Costuming with your dog

Happy Halloween weekend everybody! Humans think this is a great time to dress silly, and they love to make us part of the "fun." If dressing up your pup, please remember keep safety and common sense in mind.

Some important tips include never leaving a dressed dog unattended (we are not used to wearing clothes, and may decide to try to eat them), and keep all flames (jack-o-lanterns, candles,

luminaries, etc) at a safe distance from your costumed buddy. Keep fun in mind for your dog too, so if your dog looks miserable give him a break and lose the getup.

If your dog is not up to dressing up, you can amuse yourself with these slideshows:

Huffington Post

Washington Post

New York Magazine (some of the most creative ones here)

Canine CPR

Seventy-nine year old Jim Touzeau adopted Teka to keep him company after losing his wife. Teka turned out to be more than a companion--she was a lifesaver! Jim collapsed from a heart attack and Teka was sure not gonna let him go. She was pouncing up and down on his chest--what some folks have called "Canine CPR." They don't know if that is what saved Jim, but her frantic barking for help sure made the difference. Jim was having a massive heart attack, and now has a defibrillator implanted in his heart.

Teka has been recognized by the RSPCA with an animal achievement award, but I bet she is just glad that her buddy Jim is ok. Jim told the Brisbane Times: "Because it's just the two of us, I rely on her and she relies on me." Sounds like a perfect pair.

Wags to my buddy Shep for always having his nose to the ground for news out of the U.K.

Buckle-up down under, or else!

Not many dogs in Australia will be riding in the car untethered much longer. Authorities have been cracking down on a law that states that Aussies "must not drive a vehicle with an animal on their lap or preventing them from having proper control of the car." Most people would probably test their luck on this one...but not now that the police are handing out $400 tickets to violators. Shop keepers say that dog seat belts are flying off the shelves.

You make your kids buckle up, so why not your pup too? Probably for the best for everybody.

I wear a seatbelt, but most dogs do not: last week I wrote about a survey that said that 62% of dog owners ride with there pup unrestrained. That would not fly down under!

Dogs helping kids with reading confidence

Did you know that dogs can actually help kids learn how to read?! It is not because we know how to read, but because we are such good listeners (most of the time). Reading Education Assistance Dogs, or R.E.A.D., brings dogs to schools where kids can practice reading aloud in an unintimidating environment. If a kid makes a mistake, we aren't going to make fun of them like his classmates might. Hanging out and reading with dogs can actually build a child's confidence in their reading so they can do it even better around other people. Check out the whole story on CNN.com.

Wags to tipster Bella for the link!

[Image courtesy of the Reading With Rover program, and affiliate of R.E.A.D in Washington State]

Training Tip Tuesday, WAIT, Sponsored by Anytime K9

Hello my canine companions. It's Riley with another tip for your humans. This week my human taught me a fun trick called "wait" and it was so easy to learn. My human uses wait at doors so I don't bolt through first. "Wait" can be used any time a human wants their dog to hang out for a minute before continuing with a task like at doors or before a feeding.

Actually, the way she taught me "wait" was at the door. We used the back door just in case I got out so I would not run into traffic. My human swiped her hand down in front of my nose like a karate chop and said "wait." Slowly she tried to open the door and as she did I tried to run out. She immediately closed the door and waited for me to calm down before she tried again. She tried this over and over until finally when she said "wait" and then opened the door I just sat there. She walked through the door first and then said "good boy" and told me to follow her. I did, and then got an awesome treat. Very cool I thought to myself. I figured I could wait as long as forever if I am gonna get the yummyness once I am done.

I overheard her say that wait keeps her from tripping over me because she goes through thr door first. However, lets be honest, if she is tripping over me when I run in the door, isn't that due to her two-legged clumsiness and not me?! Humans, they don't have enough legs to keep them balanced so if "wait" will help my person stay on her feet I will happily oblige. Pass it on.

Riley
CEO (Canine of Extraordiary Obedience)
AnytimeK9

PS--If you live in the DC or NYC areas and are interested in professional training with AnytimeK9, check out their website, and be sure to tell them Scoop sent you!

