What is Circovirus And Why Is it Killing Dogs Recently

By:  Laurie Brzostowski, President, Snaggle Foot Dog Walks and Pet Care-Round Lake, IL

I have been watching the news lately and a new/old virus is striking down dogs everywhere. This is not necessarily a "new" virus and it has, in the past, mostly affected the pig population.  But now it seems to have "moved" into the dog population.

I thought it would be a good idea to post about this deadly virus so everyone can be aware of it and what to do if you see symptoms in your dog.

A new virus is striking dogs in the middle of the country, and if not treated, it has the potential to kill an infected animal in just days. There's no vaccine. In other animals, it's been highly infectious, and scientists still can't say with certainty how it's transmitted. What is certain is this disease could be deadly, especially in kennel settings. Even though cases have been limited to just three states so far - California, Michigan, and Ohio. 

"They're suspecting the dogs can bleed into their cavities, their chest into their abdomen, and those are some of the more serious ones that would bleed to their deaths," said Dr. Pan.
It's called circovirus. Vets have been aware of it for years but mainly in pig populations - it can decimate a hog farm in just a week. Certain pet birds also seem susceptible, especially parrots, parakeets and cockatoos. What's new is, the virus has never made the jump to dogs - until now.

One of the main problems with circovirus is there's no easy way to diagnosis it. Since it can kill so quickly, sending blood samples off to a lab for testing just isn't practical.

Doctors do know that dogs who are frequently boarded or spend time in "play situations" with large groups of other dogs would be at greatest risk. The bad news is, there's no vaccine to prevent it - no known cure - and to make matters worse, it's still not clear how the virus is spread.

That fact is especially frightening for kennel or doggie daycare operators responsible for a large number of dogs.

Since the disease was only first detected in dogs in 2012, the symptoms aren't set in stone.

Here's what we know: many of the infected dogs had severe inflammation in their intestinal tract, and exhibited varying degrees of lethargy, vomiting, and diarrhea. If your dog exhibits those symptoms, visit the vet immediately, but it's believed that some dogs can be carriers and not symptomatic.

Please keep an eye on your furbabies and if you see any of the symptoms listed above, visit your veterinarian immediately.  It may not be circovirus but take your dog into your vet anyway just to be sure.  

How To Stop Your Dog From Jumping On People

By:  Laurie Brzostowski, President, Snaggle Foot Dog Walks and Pet Care-Round Lake, IL

As the Owner/President of Snaggle Foot Dog Walks and Pet Care, we come across dogs who regularly jump on people.  In fact, I recently went to a inhome consult who had a dog that is a Rottweiler/Rhodesian Ridgeback/Boxer mix.  He is only a little over a year old but he is a very big dog and he is a "jumper".

It is really important for pet owners to train their dogs not to jump on people.  It could hurt someone or just be really annoying to people as not everyone enjoys having a dogs paws wrapped around their shoulders.. LOL !

Here are some training tips to help if you dog jumps on either you or your guests.

Puppies and dogs naturally jump up on people when they say hello. Why? Because we’re taller than they are! When dogs meet, they sniff each other’s faces. They like to do the same thing when greeting us, so it’s perfectly natural for dogs to jump up on us to try to reach our faces and get our attention.

What to Do About the Problem
The key to teaching your dog not to jump on you when she greets you is to tell her that you only greet dogs who keep their front paws on the floor. Although you can’t tell her with words, you can tell her with actions. When your dog greets you, her goal is to get your attention and to get you to pet her. Knowing this, you can show your dog what she must do to earn your attention and touch. Try to remember two things each time you greet your dog:

• Keep your attention and your hands away from your dog unless her front feet are on the floor.
• Immediately give your dog attention and petting the instant her front feet land on the floor.

