Dogviews

If you have a Cocker Spaniel or Poodle like I do, or any of the other flappy-eared dogs, you've probably run into ear problems. If your dogs' ears are smelly and gunky, you might try Four Topical Canine Ear Powder.

I use this product on my dogs and it works great. The ingredients are Zinc Oxide, Boric Acid, Idoform, and Alum Powders. It works to alleviate yeast, fungus, odor and bacterial-type problems, according to the packaging.

In addition to the fact that it really works when other products haven't, I like that it isn't an oil or liquid product. Other products make the ears wet and greasy. And iwith Four, the ears smell clean and not perfumy.

It's expensive ($17.50 per 1 oz. and $30 per 2 oz. bottle) but it lasts forever.

Make sure to check with your vet before trying new products like this.

Soft Treats for Dogs with Allergies

Zukes, makers of Jerky Naturals, Hip Action and Mini Naturals has come out with a new soft treat product that is wheat-free and corn-free. There are two versions, one made with beef and the other with chicken. They are made with rice flour, which many dogs tolerate as a grain source.

I found these at the request of a friend who needed a soft treat for her dog, who suffers from many allergies; of which wheat is at the top of the list. She also wanted a soft treat for training.

Reports from the field are that dogs LOVE Z-fillets!

List of ingredients:
Chicken breast or beef, rice flour, maple syrup, garlic, sea salt, mixed tocopherols.

Zukes

Alternative to Milan's Method

I received a great question in a comment from my post on Cesar's Way by Cesar Milan. I've been complaining about Milan's recommendation to walk your dog for an hour every day, suggesting that it just isn't practical for most people.

The question I received:

"My question is: is there a more effective and realistic way than a walk to meet the dog's needs? (Ideally accepting the responsibility to meet the dog's needs through a walk or some other method would be part of the process of choosing a dog, but in the real world?)"

Here's my opinion, and remember, I'm not an expert. But, I base this on the books I've read and the people I've talked to -- all either spoken or writen by experts, and my opinion:  Exercise, attention and something to do is what will really meet a dog's needs.  It doesn't have to be just a walk through the mountains.

Walk the dog for 30 minutes. Play ball with him. Do some fun training. Take a training class. Teach your dog a new trick. Run him up and down the stairs 20 times. If you can't take your dog for an hour walk each day, then do it three times a week. Walk him for 30 minutes. Or do something! You can't expect a working or sporting dog, or a young puppy to stay cooped up in a crate all day while you're at work and then lie by your feet at night. If you can't make the commitment, then don't get a dog.

I don't disagree with Milan on the fact that dogs need more exercise. I just disagree with his insistence that there is only one way and that's because of a dog's inate need to forage for food.

Fashion Dog Collars

I ran across a great new web site called Loops Chicago. They manufacture and sell belts for humans and dog collars and leashes for canines. It's hard to find cool collars for boy dogs, and Loops has some great ones. Check out the site.

Calming a Crazy Puppy

Does your puppy have endless energy? My foster, Roxi the standard poodle does. I think she could play and wrestle with Norman all day long and still want to zip through my yard and bushes.

Norman, who is 2 1/2 years old is the most tolerant dog I've ever been around.  No matter how exhausted he is, he won't correct her or tell her no. And, I get tired of the constant raucous, especially when I'm trying to work.

I'm a firm believer in "time-outs" for crazy puppies. My favorite method is tethering. I have cable tie-outs; the smallest length, and lightest weight plastic coated tie-outs. I've tried rope, leashes, and chain, and these tethers work the best. Roxi chewed through the leashes and rope and the chain was rough on my furniture.

I just wrap the tie-out around my desk leg several times and give her about 6 ft. of length to travel around. I have another in the family room near "my" chair. This way, she's always close by, which is important. Puppies and dogs are social animals and they need to be with others. I can also move the tether to other locations, if I need to.

