Organized group walks have helped many dogs and their owners gain confidence as walking with other dogs and people gives off positive vibes for socially correct behaviour. Little dogs become less timid and nervous around big dogs and the big dogs are more tolerant with the small fries. Meeting other people and dogs during our group walk is a more pleasant task for fearful dogs as they are with a group that they are comfortable with. Group walks are a great preparation for those who like to participate in charity walkathons–your dog will walk like a pro as you will have gained experience of walking with a group.
We meet Saturdays & Sundays at 11:30 inside or at the front of Masters ‘n DOGS Westboro. We start our walk by 11:45 and we are back by 12:30. Water and treats are on us upon your return.

“Walk this way!” with mastersndogs.ca

354 Richmond Rd,  in Westboro Village between Lululemon & MEC  613.792.3711

Ticks are parasitic creatures that belong in the arachnid family. They may be small, but ticks on dogs can cause major problems. Dog ticks can transmit diseases, cause paralysis, Lyme disease, anaemia and other diseases. Ticks are considered parasites because they will feed on their host’s blood. Ticks on dogs will not detach themselves from their host until they are finished feeding, which can be days long. They can live for a few years and females can lay hundreds, even thousands of eggs at one time.

Dog ticks are very adaptable and can be very difficult to control. There are more than 800 types of ticks known worldwide, but there are only several in North America that cause problems for animals and humans. These are the deer tick, lone star tick, American dog dick and the brown dog tick. The deer tick is known to carry the Lyme disease bacterium more than any other type of tick.

The tick will inject its infected saliva into your dog’s bloodstream when it is feeding, and this can cause illness. Not all ticks carry diseases, but it is still very important to get rid of ticks as soon as possible if you spot one.

Symptoms to look for

If you live in an area that is prone to ticks, or your dog has recently been in grassy areas, it is important to look for ticks. Ticks come in a variety of species, but the most dangerous to dogs is the deer tick. Ticks can carry diseases such as Lyme disease, spotted fever, ehrlichiosis and more. Keep an eye out for the following symptoms of ticks on dogs.

Fever - When your dog has been bit by an infected tick, he will likely get a fever. It will usually rise very quickly. Look for panting, shaking, increased heart rate, warm body temperature and signs of distress or discomfort.

Sore limbs - Tick infections can actually lead to paralysis and arthritis. If you notice your dog limping, or that his body seems stiff, it could be a sign of ticks. Look for an arched back or whimpering when doing simple activities such as climbing stairs or jumping up on the couch.

Skin infections - Ticks can cause severe itching in dogs. If your dog is scratching at a particular area a lot, look for redness and swelling on the skin. You may even be able to see the tick on the skin in this area. Some dogs are allergic to ticks, which can make the skin very itchy and in turn cause sores known as hot spots.

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I was ecstatic when I was approached to write a review for Maple Leash, a family owned doggy apparel company that is operated out of Edmonton, Alberta. They’re a small business and they like it that way, because it gives them the opportunity to provide stellar customer service and choose only the best products, which are personally tested by their mascot, Domo, a dog they rescued from abandonment.

It was because of Domo that Maple Leash was created, and so they are giving back to their community by supporting local rescue groups by donating items for silent auctions, a portion of their sales, and my favorite part — they foster dogs waiting to find forever homes. As a foster mom for Hopeful Hearts Dog Rescue, this really touched me.

My own foster, Nanny McPhee, spent the first 6 years of her life in a puppy mill. Slowly but surely she’s starting to learn what life is supposed to be about; treats, belly rubs, and unconditional love — the finer things in life. Maple Leash wanted to do some spoiling of their own, so they sent Nanny their best-selling coat called the Extreme Vest, guaranteed to keep the little monkey warm on her adventures outside.

Aside from the obvious — the oh-so-cute factor — the first thing I liked was that it was incredibly easy to put on. With a nervous and timid dog, this is extremely important. It was no more difficult than putting on a harness, and two side simply snap together underneath.