For instance, when you enter a door and your dog jumps up on you, ignore her. Don’t tell her to get off you and don’t push her away. Instead, stand up straight and look over her head. If you move your arms and hands at all, pull them up toward your chest. If she continues jumping all over you, turn away. She’ll have to put her front paws on the floor to follow you. The instant her front paws touch the floor, melt into the wonderful loving owner that you are, and say “Good girl” quietly and pet her head. If she jumps up at your touch, just pull your hand away, stand up straight like before, and ignore her until her feet find the floor once again. The moment her feet touch the floor, pet her. Your attention and your touch are the words that you can use to let your dog how she needs to act to get your attention.

Never withhold attention when your dog’s feet finally do touch the floor—even if you’re irritated at her for jumping a moment earlier. She has to be able to make the connection that front feet on the floor magically result in attention and affection from people.

Training Exercises
It’s important to teach your dog what you do want her to do during greetings. For example, you can train her to sit or stand to greet people instead of leaping all over them. The following exercises can help your dog learn to greet you and others politely:

• When your dog starts to jump up, stand still, look straight ahead (not at your dog), and pull your hands and arms up to your chest. Calmly wait for your dog to stop jumping. When her front paws touch the floor, immediately look at her and calmly stroke her. If she gets excited and jumps up again, straighten back up and repeat the sequence.
• If your dog already knows how to sit on cue (command), try this step. When your dog starts to jump up, stand still, look straight ahead (not at your dog), and pull your hands and arms up to your chest. Say “Off” and immediately turn your back to your dog so that she can’t reach your face. Then say “Sit.” When she sits (watch her in your peripheral vision so that you can see), turn back around to face her, kneel down and calmly stroke her. If your dog jumps up again, quickly stand up and turn your back on her as you did before. Keep repeating this sequence until your dog stops jumping up.
• If you’re entering a room and your dog starts to jump up, immediately step back outside and close the door behind you, leaving it open just a crack. Through the crack in the door, say “Sit.” When your dog sits, calmly walk back into the room, kneel down and gently stroke her. If she jumps up again, quickly stand up and walk right back out of the room again, closing the door behind you. Keep repeating this sequence until your dog stops jumping up.
• When your dog starts to jump up, stand still, look straight ahead (not at your dog), and pull your hands and arms up to your chest. Say “Off,” and take a few quick steps toward your dog. (Be careful to not step on her toes.) She’ll jump back to get out of your way. The instant her front paws are on the floor, say “Sit.” When she sits, kneel down and calmly stroke her. If she jumps up again, immediately stand up and repeat the sequence.
• Once your dog has learned to greet you politely, recruit several friends to help you teach your dog to greet visitors politely as well. One at a time, have your friends practice the exercise above that starts with the person entering the house or room. Explain the sequence to them: turn their back, walk out and close the door if your dog jumps on them. Then start your practice session with one of them knocking or ringing the bell, and go with your dog to answer it. Before you open the door, tell your dog to sit. When she does, open the door. If your dog jumps, your friend knows what to do. If your dog stays sitting, your friend can calmly greet her and you can praise and treat her. Have each of your friends do several repetitions.

Additional Tips

• Because of their extreme excitement when greeting people, some dogs find it easier to grab a toy to shake or hold, rather than sit for petting. If this sounds like your dog, keep a toy by the front door. When you come home, open the door and immediately direct your dog’s attention to the toy or throw it for her. Do the same thing for your dog when visitors come to your home.
• Because teaching your dog not to jump can be challenging, don’t hesitate to enlist the help of a Certified Professional Dog Trainer (CPDT) in your area. A professional trainer will offer group or private classes that can give you and your dog lots of help with jumping issues. 
• If your dog shows signs of aggression, such as growling or teeth showing while lunging or jumping toward you, your family members or visitors during greetings, you should seek the assistance of a Certified Applied Animal Behaviorist (CAAB or Associate CAAB), a veterinary behaviorist (Dip ACVB) or a qualified Certified Professional Dog Trainer (CPDT) who has experience treating aggression. If you elect to hire a CPDT because you can’t find a behaviorist in your area, be sure to determine whether she or he has professional training and extensive experience in successfully working with aggression, as this expertise isn’t required for CPDT certification.

