Dog Behaviors

It’s the scariest time of the year…and we wouldn’t have it any other way!  Halloween is the time for ghoulish decor and frightful costumes.  Trick-or-treaters love the spooky sounds and scary makeup.  However, there is one member of the family that might not understand the fun spirit behind all the “Boo”-rific happenings – the dog.  Halloween can be a difficult day for dogs and their owners, with all the new visitors, strange sounds and unhealthy but irresistible chocolate candy.

To help you and your furry friend make it safely through this scariest of holidays, the DogWatch Hidden Fences Team has compiled a list of safety tips for dog owners.

1) Keep your eye on the candy!!

As a rule, dogs and Halloween candy don’t mix.  Most dog owners know that chocolate is potentially fatal to dogs.  Less well know is xylitol, an artificial sweetener often found in candy – it is equally hazardous.  (Cats should stay away from these ingredients as well.)

The best way to avoid an emergency trip to the vet is to keep the candy out of the dog’s reach at all times, and educate your kids and your trick-or-treaters.  You may want to keep a bowl of dog treats by the door.  That way, your dog can enjoy his own, much healthier treats, and not miss out on the fun!  Plus, you can give a treat to any neighborhood dogs who stop by with the costumed kids.

2) Costumes should be fun for all.

Everyone loves a dog in a Halloween costume, right?  Well, everyone except perhaps the dog itself.  While some dogs love the attention that comes with a cute outfit, others are miserable in the extra garb.  We suggest trying out the costume prior to the big day so you can make sure it fits properly (i.e. not to tight or otherwise restrictive) and so you know how Fido will react.  If your dog shows signs of discomfort, take off the costume.  It will make the night less stressful for all.

3) Prepare for many little visitors.

For most families, Halloween night means an unusual amount of doorbell ringing and little strangers at the door.  This commotion causes many dogs to react by barking and acting out.  Consider placing your dog in another room with the TV on to drown out the noise.  If your dog doesn’t mind visitors and wants to join the fun, that’s great – yet it is still a good idea to keep a leash on, in case she makes a run for the door.

For those taking your dog with you to trick-or-treat, remember to keep an eye out for falling candy.  Also, for those of you in warmer climates, make sure your dog doesn’t overheat in his costume during the long walk.

As always, we’d love to see pictures and hear stories about your Halloween hijinks.  Share your photos and fun times on our Facebook page!  We hope you all have a happy, spooky and safe Halloween!

Photo by daveynin via Flickr.

For the past couple of weeks, students everywhere have shown signs of that seasonal bug, the Back to School blues.  The end of summer means less time to play outside with friends, and more time devoted to classes and homework.  That’s enough to put most kids in a bit a funk, but did you know the family dog might also share their pain?

That’s right, dogs can suffer from the Back to School blues, too.  This week, Dog Tails gives families tips to help their dog manage the transition from summer vacation to a new school year.  By following this prescribed “homework,” you can help banish these blues soon and restore your dog to a happy state.

Dogs are sensitive to changes in their daily routine.  Back to school represents a particular challenge.  Days once filled with outdoor play, activities and attention are now mostly solitary and a lot less exciting.  To ease the transition, experts suggest slowly adjusting the dog’s schedule to the new routine.  Shift playtime and walks to morning and evening hours, and away from school hours.

This gradual transition can help avoid the dreaded curse of back to school season: separation anxiety.  These feelings often cause dogs to act out in destructive ways, including excessive barking and chewing or eating things they shouldn’t.

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Being a dog owner is not easy.  To raise a dog properly, you need to devote time, money and passion to the job.  Moments of frustration are bound to occur, and at regularly intervals.  Successes are often followed by small failures and false starts.  You may even lose your favorite pair of shoes to your puppy’s teeth.

As any dog owner can tell you, however, all of that effort is worth it.  Bringing a dog into your home will change your life.  Your dog’s unconditional love, unsinkable spirit and unabashed smiles can improve your health and well-being in many ways.

To prove our point, Dog Tails has compiled a list of the top 5 ways that dogs can change your life for the better.  Read on, and learn more about how these amazing creatures make our lives better every day.

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In honor of the new film Cats & Dogs: The Revenge of Kitty Galore, which opened this past weekend in theaters across the country, DogTails is tackling the fascinating relationship between America’s most popular pets.  For every story of a dog who loves cats, there are even more stories of dogs who love fighting with cats.

In honor of this love-hate relationship, we have compiled the following tips to help all the brave animal lovers who share their homes with a dog and a cat.  Follow these tips, and you can help keep the peace between your two furry best friends.

The most important rule of introducing a new dog to your cat (and vice versa) is to take it slow.  When it comes to a dog and a cat’s first meeting, do not just open the door and let them chase each other.  Instead, let the two animals slowly move closer to each other, while maintaining control of them at all times.  As a result, it is best to have another person help with the introductions, so that both animals can be quickly pulled away if necessary.

As always, treats are helpful to encourage good behavior in your dog.  Ask the dog to look away from the cat and look at you.  If he complies, give him a treat – he is doing very well!  If he does not comply, continue working with the dog to calm him down and divert his attention away from the animal. Toys and treats and words of praise are all helpful here.

The ultimate goal is to allow the dog and cat to interact without chasing and lunging.  Some dogs will need more guidance and training than others – it depends on the dog’s breed and history.  Also, you will want to muzzle larger or more aggressive dogs when they are first introduced to smaller animals like cats, to ensure that no one gets hurt.

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