Halloween Safety

Halloween is just around the corner. Thankfully, my person told me that she has no intention of dressing me up in a costume. But she is also making some safety considerations for the spooky season. Most people know that chocolate is poisonous to dogs, so make sure your candy stash is safely secured out of your pup's reach.

Did you also know that raisins can cause liver failure in dogs? That means that you should not pass along the dreaded box of raisins to your dog as treats. (Read the ASPCA Poison Control Alert for raisins and grapes)

As a part of Petside.com's Pet 'Net Safety Event, Houston Pet Talk also provided some useful tips. One important one: constant doorbell ringing can be very stressful for dogs that get anxious/excited/territorial over visitors, so make sure you have a safe and quiet place for your pup while the trick or treaters are passing through. For more safety tips for halloween, also check out the Humane Society's resource page.

[Image courtesy of FailDogs]

Getting un-lost

Microchips are a good idea and they really do the job when it comes to getting your pup un-lost. Linda Lord of Ohio State University decided to study just how effective microchips are in keeping your pet out of the shelter. The good news is that your dog is 2.5 times more likely to find his way home from the shelter.

If you aren't familiar with microchips, this is how they work: During a regular visit at the vet, you can have a microchip implanted into your pup's back. It is as quick as a vaccination, but your person has to do a little homework. It is very important that your person register your microchip with the company. My person did it really quick online--just filled out all my info into a form, and has to remember to update it if we move. If I get lost, she calls the microchip company and they fax my fact sheet and picture to all the shelters in a 25 mile radius. Plus, if I showed up at the shelter they would scan me for my microchip and look up all my contact info. Thats why microchipped pups are more likely to find their way home!

Microchips aren't perfect...some of them might move around in your body, or the detectors don't always work. Catherine Lord's study is helping shelters improve the effectiveness, including making sure they scan multiple times. She also found that out of date contact information was the main reason that a microchipped pet did not find his home. She recommends that the industry make a better connection between chipping and registration--like having vets ask all owners during annual exams if their chip information has been updated.

Is your chip registration up to date?

[Image courtesy of HowStuffWorks]

Rumors raise money for Scooby-Roo

Scooby-Roo was born without his front legs and found in pretty bad condition on the streets of LA. He has been on the mend since some very special people started taking care of him at Fuzzy Rescue in LA.

Scooby-Roo has some high powered fans-Paris and Prince Jackson (yes, Michael Jackson's kids). They have "reportedly" expressed interest in helping raise money for a cart, but the attention alone got the money rolling in from all over the world. No check has arrived from the Jacksons, not even a call to confirm their interest, but the rumors spurred tons of small donations ranging from $2-15.

Scooby-Roo is going to get a custom cart to help him get around, and the folks at Fuzzy Rescue are working hard to screen potential adopters. He doesn't need rich or famous to adopt him, just someone who understands his needs and is willing to accept his generous kissing.

What about pet health insurance?

There was a very lively discussion on the Scoop's facebook fan page yesterday in about the cost of veterinary care. There were several struggling to cover their vet bills, and a veterinarian who helped offer some perspective on what can seem like high costs. Another commenter mentioned pet health insurance as an affordable solution. All sound like valid perspectives that echo what humans are debating these days.

This reminded me a segment I heard on This American Life's broadcast last weekend about what pet health insurance can teach us about our own health insurance system. While the central pet in the segment is Harriet the hedgehog, the discussion is definitely relevant to dog lovers faced with the costs of caring for their sick pup. Like human health insurance though, you have to sign up before you get sick, or else your problem is considered a "pre-existing condition" and is not covered.

You can listen to the whole episode of This American Life, or just listen to or read the pet insurance segment that aired on Morning Edition. What has your experience been with pet health insurance? Join the discussion on my Facebook fan page--It would be great to hear from owners and vets alike.

