Pizza for Puppies Event on 8/4/14 for Canine Companions for Independence

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

Today I am having a guest writer write about an upcoming event very dear to her heart which is called Puppies for Pizza.

Her name is Valerie Caputa and she is a therapy dog handler, a volunteer puppy raiser for Canine Companions for Independence and she is also a pet sitter/dog walker for Snaggle Foot Round Lake.

So here we go: 

Greetings.  I am very pleased to announce that we are having our 2nd annual fundraiser at Bills Pizza and Pub in Mundelein, IL on Monday August 4th.  We are calling this Pizza for Puppies as 10% of sales will go to Canine Companions for Independence.  This marvelous non-profit organization breeds, trains and provides highly skilled assistance dogs at NO CHARGE for people with disabilities.  This is only possible with community involvement.  Please join us for pizza (or anything on the menu that appeals to you), and help raise money for Canine Companions for Independence. 

Bill’s Pizza & Pub                  
11:00 am - 11:00 pm
624 S. Lake Street
Mundelein, Illinois 

It all starts with the puppies, hence the clever name Pizza for Puppies.  Canine Companions for Independence puppies are born with a destiny to become a service dog.  The program breeds not for appearance but for the best overall traits necessary for a service dog.  Of course, the dogs are beautiful...perhaps their inner beauty creates their outward beauty.  The dogs have the right temperament, willingness to work, health, intelligence and size to become a successful service dog.

Bill's Pizza and Pub has an outdoor patio where all well behaved dogs are welcome. I will be there from 2-9 pm with my puppy in training, 4 month old Noyo Boyo.  My dog West who many of you know will also be on the patio with us.  West was in the program to become a service dog but was released due to mild hip dysplasia.  Don't worry, he is not in any pain.  The rigors of being a service dog would have been too much for him and he would have had only a brief career. 

Canine Companions for Independence only places dogs in excellent health who will have many years of service with their partner (recipient).  During his training West was quite the ambassador for Canine Companions.  Together we did numerous demonstrations and we were out in public sharing the message with thousands.  His extensive training prepared him well to become a therapy dog.  We will begin visits to hospitals and nursing homes in the next few months when his paperwork is completed. 

I am very excited about this event.  I had a lot of fun doing this last year and know we will enjoy the day again.

Dine in or carry out counts towards this fundraiser.  If your business is nearby, why not order Bill's Pizza for lunch.  Or think about bringing home a pizza.

Please help spread the word and invite others to attend this fundraiser. 

For more information about the organization, visit:  http://www.cci.org/

All the Best,
Valerie Caputa 
Dog Sitter for Snaggle Foot Round Lake
Volunteer Puppy Raiser for Canine Companions for Independence
Therapy Dog Handler

7 Stages To Treat Food Agression In Dogs

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

As the Owner/President of a pet care business, it is not unusual for us to come across some dogs that are food aggressive.

This can be dangerous, especially if the dog is over-aggressive he/she could snap at you or actually bite you if you try to interfere with feeding and/or with this food bowl. Below is some information regarding food aggression and how you can go about stopping it.

However, if you feel that you are not able to help your dog with food aggression, please contact a trainer or behaviorist that can help you!

First off, let's start with the definition of food aggression: 

Food aggression is a subtype of possessive aggression. Possessive aggression occurs when a dog displays aggression (show teeth, growl, snap, lunge, bite) related to any item that the dog considers valuable, such as food, toys, resting place, etc. Three types of food aggression are defined below. 

1.  Mild Food Aggression: Dog shows teeth and/or growls when approached or touched by a person or fake hand when in possession of or near food or a food-related item.
2. Moderate Food Aggression: Dog snaps and/or lunges when approached or touched by a person or fake hand when in possession of or near food or a food-related item.
3. Severe Food Aggression tendencies: Dog bites when approached or touched by a person or fake hand when in possession of or near food or a food-related item.

Here are 7 stages to help prevent or stop food aggression in dogs:

Stage 1:

• Stand a few feet away from your dog while he eats dry kibble from a bowl on the floor. Do not move toward your dog.
• Say something like, “What have you got there?” in a conversational tone and, at the same time, toss a special treat toward the bowl. Continue to do this every few seconds until your dog finishes eating his kibble.
• Repeat this exercise each time you feed your dog until he eats in a relaxed way for 10 meals in a row. Then you can move on to Stage Two.

