Today is National Dog Day! Founded in 2004, National Dog Day was created to bring national awareness to all of the rescue and shelter dogs who need new homes and to honor family pets and service dogs for all they do for their humans every day.  You can read more about it at  www.nationaldogday.com.

Here are just a  few ideas for celebrating your furry friends on their special day!

1. Make a donation to a local shelter or rescue group.

National Dog Day encourages people (even ones who don’t have great dogs like me) to make a donation to their local pet shelter. You can also go the ASPCA website to donate. You can get some great new gear for your dog right here at Surfpet and my folks will donate 5% of your purchase to either Pets for Vets or Pets for Patriots. Find the Surfpet coupon codes here.

2. Share some quality time.

Schedule a doggy play date or go to the dog park and surprise him with a new fetch toy like the Kurgo Winga. Check out this website for some of the country’s top-rated dog parks.

3. Make some homemade dog treats!

My mom’s friend, Paris at DogTipper.com, creates her own recipes for dog treats you can make right at home. There are even recipes for some frozen treats for hot dogs like me! DogTipper posts new recipes every week and they include lots of great pictures, so you can follow along.

4. Volunteer at your local animal shelter.

Hey, there are lots of dogs at your local shelter who need baths, a little exercise outside, and who would really appreciate a little love. See how you can help out at your local shelter. You’re sure to be rewarded with lots of puppy love.

5. Bring a deserving dog home.

Shelters are really overloaded these days and they need your help finding homes for pets. There are lots and lots of dogs (and cats) out there who need forever homes and somebody to love.  They will give you loyalty, laughs and plenty of kisses if you will give ‘em a chance.

I’m a shelter dog, and just look how great things turned out for me!

However you celebrate National Dog Day, take a moment to honor your best friend. Do something for dogs today! If you’ve got more ideas or have something special planned for your dog today, please share them in the comments section.

Until next time…

Licks and wags,

Charlie

]]> http://www.surfpet.com/2010/08/five-ways-to-celebrate-national-dog-day/feed/ 0 http://www.surfpet.com/2010/08/summer-travel-with-your-pet-2/ http://www.surfpet.com/2010/08/summer-travel-with-your-pet-2/#comments Sun, 15 Aug 2010 17:40:03 +0000 Betsy http://www.surfpet.com/?p=992 We want our four-legged friends to enjoy family fun right along with us, but there are some precautions that needed to be taken to keep your pets safe when the mercury climbs.

Everyone knows this, but it bears repeating—never leave your pet in a hot car, even if you think it will only be for a few minutes.  Your car acts like a greenhouse, absorbing and trapping the sun’s heat. Temperatures inside a car can reach dangerous levels within a few, short minutes, and leaving windows cracked makes very little difference.

If you like jogging, running, biking, or hiking with your pet, remember that you can dress in cooler clothes to feel cooler, but your pet cannot. A cooling vest like the Ruffwear Swamp Cooler can help you pet stay cool. Plan your exercise times early in the morning or in the cooler evening hours so your pet can join you and still be comfortable.

Ruffwear Swamp Cooler Vest

Here is some very helpful information from www.vetmedicine.about.com regarding heat stroke in your dog.

Signs of heat stroke may include (but are not limited to) body temperatures of 104-110F degrees, excessive panting, dark or bright red tongue and gums, staggering, stupor, seizures, bloody diarrhea or vomiting, coma, death.

Short-nosed breeds, large heavy-coated breeds, older dogs, and those dogs with heart or respiratory problems are more at risk for heat stroke.

If you suspect heat stroke in your pet, seek veterinary attention immediately! Use cool water, not ice water, to cool your pet. (Very cold water will cause constriction of the blood vessels and impede cooling.) Do not aid cooling below 103 F degrees – some animals can actually get HYPOthermic, too cold. Offer ice cubes for the animal to lick on until you can reach your veterinarian.

Hot weather is also the time when your pet’s worst pests are most likely to be a problem. Be sure your pet is protected from fleas and ticks with a product like Frontline Plus for dogs and cats.

Having fresh water available for your pet at all times, especially during outdoor activities is essential. If you are going for a long hike on a hot day, let your dog carry his own water supply with the SingleTrak back pack from Ruffwear.

