The post My Dog is Stubborn! He only learns when he feels like it! appeared first on What a Great Dog!.

Welcoming a new puppy into your life is such a joyful experience. The anticipation of cuddles, playtime, and adventures with your pup can fill your heart with warmth and excitement. However, amidst the excitement, many puppy parents may find themselves experiencing unexpected emotions known as the “puppy blues.”

What are the puppy blues? Simply put, it’s a common phenomenon where puppy owners feel overwhelmed, stressed, or even sad after bringing their puppy home. While it’s normal to encounter challenges when caring for a young pup, the puppy blues can catch some off guard. I’d like to delve deeper into what causes the puppy blues and how you can navigate through them with patience and understanding.

Understanding the Puppy Blues

The puppy blues can manifest in various ways, from feelings of exhaustion due to disrupted sleep to the stress of housebreaking accidents and the constant need for supervision. Some puppy owners may also experience doubts about their ability to care for their puppy adequately, leading to feelings of guilt or anxiety.

It’s important to recognize that adjusting to life with a new puppy is a significant life change. Your daily routine may be disrupted, and you may find yourself facing challenges you hadn’t anticipated. Remember, it’s okay to feel overwhelmed, and you’re not alone in experiencing these emotions.

Coping Strategies for Puppy Blues

Set Realistic Expectations:  It’s normal for your puppy to have accidents, “steal” household items, or even be a little unsure at a new sound that they’ve never heard before. Young puppies have physical, mental, and emotional limitations and will need to be heavily supervised and managed at this stage. Puppies also have a hard time regulating their energy and excitement levels and so they tend to get over-stimulated fairly quickly. Pro tips: Try to focus on your pup’s progress and celebrate the small victories along the way.

Seek Support: Don’t hesitate to reach out to fellow dog owners, friends, or family members who have been through similar experiences. Joining a local puppy training class can also provide valuable support and guidance. What A Great Dog! Training Center offers an assortment of specialty classes for your pup including Great Puppy Day School, Puppy Preschool sessions, Manners classes and Private Lessons that can help you through these challenging times. The Online Puppy Seminar gives good practical tips for living with a puppy.

Take Breaks: It’s essential to prioritize self-care during this adjustment period. If you’re feeling overwhelmed, don’t hesitate to take breaks and engage in activities that help you relax and recharge. With a little R&R, you’ll  also be better equipped to care for your pup! Also, remember that puppies grow up lightning fast. When your pup matures a bit, your life will return to a more normal rhythm. 

Focus on Bonding: Cherish the moments spent bonding with your puppy, whether it’s cuddling on the couch, giving your dog a chew, going for walks, or playing together. Building a strong bond with your puppy not only enhances your relationship but also helps alleviate feelings of stress.

Embrace the Journey: While the puppy blues may feel overwhelming at times, it’s essential to remember that they are temporary. As you and your puppy navigate through the ups and downs of puppyhood, you’ll develop a deeper bond built on love, trust, and understanding. Remember: raising a puppy takes time, patience, and a lot of consistency! 

So, to all the new puppy parents out there experiencing the puppy blues, take a deep breath, give yourself a pat on the back, and know that brighter days are ahead. Your puppy may be small, but the love they bring into your life is immeasurable!

The post Navigating the Puppy Blues! A Guide for Puppy Parents appeared first on What a Great Dog!.

What a Great Dog! Training Center is committed to providing you with the highest quality foods, toys, treats, chews and more! The products in our retail stores have been carefully selected to provide you and your dog the very best in the industry. Our experienced staff members are ready to help answer your questions and consult with you on the best choices for your dog.

We strive to have the best prices on the best products available. Stop in today to see our fantastic selection – we know you’ll enjoy your visit!

The post What’s on Sale this Week? appeared first on What a Great Dog!.

The Dallas metroplex actually ranks 19th among the worst cities in the United States for allergies due to its high pollen count, according to the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America.

Can I get an achoo? Pollen from ragweed, cedar tree and grass do not discriminate, impacting people and pets. Mold and dust can also cause havoc.

Sadly, some dogs suffer from allergies year-round due to have sensitivities to certain foods or because of a side effect from a medication. But for this article, let’s hone in on helping canines coping with seasonal allergies. They may display any or all of these signs:

* Itchy skin

* Red, swollen spots on the skin (also known as hot spots)

* Scratching their bodies and ears

* Ear infections (that can be smell like dirty socks)

* Rolling on the grass or rubbing against furniture

* Excessive licking and nibbling the paws, belly and back

* Coughing

* Wheezing

* Nasal discharge and runny eyes

How can you offer relief for your dog? For starters, report any of the above-mentioned signs in your dog to your veterinarian without delay. The quicker your dog can be examined, the better chance he has for a specific treatment to ease his discomfort. In some cases, a veterinarian may prescribe topical and oral antibiotics, antihistamines or hydrocortisone sprays or creams.

You can do your part to unleash relief in your dog by considering these strategies:

* Wet and wipe. Get in the habit of using a warm, damp hand towel and wiping your dog’s paws and body after you both finish a long walk. This helps remove any pollen or allergens from your dog’s body.

* Dust and vacuum more often. You would be surprised by all the pollen and allergens that linger on surfaces and flooring. They act like magnets to your dog’s skin and paws.

* Change your air filters regularly. During allergy season, you may need to change them more frequently.

* Team up with your veterinarian. Seek recommendations from your veterinarian on selecting a gentle, hypoallergenic shampoo best suited for your dog’s coat and health condition. Also chat about the best natural supplements to give your dog to ease itchiness and boost skin health. Your dog may benefit by supplements containing coconut oil or fish oil (loaded with omega-3 and -6 fatty acids) and organic turmeric.