During your exercises, if your dog leaves the bowl and moves toward you to ask for more treats, just ignore him. Wait until he goes back to his bowl and starts eating again before tossing more tasty treats.

Stage 2:

• While your dog eats dry kibble from a bowl on the floor, say “What have you got there?” in a conversational tone. At the same time, take one step toward him and toss a special treat toward the bowl. Then immediately step back. Repeat this sequence every few seconds until your dog has finished eating.
• Each day, take one step closer to your dog before tossing him the special treat. Continue at this stage until you come within two feet of the bowl. When your dog eats in a relaxed way for 10 meals in a row as you repeatedly approach and stand two feet away and give him a treat, you’re ready to move to the next stage.

Stage 3:

• While your dog eats dry kibble from a bowl on the floor, approach him saying “What have you got there?” in a conversational tone. Stand next to your dog’s bowl and drop a special treat into it. Then immediately turn around and walk away.
• Repeat this sequence every few seconds until your dog has finished eating. When he eats in a relaxed way for 10 meals in a row, you’re ready for the next stage.

 Stage 4:

• While your dog eats dry kibble from a bowl on the floor, approach him saying “What have you got there?” in a conversational tone. Stand next to your dog, holding a special treat in your hand. Bend down slightly, holding the treat out just an inch or two in your dog’s direction. Encourage him to stop eating the food in the bowl to take the treat. After he eats the treat from your hand, immediately turn around and walk away. Repeat this sequence every few seconds until your dog has finished eating.
• Each day, bend down a little more when you offer your dog the special treat so that your hand moves an inch or two closer to his bowl. Stay at this stage until you can bend down and hold your hand with the treat right next to your dog’s bowl. When your dog eats relaxed for 10 meals in a row as you repeatedly approach to bend down and offer him a treat next to his bowl, you’re ready for the next stage.

Stage 5:

• While your dog eats dry kibble from a bowl on the floor, approach him saying “What have you got there?” in a conversational tone. Stand next to your dog, bend down and touch his bowl with one hand while offering him a special treat with your other hand.
• Continue to do this every few seconds until your dog has finished the food in his bowl. When your dog eats relaxed for 10 meals in a row, you can move to the next stage.

Stage 6:

• While your dog eats dry kibble from a bowl on the floor, approach him saying “What have you got there?” in a conversational tone. Stand next to your dog, bend and pick up his bowl with one hand. Raise it only six inches off the floor and drop a special treat in the bowl. Then immediately return the bowl to the floor so that your dog can eat from it.
• Continue to do this every few seconds until your dog has finished all the food in his bowl. As you repeat the sequence, raise the bowl slightly higher off the floor each time until you can lift it all the way up to your waist and stand upright.
• Repeat the sequence, but when you pick up your dog’s bowl, walk over to a table or counter with it. Then put a special treat into the bowl, walk back to your dog and return the bowl to the same place on the floor.

Stage 7:

• The last stage is to have all adult family members go through stages one through six. Each person needs to start at the beginning and progress through the steps the same way, always making sure that your dog continues to look relaxed and comfortable during exercises. Don’t assume that because your dog is okay with one person approaching his bowl, he’ll automatically be comfortable with another person doing the same thing. He has to learn that the rules work the same way with everyone.
• The entire treatment program above is gradual enough to help your dog relax and anticipate the special treats rather than feel threatened and become aggressive when people approach him while he’s eating. Through the exercises, your dog will learn that people approaching his food bowl bring even tastier food—they’re not coming to take his food away from him.

Food aggression can be dangerous so it is important that if your dog starts to show signs of food aggression make sure you take the time to stop this behavior.  Again, if you are having problems doing this on your own, please seek professional help.

Food aggression is a subtype of possessive aggression. Possessive aggression occurs when a dog displays aggression (show teeth, growl, snap, lunge, bite) related to any item that the dog considers valuable, such as food, toys, resting place, etc. Three types of food aggression are defined below.

