Going Mutts Pet Services

Going Mutts Pet Services I am a certified balanced dog trainer with 8 years of experience.

I am certified in basic canine nutrition, and I am currently working on my advanced certification!

Everyone seems much happier with the warmer temps, time to burn off some much needed steam 👌I hope that everyone has a g...
02/21/2025

Everyone seems much happier with the warmer temps, time to burn off some much needed steam 👌

I hope that everyone has a great weekend!

I have seen some of your yards… you guys choose it too, LOL! 😂 Now that it is getting warmer, if you guys want to leave ...
02/20/2025

I have seen some of your yards… you guys choose it too, LOL! 😂

Now that it is getting warmer, if you guys want to leave a bucket and shovel out, I don’t mind cleaning your yard during potty breaks!

I think today is the last day of colder weather………. the last three weeks have been brutal — but we made it! 😅We are appr...
02/19/2025

I think today is the last day of colder weather………. the last three weeks have been brutal — but we made it! 😅

We are approaching wet dog weather, better get the towels out! 🧺

Happy Valentine’s Day 🩷💝
02/14/2025

Happy Valentine’s Day 🩷💝

I’m on days off from the 14-17, and when I return to work, it looks like it’s going to warm up! We are almost done with ...
02/13/2025

I’m on days off from the 14-17, and when I return to work, it looks like it’s going to warm up! We are almost done with this 💩 weather, whoo-hoo, bring on the mud season 😅

I always enjoy my time with these guys! Phelan is such a quiet, sweet, old dude, and Zuri and Oskar are just full of ant...
02/11/2025

I always enjoy my time with these guys! Phelan is such a quiet, sweet, old dude, and Zuri and Oskar are just full of antics, typical of Canadian Eskimo Dogs 🩷

Why does it have to be so cold out? 🥶I took Jazz to Pet Smart on Saturday. These cold days make it a bit harder to burn ...
02/10/2025

Why does it have to be so cold out? 🥶

I took Jazz to Pet Smart on Saturday. These cold days make it a bit harder to burn off that young dog energy… how are your pups dealing with the cabin fever?

Next week is looking much better at least, hopefully get back to normal 🥳

How is it already Friday evening? This week went by crazy fast — we were able to get some good walks in when it warmed u...
02/08/2025

How is it already Friday evening? This week went by crazy fast — we were able to get some good walks in when it warmed up 👌

Have a great weekend everyone!

It’s been a long week of cold weather… but here is something that might warm your hearts — May has found her forever hom...
02/05/2025

It’s been a long week of cold weather… but here is something that might warm your hearts — May has found her forever home (foster failure), and she fits in perfectly. She truly has the best family 🩷

She’s growing like a w**d, so curious to see how big she will get!

Maybe I should get a 4th dog… 🤔

Do you feed garlic to your dogs? 🧄I used to feed garlic to my dogs, I would add it to their raw food when I made a big b...
02/05/2025

Do you feed garlic to your dogs? 🧄

I used to feed garlic to my dogs, I would add it to their raw food when I made a big batch (all you could smell was garlic). I stopped adding it when one of the nutritionists that I follow (and highly respect) mentioned that a client's dog had developed hemolytic anemia, and that garlic was in the recipe. I don't believe that garlic is "unsafe" so to speak, dose is important... but I do believe that certain dogs can be more sensitive. I chose not to use garlic because of this, and the fact that there are so many other herbs and plant foods that are safer!

Garlic can cause hemolytic anemia in people as well (more rare than in dogs), but cooking it does reduce the risk. I used to eat freshly crushed garlic every morning -- if you allow the garlic to sit for 5-10 minutes after crushing, it will contain more allicin, which is the main beneficial compound in garlic. If you let it sit for too long, the benefits start to decrease, so it is best to always freshly cut or crush your garlic, for yourself or your pets. I do not recommend pre-cut garlic, ever.

I don't eat raw garlic anymore, I had a bad experience... it was just too spicy/pungent one day, and I was almost sick. Now I just can't stomach it... LOL!

Here is a dosing guideline if you would like to add garlic to your dog's food. Please note that garlic should not be fed to dogs that are pregnant/lactating, or to puppies under 6 months of age. 6 months and up, you can feed half of the recommended dose. Certain breeds like Shiba Inu's and Akita's should not be fed garlic as they are more prone to the hemolytic effects of the oxidants found in garlic.