SingleTrak Back Pack

An elevated bed for your pet is a great idea during hot weather. It keeps your bed up off the ground, away from insects, and is much cooler for your pet than laying on hot concrete. The PuppyWalk Ultra Breezy bed even has a sunshade on top! The Cool Breeze bed features a water-filled insert that keeps your pet extra cool.

Ultra Breezy Bed

When you are planning to be away from home for a while, find a good vet close to where you will be staying and keep their name and number handy. Then you won’t have to scramble to find a vet in case of an emergency.

As temperatures rise, we want to hit the pool, beach, or lake for some cool fun, and we want our four-legged friends to join us. Check out this great video of a family with their dogs at the lake.

Water safety issues are just as important for your pet as they are for any family member. You don’t want an accident or injury to spoil anyone’s fun. So here are a few water safety tips for you and your pet.

First of all, be aware that not all dogs are natural swimmers. Some dogs don’t even like the water. Swimming can be tiring and even dangerous for dogs with short noses or heavy bodies or for dogs with underlying health conditions like obesity, heart conditions, or arthritis. Pets who are prone to skin and ear infections should be discouraged from swimming. Any animal should be closely supervised at all times around water. It is also important to give your pet a good bath and dry their ears thoroughly after they’ve had a swim.

If you have a pool at home, it is important to give your pet a safe way to get out of the pool if they fall or jump in. A can also keep racoons, opossums, or other wild animals from drowning in your pool.

Skamper Ramp

During any outdoor activity, you need to provide your dog with fresh, clean water at all times. Discourage them from drinking salt water, pool water, or stagnant water in ponds or marshy areas as this water may contain chemicals, bacteria, larvae, even sewage, etc., that can be harmful to your pet’s health.

Doggy Dock

If you are going boating, be sure to introduce the animal to the boat slowly so he can get used to the noise and the motion. Dogs can get seasick and feel unsteady or disoriented on a boat and be more likely to fall overboard. Pets who jump or fall from a moving boat can be seriously injured or killed by the propeller. Having Paws Aboard Safety Steps or a Doggy Dock floating ramp attached to your boat can provide a safe, comfortable way for your dog to get back onto the boat after a swim.

Your dog is a member of your family, and he needs to be protected by a life preserver, too. Having a  life preserver jacket on your dog can be the difference between a fun day and a tragedy if your dog should get caught in a swift current, fall off the boat, or become tired or hypothermic while swimming.  Remember that puppies, older dogs, and overweight dogs need the extra protection of a life jacket even more when they are around water.

At the end of the day, when everyone is hot and tired, remember to help your four-legged friend relax better by giving him a good bath, combing tangles out of his fur, and drying his ears out well. He will really enjoy the TLC!

Portage Float Coat

The heat of summer can keep even the most active outdoor adventure dog running for the shade. The Swamp Cooler cooling vest is your dog’s best friend when the heat of summer is on.

The Swamp Cooler by Ruffwear is simple to use; just soak in cool water, wring out and put it on the dog.

Evaporative cooling exchanges the dog’s heat with the coolness of the stored water. The light-colored fabric also reflects scorching UV rays to keep dark dogs cool! And lastly, the Swamp Cooler fits close to the dog’s body, staying put during active adventures.

The Swamp Cooler is especially effective for short-nosed dogs that are prone to overheating, as well as dark-colored dogs.

The Swamp Cooler by Ruffwear is a great addition to your summer-time gear!

Petaluma, CA (PRWEB) June 9, 2010 — In a competition where personality is important as having the right “ugly” credentials, World’s Ugliest Dog ® Contest organizers have invited Hollywood personality, actor and comedian Jon Reep, to emcee the 22nd annual contest set for Friday, June 25, 2010 in Petaluma, California.

“I’m hosting the World’s Ugliest Dog ® Contest because Mario Lopez was too pretty,” said Reep.

“We’re thrilled to have him,” said contest organizer Vicki DeArmon. “Jon brings a lot of personality to the stage and a love of dogs. We’re looking forward to his stage antics.”

As an actor he’s played the crazy farmer “Raymus” in the movie Harold and Kumar Escape from Guantanamo Bay, and the dim-witted cop “Gerald Bob” from the ABC Sitcom Rodney. But most people probably know him as Dodge Truck’s popular “Hemi guy”; who leans out of a beat-up car and utters the now famous line: “That thing gotta Hemi?”