1. Mild Food Aggression: Dog shows teeth and/or growls when approached or touched by a person or fake hand when in possession of or near food or a food-related item.
2. Moderate Food Aggression: Dog snaps and/or lunges when approached or touched by a person or fake hand when in possession of or near food or a food-related item.
3. Severe Food Aggression tendencies: Dog bites when approached or touched by a person or fake hand when in possession of or near food or a food-related item.

- See more at: http://centerforshelterdogs.org/Home/DogBehavior/ProblemsandManagement/FoodAggression.aspx#sthash.Pb8uc3q9.dpuf

Food aggression is a subtype of possessive aggression. Possessive aggression occurs when a dog displays aggression (show teeth, growl, snap, lunge, bite) related to any item that the dog considers valuable, such as food, toys, resting place, etc. Three types of food aggression are defined below.

1. Mild Food Aggression: Dog shows teeth and/or growls when approached or touched by a person or fake hand when in possession of or near food or a food-related item.
2. Moderate Food Aggression: Dog snaps and/or lunges when approached or touched by a person or fake hand when in possession of or near food or a food-related item.
3. Severe Food Aggression tendencies: Dog bites when approached or touched by a person or fake hand when in possession of or near food or a food-related item.

- See more at: http://centerforshelterdogs.org/Home/DogBehavior/ProblemsandManagement/FoodAggression.aspx#sthash.Pb8uc3q9.dpuf

Items Needed For A Saltwater Aquarium

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

Are you thinking about having a saltwater fish aquarium?  I think that is so cool.  I have a friend who I used to work with who got one and it is one the neatest things in her home.

However... there are some things you will need to think about before you get started.  First thing is... saltwater aquariums are not cheap and do take some maintenance to keep them clean and fresh.

The fish are also a bit on the expensive side so making sure you go to a reputable store is important.

So to help you get started in getting your saltwater aquarium, here is a list of items you will need to get:

1. Aquarium/Tank
   You need to decide where you want to put your aquarium, determine what size you want or may only have room for, whether you want an acrylic or glass tank, and choose a style that will best fit into the spot you have picked out to display it.
2. Lighting
   The type of lighting you choose will be based on the type of system you have planned to set up, as well as what kind of livestock you will be keeping in it.
3. Skimmers, Filters & Filtration Equipment
   Once again, what type of system you are going to set up will help you determine which kind of filters and filtration system to choose.
4. Powerhead
   Depending on the size of your aquarium, the use one or several powerheads is an excellent way to provide good water circulation throughout the system.
5. Live Rock & Substrate
   Here you need to decide on what type of material you want on the bottom of the tank, as well as whether you want to start with a live or non-living medium.Live Rock plays an important role in a marine tank. Many marine animals, fish in particular, can be quite territorial. It is important to provide ample shelter or places where the animals can hide, sleep, and avoid potential problems with aggression from other tankmates in the confined space of an aquarium.
6. Sea Salt Mix/Saltwater & Hydrometer
   Sea salts are what make an aquarium a saltwater or marine aquarium. Also referred to as a salinity tester, this item measures the specific gravity or salt content of the water.
7. Heater & Thermometer
   For smaller aquariums one heater works well, but for larger systems the use of multiple units is advised. With stick-on, floating, multi-function remote digital sensor, and many other types of units to pick from, the material a thermometer is made of is an important factor when choosing one as well.
8. Air Pump & Air Stones
   Only needed if you are going to run a piece of equipment that requires these items, such as a counter-current protein skimmer.
9. Test Kits, Additives & Supplements
   For live rock and reef tank systems, calcium (a.k.a. limewater/kalkwasser) needs to be added. Other supplemental vitamins or additives that are beneficial to the health of certain marine inhabitants you may be keeping, such a iodine for crustaceans, are important as well.
10. Maintenance Tools & Supplies
    This category includes having items on hand such as a various sized plastic buckets or containers, tank cleaning tools such as a siphon tube/hose, an algae scraper or magnet, as well as nets of different sizes, spare equipment replacements parts, and so on. A good way to keep track of what maintenance tasks you have preformed and when is to keep a log book or record of everything you do. 

Once you get everything set up, it will be time to get your fish.  Again, make sure you visit a reputable store.  Have fun and enjoy your new saltwater aquarium.