I figured it would take Nanny a few days to get used to the coat, but much to my surprise, she loved it instantly. It fit her like a glove, making me wonder if perhaps some little elves took her measurements and created it especially for her in their workshop.

The outer shell of the Extreme Vest is made from 100% High Density PU coated nylon, the trimmings are 100% polyester, and it comes with an adorable but removable faux fur hood for those really chilly days. In Nanny’s case we took it off as she’s little nervous with anything around her neck.

Because of the way the coat is made, it’s incredibly easy for Nanny to move around and play in it without feeling restricted, which is always a concern of mine when looking for doggy coats. Aside from being much warmer, I’m not sure Nanny even realized she was wearing anything.

Maple Leash offers much more than coats, so be sure to check out their website for all kinds of must haves. If you get stuck on measurements and you’re not sure what size your furry friend might need, simply email them and they will respond right away. See? Stellar customer service. They’re also on Facebook and Twitter, so when you get a chance, stop by and congratulate them on adopting their second rescue dog, Corona!

Maple Leash wants to share the love, so they’re giving away a $50.00 gift card to one very lucky Ottawa Dog Blog reader.

To enter, visit Maple Leash’s website and leave a comment below, telling us what you’d buy with your $50.00 gift card!

Contest closes Wednesday April 11th at noon and winner will be chosen at random. Maple Leash ships world wide, so this contest is open to everyone.

Does your dog jump on you or on your guests when people stop by to visit? Are you embarrassed that your dog is out of control when the doorbell rings? Let’s walk through the steps to help keep your dog under control and manageable instead of jumping on people.

1. The best solution is to turn your back to the dog. Even if you push them off of you or you place your hand in the collar to pull them back, they are getting the attention that they are looking for. If you turn your back then they are not being acknowledged for their jumping. For children, it’s like “Stand like a Tree”.

2. If your dog continues to jump up even if you turn your back, then if possible, walk into another room and shut the door. Count to 30 and return with a smile. If your dog jumps again then disappear again. The dog will soon learn that jumping is not rewarding and makes you go away. Try this 3 or so times. However, the key is if your dog is not jumping then reward by throwing a tasty treat on the floor away from you. Once they return to see if you have anymore and they don’t jump then throw another tasty treat. Then upon their return you can tell them to sit and reward the sit.

3. Another option for jumping is to walk into your dog’s space by walking towards them and claiming their space.

4. If your dog is crazy upon your entry then firstly completely ignore your dog so that when you are entering your home, the arrival is less exciting (which also helps with separation anxiety).

5. When you know that guests are coming over then I would place a 6’ leash on your dog and let the leash drag (supervised only in case they get caught on something).  Be ready to step on the leash to prevent them from jumping, this way they will correct themselves.

In saying all this, if your dog welcomes people including you without jumping up or greets you with a ”Sit”, please tell them they are absolutely wonderful!

Happy Training!

Dog vomiting can be a normal occurrence. Many dogs will throw up as often as once a day. Sometimes treatment is very simple, but sometimes it can be a bit more complicated. It is important to find out what is causing your dog to vomit. In serious cases, your dog may be under the care of a hospital for a few days. As unappealing as it may sound, you should always inspect your dog’s vomit before cleaning it up, as well as track how often he vomits. This could be the difference between serious illness and something perfectly normal.

There are a few steps to follow when inspecting your dog’s vomit. Other things to look for may be behavioral changes and symptoms such as fever, lethargy, panting and pale gums. These may be signs of serious illness or something poisonous your dog may have consumed. Always talk to your veterinarian if you have any concerns about your dog’s vomiting.

Quick Checklist

Inspect the color. This may be unpleasant, but it is very important to make sure there is no blood in your dog’s vomit. Blood will show up as dark spots, or resemble coffee grounds. There may be different causes for blood in your dog’s vomit. Sometimes it is due to tearing of the stomach, sometimes it is from the lungs or throat.