What NOT to Do

• Do not become really excited when you greet your dog. The calmer you are, the calmer your dog will be.
• Do not shout at your dog when she jumps up on you or others. Shouting will just make her more excited and cause more jumping up.
• Do not try to grab your dog or push away. Doing that could just cause more jumping up.
• Do not knee your dog in the chest, step on her back toes, grab or pinch her front toes, or otherwise cause her pain or discomfort. If you do, you’ll frighten and hurt your dog, and she still won’t have learned how to politely greet people.

Consistency in these excercises is the best way to teach your dog not to jump on people.  As a pet parent it is your responsibility to raise your doggie to be well behaved.

Swimming Pool Safety Covers For Dogs

By:  Laurie Brzostowski, President/Owner, Snaggle Foot Dog Walks and Pet Care-Round Lake, IL

The following post was written by my guest writer Kaitlin Gardner.  I hope you find this post as informative as I have and I want to thank Kaitlin for writing this very important post. 

My neighbor came to me the other day, and she was pretty upset. She had let her elderly beagle out into the back yard to take care of business, and he fell into their swimming pool. She had ducked back into the kitchen for a moment, and by the time she went back out, her dog was in real distress. She wanted to know about pool covers. 

All too common. Unfortunately, what happened to my neighbor is more common than people realize. A large number of dogs fall into uncovered pools each year, and many will drown. Whether it is the treasured family pet, or a neighbor dog that managed to get into the back yard, it is a tragedy. Especially if a pet falls into the pool during the winter when the pool is unattended, their chances of survival are even less, because the frigid water can quickly lead to hypothermia, panic, and a drowning. Here are some excellent resources with more information:

·         Safety Pool Covers Prevent Pet Loss 

·         Mesh Vs. Solid: Choosing The Right Pool Safety Cover 

·         Keep Your Dog Safe Around The Pool This Summer

A multiple purpose solution. There is good news for owners of home swimming pools. The risk to the family dog can be eliminated with a pool cover. When the pool is not in use, a cover performs other functions. It can keep leaves and debris out of the water and maintain water heat, allowing the pump system to work less. A cover can also diminish water evaporation and lower energy bills. But the cover can also allow the pool owner to let the dog out into the back yard safely, and not worry about them accidentally falling into the water.

There are several options for a safety pool cover that might work for pool owners, they might not work so well for people with pets. Here are the basic choices:

A bubble wrap cover. This is the simplest cover, and easy to deploy. It is similar to a large sheet of wrap used to protect packages, but specially prepared for the swimming pool. It just lays on top of the water. These covers are best avoided by pool owners who own a dog. The cover makes the pool look like a solid surface, and a dog might easily run onto it, become entangled and wrapped up in the wrap, leading to panic and real distress. The dog could also slip under the cover and get trapped, and not be able to get out from under it. Either way, the dog could tire and potentially drown.

A mesh cover. These covers allow rain and snow to leak through them, which means less maintenance over the winter pumping water off the surface of the cover. They are easy to deploy and remove. But since the mesh allows water, leaves and debris to pass through, this type of cover will likely mean more chance for the development of an algae problem. For the dog, these covers have the same disadvantages of appearing to be a solid surface, which could lead to a dog running across the cover and becoming entangled.

A solid pool cover. These covers provide a solid barrier on top of the pool. They typically require two people to deploy and remove. Rain and snow collect on top, and must be pumped off. Leaves and debris need to be swept clear. But these covers can support up to 4,000 pounds, and provide a safe and solid surface. A dog can be racing around the yard, and when they cross the pool, might just slip a little.

I helped my neighbor get her safety cover set up, and now she smiles as she watches her elderly dog wander the yard, knowing he is completely safe.

Kaitlin Gardner started AnApplePerDay.com to further her passion for a family friendly, green living lifestyle. She is married to her college sweetheart and lives in Pennsylvania. She and her husband enjoy going for long hikes, to get out and enjoy nature. She is working on her first book about ways to live an eco-friendly, healthy, natural life.

