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.

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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.

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When the weather turns rainy, cold or plain nasty, you need a game plan to constructively deal with your dog’s bottled-up energy to avoid him becoming frustrated, annoying and destructive. Dogs of all ages and sizes benefit by regular play that works their brains and their bodies. Let me unleash these ways to channel your canine’s case of zoomies or pent-up energy.

• Play a new kind of tug game. This one features three tricks: grab, tug and give. For high-energy dogs, start by showing him the tug rope and saying, ‘Tug!’ as you hold the rope tightly. When you pull-pull-pull, say, “tug-tug-tug.” Using two identical rope toys, teach your dog to release. If your high toy-drive dog is reluctant to drop the toy, lure him with a second toy to get him to drop the first one. Say, “good drop” or “give” when it drops it.

• Work his nose. Hide treats in magazines, towels or newspaper sections. Start first by showing your dog a treat. Have him sit as he watches you ‘hide’ this treat in a towel, magazine or newspaper that you crumple up. Then call him to ‘find’ the treat and praise him when he does. You can add more layers to bury the treat deeper. Or, you can sprinkle a handful of small treat pieces in a snuffle mat for him to find.

• Play puzzle games. Take three paper cups or empty and cleaned yogurt containers. Punch a hole to allow the scent to more readily escape and let your dog watch your put a treat under one cup. After he catches on, knock the cup down for the reward. Then mix up the cups to let him choose and of course, let him more than one try to find the treat.

• Run the bases. In an open room, place four pillows a few feet apart. Have your dog sit on first base and using a treat, direct him to go to the second pillow, then to the third and then the fourth. Be with your dog to guide to the next pillow to focus his motion.

• Teach your dog to tidy up. Place a toy in an open toy box (or cardboard box) and cue your dog to fetch it. When he lifts the toy out of the box, place your hand over the box and cue him to give the toy back to you. Mark it, let the toy fall in the box and deliver a treat over the box. Gradually, you can add the verbal cue, ‘clean up time!’ to get your dog to fetch his toys scattered on the floor and put them in this toy box.  

And speaking of being tidy, bring out one-third of your dog’s toys at a time and stash the rest. Every few days, rotate a new batch of toys to keep all of them inviting and enticing to your dog.  Now when the nasty weather arrives, you and your dog will enjoy a fun time indoors. 

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But now as we return to pre-COVID traditions, they face a new challenge: Halloween parties, trick-or-treaters and yes, people in costumes.

I unleash these tips to ensure Halloween does not feel like “howl-i-ween” for your dogs:

• Don’t add to your dog’s stress during this holiday by forcing her to wear a costume. Heed your dog’s body signals now to verify if she is a look-at-me clothes hound or if she regards being in costume as a cruel trick. Emma, my very social poodle-chihuahua mix, grins and displays full-body wiggles of delight when wearing a pirate hat. However, Kona, my terrier mix, froze in place, tucked her ears and tail and lip licked when I fitted her with a cowboy costume. She clearly prefers sticking with her collar and ID tags for Halloween. 
• Select pet costumes that do not contain any small buttons or items your dog may swallow and choke on. Look for ones with Velcro closures and are fire retardant.
• Make sure the costume fits. It should not impact your dog’s ability to walk, see, eat and yes, potty. It shouldn’t be too snug to impede your dog’s ability to breathe and it shouldn’t be too large or loose to cause your dog to trip.
• Stage door-bell ringing rehearsals before Halloween. Social, well-trained dogs who alert bark and then sit on cue may enjoy joining you as you greet trick-or-treaters. But if door bell ringing and delivery people walking up your steps cause your dog to flee and hide, or heighten his turf-protective mindset, opt for Plan B. Usher your dog before the trick-or-treaters arrive into a bedroom or other room you can close the door. Make sure the room contains a comfy bed, a keep-busy food puzzle, maybe a favorite toy and water. Block out the holiday noise by turning on a television in the room or a sound machine.
• Monitor the candy bowl at all times. Watch out for two ingredients in the candy: the theobromine inside chocolate and the xylitol in sugar-free treats. Dogs gobbling up chocolate may vomit, have diarrhea, experience tremors and racing heart rates. Xylitol ingestion is worse. Depending on a dog’s health and physical size, swallowing just one stick of sugar-free gum can cause death. 
• Don’t be a litter bug. Dogs can choke from swallowing foiled candy wrappers.
• Opt for battery-operated candles in pumpkins inside of real candles to prevent your dog from getting burned. 
• Exercise your dog physically and mentally before night fall to allow your dog to unleash some of his energy. 

