Dogs in Good Hands

09/19/2024

Another win for the Ruffwear Trail Runner bowl:
Calvin is afraid of bowls going into his travel crate for water. He is not afraid of drinking out of a p**p bag, but they don’t hold shape so they dump to the side. Enter the Ruffwear Trail Runner bowl, which is more like a bag.
I won’t keep this in his crate while I am not standing with him yet.

The Trail Runner is my favorite on the go water dish.

09/12/2024

I used to look forward to summer, but now I look forward to fall because my dog can come with me more often! That really is key for me in being able to use my dogs during work appointments and train them in novel locations.

08/26/2024

Our new Woof Pupsicle and Stella & Chewy's Meal Mixers came today, so Calvin is getting pupsicles to celebrate National Dog Day!

08/17/2024

This afternoon at Rio Del Mar is a great example of how it can look not that hot when the conditions will actually affect the dog more than if the sky was all blue and the ambient temperature was higher. When I first pulled in, I was disappointed at how overcast/foggy it looked. It was deceptively hot, though. The sand was hotter than the black walking path. Calvin drank throughout the walk and drank 2 cups of water when we got back to the car. The car and metal parts inside of it were hot to the touch. It is especially important to be aware of conditions like this when taking out puppies, muzzled dogs, and brachycephalic dogs, and to not leave dogs in vehicles in these conditions. This should affect the length of your outing. Even with a breeze, I wouldn’t want to sit on the beach with a dog in the sun for a long time in these conditions.

08/16/2024

California State Parks is asking for public input on redesigning Big Basin Redwoods State Park. If you would like dog access in a park where it has been limited, you might scroll down to the text boxes and write a sentence or two about that at:

Para realizar esta encuesta en español, haga clic aquíThe Big Basin Facility Management Plan is the park plan to guide future rebuilding of recreational facilities at Big Basin Redwoods State Park after the 2020 CZU Fire according to the Reimagining Big Basin Vision Summary completed in 2022. The ...

07/21/2024

If you or someone you know is working as an Election Officer on Election Day in Santa Cruz County and need a dog visit or two during those long hours, let me know ahead and I will fit as many free visits as I can into my schedule that day.

07/14/2024

What’s the weirdest or most random dog convo you’ve had? I’ll go first…

Talking about dog incontinence and whether there are pelvic floor exercises they can do. Turns out there ARE:

- VIGOROUS TAIL WAGGING!!!! (Which makes sense)
Teach your dog to wagon cue, 3 sets of 30 *VIGOROUS* wags a day. I died… 🤣💖
- and acupuncture is reported to help, too.

Your turn.

06/16/2024

As a pet guardian or professional, it can be difficult to measure improvement once the pet starts medication.

Medications, both daily and fast acting, can help improve behaviors. Here’s what you should watch for:

06/15/2024

Got to hang out with these adoptable cuties at the Santa Cruz County Animal Shelter today 😊

06/07/2024

I am forever grateful for the experiences Elwood was able to have with an OutFox Field Guard while he was living with megaesophagus! It is normally MUCH easier to train dogs to wear these than it is to train them to wear muzzles and the dogs tend to tolerate them better. (Used for dogs who ingest things, on purpose or in Elwood’s case accidentally—sure as heck won’t stop bites).

🐾 Does your dog have a habit of eating things they shouldn't? 🐾
We know how frustrating and concerning it can be when our furry friends eat things that aren't good for them, especially p**p 💩. That’s why we’re excited to share a testimonial from one of our happy pawrent who found the perfect solution with the OutFox Field Guard!
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Hello!
I am reaching out because I really wanted to share how helpful and impactful the Outfox has been for mine and my dog's quality of life.
She has fairly severe compulsive pica, and she will obsessively eat p**p, sticks, grass, and other things that are incredibly dangerous to her. She is very persistent and had been able to take off any muzzle I've had her wear prior to the Outfox, even with tons of positive muzzle training. We are working with a veterinary behaviorist and going through medication trials for this which have been helpful but take a long time to help, and have limits to how helpful they can be. Exercising her outdoors every day was completely exhausting and scary with her behavior problems, I was constantly afraid she was going to really hurt herself.
Once I found the Outfox, I felt like we had a brand new life. I can take her off leash hiking every day and give her so much freedom that I had never been able to give her before! She is way more comfortable wearing the Outfox than any other muzzle and she wears it quite happily whenever outside. She can romp around, run, swim, and play with other dogs all while wearing her Outfox! I can actually relax and enjoy being outdoors with my dog every day without being in a constant state of panic about her really hurting herself. I also feel the Outfox has really helped us give her behavior medications the best chance to work because it prevents her from getting into these unhealthy obsessive patterns of finding things to eat.
I feel really grateful this product exists, it's been a complete lifesaver. And as a fun bonus, it keeps all the foxtails out of her face/ears, and keeps her from being stung by bees in the face (she is very allergic to bees)!
Thanks so much for making this product, it's been so so helpful for us. ❤🐕