Reep also won Season 5 of Last Comic Standing on NBC. He’s made appearances on Comedy Central’s Premium Blend, Comedy Central Presents: Jon Reep, TBS’s Pit Stop Comedy, NBC’s Late Friday, CMT’s Comedy Club & Comedy Stage, and CMT’s Bandits vs Smokies. His just released DVD, Metro Jethro, is out now. Fans can find out what a Metro Jethro is at www.JonReep.com.

DeArmon said, “Occasionally, we’ve had folks who think the World’s Ugliest Dog® Contest makes fun of ugly dogs and that the dogs’ feelings are hurt by being called ugly. Nothing could be further from the truth. In fact, these are some of the best-loved dogs in the world and many of them are ambassadors for dog-related causes. Jon’s a great reminder that the World’s Ugliest Dog ® Contest is for people who love dogs but also have a sense of humor. That’s why the contest has lasted so long and grown so popular. People need a reason to laugh. With Jon, they’ll have even more.”

The World’s Ugliest Dog ™ Contest is scheduled for Friday, June 25, 2010 at 6 p.m. during the Sonoma-Marin Fair in Petaluma, California. Entry forms can be downloaded at www.sonoma-marinfair.org or requested by calling 707-283-3247 (FAIR). (Reep’s video can be viewed there as well.) The 2010 World Champion will take home a minimum of $1,000 in prize money and prizes, a trophy, and a $1,000 modeling contract with contest sponsor House Of Dog.

The Sonoma-Marin Fair also issues a YouTube video of the contest highlights immediately following the contest. The winner of this internationally known competition is catapulted into the international limelight. Past winners have had their photos in newspapers across America and overseas and are featured guests on talk shows.

2009 World’s Ugliest Dog Video

Fur Real, Dude–Dogs That Surf

Aquatic canines will toe boards at 5th annual Loews Coronado Bay Resort Surf Dog competition.

By Wendy Lemlin
Posted on Thu, May 20th, 2010

Surf sisters Kalani and Ricki.
Photo by Judy Fridono

Kalani and Ricki are a pair of surfin’ sisters tearing it up at local competitions. Golden hair dripping sea water, big brown eyes sparkling in the sun, they ride their boards with a finesse that belies their young age, shredding waves like the champs they are, balancing beautifully on their four legs. That’s four legs, each, by the way, as Kalani and Ricki (full name Ricochet) are golden retrievers who will be joining about 58 other dogs this Saturday at the 5th annual Loews Coronado Bay Resort Surf Dog competition, held at Dunes Beach in Imperial Beach from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.

This popular competition, which always receives national press attention, is part of the resort chain’s Loews Loves Pets program and has become a hugely successful fundraiser for pet-related charities. This year, the dogs will be hanging 20 for the San Diego Police Canines, who serve, protect and save lives.

Every dog competitor will have 10 minutes to catch their top two waves and will be scored on confidence level, length of ride and overall ability to “grip it and rip it.” There are three heats: small dog, large dog and tandem for teams of either two dogs or a dog and human surfer. Judging will be conducted by Mayor Jim Janney of Imperial Beach; Teevan McManus, of Coronado Surfing Academy; and Kathleen Cochran, general manager of Loews Coronado Bay Resort.

Adding to the excitement at Saturday’s Surf Dog Competition will be some big-time star power and a Hollywood connection. At last year’s event, several scenes were filmed for the film, Marmaduke, which will premiere at Dunes Beach Saturday evening. Although the premiere is not open to the public, all the Surf Dog contestants (and their humans) are invited, and will meet the Great Dane who plays Marmaduke, as well as some of the movie’s actors, including Owen Wilson and George Lopez.

Hangin’ 20.
Photo by Loews Coronado Bay Resort

Kalani, who is Miss November in the 2010 Surf Dogs Calendar and a certified therapy dog, is totally psyched for the big event. At only 2-and-a-half-years old, she lives with her human companion, Andra Lew of San Diego, and has been training hard to defend the first place title that she took last year in the large dog division. She’s an avid swimmer and runs frequently at Fiesta Island to strengthen her back legs forsurfing. In addition to competing solo, she’ll be sharing a board in the tandem division with her littermate, Ricochet, who will be surfing solo, as well.