On behalf of my Furry Brady Bunch, I wish you and your cool canines a spooktacular – and safe – Halloween!

Arden Moore is the founder of Pet First Aid 4U, a best-selling author and host of the nationally syndicated radio show, Arden Moore’s Four Legged Life. Visit www.ardenmoore.com.

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Here in the Dallas metroplex, the dog days of summer are putting the “s” in sizzling hot with a streak of 100-plus-degree days. 

Got a dog who digs swimming or fetching balls in the water? Plunging into cool waters can be better exercise options than taking a hike during hot days.

But be selective where your dog can make a splash safely. Choosing the wrong body of water for play can expose them to strong currents or nasty parasites.

For your dog’s sake, avoid these tempting water sources:

1. Lakes with blue-green algae blooms. Your dog can become very sick quickly if she swallows or licks algae off her coat. These blooms are highly toxic and can make your dog sick very quickly from drinking this lake water or licking her wet coat. The algae can cause liver damage, seizures and even death in dogs. 
2. Ponds on golf courses or in community developments. These waters look beautiful and beckoning, but they harbor drainage run-off chemicals, such as pesticides, herbicides and fertilizers used to treat lawns and greens. They also may be saturated with a lot of nasty parasites.
3. Rivers with strong currents. Your dog may be long-legged and a fast swimmer, but a strong current can quickly sweep her far from shore. She can become fatigued and drown. For your dog’s safety, always tether a long floating line to the D ring on her life vest so you can quickly rein her in if a strong current suddenly occurs.

Got a backyard pool – or access to one? Using treats and praise, train your canine pal to always use the steps to enter and exit the pool. Always supervise your dog during pool time play and definitely install a fence around your pool. 

Is your dog your first mate on a paddleboard or kayak? Help your dog gain her ‘sea legs’ on shore first by having her practice her “sit” and “stay” cues as you gently rock the kayak or paddleboard back and forth. Always fit her in a life vest with an easy-to-grab handle. Practice in shallow waters to determine how steady she is before venturing out into deeper waters. 

After water play, quickly rinse your dog’s coat by using outdoor showers at the beach or bringing a couple gallons of water in your car. Your dog’s skin is her largest organ and you want to keep it healthy.  Once home, bathe her by using a veterinarian-approved shampoo and conditioner, rinsing and thoroughly toweling dry. And, don’t forget the treats to make it a welcoming experience. 

Final tip: Our dogs love to please. Some may paddle or fetch balls well past the point of exhaustion and risk drowning. Prevent this by going with 10-minute water play sessions. After each session, stop and offer your dog fresh water and a chance to chill in a shaded area. 

Now, who’s ready to make a splash?

Arden Moore is the founder of Pet First Aid 4U, a best-selling author and host of the nationally syndicated radio show, Arden Moore’s Four Legged Life. Visit www.ardenmoore.com.

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Most dogs, like my Kona and Emma, seem to have a sixth sense of knowing they will be joining you for a walk or a car ride even before you reach for their leashes and harnesses.

Most dogs really, really dig hopping in vehicles with their favorite people. Distance or duration are not important. What is important is the opportunity to be with you and take in new sights,
sounds and smells.

I’ve traveled to more than a dozen states with my dogs. Safety is always my top priority. So, let me unleash some tips to make that next on-the-road adventure with your canine pal fun and safe:

• Pack more for your pooch. Recognize that your dog will probably require more items to bring than you. Usually, I bring a suitcase and my laptop bag. Most of the vehicle’s space is needed for my dogs. I must factor in a bed for Kona, a booster pup seat for little Emma, a bag containing their food, treats, bowls, medicine, favorite toys, a comforter to put on top of the hotel’s bed, extra leashes and harnesses, bottled water plus plenty of spare poop bags.
• Size up for safety. My dogs are harnessed with seat belt clips to allow them to move a bit in the back seat but not roam freely. Small dogs may fare best inside pet carriers placed on the floor board in the back seat as this is deemed the safest place based on
  recent car crash tests. Large dogs can enjoy smooth, safe rides inside large metal pens that you can secure to prevent them from sliding and tipping. Consider placing cooling mats for your dog to lay on during warm-weather jaunts.
• Make it a smooth, stress-free ride. Like some people, some dogs can get motion sickness triggered by sudden stops and starts and taking curves at high speeds. Steady speeds help reduce stress in your pets.
• Bring out your inner singer. Dogs tap into our moods. I enjoy singing and also speaking to Kona and Emma in happy, upbeat tones during the drive. Resist blaring the radio as your dog has very sensitive ears.
• Plan for regular pit stops. Make sure your dog is harnessed and leashed before you let him take one paw out of the car during potty breaks. Survey the area to make sure the turf is not muddy, rocky or full of burrs that can lodge in your dog’s paws. At highway rest stops, do your best to steer your dog away from the prime canine peeing spots to reduce risk of him catching any parasitic diseases. Do not let your dog sniff another dog’s poo, either. Always offer bottled water at each stop to keep your dog hydrated.

