It may seem a little early, but the 4th of July is on Monday, so I thought I would re-post my Fireworks and Dogs blog from last year.  I will be taking a break from the blog until Tuesday, so have happy and safe July 4th Holiday.


Fireworks And Dogs

With July 4th just a few days away, I wanted to give you some information on how to ease your dogs fear when it comes to fireworks.  These techniques will also work for thunder and lightening.  I read a few different articles, but the one I liked the most was from the latest issue of Petside.com.  The article has a lot of great suggestions and many I suggest to my own clients.  I think it is great to try everything you can without using drugs, but if you have a highly anxious dog and you know he will go crazy with the fireworks and may hurt himself (or someone else), see your veternarian for the proper medication.  

 

If any of these scenarios have occurred, or if your dog shows other signs of stress, you can help your four-legged friend deal more comfortably with thunderstorms, fireworks and other loud noises. Listed below are a few suggestions that might help your pet:

 

Divert his attention. Sometimes, all a dog needs to overcome his fear is to have his attention diverted elsewhere. "If a dog is frightened, get him engaged in a fun game of fetch, give him a phenomenal food-stuffed toy or bone, or get a handful of treats and ask him to perform all his tricks," suggests Dr. Lisa Radosta, a veterinary behaviorist from Royal Palm Beach, Florida. "And get happy and excited yourself. It works wonders."

 

Offer a mother's comfort. Many fearful dogs calm down when their owner uses a product with dog appeasing pheromone (DAP). The DAP, which is similar to the pheromone released by mother dogs nursing their puppies, "comes in a variety of forms such as a diffuser, a collar and a spray," says Dr. Emily Levine, a veterinary behaviorist in Fairfield, New Jersey. More information about DAP products is available at www.petcomfortzone.com.

 

Find him a safe place. Some dogs try to find a place to hide away from storms --and if your dog is one, you can help him. "Provide the dog with a small, dark area such as access to a closet if the dog tends to seek those types of places during storms," recommends Dr. Lore Haug, a veterinary behaviorist who practices in Sugar Land, Texas.

 

Wrap him up. Some dogs may respond to a product called The Anxiety Wrap, a form-fitting fabric wrap that applies pressure to various areas of the dog's body. Use of the wrap may create "biofeedback slowing down the heart and therefore the animal feels less anxious," speculates Levine. "Or the wrap may be hitting certain pressure points that, when firmly touched, helps to calm the animal, much like wrapping a crying baby in a blanket." That being said, other experts suggest that you acclimate your dog to the wrap before using it to calm your dog during a storm. Something new to try along these same lines is the Thunder Shirt.

 

Introduce some competition. If you're going to be leaving the house to watch a fireworks display -- or if thunderstorms are in the weather forecast -- "play competing background noise such as a radio or TV, or use a white noisemaker," suggests Haug. Drawing the shades to hide any lightning or fireworks is a good idea, too.

 

Act normal. Experts agree that coddling or attempting to comfort your stressed dog is not a good idea. "The change in the owner's behavior from normal only makes the dog think there really is something to worry about," warns Haug. "The owner should interact with the dog in as normal a manner as possible."

 

Get help. If your efforts don't seem to reduce your dog's stress, seek help. "Reach out to your veterinarian for anti-anxiety medication," suggests Levine. For very severe or intractable noise anxiety, a veterinarian may refer dog and owner to a veterinary behaviorist -- a veterinarian who has completed post-graduate work in animal behavior. After evaluating the dog's behavior, the veterinary behaviorist can develop a comprehensive program to address the dog's thunderstorm, fireworks or noise anxiety, and any other issues he may have.

To view the orginial article, bark on the link:  Bark!

The weather is getting hotter and it is time to really think about dog safety in the heat.  Below is a blog I did last year that many found very useful, so I wanted to share it again with you all.

The temperature is on the rise, so, I want to remind you all to look out for your furry friend.  Here are the most important things to keep them safe.

 

1.  WATER!  If you are going for a walk 30 minutes or longer, especially in the heat of the day, make sure you are stopping every 15 minutes to give your dog water.  If the heat is not as intense you can water them every 30 minutes. 

2.  LEAVE THEM AT HOME!  Don't leave your dog in the car, even for "just a minute" to get something in the store.  The car heats up so fast and it becomes an oven.  If you can leave the air on and it is in a covered garage, it would be okay, but if you are in the middle of the parking lot, windows up... it won't take long for your car to get to cooking temperatures.  It would be a great idea to have a crate fan for your dog if you do travel with them a lot.

3.  KEEP IN THE SHADE!  When you are walking your dog, try to keep them in the shade, especially at stop lights.  The pavement and sidewalks get so hot and can burn your dogs pads.  There are booties you can put on your dog or paw wax.

4.  COOL THEM OFF!  If your dog has a heavy coat or you know they run hot, get a cool pad or vest, it will make them so much more comfortable. You can also give your dog an ice cube or two or get them doggie ice cream treats.

I hope these quick reminder tips help to keep your dog cool.

Puppy Left In Hot Car Dies

It is getting hot out there, so I wanted to share a very important story of what can happen if you leave a dog in a car with no air, cracked windows or water.  Every year we see this over and over again, with dogs and with children, people either forget or decide it is okay to leave them in a car.  I assure you, it is not!  Your dogs should not be left in a hot car without the proper set up, which would be water and air (either from your car or the windows being down with shade and a fan).  

The LA Times had a story of a 19-year-old San Bernardino County resident who clearly had no business owning a puppy.  She showed how little she knew about dog safety as she left her puppy in her car with all the windows up on a 90 degree day while she went into the mall for a little shopping.  A passerby saw the pup, called 911 and unfortunately by the time they got the pup out of the car, he was dead.  The puppy owner was arrested for animal-cruelty.   