5lbs: 1/6 tsp
10lbs: 1/3tsp
15 lbs: 1/2 tsp
20lbs: 2/3 tsp
30 lbs: 1 tsp

Garlic can interact with many medications, such as immune suppressants, heart medications, chemotherapy drugs, blood thinners, insulin, antacids, and blood pressure medications. It is best to avoid garlic if your dog is using any of these medications, or consult with your vet prior to feeding.

Garlic does have many health benefits; it is great for the immune system and heart health, it is anti cancer and anti inflammatory... but the benefits don't outweigh the risks for me, especially when there are so many other safer options for our dogs!

I think Rex has cabin fever… or, he’s acting like a typical Frenchie and is just being a complete loon 😂It’s supposed to...
02/04/2025

I think Rex has cabin fever… or, he’s acting like a typical Frenchie and is just being a complete loon 😂

It’s supposed to “warm up” soon 🥶

Well… the one good thing about all of this snow? It hides all of the dog p**p in the yard. My yard looks squeaky clean 🥳
02/02/2025

Well… the one good thing about all of this snow? It hides all of the dog p**p in the yard. My yard looks squeaky clean 🥳

How much protein does a senior dog require? Someone had posted about feeding a senior dog a high protein kibble today, w...
01/31/2025

How much protein does a senior dog require? Someone had posted about feeding a senior dog a high protein kibble today, which I think is worth exploring some.

Senior dogs require high-quality protein, not necessarily a higher quantity. They -might- require more protein, it really depends on the individual dog. I believe that it is a good idea to offer moderate to high protein foods, of at least 25% crude protein, to a healthy senior, but even 18-25% should suffice, which is the recommended amount for healthy adult dogs. Lifestyle needs to be considered, as well as health status -- how active is your pup, are there any injuries? If you have a senior pup that is sedentary, they may be prone to muscle loss, which more protein might benefit. Some seniors do struggle to properly digest and absorb nutrients from their food as well, this is a natural part of aging. These dogs may benefit from a digestive enzyme, smaller more frequent meals, if you feed raw, cooked or kibble might be a better choice.

Some people assume that senior dogs require a reduction in protein in order to protect the kidneys from damage. Healthy kidneys are able to filter the waste products of protein metabolism efficiently. If there is no sign of CKD, or no obvious symptoms, I do not recommend reducing protein. This is why it is important to have regular bloodwork done, especially in senior dogs. Regular bloodwork will not pick up on CKD until kidney function is 2/3rd reduced, so it isn't the best indication, but there are other tests such as SDMA, and urinalysis. We only start to reduce protein for CKD in stage 2, sometimes earlier, but generally not until then. Other nutrients will need to be adjusted as well, such as sodium and phosphorus. Boosting omega 3's, vitamin E, and antioxidants is also a good idea. Be sure to ask your vet for guidance if you are unsure, or consult with a qualified professional.

If your senior pup is losing muscle mass, it's important to rule out CKD before increasing protein. Heart disease, hormonal diseases like cushings, and cancer may also contribute to muscle loss, so it is a good idea to have an established relationship with your vet so that you can watch trends in blood work. Some seniors may not be able to tolerate higher protein levels due to a decrease in liver function. Too much protein for a dog with decreased liver function may contribute to canine cognitive disorder due to increased levels of ammonia in the blood.

Bloodwork for a senior pet should be done every 6 months (because things can change quickly), but this isn't always an option due to finances, so I recommend every year. I took my pups for their yearly bloodwork this week, and their liver and kidneys are all good. Jazz had elevated urea in September, so I am happy to see that come down, and I did have some concerns with Treble. Phew, I can sleep easy now!

If you have ruled out kidney disease and are dealing with muscle wasting, you can offer a higher protein food, or add fresh protein foods to the bowl -- eggs, meat and fish, freeze dried, high quality canned food, muscle powders for dogs etc. If the amount of protein is increasing in a kibble, just know that a good portion of it is most likely coming from plant foods, not necessarily animal sources. These proteins may not be as bioavailable to your dog -- think Acana or Orijen grain-free options.