Finally, remind yourself to be in the moment and delight in the chance to make memories with your best four-legged friend who will never demand to drive, switch the radio station or constantly ask if “we are almost there yet.”

— 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.

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* Dogs do not sweat like people do. Dogs lack skin pores all over their bodies. They do their best to combat high temperatures by panting and by sweating through their paw pads. Cooling bandanas and cooling jackets do not work on effectively cooling down a dog’s overheated body temperature. Cooling mats can help as the dog’s belly has little to no hair and can feel the cool from the mat.

* Know the warning sides of heat stroke. Dogs who are becoming overheated will sport bright red gums. They will pant excessively, drool, maybe stagger or act confused, vomit and even collapse and suffer from a seizure.

* Beware of the heat on sidewalks, asphalt and artificial turf surfaces. Even though the temperature outside may register 77 degrees, the temperature on those hard surfaces is actually 125 degrees. A dog can develop second degree burns to the paws within a couple minutes if standing in place. When the temperature registers 86 degrees, the surface temperature soars to 135 degrees. You could fry an egg is less than 5 minutes on that surface, so imagine the heat damage to your dog’s paws.

* Cool water works wonders for overheated dogs. Bring your dog into the shade or inside with air-conditioning. Dip each paw, one at a time, in cool water to help drop their body core temperature. Avoid giving your dog ice cubes or placing an icepack on their bodies because you risk causing shock.

* Use a cool, wet towel properly. Do not take a cool, wet towel, place it over your dog’s belly and leave it there. The damp towel meets the dog’s body heat, traps it in and causes a sauna effect that will accelerate the heat stroke. Instead, dab the cool towel on the belly.

* Dogs can get sunburned. Canines most at risk for sunburn and possible, skin cancer due to overexposure to the sun’s rays, are those with white or thin coats as well as pink noses. Veterinarians report that dogs can get sunburned in as little as 15 minutes while playing outside. Make sure to read the label and select sunscreen that is safe for use on dogs.

Parting tips: Even if you have an energetic dog, limit his outside activity on hot days and make sure to provide your dog plenty of water.

— 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.

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I regularly take short, doggy vacations with our dogs, Kona and Emma that include daily hikes lasting from one to several hours. Each hike gives Kona and Emma the opportunity to explore new sights, sounds and smells that give them a good workout while providing enrichment. Let me share some tips to ensure your hike is safe and successful:

First, verify your dog is healthy. Have your veterinarian assess your dog’s fitness and range of motion during semi-annal veterinary exams. Remind yourself that dogs age faster than we do. Your loyal, gray-muzzled dog cannot cover as much ground as he did in his younger years. 

Second, know your dog. Does your dog really like hiking trips as much as you do or does he prefer to be a couch lounger? 

Ensure your dog obeys your vocal cues. Practice his recall capabilities in enclosed areas like your fenced backyard. Training your dog to come on cue can help him avoid dangerous situations on a hike, such as a strong river current, chasing after a wild animal and coming into contact with poison ivy. 

Avoid “weekend warrior” syndrome in you and your dog. Dogs who laze around during the week and are asked to engage in vigorous exercise only on weekends are at increased risk for injuries to their joints and muscles. So, gradually expand the duration, distance and elevations of your hikes.

Schedule mini breaks on long hikes. Both of you will benefit by drinking water in the shade and taking the time to pause and enjoy the scenery every 40 minutes to 1 hour.

Gear Up in Advance

Hiking with your dog requires a bit of planning. Here is my recommended checklist:

* Plenty of spare poop bags (Be kind to Mother Earth and do not leave your dog’s poop in the woods.)
* Healthy dog treats in a treat pouch and trail mix for you
* Harness (check out Ruffwear’s Front Range harness at What A Great Dog’s retail shop)
* 6-foot leash and perhaps an extra long line or a hands-free leash that attaches around your waist
* Fresh water in canisters for both of you that can attach to your belt or fit in your backpack.
* Lightweight, collapsible water bowl or bring a Highwave AutoDogMug that you squeeze to fill water in a bowl for your dog to drink
* Mini pet first aid kit for day-long hikes
* Fully charged cell phone and an ID wristband with emergency contact info.
* Trail map, especially for hikes in new locations
* Keep an extra leash and collar with your dog’s identification tags, a bath towel, pet-safe moistened wipes, a favorite toy and bedding in your vehicle. 