06/06/2024

How fun is this rainbow muzzle!

06/04/2024

Started volunteering at the Santa Cruz County Animal Shelter! The dogs and I will be having some fun playing, training, and exploring together!

05/28/2024

I am currently offering overnight petsitting! I am booking out up to 3 weeks in advance, so we could be a good fit if you need or want to take a trip soon, or your pet care coverage has fallen through. I don't get to offer this service too much anymore, so let's get in some fun stays while I can! Care will be in your home 😊

For details, check out the petsitting section on my services page:
https://www.dogsingoodhands.com/servicesandrates

05/14/2024

Elwood had a year-long battle with the rare autoimmune disease myasthenia gravis. We rallied and fought on, hoping he would go into remission. I believe another chronic disease is what ended up taking him, though the MG with its high incidence of aspiration pneumonia was part of the consideration. After new symptoms that made him uncomfortable too many hours out of 24, I let him go.

He had a great spirit and brought joy to many, even through his illness. I was honored to get him to the point of working with client dogs. We don’t always get to control or fix bodies, though.

What brings me the most comfort when my dogs pass is thinking of all of the things we did that made them happy. When I don’t feel I can make them happy enough anymore, it is time.

Did I do right by you?
Did you have a fulfilling life?
Did you get to be a dog?
Did you get to experience joy?

Elwood was 6. Their lives are short and we never know how long. There are 1,000 ways to bring a dog joy. And to experience it with them.

05/12/2024

Happy Mother’s Day to all the Dog Moms! We hope you get to have some fun and relax!

04/28/2024

☀ THE IMPORTANCE OF A HOLISTIC APPROACH IN DOG TRAINING ☀

When it comes to dog training, a holistic approach isn't just beneficial ➡️ it's essential. This approach considers all aspects of a dog's life, recognising that various factors contribute to their overall behaviour. Understanding and addressing these factors will lead to more effective training outcomes and a happier, and more confident dog.

🔰What is a Holistic Approach?

❖ A holistic approach to dog training involves looking beyond basic obedience commands and a quick behaviour 'correction'. It encompasses the complete physical and emotional welfare of the dog, considering their environment, diet, exercise routine, social interactions, history, background, previous experiences, health, etc. This method recognises that a dog's behaviour is not isolated from their overall lifestyle and that improvements in one area can positively affect others.🔅

🔰Why is a Holistic Approach Important?

❖ Just like humans, a dog's physical health impacts their mental state. A dog with a highly nutritious diet is generally healthier and more psychologically balanced. This balance can lead to better responses to training, as a healthy dog is more capable of focusing and learning. On the flip side - a dog that is permanently stressed or suffers from pain will be less able to learn and is more likely to display "undesired" behaviours.🔅

❖ Behavioural issues are nota result of stubbornness or disobedience. Often, they stem from underlying health issues, or are a manifestation of the dog's emotional struggles such as anxiety, fear, nervousness. A holistic approach seeks to understand and rectify these root causes, rather than merely suppressing the symptoms. For example, a dog that chews destructively might be doing so out of anxiety or lack of mental stimulation, so before we tell dogs off for what they are doing - lets thing why they do these things first ....🔅

❖ Holistic approach fosters a deeper understanding and connection between the hooman and the dog. By involving more aspects of the dog's life in training, people become more attuned to their pets' needs and emotions, which strengthens the bond and improve training efficiency🔅

Want to help your dog ❓Get to know them. And I mean 𝗥𝗘𝗔𝗟𝗟𝗬 𝗚𝗘𝗧 𝗧𝗢 𝗞𝗡𝗢𝗪 𝗧𝗛𝗘𝗠 ❣️

04/03/2024

🐾🌟 The Truth Behind Puppy Parenthood 🌟🐾

Let's get real for a moment, fellow puppy parents. 🐶💭 The journey of raising a furry friend isn't always sunshine and rainbows. In fact, it's quite the rollercoaster ride of emotions! 😅 From frustration to chaos, disappointment to overwhelm, the reality often doesn't match our expectations.

