make training fun for both you and your dog. Be a life-long learner and continue in classes, refresher courses, agility, therapy, nose-tracking work or other activities. Get suggestions from your vet, PetSmart or local pet store for fun classes, trainers or clubs to participate in. You don’t even need to HAVE a puppy to take classes and learn how to train one through Canine Comoanions. At the end of the day, you’re learning and getting just as much out of it as your pooch is.

By addressing behavior issues immediately, they can be corrected and not turn into bad habits which follow your dog into their new life with you. From there, you can literally be off and running on a good solid footing of trust and it's anyone's guess where that may take you. Pugs and Kisses!😘🐾💕

By Katy Cable - A 4 min. Read

​Congrats! If you read my blogs regularly, you now have more dog nutrition knowledge than many vets. I would imagine you’re seeing some impressive results if you’re feeding them more nutritiously and more in line with the way nature intended them to eat. Speaking of ancestral diets, here’s my exploration with another big trend in dog food: -RAW food diets.

Every night I see commercials for a popular brand of dog food showing an Alaskan Husky running through the wilderness looking for prey. The ad asks you to feed your dog like their ancestors ate in the wild. While this made perfect sense to me for those herding and working dogs, I questioned how effective it would be with my little moppet snuggled up in a fancy, pink, rhinestone sweater, snoring on a designer Temper-Pedic heated doggie bed. My little Pug would last about as long as a Popsicle in July before she succumbed to freezing temps, gobbled up something toxic, or ended up as dinner for a predator.

Did you know the Pug is one of the oldest breeds of dogs dating back to around 400 BC. They originated in China and were bred for one purpose: To serve as a companion dog and sit on the lap of Chinese royalty. (Certainly not to roam in the wilderness and hunt for prey.) Still, their DNA very closely matches wolves and larger working dogs 🐶 so it seemed logical to try out a raw food diet.

As a brand ambassador for Nulo pet foods, and a pet influencer, I’m given loads of foods and treats for pets. Although Nulo is my personal favorite for the Pugs, Frenchies, Bullies and sensitive dogs I work with, I like to offer a variety of wonderful options to meet any specific needs of pet parents.

Most pet food companies have begun offering higher quality foods with less fillers and raw options either as add-ins or complete diets. Therefore I had lots of incredible raw food options that weren’t around just two years ago. The first thing I did was toss out products containing harmful ingredients or from companies I don't trust. Everything I chose was from top-ranked, reputable sources using 100% human-grade, free-range, grass-fed meat and poultry.

Pugs for the most part LOVE ❤️ FOOD above all else and my “Chief Tasting Officer” Olive, is no exception. I have yet to offer her ANYTHING that hasn’t been devoured in a NY minute with sheer delight. That being said, the next day I am often faced with a stinky, messy situation on my hands. As was the case with the raw food diet.

My experiment didn’t go over well. The first diet was raw beef which gave her bloody diarrhea. I then switched to turkey and she wound up deathly-ill with a gastrointestinal infection. I was SO confused. Here I was trying to be healthier and I ended up making my dog very sick. My trusted vets know what a stickler I am about pet nutrition but when I showed them these impressive raw food samples I got the answers I was looking for.

The vets weigh-in:
My most trusted vets who work with many smooshy-faced (brachy) breeds, seem to recommend lightly cooked diets over raw ones. However, they typically work with very ill, extremely sensitive dogs. Also, they pointed out that dogs in shelters or on diets made up of high processed dry foods need to SLOWLY transition to a new raw diet. They advised first adding more nutritious dry food with less fillers, then adding wet/moist foods, making sure the stool is firm. Then, slowly switch out dry food with wet food and then slowly add more fresh/raw add-ins. Again, using your dog’s 💩 as your guide. A great way to begin is using fresh/raw food in place of store-bought processed treats.

That brought up another major concern for me. What about these risks of Salmonella and other bacterias I hear about with raw foods? Every week there seems to be a recall on raw foods because of this. Plus, I notice when pet food reps are doing in-store demos of raw foods, they wear gloves and set timers to discard food before bacteria settles in. That seemed very risky to be possibly giving a pet tainted spoiled food?