Ricochet, known in the doggie surf scene as Rip Curl Ricki, lives in Escondido with Judy Fridono, a certified professional dog trainer. Ricki had aspirations of becoming a service dog for people with disabilities, her natural instincts for chasing birds made her a little too unpredictable for that work . She found her true calling, rather, as a SURFice dog, with a personal initiative called “Surfin’ for Paws-abilities” raising awareness, and funds for charitable causes, including over $22,000 in the last six months. She specializes in surfing with people with disabilities, and her story can be seen in a very moving video which has gone viral on Youtube.

So, does your canine have the stuff to compete against Kalani, Ricochet, or any of the other hot doggers on Saturday at the Loews Surf Dog competition? There’s still time to sign up. Registration fees run $50-$55 per dog, and benefit the San Diego Police Canines. There is no charge for spectators.

What are pressure wraps?

Many dogs suffer from behavioral issues and mental conditions that arise from fear and anxiety. The pressure wrap is an approach used to modify the behavior of dogs using a technique called “Controlled Pressure” to help calm the sensory receptors. When used properly it has been shown to end fear of loud noises, thunderstorm fear , dog aggression, shyness, nervousness, releasing stress & tension, end jumping, car sickness, unnecessary barking, , sensitivity to touch, sensitive to sound, aloofness, emotional upset, hyperactivity, grooming issues and other anxieties. It is a non-drug treatment for dog anxiety and just like slipping on a shirt. Dogs that display symptoms of anxiety can now be calmed by wearing these pressure wraps.

Why are dogs afraid of thunderstorms?

Fear of thunderstorms is common in dogs, and tends to get worse as they age. It is partly genetic. Too many dogs are left outdoors during storms, sometimes with no shelter at all. Anyone would be scared with good reason. Thunderstorms and the accompanying electrical energy disturbs dogs on a level most of us do not understand. The loud noise is scary to some dogs, and the dog can hear it at a much greater distance than humans can. The dog has early audio warning of an approaching storm, and most storm-phobic dogs eventually start reacting long before the sounds are loud. The smell of the air changes when a storm approaches, and of course the keen nose of a dog detects this early. The air pressure changes, too, and a dog’s ears are more sensitive to pressure changes than most people. In some cases, it might hurt.

Phobias generally become worse, not better, with repeated exposures. Dogs with mild noise phobia may look anxious during thunderstorms, tremble, hide under the bed or in the bathtub, and be afraid to go out of doors for hours after the storm has passed.

How does it work?

The wrap applies slight pressure or maintained pressure across a wide area of the body, stimulating the body’s receptors to help in transmitting different sensations to different parts of the brain. When the animal receives this new information, it’s awareness & focus can change, resulting in the animal “letting go” of the old sensation and modifying its behavior.

The Body Wrap does the following for most dogs suffering from noise anxiety:

• The physical sensation of wearing the wrap distracts the dog from focusing on her fears, and
• Being wrapped gives the dog a feeling of safety and comfort.
• Soon after putting on the wrap, your dog will likely settle down and relax. Many dogs will lie down and weather the storms with little to no further symptoms of noise anxiety.

From a more scientific perspective, according to neurobiologists, many types of traumas can cause nerve damage, leading to dogs having exaggerated responses to stimuli such as loud noises. Applying constantly maintained pressure with the body wrap provides an unchanging, quieting stimulus that allows the dog to relax.

Temple Grandin and Tellington Touch

Two resources have researched the issue on how pressure soothes.The first source is TTouch practitioners. TTouch was developed by Linda Tellington-Jones to help train horses and relax the horse’s mind and body. It was eventually adapted for other animals too. It uses a system of specific touches, and stretches to relax the animal, and increase body awareness. Getting in TTouch with Your Dog by Linda Tellington-Jones illustrates many techniques for wrapping an ace bandage around a dog to enhance “your dog’s sense of his own body and makes him more confident in his movements and behavior.” One of the tools used to continue TTouch benefits for a longer time is a body wrap.

The second resource is the famous autism researcher Temple Grandin, who was herself an autistic child. Inspired by how cattle calmed down while being gently squeezed in a chute she developed a “hug machine”. As stated by Temple Grandin “after seeing cattle being put into a squeeze chute that held them still so they could get their shots. When I saw how calm the cattle got from the pressure on their bodies, I built my own squeeze machine, and it calmed my anxiety the same way.” The hug machine helped maintain constant pressure and proved to be effective in soothing the anxiety of autistic people. On the same lines, a pressure wrap is a way to give the maintained pressure and contact that the dog craves for in times of anxiety.