Be sure to provide age-appropriate exercise to prevent or reduce muscle wasting. Like the old saying, “if you don’t use it, you lose it”! If your pet has painful joints, be sure to manage pain and joint deterioration with appropriate treatment and supplementation.

As always, if you have any questions, don’t hesitate to ask. I hope that everyone has a great weekend, stay warm! ☃️

Just info sharing, because Dr. Steve Marsden (and his wife) is becoming one of my favourites in the animal health space!...
01/31/2025

Just info sharing, because Dr. Steve Marsden (and his wife) is becoming one of my favourites in the animal health space!

Check out his FB group, and website, tons of great, trustworthy information/advice.

I don’t know every exact detail, but I believe he is/was associated with the Edmonton Holistic Veterinary Clinic (he’s retired), and still resides in Alberta. I have learned a lot from reading posts on his FB group and his website… so, naturally I am super excited to read his book!

Knowledge is power, so if you are interested in a more holistic/integrative approach to your pets health, this might be a great free resource for you! 👌

18 packs of sardines for $35 on Amazon — that’s a good price, and sardines are a great add to the bowl 💙Sardines or cann...
01/29/2025

18 packs of sardines for $35 on Amazon — that’s a good price, and sardines are a great add to the bowl 💙

Sardines or canned fish are higher in histamine, so if your pup has allergies or is going through a flare (think pollen season), it might be a good idea to avoid or limit feeding. The same for pets with mast cell cancer. I don’t feed raw fish, but raw fish is lower in histamine, so there is that option for those that require a lower histamine diet! 🐠

I like to feed sardines with berries, the perfect anti inflammatory duo!

Zero is still a little lunatic (hard to get pictures of him being still), he’s such a fun dog, definitely has springs fo...
01/26/2025

Zero is still a little lunatic (hard to get pictures of him being still), he’s such a fun dog, definitely has springs for legs 😂

We are through the hardest part of winter! Yay! 😃 I am not a winter person. What helps get you through all the darkness?...
01/24/2025

We are through the hardest part of winter! Yay! 😃

I am not a winter person. What helps get you through all the darkness? I personally love it when dogs have their lip/gowls curled up all funny, especially if you can see their teef — I think it’s hilarious, they look so goofy!

Trying to fly! Everyone was a bit wild today, must be that beautiful weather ☀️
01/24/2025

Trying to fly! Everyone was a bit wild today, must be that beautiful weather ☀️

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I bought my dogs some light up harnesses for when we walk while it’s dark — sorry for crappy video quality, it was also raining LOL! Be extra safe this winter, if you plan on taking your pups out for walks in the dark, it might be a good idea to get a harness, a collar, or some sort of light or something with reflective stripes. It’s not as bad once we get snow, but I know a lot of people wear dark colours, so it’s important to wear something so that you can be seen! ❤️

If you are struggling to get herbal tinctures into your dogs, try using empty capsules. Using a syringe can be a bit invasive, especially if the medicine is gross, and many dogs won’t eat their food if it is mixed in. My girls will eat the capsules with a bit of peanut butter or yogurt, but hiding the capsules in some meat or a pill pocket also works! Give it a try, empty capsules are inexpensive and can be purchased online, the size doesn’t really matter for this, but these are 00.

Thank goodness for bus shelters, lol 😂
Thank goodness for bus shelters, lol 😂

Thank goodness for bus shelters, lol 😂

Stay cool today guys, it’s going to be HOT 🥵 I have been walking my guys around 5am lately, but they were still a bit warm so we went down to the creek for a cool down. If you are using RO water or distilled, be sure to add some trace minerals or unrefined salt to the water, keep those electrolytes up — I just put a few pinches in the pups water, even though they do not sweat like humans, electrolytes are still important, more so in this heat. Use caution with animals with kidney disorders, consult with your vet first!

Do you have a dog or cat with quirky behaviour? Gunner doesn’t particularly like laminate flooring, so he walks backwards to get onto the area rug. So strange! 😂

Awe, he’s suckling on the blanket 🥹

Doing doggy parkour with Jimmy!

I have always known that Great Danes were originally used for hunting, but I found it hard to believe until I seen these guys run! They are quite fast, and graceful. Such a beautiful breed!

Well, I guess I had the good treats today, Reggie was offering his best tricks! Trick training can be a lot of fun, and mentally stimulating for those bad weather days 👌

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