Dr. Pablo Etchemendy (goes by Dr. Pablo) with Banfield http://www.banfield.com/our-hospitals/hospital-locations/location-pages/coa/staff/dr-pablo-etchemendy, feeds his own pets a raw food diet, and he responded,
"If you live on a farm or if you know a local butcher so you can be sure about where your meat is sourced, and you have the time and energy to safely prepare raw meats and then sterilize your kitchen, I would say by-all-means feed a fresh, raw diet. However, I wouldn't recommend it for your average pet parent. There can be too many serious risks when you’re dealing with raw meats. Not necessarily for the pet but for humans who are at risk for exposure to harmful bacteria. A dog has a different digestive system with the ability to tolerate different bacteria that make humans gravely ill. It is also extremely important a pet has a balanced diet. I have seen a lot of pets get very sick and even die from proliferated bones, contamination, or unbalanced diets. Because of the risk-reward, I recommend several commercial pet foods that offer raw varieties depending on the specific needs of the animal and the budget of the pet parents."

My take-away, although this isn't brain-surgery, it also isn't a "no-brainer!” If you’re considering a raw diet or a home-made, "do-it-yourself" diet, I applaud you but recommend you work closely with a holistic veterinarian or do your research diligently.

Integrated Veterinarian Dr. Karen Becker, who is my
“go-to” for holistic options, brings up an important point:
"I'm a big proponent of people cooking or preparing raw, fresh food for their pets. If done properly, this is almost always the healthiest way to nourish your pet (just as it's the healthiest food for you, too). The whole debate about feeding pets raw food (and many veterinarians will discourage you from feeding raw) doesn't make a lot of sense considering dogs and cats have consumed living, raw meats for thousands of years; it's what they're designed for.
Dr. Becker cautions,
“You must remember that simply feeding your pet some raw beef or chicken will in no way meet his nutritional requirements. And if that's ALL you feed him, it can be even more dangerous than offering an inexpensive commercial pet food. Well-meaning pet parents are trying to feed species-appropriate food to their dogs and cats, but what many are missing is the need for nutritional balance.”
If you're interested in preparing a homemade diet for your pets, I recommend Dr. Becker's cookbook Real Food for Healthy Dogs and Cats. Based on the ancestral diets of canines and felines, this book provides a rotational feeding plan and recipes for a meat-based diet that include appropriate levels of vegetables, fruits, and supplements to complete the diet, analyzed to ensure nutritional needs are met. There are actually four main categories of balanced nutrition for pets. These are:

1. Meat, including organs
2. Veggie and fruit puree
3. Homemade vitamin and mineral mix
4. Beneficial additions such as probiotics, super green foods and enzymes, that aren't required to balance the diet, but can enhance the vitality of your pet. If you decide to use a commercial pet food, Dr. Becker offers some helpful guidelines for selecting a quality food, such as avoiding the toxic preservatives ethoxyquin, BHA and BHT. In addition she notes:

"Home cooking is the best thing you can do. Second best is to know the company you're purchasing from really well so you're able to discern that the ingredients it uses are U.S.-sourced, human-grade, preferably organic, and of course, species-appropriate.
…Needless to say, you've got to really read the labels very, very well.”

I'm a vegetarian and get weak in the knees thinking about preparing raw organs and whatnot. Not only that but these diets aren’t practical for my lifestyle and travel schedule. I’m lucky to get a frozen cheese pizza made for my own dinner. Plus I’m often working with sick/compromised dogs. What has worked best for me personally, is feeding my Pug Olive, a premium canned turkey and raw toppers. I also add some fresh fish, sardines, anchovies, chicken, turkey, and/or organic fruits and veggies a few times a week. This way she has some variety in her diet, gets some fresh, raw, living, foods, and still has well-balanced, nutritious daily meals. -AND NO MORE TUMMY TROUBLE!😁

Whether you're adventurous or not, I encourage you to stop feeding your dog the same chicken kibble every night and have some fun. Sample and experiment with fresh foods. Just remember, SLOWLY, and one-new-food-at-a-time, in small amounts.

By adding some fresh, human-grade ingredients to a regular, balanced healthy diet you will surely see a happier, healthier dog. And while upgrading to fresh, human-grade healthier foods might be slightly more time-consuming or expensive, in the long run you’ll save thousands in vet bills as well as offer better health and longevity for your pets.

