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| New and Tips from Shih Tzu Palace Puppies |
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Greetings!
Spring has sprung in earnest here. My forsythia is all in bloom, the daffodils are just past prime, the cherry trees are resplendent with pink and white blooms. You can see tiny nectarines and strawberries beginning to emerge.
Of course, with nicer weather, we are going to be outdoors more. We can't live by work alone, so I have found some information on helping your dog (and you) have fun outside.
We all need to take time to relax, and it is even more importent for my husband now as he has started dialysis three times a week. He will be spending lots of quiet time outside with the babies enjoying the sun and warmer weather.
Be sure to watch for poisons when working in the garden and keep the babies away. This can be hard, but it is so important.
Also watch out for the dreaded pests that the warm weather brings. be sure your babies are taking their heartworm medicine monthly.
I hope you enjoy this edition. |
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Fun Backyard Games With Your Dog
Backyard versions of six popular canine games 
You throw the ball over and over again, and your dog happily retrieves it. But wouldn't it be more fun to play with your dog in ways that bring out his special talents? Borrowing a few ideas from canine sports, use these tips to make backyard playtime more fun.
Jumping. Make your own agility or fly-ball hurdle by placing a broom or PVC pipe across two plastic buckets. Hold a treat on one side, and encourage your dog to jump over.
Jump, sit, stay. Create an agility pause table by placing a bench, ottoman, or piece of carpeted plywood on four cement blocks. Teach your dog to jump onto the low table, then sit or lie down for five seconds, then jump off. Ta-da!
Backyard tunneling. Using a nylon pipe tunnel, coax your dog inside it with food. Run alongside the tunnel or sit at the other end to persuade him through. Reward your dog with toys or food at the end.
Enthusiastic fetching. Fly-ball dogs are rapid fetchers. To build your dog's excitement, throw the ball, hold him back for 10 seconds, and then let him sprint after it.
Hide and seek. Teach tracking skills by showing your dog a toy and hiding it in an easy to find location. Once he gets the hang of the game, ask friends to walk away from your dog to a hiding place in the yard. Ready or not, here he comes. As your dog's skills improve, have your dog sit with his back turned while everyone else hides.
Simon says. In rally obedience, you instruct your dog to perform skills printed on directional signs. Make your own obedience signs, such as "right turn," and place them around the yard to create a mini-course for you and your dog.
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Leash Training Your Dog
The do's and don'ts of leash training your dog 
Perhaps the warmer weather has you deciding to take your baby for long (or short) walks in the park. It is important to keep your dog restrained to prevent accidents, but does your baby know how to walk on a leash? Here are 15 DO's and DON'T's for leash training that will make your walks more enjoyable and safer.
1. DO use dog-friendly training methods to teach your dog to walk politely on leash so outings are enjoyable for you both.
2. DO keep slack in the lead anytime your dog isn't pulling.
3. DO keep excess leash material looped in your hand to avoid tripping.
4. DO use an appropriate leash and collar or harness to avoid injury to your dog and yourself.
5. DO exercise your dog off leash where safe and appropriate. A walk on leash is not adequate exercise for most dogs.
6. DO clean up after your dog whenever he eliminates on walks. Irresponsible dog-walkers spoil it for everyone.
7. DO use long lines or retractable leads only where there aren't other dogs and humans who could get tangled.
8. DO prevent your dog from rudely greeting others. Not everyone appreciates his exuberant salutations.
9. DO respect local leash laws, park regulations and homeowner association rules.
10. DON'T tether your dog to your waist or arm unless you are confident you're strong enough to restrain him if he pulls. Never tether him to the body of a child or physically challenged walker.
11. DON'T jerk on your dog's leash to prevent contact with dogs or humans. This can cause aggression. Instead, feed treats to regain his attention.
12. DON'T take your dog off his leash unless you're in a safely enclosed area, or a wide-open, dog-legal space and your dog comes reliably when called.
13. DON'T leave your dog tied and unattended on walks while you run into the store even for just a moment. Your dog is at risk for teasing, tormenting and theft.