Yellow vomit is the least worrisome. Yellow vomit simply means your dog may have excess bile in his stomach. This can be treated by changing his diet and feeding schedule.

Check for fever. This can be done by feeling the nose and stomach area. Check the nose for dryness as well (although this does not always indicate illness) This may indicate a serious illness, so always call your veterinarian if vomiting and fever are present.

Keep an eye on his behavior. Symptoms such as lethargy or aggression may be a sign of serious illness such as kennel cough or rabies. Usually there are other symptoms present when your dog’s behavior suddenly changes. Look for other symptoms such as loss of appetite, panting, whimpering, obvious signs of discomfort and diarrhea.

What To Do When Your Dog Is Vomiting

If your dog’s case of vomiting is more serious, your dog may be prescribed antibiotics to fight off infection. Cases such as spoiled foods or dead animals may be cause for antibiotics to avoid bacterial infections.

You should take away any dog food if your dog is vomiting frequently. You can offer ice chips to keep him hydrated, so long as diarrhea isn’t present and vomiting has slowed down. If your dog tolerates the ice chips, you can then offer him a small amount of water or diluted chicken broth.

Once your dog has kept down water for up to 12 hours without vomiting, you can introduce bland meals. These may include plain oatmeal, boiled hamburger or plain pasta. If no vomiting occurs after 2 days, re-introduce his regular food.

Most times, vomiting is simply from eating too much too soon, or eating a lot of grass. Keep an eye on his behavior outdoors and before he eats. You can correct this behavior pretty easily.

When To Visit The Vet

If your dog has other symptoms along with vomiting, or he cannot hold anything down and vomiting continues more than 2 hours, this could be a sign of serious illness. It is important that you do not try to treat him at home yourself. Always contact your veterinarian if you suspect an illness.

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Mange is a highly contagious skin condition caused by an infestation of mites. Mange can affect wild animals, domestic animals and sometimes even humans. There are a number of different types of mange, and depending on the severity, can lead to serious illness and death.

Canine mange comes from the French word “mangier”, which means “to eat”. Mites cause skin lesions, itching and hair loss. Mange can often be misdiagnosed for an allergy or other skin reaction. However, not all itching means your dog has mange.

It is important to understand how your dog could have contracted mange and other symptoms to look for along with excessive itching. If you suspect your dog may have mange, you should take him to the veterinarian right away to avoid serious infestation and illness.

Symptoms of Mange

Most times your dog’s symptoms will include hair loss, itching, irritation and scabs on the skin. More uncommon symptoms will include scale formations and hardening of the skin. Your dog may also suffer from a fever, lethargy and weight loss. If left untreated, the skin will eventually become leathery and brittle, and may break off in small pieces. Untreated mange can even lead to depression and aggression as well as other behavioral problems.
Mange is usually found on the ears, elbows, thighs, under the chest and on the face.

Mange is caused by a variety of mites. Mites are referred to as a parasite because they feed off their host. Most dogs contract mites from an infested area or from other infected animals. Mites can become very serious if left untreated, and certain types can easily get out of control if left alone for too long.

There is a significant difference between unclean, scruffy fur and fur that is plagued with mange. Unfortunately, mange usually does not cure itself. It is important to know what to look for when dealing with mange in order to treat it right away.
Types of Mange

Sarcoptic Scabies: Scabies is another name for mange. This form of mange causes dogs to itch and scratch themselves to the point of self injury. Sarcoptic scabies can lead to red bumps on the skin surrounded by crust and thick skin. Other symptoms of Sarcoptic scabies include swollen lymph nodes, weight loss and lethargy.

Demodectic (Red Mange): This condition occurs when a dog has an underdeveloped or weak immune system. Mites may produce more rapidly if the dog is under stress or is malnourished. The symptoms worsen depending on the condition of the immune system and the amount of mites on the skin. Red mange symptoms include hair loss and itching, and is usually on various areas of the dog.

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