Looking for new hiking places? Check out AllTrails.com and click on the dog icon on the home page.

— 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.

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Beckoning mud puddles. Threatened skunks. Tempting duck poo. Itchy flea infestation. These are just four reasons your dog needs a proper bath without delay. But dogs of all hair coats also benefit from an occasional “just-because” bath from you. It’s a great bonding opportunity and conditions your dog to welcome being handed. Let me share these tips to make bath time welcoming for the both of you: 

* Size up your canine. Small dogs are best bathed in a bathroom or kitchen sink. Medium to larger dogs fare better in bathtubs or walk-in showers. Place a nonskid mat down so your dog won’t slip and slide.

* Prep the bathroom in advance. Bring in thick towels, the proper brush, a hand-held hair dryer and plenty of bite-sized treats. 

* Get into the right mindset. Dogs can smell our emotional states, so do not be impatient or in a rush at bath time. Speak in an upbeat, can-to tone to make bath time less stressful. 

* Perform a pre-wash brushing. Brush your dog’s coat before getting it wet to remove excess hair and tangles.

* Stick with shampoo made for dogs. Do not use your shampoo as it may contain some ingredients than can cause serious skin issues in your dog. Human shampoos, yep, even ones safe for babies, are too acidic for a dog’s skin. Consult with your veterinarian about picking the right shampoo for your dog’s skin needs.

* Be gentle around your dog’s face. Consider using a wet, warm washcloth to clean your dog’s face to reduce the risk of soap getting into his eyes or ears.

* Rinse, rinse and rinse. Avoid skin irritations or even hot spots by rinsing thoroughly before toweling. You know his coat is completely rinsed when you hear a squeaky-clean sound when you squeeze his wet hair. 

* Distract with cheese or xylitol-free peanut butter. Squirt cheese or smear peanut butter on a small plate taped on a bathroom wall at your dog’s eye level. He focuses on licking this yummy treat while you focus on finishing combing or brushing his coat. What A Great Dog! Training Center also carries bathing products for spreading treats on!

To avoid getting splattered by soaping water from your dog, here’s a great bath time tip from Dr. Marty Becker, “America’s Family Veterinarian” and founder of Fear Free Pets program. Just gently place one finger on top of your dog’s nose and one below it, in sort of a horizontal peace symbol. This prevents your dog from getting his head turning in that whipsaw motion that is integral to the shake. Once you’re ready and have him in a suitable spot, let him shake all he wants. 

— 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.

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Unfortunately, far too people zero in on a wagging tail and regard it as the human equivalent of a friendly handshake when greeting a dog for the first time. Wrong. For your safety, pay attention to the dog’s facial expression and watch out for any signs of body tensing.

When in doubt, accept the most fearful or aggressive signal on displayed. If the dog’s back end is tail wagging, but the dog’s face is grimacing and looking tense, play it safe and greet that dog from a distance. 

Here’s a rundown of four common doggy tail positions and what they may signal:

1. The tail wags swiftly from side to side and may even in a circular motion. Dogs happy to see you often make this tail movement, but assess the rest of the dog. Happy canines also match this tail movement with open grins, relaxed faces and loose, wiggling bodies.

2. The tail is tucked tightly under the belly. Dogs who are scared or fearful go into self-protection mode when meeting someone for the first time. Look for dogs in this mood to crouch low to appear to shrink in size to clearly display they are not a threat.  

3. The tail is held tall and erect. Confident dogs raise their tails to expose their anal areas to permit other dogs to more easily sniff during greetings. Alert dogs also hoist their tails up high, especially hunting breeds like American Foxhounds and Beagles when they spot game. Dominant dogs sport tall tails with stiff, motionless bodies. 

4. The tail wags slowly side to side. Dogs who are feeling a bit unsure or cautious will make this tail movement. The tail wags stiffly and parallel to the ground. Facial muscles are tense and these dogs may even lean forward to warn not to approach them quickly. 

What about dogs with short, cropped or no tails, such as Boxers, Bulldogs and Doberman Pinschers? For these kinds of dogs, you need to carefully assess their total body stance and be on the lookout for signs of tensing bodies. 

To remind myself daily to completely “talk” with – and not at – my dogs, Kona and Emma as well as any dogs I meet, I drink coffee from a mug that reads: “Wag more. Bark less.” After all, creating a true connection with your dog requires more listening to them – their vocals and their silent body cues. Let your “canine conversations” begin! 

— Arden Moore is the founder of Pet First Aid 4U

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