Surfpet highly recommends the Thundershirt to help your dog with anxiety issues without drugs. The Thundershirt can help to alleviate reactive barking, separation anxiety and fear of loud noises or thunderstorms.

For multi-day adventures a large capacity pack is recommended. For short-duration, high activity adventures, choose a lighter-weight, more breathable option with smaller saddlebags.

2. Load dispersion.

A properly fitted pack will not shift or rotate. This is achieved through features such as a 5-point adjustable harness base, adjustable straps, and proper saddlebag location. Never use packs that place weight directly on the spine.

3. Front-loaded saddlebags.

Front-loaded saddlebags put the weight where the dog is the strongest—towards the torso.

4. Waterproof zippers and drain holes.

Waterproof zippers will keep rain out, and food and contents inside dry. If moisture does penetrate inside the saddlebags, you’ll be grateful for drain holes to promote quick drying.

5. Removable saddlebags.

Removable saddlebags that expose a usable harness underneath, like in the Palisades Pack™, allow saddlebags to be removed for adjustments to the load during water crossings, camping and rest stops. The harness can be used alone for day trip activities.

6. Compression systems.

Compression systems cinch the saddlebags tightly to the dog’s body, giving the dog a narrower clearance and helping prevent saddlebag flop.

7.  Gear and leash attachment points.

Leash attachments and gear loops are helpful for cinching down extra gear, attaching a leash, and tying out to a tree or post.

8. Onboard hydration.

Hydration is extremely important for hot or cold weather, especially when a dog is wearing a pack which could cause them to exhaust sooner.   There are numerous hydration options, such as integrated water bladder and hose systems, included dog-friendly soft water bottles, or saddlebags large enough to fit your favorite water receptacle.

9. Reflective trim.

Reflectivity allows you and others to see your dog in low-light situations.

10. Washable fabrics.

Look for fabrics and features that resist wear and tear and keep out dust, dirt and rain. Nylon fabrics are both UV stable and resist dirt and abrasion.

We asked our winners to send us a doggie-bio and these are truly three COOL dogs.

Huntyr has a great story and even has his own website and blog:

Thanks so much for having the contest! Me and momma are VERY excited to have won!

I am Huntyr,, a 4 year old pure breed Jack Russell Terrier. Mom says I am typical male, only one thing works at a time, so when my nose kicks in everything including my ears shut off. But I think its just being a typical Jack Russell.

I tweet alot with my anipals as @kyba and have my own website and blog.

I love my MidWest JackRussell Terrier Club. So far, I have over 150 first and top 6th place ribbons for finding the “rat” in GoToGround, Barn Hunt and Brush Hunt events. And of course, in racing! At home, my most funnest thing is chasing chipmunks and digging huge holes in the yard.

But mostly I loves my momma and I will stay in places (like on the duck) while she plays with her camera.
It’s not always fun but it makes her happy to take “cool” pictures.

Huntyr, you are amazing!

Dusty and Hurley are BFFs and are also good friends with Huntyr and his mom. They helped each other get the vote out! Great team work, fellas!

Dusty is 14 1/2 year old mixed terrier (the light color dog). Hurley is 4 1/2 year old Lhasa mix. Both are good boys…

Both were American Kennel Club certified as Canine Good Citizens in February this year. They passed the certification tests on their first tries!

Both are also certified as Pets on Wheels Therapy Dogs. They visit a local Assisted Living Facility one afternoon a week.They enjoy all the residents there, and seem especially drawn to their visits with the Alzheimer’s patients.

They are great pets. Their best friend is our 17 year old Guinea Rooster, Chick-Chick. They enjoy getting into silly outfits and having their picture taken, which I post on Twitpic for the Anipal Pawpawties held on Twitter.

Wow, Dusty and Hurley are GREAT canine citizens and we are very proud of them. What’s it like having a chicken for a best friend?

We hope that all the winners will send in pictures of themselves with their prizes. Look for the next Surfpet Contest coming soon on Twitter.