Bone Appetite! 🐾🍲

By Katy Cable/A 3 min Read

Last week I discussed the often misconception of how easy it is to find a dog at a shelter or rescue. The other misconception about rescue/shelter dogs is that they’re damaged goods. Although there’s some truth that many dogs have been irresponsibly over-bred, thus carrying problematic behaviors. Most often, it isn’t the dog, but the negligent OWNER that’s to blame. Many people are uninformed of the breed requirements, as well as the expense and time commitment to care for a pet. A huge part of that comes in the form of proper TRAINING

Many dogs get dropped off at shelters more than once, because of problematic behaviors that haven’t been corrected and continue in the new home.

The top issues include:

• Excessive Barking
• Aggression towards other dogs
• Lack of obedience training
• Lack of adequate veterinary care has caused health issues.
• The owner did not anticipate the time and attention a dog requires each day.

A majority of these issues can be resolved but I do want to warn you, they may take a bit of extra patience and time.

When a dog is surrendered to a shelter, it brings a tremendous amount of stress to the animal. Here are tips to help them make the transition from rescue dog to family pet much smoother!

It’s so important for adoptive pet parents to understand what their new dog may need in order to reach his full potential as a beloved family pet. A rescued or adopted dog will react a bit differently when introduced to a new home, but common behaviors can include:

• Fearful body language and facial expressions (Tail hung low, droopy head, not making eye contact. Shaking their head, shaking.
• Finding places to hide
• Wariness and general inhibited behavior
• Lack of appetite

​
This conduct may or not linger as your dog adapts to his new family and living situation. You should keep in mind your new pet’s personality and temperament may not emerge on his first day home, or even during the first week or two. Heck, I feel like it took me 2 years to get Olive out from under the table after I rescued her.

Before bringing your dog home, be sure you’ve puppy proofed it for safety. Even an older or seemingly well trained dog will be curious of their new surroundings and needs to be kept safe from harm.

Set up a crate with a few toys in a slightly out of the way spot of the room. Find a place where your new pup can still see and hear his new family, but from a safe distance. Leave the door off or open so they can use this as a quiet, safe retreat. NEVER force the pet into the crate. Keep in mind, some dogs may be extremely fearful of them after possibly living exclusively in this type of quarter.

When it comes to attention, affection and new experiences for your dog, set a slow, consistent pace. As difficult as it is, lavishing too much attention on your new pup can result in major separation anxiety behaviors when you must leave. After all you’ve probably just saved them and watching you leave is extremely scary.

In the beginning, less is more. Aim to have a slightly bored pup. The worst thing is to over-stimulate them from the get go! Try and get them on a regular routine that works for you. Perhaps start with a few short walks and tossing around some new toys. This fun interaction will help their physical and mental state.

If your dog doesn’t walk well on a leash or has anti-social manners, consult with a positive-reinforcement dog trainer immediately. Don’t delay beginning to work on forming new, appropriate socialization skills.

Mealtimes may also be a challenge. While some dogs, live for food, others might not have much appetite in the first few days at home. Try to keep their diet as familiar as possible, slowly adding more nutritious, fresh foods. Feed them in a calm, quiet setting. After an appropriate amount of time, pick up their food dish and get them on a regular feeding schedule. Don’thesitate to call the vet if their appetite has not improved after a day or so of adjustment. -Or if anything seems off!

Building a strong bond with your new pet is a process. Expect some resistance at times. You are building a whole new relationship with a pet that might have severe trauma and trust issues to overcome.

Now you can recognize a few common situations and gather the resources necessary to deal with them. Also crucial is HOW you respond when your new pet misbehaves. Use this a teachable moment!👍🏼

A dog learns desired behaviors through positive reinforcement. There are dozens of techniques you can learn to effectively control your dog. Not only can you eliminate problem behaviors, you can build and reward good ones!

Physical punishment should never be part of the equation. It’s not effective long-term, and it backfires by terrifying your pet into submission. It rips away at the still-fragile bond you’re trying to form. There are a million great training videos on YouTube or ask for references from your vet or pet store. Ditto if you discover your rescued or adopted dog has a deep-seated behavior issue you can’t resolve on your own. Remember to INTERVIEW and get a feel for perspective trainers. They are your coach and you and your dog need to feel comfortable.

