My Bestfriend

Does your dog wreak havoc at home when you leave, leaving poop and pee everywhere? Are your neighbors complaining about the non-stop howling and barking? If yes, your pooch might be suffering from separation anxiety. Just like a human child separated from a parent, pets can get traumatized and anxious when left by its primary caretaker. Other symptoms of separation anxiety in dogs include excessive grooming or licking, hyperactivity and depression or lethargy.

According to my friend Shaun Omstead, dogs have different ways of dealing with separation anxiety. Some will simply sigh and wait patiently for you to come back, and others will go into panic mode, crying and barking, trying to get you to come back. Some destroy things, such as plants, books, pillows, anything that was “yours”, even to the extent of defecating on the floor.

To get rid of your dog’s separation anxiety, make your comings and goings as inconspicuous as possible. The thought of being abandoned can be nerve-wracking for some dogs but some people unwittingly reinforce this anxiety by making a production of leaving in the belief that this will calm their pet. Unfortunately, it gives the opposite effect. Nothing enforces a dog’s belief that he has something to worry about more than somebody trying to keep him calm.

Try to desensitize your dog with your comings and goings by leaving the house for a little while, just a few seconds, and then come back. Once your dog is accustomed to seeing you go out and come right back in, you can increase the time you are out. This technique will help him get over his fear of abandonment.

Another good tip is to give your pooch a good workout. A tired dog will sleep (hopefully) while you are gone, and by wearing him out before you leave, he may be too tired to work up to a good panic.

Or try to keep your pet busy while you are out by providing mind-consuming dog toys like a Kong stuffed with cheese or peanut butter which will keep your dog busy trying to get the goodies out.

Pugs are little dogs with big personalities. They are my favorite dog breed. My friend Shaun Olmstead, who takes care of two pugs, describes them as the most friendly, intelligent and cute dog known to man. He adds that those with anything negative to say about pugs have obviously never come in contact with one in their lives. And I totally agree.

I have the great opportunity to take care of two great pugs: Marga who left us in 2006 and Rama who has been with me for almost three years now. These little round dogs are jolly, happy souls. They are affectionate, energetic, even-tempered and very people-friendly. They never fail to make me smile after a hard day’s work in the office and make me look forward to our early morning walks in the park. Walking my Rama in the park is such a treat (not to mention a very effective exercise regimen)! Everybody, young and old, just loves this funny, loving, and cute pooch!

Pugs are generally easy to take care of despite their reputation for breathing problems and eye issues. They shed like crazy but basic routine grooming is generally sufficient to keep most of their hairs out of the sofa. Extra attention should be placed upon keeping their facial folds clean to prevent infections. As with any dog breed, the Pug should be thoroughly trained (which is not difficult because of their immense intelligence). This breed does have a great deal of energy, so proper training and routine exercise are recommended. They tend to snore a lot but that only makes them more endearing to those of us who are owned by them.

If you own a dog, you know that dog breath can get nasty and stinky sometimes. And the poor pooches can only rely on their humans to help them take care of their teeth. Aside from getting rid of the stench, practicing good dental care for your dog is very important. Keeping plaque and tartar off teeth reduces the chance of tooth and gum disease. Sure there are all sorts of products out there to freshen your dog’s breath but all you really need to do if brush their teeth. And it’s easier than you might think. My dog lover friend, Shaun Olmstead, shares some valuable tips on how to brush your dog’s teeth.

Buy a toothbrush especially designed for dogs. If you have a large dog you may want to get the dog toothbrush simply because it is longer than a regular toothbrush. You will be able to reach the back teeth a lot easier. You can also use finger brushes which are very gentle and feels good on your pet’s gums as it sweeps away plaque and food debris, while massaging gums to increase circulation. Only use toothpaste that is made for dogs as the fluoride compound in human toothpaste isn’t suited to dogs, and may make your pet ill. . However, you can brush your dog’s teeth without toothpaste. It’s up to you if you want to use it.

Expect some resistance in the beginning. It will get easier once they get used to it. It may take several sessions to gradually increase the amount of teeth brushed. The key is to start slowly and make brushing enjoyable to your pet. Get your dog relaxed before you start, rub their belly or scratch their ears, whatever makes them the happiest. Once they are relaxed and calm, gently lift their lip to reveal their teeth. It might be helpful to have a second person continue the belly rub when you start to brush.

Brush in a small,gentle, circular motion. Concentrate near the gum line where the majority of plaque and gunk build up. If your dog’s gums bleed don’t panic. The bleeding should decrease each time you brush as their teeth and gums get cleaner and healthier. If bleeding does not stop after several sessions, consult your vet.

If your dog resists, take a break or try again tomorrow. Don’t yell at or restrain your dog when you brush their teeth. You don’t want them to have a negative association with getting their teeth brushed or it won’t get any easier to do it.