Mom was reading posts on another blog site and found this question about a pup that doesn’t know where to do her “business.” Since then, the original post has disappeared, so she thought we could answer it here.

Help! My dog is destroying my apartment! We just moved into a new apartment, which I was hoping would help my dog with her problem of doing her “business” in the house. She is a very good dog and is very affectionate, but she refuses to poop outside. She is also great with my kids and is very gentle with the baby. I take her out every hour, where she will sometimes urinate, but will come right back in and poop on the carpet. I keep a very clean home and this is very upsetting. I clean up thoroughly after her. I really can’t stand this, but I don’t know what else to do.

You certainly have a problem, but don’t despair. It may take some time and some work, but you CAN potty train your dog.  The solution depends on your dedication and consistency, and on changing some of your own behaviors. As Cesar Milan, the Dog Whisperer, is fond of saying, he rehabilitates dogs and trains humans! The advice in this article is based on positive reinforcement, personal experience, and the advice of great dog trainers like Cesar Milan and Victoria Stillwell.

First, is the dog getting enough exercise? This may be partly an anxiety problem that won’t be solved by just showing more affection. In fact, affection at inappropriate times can be detrimental.

In addition to taking the dog out often, he/she needs real exercise, a good brisk walk for at least 20 minutes twice a day. If you can’t commit to this, you might need to rethink whether you have made a full commitment to your dog. Walking is not only the best exercise, it establishes you as the leader and establishes your authority in a positive way. It will also drain some of the nervous energy that your dog is expressing through peeing and pooping indoors.

Walking also stimulates the bowels, which may help the dog eliminate outdoors. You may want to use a verbal cue also, by stopping periodically and saying something encouraging. My mom says, “hurry up” and that’s how I know what she wants me to do. She says it in a soft, kind way, not in a harsh way. Walking stimulates the dog’s mind as well as their body, helping them focus on external stimuli, like new smells and sights. It also encourages them to want to mark over other dog’s smells. If your dog is hard to control on a leash, you may want to try a harness. We recommend a good quality leash no longer than 6′ for walking. Leashes with extendable lines give you less control and the dog too much freedom. Remember, this is more than just walking. It’s pack leader training.

Second, you need to invest in a crate. Crating your dog is not cruel. Dogs are natural den animals and an enclosed, den-like space feels secure to them. There are many kinds of crates and you can find one that fits your  home decor. If the dog is eliminating at night, while you are asleep, it’s very important to crate the dog at night. It may take a little getting used to, especially if the dog sleeps in bed with you, but they will adjust quickly.  Be sure to crate your dog when you leave them alone. Dogs are naturally clean animals and will not normally foul their own sleeping space.

At first let her smell and investigate the crate with the door open. Have her jump in and out of it for treats. Using a verbal command like “crate” or “kennel” helps reinforce the behavior you want. Just as you would with a puppy, you should make the crate a comfortable place to be and keep crating periods short in the beginning. Once accustomed to them, many dogs enjoy spending time in their crates even when they don’t have to. Crates are a favorite place to retreat with a new toy or get some relief from a rambunctious puppy or child.

Using a crate, a place that the dog is naturally reluctant to use as a bathroom, combined with a regular feeding and exercise schedule will make housebreaking go faster as well as save your carpets and your sanity!

Finally, dogs respond to positive reinforcement and rewards. You may be amazed at how quickly they learn when properly motivated. Carry some favorite treats with you on walks and reward all good behavior. Don’t underestimate the power of reward, but you need the right reward. I love the liver treats my mom makes. I’ll do almost anything for them! She breaks off a small piece when we are doing training.

Remember to reward close approximations of desired behavior and reward often! Your dog will soon be making the association. My mom also repeats the verbal command, along with a “good boy!”  when she is teaching me something new. Scroll down to the next post or click to go to the recipe for my favorite Liver Training Treats.

Before you start your new exercise, crate and positive reinforcement training regimen, rent a commercial carpet cleaner and deep clean any areas where the dog has eliminated. It’s also a good idea to use a quality pet stain remover that will not only remove any visual remnant of the stain, but also any smell that the dog can detect. Remember, our noses are 1,000 times better than you humans!

It is possible to change your dog’s behavior, but you have to change your behavior first. Cesar says, “Exercise, discipline (not punishment), and affection – in that order!” It works.

See ‘ya around the neighborhood!

Charlie