The keys to successfully transitioning most dogs from a shelter to a forever home are:

• Consistent daily exercise
• Nutritional species-appropriate diet
• Good veterinary care
• Socialization, obedience training and behavior modification as required. ​​

​By being aware and practicing these skills you and your pet can make a much smoother and happier adjustment. Here’s to a wonderful experience for both you and your pet! Pugs and kisses!😘🐾💕

By Katy Cable-A 4 min. Read

Everyday I am flooded with pictures of pets in dire need of a loving home. So many tragic stories of neglected, discarded, abandoned dogs makes me want to save them all. I myself am adopted and always felt strongly about adopting rescue or shelter pets. And while I’m the world's biggest advocate, what you may be entirely surprised to learn is HOW DIFFICULT IT CAN BE TO ADOPT ONE.

Not a day goes by when I don't hear some pet parent share a horror story of how impossible it was to rescue a pet and how badly they were treated by a rescue/shelter. I can definitely relate to their plight.

We got our first Pug, Raisin through the wonderful rescue: Pugs and Pals and our current Pug, Olive from the shelter. However, it wasn't without my own heartbreaking, exhausting, ordeal.

Before we got Raisin we attended several adoption fairs, filled out applications, and were interviewed at length. We had our house thoroughly checked and scrutinized for suitability. Finally, we were presented with a laundry list of rules, terms and conditions such as agreeing to cook and feed the dog organic, fresh, human-grade food. (-Meanwhile my family was surviving on take-out and Campbell's soup.😜) Providing top veterinary/dental care, letting the dog sleep in our bed, and everything else just shy of providing the dog an Ivy League college education. At last, we were finally approved as suitable candidates to adopt a “wayward dog in need of a loving home!”

Regardless of jumping through all those hoops, we still lost out on several dogs we had selected. A "better fit" (usually by someone in the rescue circle) always beat us out. Just when I couldn't take any more disappointments and was ready to contact a reputable breeder, the call came in: WE GOT RAISIN! 💕💕

After 11 wonderful years with Raisin, we had the devastating task of sending him to 🌈Rainbow Bridge. My heart was broken in a million pieces and I too wanted to go to Rainbow Bridge. I couldn’t live without a dog, so I began my search for a new rescue companion and the ordeal began, AGAIN!

Regular trips to the shelter routinely put me on "waiting lists" for dogs that never panned out in my favor. Various rescues chose other families for the dogs I wanted and it seemed my only options were "hospice" or senior dogs requiring significant medical care.

I'm glad I was patient and didn't settle because two months later, I lucked out and stumbled upon Olive. I got a text alert a Pug had come into a shelter out in the desert. I just so happened to be there on vacation and made a visit.

When I arrived, the dog had been turned over to a rescue group due to some extensive medical issues. As I went to leave, filled with more disappointment, I heard yelpng and saw a tiny black paw darting out of another cage. I ran back thinking it was hurt or fighting. When I got to the cage there stood tiny Olive desperately trying to get my attention. I pet her through the bars and asked if she'd like to come home and live with me.

I knew then and there that was my dog and went on a mission to get her. She too had many people interested, but this time luck worked in MY favor. The director of the shelter was familiar with Raisin and my work with the breed. Then, after an embarrassing tearful meltdown while showing him pictures of Raisin on my cellphone, I was awarded Olive.

Although a completely different dog, in sex, color, and personality, she has been a huge blessing. My grief and depression over losing Raisin began to heal by having such a happy new experience with Olive.

So, here’s the takeaway...If you luck out and on the first go, get the companion of your dreams from a rescue or shelter, YEAH! But, if not, hopefully you won't give up. Please understand that while rescues can be a royal pain, making you jump through lots of hoops, they’re doing God's work day-in and day-out. They’ve seen, over-and-over, helpless victims of horrific neglect and abuse at the hands of irresponsible people.

Rescues and shelters have to make tough choices on a daily basis and be advocates for helpless creatures. They are constantly fighting for needed funds to try and heal injured, sick dogs.
​
Try and remember the LAST thing they want is an uniformed pet parent not ready to make the huge, often 15-18 year commitment of time, money and finances a dog requires. There's nothing worse than having to re-home dogs again and again.