Don’t you just hate it when you see (or worse, step on) dog poop on your well-manicured lawn when you go out in the morning? Or get barked at (or worse, got run after) by unleashed and ferocious-looking Rottweilers when you jog at the park? These are just some incidents that show that some dog owners have no right to own a dog in the first place.
Responsible dog ownership does not end on loving and adoring your dog. Dog ownership is a serious commitment that consists of vital duties. My friend and responsible pet ownership advocate Shaun Olmstead list down the most important rules of conscientious dog ownership:

1. Keep your dog on a leash or in a fenced-in yard when outdoors. Even if you live where it is legal to allow your dog off-leash, you should supervise him at all times. Do not let him wander the neighborhood or get out of your sight.

2. Do not leave a barking dog outdoors. Continuous barking is not only unfair to your dog, it is rude and annoying to neighbors.

3. Pick up after your dog. No one wants to step in or smell that “surprise” your dog left behind. Please pick it up right away and dispose of it properly.

4. Train your dog. Proper etiquette not only benefits you and your dog; it also benefits others. A well-behaved dog is less likely to upset people and pets in public places and will be more welcome at gatherings. If your dog’s misbehavior results in any sort of accident, injury or similar incident, you must take full responsibility for that behavior.

To all dog owners, please help give dog owners a good name by following these rules.

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Dog sitting can be a rewarding experience especially to pet lovers like me. To some, taking care of other people’s pet can be a lucrative business. I’ve been dog sitting for my friend Shaun Olmstead every time he goes on his business trips. Actually, I’m always looking forward to his trips abroad because I’m going to spend some fun time with his lovable pooches.

Taking care of other’s pets is really simple. A natural affinity to animals is a huge plus though. If you are squeamish, this endeavor is not for you: remember that there is feeding, bathing, grooming and cleaning up of poop and pee involved.

Aside from the aforementioned tasks, giving the dog adequate exercise is also part of the job. Take him for at least a 20-minute walk. If there is a yard, spend time in it and look for toys to play with. Fetch and tug-of-war are usually a great workout, unless the dog is elderly or ill and needs to take it easy.

Give the dog plenty of love and attention. He is likely to be lonely and missing his family so do your best to give him a fun time. And I assure you, you will have fun too!

Your favorite food can be toxic to your beloved pooch. My friend Shaun Omstead lists down human food items and their hazardous (and sometimes fatal) effects on your pet if ingested:

Chocolate - staggering, laboured breathing, vomiting, diarhea, abdominal pain, tremours, fever, heart rate increase, arrythmia, seizures, coma, death

Coffee / Cocoa - staggering, laboured breathing, vomiting, diarhea, abdominal pain, tremours, fever, heart rate increase, arrythmia, seizures, coma, death

Onions - Hemolytic Anemia, laboured breathing, liver damage, vomiting, diarhea, discoloured urine

Mushrooms - abdominal pain, drooling, liver damage, kidney damage, vomiting diarhea, convulsions, coma, death

Grapes / Raisins - vomiting, diarhea, abdominal pain, lethargy

My pug Rama used to hate bath times. He would scamper away and hide under the stairs or a table when he hears me call his name for his weekly baths. Taking him to the tub was an ordeal, and sometimes he would even jump out of the tub and create a wet mess all over the house. My friend and dog enthusiast, Shaun Olmstead, says this is normal behavior for dogs. But learning the proper way to bath your dog can solve this problem. With Shaun’s tips, Rama’s bath times are less stressful. He may still not like the bath, but he’s easier to manage.

Ideally, most dogs should be bathed monthly, but bathing as often as once a week is not considered harmful. Never use human bath products for your dog. Always use a soap-free shampoo that is intended for dogs. Consult your vet as he can recommend the best bath products for your pooch depending on the condition of his skin and coat. Be sure to follow your veterinarian’s instructions about bathing.

Before you begin bathing your dog, choose the location and gather all the necessary supplies. You don’t want your dog to be soggy and shivering on the tub while you look for his bottle of shampoo. A tub is usually the easiest place to bathe your dog, though very small dogs may be bathed in a sink. Always remember that cold water is no fun for dogs. You may want to hook up the hot water so your dog can get a nice warm bath.

Have all the bath supplies needed at your arm’s reach before even wetting you pet:
• Soft, absorbent towels. Beach towels work well for larger dogs.
• Brushes and combs — choose the appropriate tool for your dog’s hair type.
• Bath mat for your dog to prevent slipping, if necessary.
• Apron and / or old clothes — you are going to get wet!

It’s also a good idea to brush your dog out before the bath begins. Be sure to remove any tangles or mats, as these are harder to deal with once your dog is wet.