Dogfest Walk ‘N Roll, Saturday 10/18/14, Naperville, Illinois

By: Laurie Brzostowski, President, Snaggle Foot Dog Walks and Pet Care-Round Lake, IL

One of my sitters/walkers is a puppy raiser for Canine Companions for Independence.  Occasionally I like to post an event that is happening for this wonderful organization.

Dogfest Walk 'n Roll is a great family event so grab your leash and get ready to have a tail-waggin' good time! 

Dogfest Walk 'n Run is an event to raise money and awareness for Canine Compansion for Independence, a non profit organization that provides highly skilled assistance dogs for children and adults with disabilities.

Although these dogs are valued at $50,000 they are provided at NO CHARGE.  We are able to do this because of contributions and volunteers. 

You can be a part of enhancing the lives of people with disabilities.  It is truly life changing for the donors, volunteers, and recipients.

Please visit my team page to learn more:  http://tinyurl.com/Noyo-Boyo

Donations of any size are appreciated  

Valerie Caputa 

Volunteer Puppy Raiser 

Is Your Dog Depressed?

By:  Laurie Brzostowski, President,  Snaggle Foot Dog Walks and Pet Care-Round Lake, IL

Have you ever looked at your dog and wondered if he or she seems depressed?  This is entirely possible.

But there are things you can do to help your doggie if he or she is showing signs of depression.

First things first, always check with your veterinarian first.  Some symptoms may actually be due to medical reasons so always talk with your vet. 

Maybe you’ve just moved, or you’ve brought home a new baby or school is now back in session. Out of the blue, your usually energetic pooch is withdrawn and seems listless.  

Can Dogs Get Depressed?

Bonnie Beaver, DVM, executive director of the American College of Veterinary Behaviorists, said veterinarians don’t really know if dogs suffer from depression the same way people do. It is not uncommon for pets to get down, especially during periods of change, it’s rare for dogs to suffer from long-term depression. 

What Are the Symptoms of Dog Depression?

Dog depression symptoms are very similar to those in people.  Dogs will become withdrawn. They become inactive. Their eating and sleeping habits often change. They don’t participate in the things they once enjoyed.

But vets warn those symptoms also can mean a dog has a medical problem, so the first course of action should always be a full checkup by a veterinarian. A pet that mopes around and no longer wants to go for walks could simply be in pain. 

Causes of Dog Depression

Major changes in a dog’s life could lead to periods of depression. Those include moving into a new home, a new spouse or baby in the household, school is back in session, or adding another pet. Even a change in the dog’s schedule, for instance a stay-at-home owner who takes a job, can cause a dog to get down.  

The two most common triggers of severe dog depression are the loss of a companion animal or the loss of an owner. And be careful the dog isn’t simply responding to the reactions of other people in the home.  Dogs pick up on our emotions, so if the owner has died, the dog could be responding to the grief of others, or the dog may not be getting the attention he’s accustomed to, which is stressing him out. 

Dog Depression Treatments

Most dogs bounce back from depression within a few days to a few months with just a little extra TLC.  Make sure you keep them engaged, do more of the things they like to do, get them a little more exercise and they should be fine.  

Make sure you reward them when they show signs of happiness. If the only thing that still gets a little tail wag out of your dog is a car ride, then take him for a series of short rides each day, praising and rewarding him when he appears happier.

Be careful not to encourage the negative behavior by lavishing a depressed dog with attention and treats while he is moping, the dog will think you’re rewarding him for that behavior.

Sometimes, if the dog is depressed because of the loss of a companion, getting another pet can help, but it has to be done carefully with both the family’s and the dog’s needs taken into account. 

Medications for Dog Depression

If nothing else works, medications can help dogs get past their depression.  It is important that you try and deal with the problem before it gets too bad.  It can take up to two months for drugs to become effective. But unlike people, who often remain on antidepressants for years, most dogs can get better in six to 12 months and then be taken off the drugs. 

Whatever is happening in your home, your dog may be affected by it.  Give him lots of love and attention and work on it to get him back in the swing of the things.  It is our responsibility as pet parents to take care of our beloved furbabies !