The number one reason our shelters are full, is that people get pets on a whim. They’re a darling impulse buy and people are ill-informed or unrealistic in the time, expense, care and commitment a dog requires. A good rescue (or breeder) spends ample time thoroughly vetting applicants in order to find the best “Happily Ever Afters!”

Rescues stand by their animals. They will always take one of their pets back into their care should you not be able to keep it due to some unexpected situation.

Looking back, that "demanding" rescue was my lifeline when we first got Raisin. I knew NOTHING about dogs. During the first 6 months of him coming home, I called them DAILY. They were never bothered and always helped, advised, recommended and taught me. All those requirements I initially found obsessively ridiculous, actually allowed us to provide a happy, healthy life and experience for both Raisin and us.

​While it may feel like the odds of getting a pet from a rescue or shelter are less likely than hitting a Lotto jackpot, I hope before you run to a breeder or Craigslist with a fist full of cash, you’ll try this route first and have a better understanding of how things work and why it can be challenging. Good luck! 💝


🐾Next Week, I continue this topic with tips to acclimate your new shelter/rescue dog!😃

By Katy Cable-A 3-minute read

​For the past few weeks nearly every dog owner I know is complaining about their dog's relentless scratching and itching. I too, hear the incessant licking and tap-tap-tap-tap-tap of the dog tag as Olive attacks her own itch in the middle of the night. That starts me itching my own dry skin and you get the picture. Did you know your dog can suffer from seasonal allergies just as you do?

Over half of all pet owners aren't aware their fuzzy family members can be feeling miserable thanks to allergens. Now lets take a look at what type of allergy it might be and how you can offer some relief for your sweetie.

There are two main types of allergies: food allergies and environmental allergies. Food allergies frequently cause diarrhea, vomiting, bloat and sometimes irrational behavior due to your pet feeling uncomfortable and having no way to get relief. Later, itching and irritation can follow. If your pet gets itchy during winter, spring, summer or fall, and there isn't a bout of vomiting or diarrhea first, it's most likely a reaction to a seasonal allergens. If symptoms continue year-round, it's more likely a sensitivity to something in their diet.
​
There are a several exceptions to this rule. For example, living in So. Cal where we don't get snow, a hard freeze, or, with the exception of this year, RAIN!😜environmental allergens can build up and cause year-round issues. And, without extremes in our seasons, allergies can persist or worsen year-round.

Most humans who experience seasonal allergies, suffer from dry, red, itchy, puffy eyes. Sneezing, and a dry persistent cough. Dog allergies more commonly take the form of skin irritation or inflammation – a condition called allergic dermatitis.

If your dog has seasonal allergies, their coat will become very itchy. You'll notice them scratching excessively, and they will most likely bite or chew their paws or other areas of their body. If your pup is rubbing up against you (especially if you don't have food in your hands) or if you notice them rubbing against furniture or rolling their faces into plush rugs or carpeting for relief, most likely they’re desperately trying to relieve uncomfortable itchiness as best they can.

If this continues long enough without relief, their skin will become red, inflamed, warm and tender to the touch. Other signs of allergic dermatitis include patches of hair loss, open sores on the skin, and scabbing. If left untreated, hot spots can develop. A hot spot is raw, red, inflamed, infected skin that occurs when your dog's natural bacteria overwhelms an area of their skin. Typically the skin will be very red, and often there’s weeping, bleeding, and hair loss.

Pugs, English Bulldogs, Basset Hounds and Irish Setters with allergies can also suffer from ear problems as a result. Their ear canals may be hot, red, itchy and inflamed as part of a generalized allergic response, or they may grow infected with yeast or bacteria. If your pug's ears are giving them problems you will notice them scratching at their ears, and shaking their heads frequently. Often you will notice anything from a hint of a sweet smell to a horrible foul odor in their ears. Upon cleaning their ears you may find a brown discharge that can be thin and runny or a thick clumpy sludge.

While respiratory symptoms aren't common in pets with allergies, they do occur. A running nose, watery eyes, coughing, sneezing and that scary "back-breathing" in flat nosed, brachy dogs, can also attack four-legged seasonal allergy sufferers.

Another tell-tale sign of an allergy is redness. Allergic pets often have puffy red eyes, red gums, a red, possibly bumpy blemished chin, red paws and even a red anus.