14. DON'T let your dog soil lawns while on walks.
15. DO take your dog for lots of long, enjoyable walks. They're good for both of you and for your relationship! |
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Mosquito & Heartworm Tip 
With Spring comes a time for outdoor fun for you and your dog. But with that fun comes the danger if a serious illness for your fur-baby that is easy to avoid...Heartworm.
The parasite blocks blood flow that causes inflammation and damage to the heart, liver and kidneys of dogs. But veterinarians say heartworm is a preventable disease that can be headed off with proper treatment. Although outdoor activities that expose pets to mosquitoes increase risk, the disease is on the rise according to the association. Preventive medicine, generally given monthly as flavored treats, liquids and pills, stops the heartworm parasites from becoming adults. Pets can be started on prevention at about 6 weeks old. Cost varies by pet weight, and some varieties are combined with other treatments, such as to prevent roundworms and hookworms, both of which live in the intestines, cause diarrhea and are potentially fatal, especially to puppies.
Heartworms are not usually a hazard to humans, whose immune systems deal with the rare infection. Heartworm medicine may be combined with anti-flea medication, which also is expected to be bad this year as insects show immunity to discount store medications. Veterinarians across the country saw about 250,000 cases of heartworm during the survey year, and the American Heartworm Society indicates animals native to all 50 states have been diagnosed. Southern and Midwest states are regional centers for the internal parasite, led by 42,003 cases in Texas and 32,128 cases in Florida. |
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6 Deadly Poisons That Could Kill Your Dog
 Toxins are a common (and potentially expensive) reason dog owners visit their veterinarians or emergency clinic. I want to give my Petplace subscribers the information they need to make sure that their precious dogs are not the victims of poisoning.
So, I would like to share with you the 6 Deadly Poisons That Could Kill Your Dog.
Let's just get right to the list.
#1 - Antifreeze . This is the most common deadly poison ingested by dogs and cats. As little as one teaspoon can even kill a small dog. Antifreeze has a sweet taste and dogs like it. Do keep ALL antifreeze away from your dog.
#2. Mouse and Rat Baits. There are several ingredients in these products that are toxic. The most common one causes bleeding disorders that can be fatal. Make sure any baits you use are out of the reach of your pet.
#3. Slug Bait. In the summer months, slugs come out and bait is used to kill them. The active ingredient is metaldehyde and can cause uncontrollable seizures.
#4. Dog medications. Overdosing or accidental access to pet medications is a common cause of poisoning in dogs. If your pet accidentally gets anything he shouldn't, call your veterinarian. Early identification and treatment can save his life. If caught quickly- if the medication is dangerous enough? Your vet may even recommend that we induce vomiting to get it out of his system to prevent problems.
#5. Human medications . Dogs commonly gain access to human medications or are given these medications by a well-intentioned (but misinformed) owners. Medication may be given in an overdose amount or is a medication toxic to dogs. PLEASE don't give your dog anything without consulting with your veterinarian. Why chance it?
#6. Insecticides. Don't give your pet anything for fleas or ticks unless approved by your veterinarian. Some pets are sensitive to certain medications.
I hope these tips will help you keep your pet safe. In addition, make sure he has the best medical care possible just in case there is a problem.
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Nine Steps to a Better Behaved Pet 
Pets behaving badly are a family menace and the solutions are often frustratingly evasive. You need to know how to set humane and effective limits for wrongful behaviors and the ten hints below will show how to make your pet a better buddy.
1. Stop your pet teaching itself bad behaviors The more your pet performs an annoying behavior, the more likely your pet will do the same thing again. When attempting to change a pet's behavior, try to avoid all situations that will create the unwanted behavior because if the pet misbehaves, it is teaching itself to misbehave the same way again later.
Try taking the problem away from your pet or, take your pet away from the problem.
For instance, if your dog barks continually at the fence, try a midway fence that keeps the dog in the back yard.
2. Don't try to cure aggression by being aggressiveDogs which are aggressive are over-aroused. The last thing they want is to be pushed more out of control by being yelled at or hit.
If your dog is aggressive, act like a statue. Let the aggression evaporate and allow the dog to calm down. It won't take long. When it is calm, try a simple command like 'SIT'. Reward the resulting calm behavior with a 'GOOD DOG' voice or even a food treat.