I encourage you all to click on the link below and read the blurb from the LA Times, more than that, read what some of the people that commented wrote.  There is one suggestion to have a hammer in your car to break windows to free dogs or children if necessary.  While I cannot encourage you all to engage in such radical behavior... it is a good idea!  

Please keep it safe out there, remember your car is really an oven on wheels in this heat.  If you have a newer car, you can do what I do when I need a gallon of milk or something quick, I leave the car on, air full blast, water on the floor board and lock the car and all is fine when I return.  If you can't make it safe for your dog, wait until you can get them home and go back to the store. 

For the LA Times article, bark on the link:  Bark!

Last Remaining Seats - Part 2

Yesterday evening I had the pleasure to attend my second Last Remaining Seats Show, Sunset Boulevard at the Palace.  As well, it was the Palace's 100th birthday celebration.  What an evening and what an AMAZING theatre!

The evening began with the opening by Linda Dishman, Executive Director of the Los Angeles Conservancy and then a special presentation by Jessica Wethington McLean, Executive Director of Bringing Back Broadway.  But the evening really kicked off when Tony Valdez, Fox-11 Reporter and Host of this event, presented the centennial tribute to the Palace Theatre.  Immediately followed by an on stage interview with Nancy Olson which was a treat.  The stories she told were funny and had me on the edge of my seat learning about shooting this movie and just what Hollywood was at that time.

 

The Palace Theatre is both beautiful and elegant.  Her beauty was restored with such dignity, so now you can appreciate every unique detail.  My favorites were the pillars lined with roses and those amazing murals on the ceiling.  But what I can't describe is the feeling you get when you walk in.  The combination of the history and the beauty of this Downtown treasure are breathtaking.

The movie was indeed a classic.  William Holden was at his prime, Gloria Swanson was simply amazing and as over the top as you would want her to be as the great Norma Desmond and I think you could hear the whole audience smile every time Nancy Olson appeared on screen.  It was a great movie, but sad...tragic really.  Yet, a majority of the audience was laughing, which I didn't understand.  I think maybe the style is a little lost in translation.  

No matter what the audience was doing, I really enjoyed myself.  It was wonderful to watch another classic film on the big screen at an amazing Downtown Theatre.  Thank you Los Angeles Conservancy for presenting such greatness.

To become a member of the Los Angeles Conservancy, bark on the link:  Bark!

Take Your Dog To Work Day!

Happy take your dog to work day!  I hope you are all lucky enough to have your pooch by your side today.  They brighten your day all day long and sometimes even keep those co-workers you are not so fond of at bay.  Dogster had a great list of the Ten Reasons to Take Your Dog to Work Today.  I hope you enjoy them as much as I did.  Also, the bonus today is the picture above.  I saw it on The View the other day and have seen it EVERYWHERE since and I am still laughing!

10 Reasons to Take Your Dog to Work Today

10. Your dog just gets too distracted working at home, and never meets deadlines

9. Your cat will be very, very grateful

8. It’s Potluck Friday, and someone has to eat Edna’s tuna casserole

7. You need to see at least one smiling face today

6. Your dog’s mere presence will keep The Annoying Guy Who Doesn’t Much Like Dogs away from your desk

5. Your dog’s frequent leg-lift breaks = Your end-of-week sanity

4. He needs to see just how hard you work to make the money to pay for his kibble

3. He’s the perfect excuse for getting out of the same old Friday Happy Hour

2. He’s the perfect magnet for meeting someone great at Friday Happy Hour, if your coworkers find a Happy Hour that allows dogs

1. The biggest reason for bringing your dog to work today: Because your dog is way more awesome than anyone else’s dog at your office, paws down

Everyone have a happy Friday and a great weekend.  Don't forget to do something special with your dog this weekend.

To see all the cute picture that go with the list above, bark on the link:  Bark!

The Library After Hours

Have you all heard about what is happening tonight at our Central Library after hours?  Well, for starters Huell Howser, a favorite of mine, will be there!  Tonight is the third installment of a talk show - styled event named This Is Your Library.

The event is hosted by Justin Veach (host of the Aloud series) and guests will include TV host Huell Howser, radical writer and art critic Chris Kraus, theater artist Diane Rodriguez and a performance by hipster hillbilly-folk singer Amanda Jo Williams.

The evening kicks off in the courtyard at 7:30pm with a DJ, full bar and free Pink's hotdogs. The show starts at 8pm and just a reminder the Central Library is located at 631 W. Fifth St. 

This sounds like an event not to miss!

For more information on the event, bark on the link:  Bark!

Skateboards Invading Downtown

How many dogs had a melt down yesterday due to all the extra skateboards?  Mine surely did!  The one thing he hates more than anything are skateboards, so yesterday was not his day when somewhere between 400 - 1,000 (depending on who is reporting the number) skateboarders skated through the streets of Downtown.

The event was Wild in the Streets, put on by Emerica, an athletic shoe and gear company that also sponsors a skateboarding team.  The event started at Hollenbeck Park in Boyle Heights at 1 p.m. The group then made its way over the 6th Street bridge and into Downtown, through the streets and  some went through Pershing Square, showing off some jumps and tricks off the steps and infrastructure.

The event wasn’t just for fun, but also had a higher cause. Mark Waters, a spokesman for Wild in the Streets, said Emerica teamed up with the group Boards for Bros yesterday to donate 127 skateboards to kids from the Salesian Boys and Girls Club, a youth center in Boyle Heights.

When I saw a large group, they all seemed to be hot and sweaty from a long day of skating, but they seemed to be having a great time too!

For more on this story, bark on the link:  Bark!