* Step up laundry duties. Wash and dry your dog’s bed and any throws you use on your furniture to boot out allergens weekly. And, gently use a damp washcloth to wash your dog’s favorite soft toys.

We can’t hit the pause button on pollen this spring in Texas, but by considering this game plan outlined, we can ease the seasonal allergic reactions in our dogs.

— Arden Moore is the founder of Pet First Aid 4U, best-selling author of host of the Oh Behave Show on Pet Life Radio. www.ardenmoore.com.

The post Unleashing Ways to Give Relief to Your Dog with Seasonal Allergies appeared first on What a Great Dog!.

The post Join us for Paint Your Pet – Spring Edition! appeared first on What a Great Dog!.

The post Canine Respiratory Illness Impact appeared first on What a Great Dog!.

It can be challenging when a dog loses sight or if you’re adopting a blind dog into your home. There are many things to take into consideration when making your home a safe place for a pup with impaired or no vision. 

• Consider investing in a good pair of protective dog goggles (such as Rex Specs) to help protect your dog’s face and hopefully help them feel more confident in maneuvering around spaces. These dog goggles help protect your dog’s eyes from both outdoor elements as well as indoor hazards. 
• Create a consistent language for the dog to help build trust between them and the handler. Some examples include “step up/ step down” for stairs and curbs, “careful” to let them know they’re about to run into something, “easy” for slow down there are things in your path. These words, along with some others can really increase your bond with your pup as well as increasing their confidence in moving around with you. 
• If your pup is comfortable around other dogs, having buddies to follow and coexist with can really help with confidence. If you don’t have multiple dogs in your home, finding a dog friend that you can meet up with for walks or outings can help build your pup’s confidence. 
• It’s very important to keep the paths around the house as much the same as possible so your pup feels like they know where they are in their space. Establishing a good routine also helps them feel like they know when things will happen. Consistency is key. 
• Don’t panic/get upset when your pup bumps into something. Most of the time it upsets the people way more than the dog and overreacting to it concerns them way more than the actual bump.
  

Dogs with limited vision or blindness can continue to enjoy a wide variety of activities. My personal dog, Trip, lost his vision completely at age 7, and still participates in sports like Barnhunt, regularly hikes and travels around the country, and enjoys his daily stuffed Kongs and Toppls. With a bit of training and support, our blind dogs can continue to live active, joyful, fulfilled lives! 

The post Tips for Living with a Blind Dog appeared first on What a Great Dog!.

Thanksgiving is approaching, which may motivate your dog to shadow you in the kitchen. The sight and smell of special yummies can make any canine drool with delight. My dogs, Kona and Emma, love being taste testers in my kitchen. 

Our dogs deserve to celebrate this feast-filled holiday with us safely and not eat something that will warrant spending Thanksgiving at an emergency veterinary clinic. Here is a quick rundown of no-no holiday foods that could cause upset stomach, vomiting, diarrhea or worse, painful pancreatitis in your chowhound:

• Seasoned turkey meat, skin and bones. Bones can splinter and cause a dog to choke or suffer punctures to his digestive tract.
• Pumpkin pie. A slice is loaded with sugar that can cause digestive upset in dogs. 
• Any food with onions, chives, leeks or scallions. These foods can weaken a dog’s red blood cells, damage his mucous membranes and cause anemia. 
• Gravy and stuffing. These holiday food staples are loaded with high levels of fat and salt that are not tolerated in dogs. 

Grr-eat news! Your dog can enjoy a safe feast and celebrate this holiday. Healthy choices include:

• White turkey meat rinsed thoroughly of all seasonings
• Mashed potatoes served plain
• Steamed green beans minus any seasoning
• Canned pumpkin. A spoonful can provide a healthy boost to a dog’s digestive system. 

If you have the time and motivation, here is my Fido Thanksgiving Feast recipe I created in my best-selling book called, Real Food for Dogs available on Amazon.com: 

Ingredients

1 teaspoon olive oil
½ cup plain mashed potatoes
1 egg
½ cup diced cooked turkey meat (rinsed)
½ cup chopped broccoli
1/3 cup grated cheddar cheese

1. Warm the olive oil in a medium-sized pan over medium heat on the stove.
2. In a small bowl, whisk the potatoes and egg.
3. Pour the potato and egg mix into the pan. Add the turkey and broccoli.
4. Cover the pan, reduce the heat to low, and simmer until the egg is cooked.
5. Top with grated cheese and let it cook for a few more minutes to allow the cheese to melt.
6. Let the dish cool before serving to your grateful dog.  Store leftovers in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. 

To occupy your dog as you prepare the feast for two-legged guest, you can grab your dog’s Kong toy or West Paws Toppl and stuff either with my recipe. Bone appetit!

— Arden Moore is the founder of Pet First Aid 4U, best-selling author of host of the Oh Behave Show on Pet Life Radio. www.ardenmoore.com.

The post Dishing Up Safe Thanksgiving Foods for Your Dog appeared first on What a Great Dog!.

The post Frustration in Dog Training appeared first on What a Great Dog!.

When your pup encounters these fall favorites on his walk, it can be startling and very scary for him. Be sure to bring extra tasty training treats on every walk and be on the lookout for any new decorations. If your pup is curious about anything new in a neighbor’s yard, say “yes” and reward him as soon as he looks at the object. Repeat this step several times. If you notice that your puppy seems worried about the object, move further away or find another route to take your pup on. Socialization is all about forming good, positive feelings about the world. If we push a pup into getting too close to a new item that they aren’t comfortable with, there’s a good chance that their fear will increase. By keeping them at a distance they are comfortable with, and creating a positive association by giving treat, you’ll have the best chance of increasing their confidence and making walks fun for you both.

The post Helping your Puppy through Spooky Season! 🎃 appeared first on What a Great Dog!.