She took to the tether easily and settles down immediately when I hook her up. If your puppy resists at first, just be consistent. Ignore any attempts to get attention from you and reward quiet behavior. After a few days of this new routine, your puppy will learn to settle down. It also would help to save bones or great chew toys for this quiet time. Ration toys for when you need to entertain your dogs. Don't let them have access to the toy basket all the time.

You could also teach your dog to go to his bed and stay, which I'll write about in future posts. But that's a tall order for a crazy puppy.

AKC (American Kennel Club) Under Fire

One of my favorite blogs, Dogster For the Love of Dog Blog recently posted an article about a new arrangement between the American Kennel Club (AKC) and Petland. Petland sells puppy mill puppies, and AKC is letting them use their name in the stores to promote AKC registration.

Well, the dog world isn't too happy with AKC, as breeders affiliated with the organization are vehemently opposed to companies like Petland.

I've commented on the Dogster site about this issue, and basically here's my stand:

Having an AKC registered dog doesn't mean much. It means the dog is purebred, but it doesn't guarantee:

1. The puppy is healthy
2. The puppy has been socialized correctly
3. The dog's parents have a good temperament.

You have to do a lot of research to make sure that the above is true. And most importantly, don't buy the first dog you see. Take your time. Talk to a lot of people. You are going to have to live with this dog a long time.

Food Storage with Sleek Design

My friend Danielle, editor of foodmomiac, a blog about moms and great food, recently replied to one of my posts on Vittle Vaults dog food storage bins.

I've considered this... but we are resisting it because it is plastic. Maybe you have another idea for us? We just moved into a small apartment from a very large house. We used to keep our dog food in a big garbage can in our pantry. Now, it is in the same big garbage can on our patio table, out on the deck. Not a great solution. We'd like something inside. Maybe something mounted on the wall? We'd prefer chrome or stainless. Any ideas? We are coming up short here!!

So I spent some time thinking, and how about a metal garbage can? There are some beautiful ones on the market and many are made with space saving designs. Here is my favorite, available at both Williams Sonoma and Bed Bath and Beyond.

This model is available in 8 gallon capacity in stainless steel and measures 14 1/2" x 12 1/2" 2 26 3/4". It has a removable polypropylene liner that can be washed. Washing regularly is important as dried food does become rancid over time. There is also a 10 1/2 gallon model available in stainless and white.

I couldn't find anything to hang on the wall that was stainless, only plastic. Good luck, Danielle!

New Photo for Finn the Glen of Imaal Terrier

Here's a better picture of Finn the Glen of Imaal Terrier.

Tough Toys for Terriers

My friend Jenny has a Glen of Imal Terrier, named Michael Finnegan. You may not be familiar with this breed...more on that later.

It seems Finnegan, as he's called for short (and he's short), is a destroyer of toys (within 5 minutes, according to Jen.) Probably nothing new for most terriers. Jenny sent me a note with a recommendation for toys that stand up to Finnegan's assaults.

Ruffians, from JW Pet's Tough by Nature line are "made of really tough rubber and are perfectly designed to throw (hold the bear or chicken by the neck and wing it!), according to Jen.

"I personally like the chicken better, because I like to say “Finn…get your chicken!” Bad part about the chicken design – he chewed the legs off. It’s still in working condition, however. The bear is 100% in tact even after weeks of play."

I found them available at Pet Discounters.

Here's a picture of Finnegan. Glen of Imals are a very old breed that is very new to the American Kennel Club (AKC). They have short legs, giant heads and long bodies and they are much more mellow than most terriers. Except for Finn. He's a wild man!

More Cesar Milan controversy

Check out one of my favorite blogs, dogma for more controversy on Cesar Milan, star of National Geographic's Dog Whisperer show. Dogma is written by Gina Spadafori.

Another new blog I've found: Terrierman's Daily Dose has a supporting view of Cesar's "ways".

The blogging in recent days was spurred on by a New York Times article by Mark Derr. Read it here.

My opinion/bottom line: Cesar's methods are not for the unexperienced and not always practical. Just because he's exciting on TV, doesn't mean he has the last word on dog training.