3. A dog that barks when you are at work is often bored out of its big brainYour bored backyard dog will benefit greatly if you provide it with a rich lifestyle while you are away at work.
Try giving Pooch a Kong toy or a roller treat ball stuffed with food or even a frozen bone before you leave. Just be sure any food given is part of its overall diet so you don't create a tubby puppy.
4. A dog that barks when you are away and also trembles, pants, looks anxious and is destructive may have a serious anxiety disorderBe careful. Your dog has gone beyond boredom and its anxiety is taking over. Treatment relies on giving your dog a rich 'home alone' lifestyle, making 'alone time' part of every day and being cunning in the way you leave the dog when you have to go out. Soft medication is often needed to stop the anxiety merry-go-round so your dog can learn to be calm.
5. If your pet has an annoying behavior, try to minimize punishmentPunishment is overused and often pushes animals further out of control. Instead, work on a system that creates the behavior you want and then reward this behavior so your pet can see more value in behaving than misbehaving. There are ways and means to achieve this! The use of electric shock collars is not encouraged as they do little to calm a pet.
6. Dogs that are fearful or timid have great difficulty learning when they are showing their fearful behaviorsSolving fear-based behaviors can be difficult. Don't try to create the fear and then try to make your pet cope with it. It will learn very little because it is pushed into a defensive or flight mode, not a learning mode.
Create a situation where your pet will be calm and happy and then slowly introduce the stimulus that caused the fear while still maintaining your pet's happiness. Then you will progress.
7. If your dog is annoying visitors, get it away from visitors before they arrive
You will find it too difficult to manage a rambunctious pet and to greet your visitors simultaneously. Place your dog in a comfortable room (e.g. the laundry) with a Kong or bone before the visitors arrive.
Then introduce your pet to the visitors later when you, the visitors and your pesky pooch are ready to deal with the outcomes.
9. If you have a new puppy, be sure to take it to a Puppy Preschool.At a well-run pet preschool your pet can learn to get on with other pets and with people other than you. The leader of the preschool will also teach you all about caring for your pet, and about training. |
From Our Kitchen
With the nicer weather, we will be doing some of our cooking outdoors. The babies always want to eat with us, so I researched and found this "burger" recipe for them (I tried a little and it is not bad). You can halve the recipe for smaller dog families.
Quickie Burgers
Learn how to make quick and easy treats that you and your dog can enjoy together.
Ingredients:
- 1 pound ground sirloin
- 1 large beaten egg
- 1/3 cup green peas or shredded carrots
- 1/3 cup whole kernel corn
- 1/3 cup finely chopped celery
- 1/2 teaspoon crumbled, dried seaweed
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
Instructions:
In a large bowl, combine all ingredients and mix well. Shape into patties and broil or saute in a skillet to medium rare. Serve at once.
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They say "An apple a day keeps the doctor away," well, dogs need fruit too and this recipe hits the spot with my guys.
An Apple a Day Dog Treat
Ingredients
- 2 cups whole wheat flour
- 1/2 cup unbleached flour
- 1/2 cup cornmeal
- 1 apple -- chopped or grated
- 1 egg -- beaten
- 1/3 cup vegetable oil
- 1 tablespoon brown sugar, packed
- 3/8 cup water
Instructions:
Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Spray cookie sheet with vegetable oil spray. Lightly dust work surface with flour. Blend flours and cornmeal in large mixing bowl. Add apple, egg, oil, brown sugar and water; mix until well blended.
On floured surface, roll dough out to 7/8-inch thickness. Cut with cookie cutters of desired shape and size. Place treats on prepared sheet.
Bake in preheated oven 35 to 40 minutes. Turn off oven. Leave door closed 1 hour to crisp treats. Remove treats from oven.
Store baked treats in airtight container or plastic bag and place in refrigerator or freezer.
MAKES 2 to 2 1/2 dozen | |
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I hope you have enjoyed this edition. As always, I welcome comments and suggestions.
Until next time.,
Barbie
Shih Tzu Palace Puppies |
105 Cedar Knob Trail
Westminster, South Carolina 29693
864-972-9687
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