It's okay to admit it: sometimes, it feels like we're juggling a million things at once, and nothing seems to go as planned. 🤯 But here's the thing: you're not alone. Many of us have been there, feeling like we're doing something wrong or that there's something wrong with our precious pup.

Take a deep breath, admire the puppy cuteness (I am a firm believer. They make puppies as cute as they do so we can get through puppyhood) and remember: you’re not alone. 🐾💕

We are in this together 💪🏻

03/25/2024

Our goal is to prevent, treat and effectively manage behavior problems in companion animals to enhanc

03/23/2024

I'd prefer the wave goodnight. I wouldn't want to risk any confusion with a kid blowing in the dog's face at night, especially if they did it repeatedly. If a kid really has trouble sticking to the wave, I'd try a different individualized bedtime routine.

A lot of dogs are not "evening dogs" in the way a lot of people are not "morning people." Their tolerance level and desire to socially interact might be lower in the evening, or once they have settled down for the night. To add further confusion, they might want to snuggle, but not want to be pet much or kissed at that time.

Many calls I get are from concerned parents after their dog has snapped or bitten their child. This usually happens when the child approaches the dog while resting or just being comfortable.

👦Toddlers especially are prone to a bite for giving a kiss goodnight. The awkward and unsteady tiny human is concerning to dogs. Dogs will offer signals prior to a bite but often we miss them as they happen fast.

❗This is why we suggest blowing a kiss, waving night night or as The Family Dog suggests kissing your hand and then touching your dog. Children leaning down on to a dog to give a kiss is often seen as threatening to the dog and we don’t want any unfortunate bites to happen. Keep this in mind and express love from a dog’s mindset.

❗Give space, stay out of their face. Dog and baby on the scene a parent in between. Most of all INVITES DECREASE BITES.

03/18/2024

03/18/2024

When you enter your bracket to win, you'll get a 20% off coupon code and when you make a purchase, Jolly Pets will donate the same amount of toys to a shelter or rescue.

03/18/2024

Poison Prevention Week! 😬

Some top poisons to manage your dog’s access to:

-Xylitol, commonly found in mint gum (Extra, Orbit, Trident). Also in some other flavors of less common brands (pur, Epic, Spry).
Sugar-Free Toxicity!
Dogs get the gum out of car consoles, off counters and nightstands, and out of purses.

-Death Cap Mushrooms
More info: https://www.ebparks.org/safety/trails/toxic-mushrooms

-Compost

-Pennies. Pennies minted after 1982 contain zinc, which can cause zinc poisoning in dogs.

-Human medications like prescriptions and Advil.

Keep gum and medicine in drawers or high or locked cabinets. In the car, keep gum in a securely closed compartment.

Put management in place to prevent countersurfing.

A foxtail hood can be used to prevent determined scavenging outside (supervised).

03/13/2024

I dug this couch cover a client let me know was made by mollymutt, an Oakland company. I figured some people would like how aesthetically pleasing the designs are compared to most of the couch covers I’ve seen on the market! The backing looks more durable, too.

https://www.mollymutt.com

03/06/2024

Great News!

Elwood and I are back living in Santa Cruz, scheduling dog behavior consulting, training, and now catsitting on an ongoing basis!

We'll see you again soon :)

E-mail [email protected] for spring scheduling!

02/16/2024

Elwood and I are back in Santa Cruz! Let me know if you'd like to get a training session in!

02/08/2024

Dogs don't necessarily reliably go in this order, but they tend to have not been listened to at the "whisper" and "louder" levels before owners contact a dog behavior consultant.

Bottom line: Try to notice the whispers, so your dog doesn’t have to shout!