Seasonal allergies can worsen or turn into year round problems. Allergic reactions are produced by your pet's immune system, and the way his immune system functions is a result of both nature (his genetics) and the environment. The more your pet is exposed to the allergens they're sensitive to, the more intense and long-lasting the allergic response becomes. In order to build up your pet's immune system and tolerance try to first identify the culprit and eliminate exposure

Helping a Pet Suffering From Environmental Allergies. As someone who has been plagued by allergies all my life, my physicians recommend a few simple things which you can also do for your pet. We all need to enjoy the great outdoors but limit exposure during peak readings for pollens, ragweed, etc. During a rough season, it's important to shower both at night and in the morning to remove allergens. I recommend you do the same for your dog if they are symptomatic. Also use an air purifier and close windows during windy days and the peak pollen hours from 2-8 AM.

• Frequent baths give complete, immediate relief to an itchy pet and wash away the allergens on the coat and skin. Make sure to use a grain free (oatmeal free) shampoo. I like Oxyfresh Shampoo followed by massaging a dash of coconut oil over their wet coat. Zymox is also a favorite for stubborn itching.These pure, gentle cleaning agents won't strip or harm your pet's natural oils but will do the trick to remove allergens.
• Paw soaks are also a great way to reduce the amount of allergens your pet tracks into the house and spreads all over their indoor environment. If this is too much hassle, wipe their paws with a damp cloth and a dash of a product mentioned above after coming in the door. More expensive but also good are hypoallergenic pet wipes.
• Keep the areas of your home where your pet spends most of their time as allergen-free as possible. Vacuum and clean floors and pet bedding frequently using simple, non-toxic cleaning agents rather than household cleaners containing chemicals. I like Dreft or a hand wash in Pure Castile Lavender soap.
• Because allergies are an immune system response, it's important to keep your pet's immune function optimal. This means avoiding unnecessary vaccines and drugs. I have seen awful results from dogs getting vaccinated during a systemic outbreak. Vaccines stimulant the immune system which is the last thing your pet with seasonal environmental allergies needs. Talk to your vet about “titers” to measure your pet's immunity to core diseases as an alternative to automatically vaccinating. Or, wait until they’re not symptomatic.
• Switch your pet to a human-grade, species-appropriate, anti-inflammatory food. Foods that create or worsen inflammation are high in carbohydrates, grains and gluten. (Most dry kibble is 40% carbs.) This is a good time to try a canned or fresh food diet. Also, knock out the treats until allergies are under control.
• Add those Omega-3 fatty acids which help decrease inflammation throughout the body. Adding them into the diet of all pets, particularly pets struggling with seasonal environmental allergies – is very beneficial. The best sources of omega 3s are krill oil, salmon oil, tuna oil, anchovy oil and other fish body oils. USE EXTREME CAUTION when feeding fish oils and products. Typically pet food uses the least expensive, poorest quality ingredient sources. With lakes and oceans so polluted, you don't want to add mercury and other toxins to an already compromised pet. Use human grade oils that have been approved and stamped by outside third party companies. I use anchovies and sardines packed in olive oil or spring water. These are too small a fish to worry about contamination. I also use Nulo pouches containing sardines, salmon and mussels. They make an inexpensive easy treat or meal topper and they use extremely high quality seafood.
• Coconut oil. I also recommend coconut oil for pets but especially those with allergies. Coconut oil contains lauric acid, which helps decrease the production of yeast. Using coconut oil can help moderate or even suppress the inflammatory response. It also helps take a bit of the stinky, fish smell away. I have seen amazing results in a few days for dogs suffering from horrific skin/yeast problems by simply switching a dog's diet and adding organic coconut oil. You can also use this on their coat, paws, tear-stains, nose, teeth, and hot spots for relief.
• Try to get out during non-peak pollen hours and exercise or play with your pooch and wear them out. If they are tired they may sleep better and not be sitting around itching and uncomfortable.

