IN THIS ISSUE
TIPS AND TREATS
Halloween Safety
The Coneheads Debacle
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TIPS AND TREATS
Tips and Treats
Keeping Your Dog Calm

Daily life along with special occasions (travel, holidays, parties) are not only stressful for humans but can also be stressful for dogs. Bach Flower Remedies and DAP (Dog Appeasing Pheromone) can help your dog handle challenges.
WORDS OF WISDOM
 
Issue: The First!  October 2009
kona's touch
Welcome to the first edition of the kona's touch, inc. newsletter. We are so excited to further our goal of educating our clients, and friends about the advances and the positive changes in dog training and care. We are also pleased to be able to share our articles and training tips with you. We will do our best to keep you informed and feel free to let us know if we can help with any training, holistic health and nutrition or general doggie information. 
 
Thanks for being part of kona's touch's first newsletter and we welcome you to the world of positive, peaceful training.
 
Be gentle, after all isn't that what you would want for your best friend,
Laura Dorfman, CPDT-KA
Owner and Founder
Heel! Important News to Follow
 
Halloween Safety TipsSpooky Tips: Dog Safety at Halloween
  • CANDY is everywhere. In your home, in your children's rooms and most importantly, on the streets where your dogs walk. I see it all night, the kids taste something, they don't like and it's on the street. Check the grounds for days before and especially after Halloween. Don't let your dog wander into bushes and tall grass unless you can see what's hiding there.
    REMEMBER: CHOCOLATE CAN BE DEADLY. SUGAR FREE FOODS CONTAINING XYLITOL CAN ALSO BE HIGHLY TOXIC TO DOGS.
  • Make sure dog costumes (if you must) are safe and have no loose pieces to chew/choke on. Don't leave your dog unsupervised wearing costumes.
  • Introduce your costumes slowly. Don't let human's scare your dog either accidentally or on purpose. If your dog is wearing a costume, make sure it fits properly, especially around the neck area and make sure his movement is not hindered.
  • Keep your dog  away from the front door in case of doorbell excitement or door bolting. Also trick or treaters may be afraid or uncomfortable around dogs. And your dog may not be to thrilled to see what's at his front door. Keep him busy with a good DOG treat of his own, in a safe area away from the door and excitement.
  • If your dog must go Trick or Treating with you, make sure he stays far away from people's doors, and put a flashing light on his collar or leash.
What's Waggin'
 
kona's touchThe Cone-Heads Debacle
Unexpectedly, I found myself with my dog wearing an Elizabethan Collar to prevent her from licking a wound. She wore it for seven weeks.  On the sixth week, one of my other dogs had surgery. She also was slated for an Elizabethan collar. My home became the subject of the Cone-Head Debacle. It was funny, sad, hard and challenging; this is what I learned.

 
If you have any advanced notice, it's important to get the dog used to the cone. From now on cone wearing will be added to the things to my training list in case the need arises. That way, if there is ever an emergency, your dog has seen it before.If a friend has one, you can borrow it and condition your dog.
  1. When putting on the cone, always offer treats. 
  2. A clear cone is easier for the dog to adjust to and see through.
  3. At first they will crash into corners and make turns too close. Try to clear pathways and entrances so he doesn't have to maneuver around excess clutter.
  4. Make sure before you leave him unsupervised, he is not excessively trying to get it off and therefore, possibly getting his paw caught in the neck opening. Make sure it is loose enough to not choke him but tight enough not to get his foot caught, or the collar caught on anything else.
  5. Make sure your dog doesn't figure out some other way to itch the wound, with things like furniture, or just about anything. Trust me, the list is long. Dog are smart.
  6. All that crashing into walls and keeping their heads up for jumping and stairs can definitely unalign a healthy neck and shoulder. MAKE CHIROPRACTIC APPOINTMENTS
  7. Teach  "Leave It", so you can give him some "out of cone time" a few times a day. Learn their grooming habits and if  possible let them have some contact with their bodies. Let them groom the non-injured area. 
  8. If he is mobile and otherwise healthy, work on cues and training to keep him focused and connected with you. Continue with as much of his regular life as possible.
  9. There are many types of collars available. Choose the one, best for your dog's situation.
kona's touch offers positive dog and puppy training or consultation for Chicago's North Shore. Our positive training and consultations empower you and your dog to create a respectful, loving relationship.
 
At kona's touch, we use peaceful clicker training techniques based on scientific knowledge and years of experience in canine behavior for fun family dog training. For dog training or your personal consultation, call 847-204-7100 or email me at [email protected].

 
Sincerely,

Laura Dorfman, CPDT-KA
kona's touch, inc.