I hope this puts an end to some of your fur baby's suffering this season. For great tips each week, please subscribe to my free weekly blog by clicking the link below. Pugs and kisses!🐾


🐾Katy Cable is a former actress appearing in “Back To The Future” and starring in the TV series: “Safe At Home” & “ Fired Up!” In addition to her dog health & lifestyle blog/vlog: The Weekly Runt, (https://www.weeklyrunt.com/) she’s a contributing writer to numerous publications including Thrive Global, & The Huffington Post. Cable lives at the beach with her husband, Rick and her rescue Pug, Olive.🐾

By Katy Cable/TWR
A 3 min. Read

💕 February is Doggy Dental Health Care month and believe it or not, this is a crucial element of your pup’s overall health. Here’s some very important tips and facts for you to “brush-up” on:

I always thought people who brushed their dog's teeth were being a tad obsessive, but when my vet informed me they pulled 13 teeth out of my Pug Raisin's mouth and handed me a bill large enough for me to sink my own teeth into, I realized how important doggie dental care is.

Unless you're a four year old child, you probably wouldn't dream of going day's on end without brushing your teeth. Believe it or not, just like us, your dog shouldn't either.

When plaque is allowed to accumulate on your dog's teeth, within a few days it hardens into tartar. Tartar adheres to the teeth and irritates the gums. Irritated gums result in an inflammatory condition called gingivitis. Dogs with gingivitis have red rather than pink gums, and they often also have stinky breath. If the tartar isn't removed, it builds up under the gums, eventually causing them to pull away from the teeth. This creates small pockets in the gum tissue that trap additional bacteria in the mouth.

Once things progress to this stage, your dog will have developed an irreversible condition called periodontal disease, which not only causes considerable pain, but can also result in abscesses, infections, loose teeth, and bone loss.

But here's what's really shocking: Should your dog develop periodontal disease, the surface of his gums will be weakened, which can allow mouth bacteria to invade the bloodstream and travel throughout the body. If his immune system doesn't kill off the circulating bacteria, it can reach the heart and infect it with a multitude of scary issues.

Some types of bacteria found in the mouths of dogs produce sticky proteins that can adhere to artery walls, causing them to thicken. Mouth bacteria are also known to promote the formation of blood clots that can also severely damage the heart

If that's not bad enough, studies have linked periodontal disease in both humans and pets to systemic diseases of the kidneys, liver, and lungs. It can also result in diabetes complications, problems during pregnancy, and even cancer. These serious health problems can either develop or be worsened as inflamed or bleeding gum tissue allows harmful oral bacteria to filter into the bloodstream quicker than a pug can devour a meal.

In addition to systemic diseases, infections in the mouth and gums often create other problems including tooth root abscesses, jaw fractures, nasal infection, and in extreme cases, eye loss and oral cancer. If your dog is lucky they may get by with a simple cavity or chipped tooth.

That probably scared you enough to start looking for a now doggie toothbrush. And that's good news since most of these conditions can be avoided or greatly improved once good oral hygiene has begun and any dental disease has been resolved.

As you can see, your dog's oral hygiene is much more than just an obsessive grooming afterthought. It's an extremely important factor in maintaining your dog's health and longevity. I advise you begin by talking to your vet and getting a thorough evaluation of your dog's teeth, gums and mouth.

In my case, with young Olive, I began daily brushing at home which is sufficient for now. But with Raisin, I needed twice yearly cleanings and a major oral surgery to repair just a few years of neglect.

Pugs, and other "flat-nosed" breeds come genetically disadvantaged in terms of dental health. They seem to have teeth settled in the far reaches of their throats. Not only are they hard to find, they’re even harder to clean. Their cramped, flat muzzles and shape of their mouths makes properly cleaning back molars about as easy as resisting homemade brownies straight out of the oven.

Again, your vet can recommend possibly adding some tartar-removing sprays, and other products which might be useful. Hopefully you can get things under control and a deep cleaning with anesthesia will not be necessary.

Here are a few simple tips for keeping your pet's mouth healthy and introducing the toothbrush:

• Feed your dog a nutritious, species appropriate, diet. This sets the stage for vibrant good health. However, I can't tell you how many pet-parents assume feeding their dog a hard, dry kibble is all that's necessary in order to take care of their pet's teeth. Unfortunately, feeding great food of any kind is not enough to prevent dental disease for the life of your pet. It would be the same as thinking eating crunchy granola bars was all you needed to keep your own teeth clean.
• Perform routine mouth inspections. Your pet should allow you to open his mouth, look inside, and feel around for loose teeth or unusual lumps or bumps on the tongue, under the tongue, along the gum line and on the roof of his mouth. After you do this a few times, you'll become sensitive to any changes that might occur from one inspection to the next. You should also make note of any differences in the smell of your pet's breath that aren't diet-related. ​
• Offer your pet raw bones to gnaw on. This is an excellent way to help remove tartar the old fashioned way -- by grinding it off through repetitive chewing. There are some rules to offering raw bones (not for pets with pancreatitis, diseases of the mouth, weak or fractured teeth, resource guarders, "gulpers," etc.) so ask your vet if raw bones would be a good "toothbrush" for your dog. I recommend offering a raw bone about the same size as your pet's head to prevent tooth fractures.

One of the secrets to successful tooth brushing is to progress slowly and gently, allowing your dog to adapt at their own pace. When you first get your dog, you can begin a cleaning routine by wrapping a small piece of sterile gauze around your finger, and letting them become familiar with having your finger in their mouth. Gently rub the top front teeth and slowly work your way to the back teeth. Then do the same on the lower teeth. Praise your dog often and keep these sessions short. If your dog resists, try doing this while they're relaxing and more mellow which is typically around their bedtime. If they resist, stop and try again another time. Also confirm they don't have another underlying problem causing mouth pain.

The next step is to use a safe, natural dental cleaning product designed for pets and apply a small amount to the gauze before you rub your dog's teeth. I am a fan of Oxyfresh products With minimal time and effort all that brown hunk around the back teeth comes right off and usually professional cleanings can be avoided. If you don't have canine toothpaste, you can use organic coconut oil. Once they get used to this, you can progress to either a finger brush or a soft toothbrush the right size for their mouth.

If your furry companion is highly resistant to having their teeth rubbed or brushed, or, in the case of a new rescue/shelter dog that comes with a mouth needing major attention, you can use Treatibles CBD treats and oil. (Use promo code: WEEKLY RUNT to receive a 10% discount on your order) This all-natural cannibis works miracles to chill-out an anxious dog. (To learn more about all the amazing benefits of CBD read my blog) I have tried several prescriptions and have found CBD to be the most effective and with ZERO harmful side-effects. Also, ask your vet about products that when applied to the teeth go to work to break down plaque and tartar without brushing. I love Oxyfresh products. Those can be an added bonus for Pugs or other pets with dental issues. Remember, the more rubbing and brushing your pet will allow, the more quickly you'll see results, and the easier it will be to maintain dental health.

☠️ALERT REGARDING DOGGIE DENTAL TREATS
Please be cautious when purchasing doggie dental treats. Many contain harmful if not toxic ingredients.

Before You Buy Dental Care Treats, Read The Ingredient List! I see lots of pet parents gravitating to dry kibble and dental treats to keep their dog’s teeth clean. This is a popular misconception. In addition to not containing healthy, species appropriate ingredients, they are loaded with harmful, if not toxic, synthetic additives and preservatives. Some of the most popular products such as: Milk Bone Brushing Chews and Purina Beneful Healthy Smile Dental Twists contain the synthetic toxic preservatives BHA (butylated hydroxyanisole) and BHT (butylated hydroxytoluene) which are used to prevent fats and oils in food from turning rancid.
The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services National Toxicology Program has identified BHA and BHT as cancer-causing agents that consistently produce certain types of tumors in laboratory animals.
Unfortunately, the FDA still permits use of these chemicals as preservatives in food, deeming them "generally recognized as safe" in low doses.

In addition, smaller treats that are chewed and swallowed in a matter of seconds provide no real dental benefit for your pet.

Remember, even with bones, dental treats and a healthy diet, it’s still necessary to brush your dog’s teeth. It’s one of the best things you can do to keep your sweetie from becoming “All Bark and No Bite!” 😁



🐾Katy Cable is a former actress appearing in “Back To The Future” and starring in the TV series: “Safe At Home” & “ Fired Up!” In addition to her dog health & lifestyle blog/vlog: The Weekly Runt, (https://www.weeklyrunt.com/) she’s a contributing writer to numerous publications including Thrive Global, & The Huffington Post. Cable lives at the beach with her husband, Rick and her rescue Pug, Olive.🐾