On a sidenote, in the story they tell us that they vacuum dogs after they are knocked out and before they go into surgery. VACUUM!! That's just not right. If I accidentally woke up, that might just give me a heart attack. In fact, I am about to have a heart attack just thinking about it.

Petside's Safety Poll

As a part of yesterday's Pet 'Net Safety Event, Petside.com released a major poll on pet safety. Among the interesting results was the revelation that 65% of women would give CPR to their dog, but only 50% of men say they would. What's up with that?! So much for "man's" best friend!

I have to wear a seatbelt, but 62% of dogs still ride unrestrained in the car. Only 44% of owners have an emergency plan for their pets in place if they need to evacuate because of a fire or natural disaster. Sounds like some people need to get workin' on their emergency plans. Check out the whole poll and other useful links on Petside.com.

Winter Hiking Safety for your Dog

Just because the weather is cooling down does not mean that your four legged friend would not like to join you for outdoor adventures. It is important for you to remember that there are some special safety considerations for cold weather. Just like cold weather hiking for humans, safety involves common sense and some critical gear. Some things to keep in mind:

• During hunting season, be sure to check if hunting is permitted in the are you plan to hike. If so, take some extra precautions so that your pup is not mistaken for wildlife. Leashes are especially important, even if your dog does not normally hike with a leash. During hunting season, you should keep your pup extra close to stay safe. You should consider an orange safety leash and orange safety vest or at the very least an orange bandana for your dog. Don't forget the orange for yourself too! Of course, you could change your plans and go somewhere with a lower risk of either of you getting shot.
• When hiking in the cold weather, your dog still needs plenty of water to stay hydrated, so don't forget to pack an extra bottle and a collapsable bowl.
• You burn lots of calories hiking, so does your dog. During extended activities, it is important to remember that your dog will need a snack to keep his electrolytes in balance and maintain his energy on the trail. Either pack some extra kibble or treats designed for maintaining energy, such as Zuke's Power Bones.
• If you are in an area with lots of snow, your dog may need special gear just like you. A flashing collar will help you keep track of your dog after he is covered in snow.
• If you are skiing with your dog, it is important to keep your distance. The sharp edges on fast moving skis can slice and achilles or paw pad.
• Your dogs coat is usually enough to keep him warm in the winter if he is on the move, but consider packing an dog jacket in case of an emergency. If you or your dog gets hurt and you have to stay put waiting for help, he won't be generating enough body heat to stay warm. A good one to check out is Lands End Dog Squall Jacket.
• Snow may clump up between the toes of dogs with longer hair and cause irritation. Your pup might try to lick it off, but that will only make it wet and attract more snow. Dog booties can be helpful to prevent this. But make sure your pup is used to wearing them before using them for a long hike!
• Just like you would with any hiking buddy, always stay close and "check in" regularly to make sure you are both feeling good enough to keep going. During snack breaks, give your pup a once over and do a quick paw check.

This post is part of Petside.com's Pet 'Net Safety Event, where pet lovers around the blogosphere are uniting today to share information about keeping your pet safe. Be sure to check their website for links to all the bloggers participating!

Wags to my buddy Lucy for help on this post--she is pictured above enjoying some back-country skiing!

[The Daily Dog Scoop was NOT compensated by the manufacturers of any of the products mentioned today]

Dogs are good for your health

Dogs are good for your health. In addition to just getting you out for regular walks, we are natural mood enhancers! I walk my person for at least an hour a day, and I keep her laughing all the time.

Check out this great slideshow on the 27 ways pets can improve your health. Just a few examples:

• In as little as 15 minutes, hanging with your pup can reduce your anxiety level
• Petting (and belly-rubbin') are known to reduce a human's blood pressure
• Having a pet to take care of can help you deal with depression
• Growing up in a pet-household means you will suffer from less allergies in the future

Ending the clipper-crisis

I used to HATE having my toenails trimmed. I don't think that my person enjoyed it much either, as it usually turned into an all out wrestling match. She finally wised up and realized that I am not going to let her touch my feet if it always means that she is clipping. So, sometimes she touches my paws in a nice way. As for the clippers, I used to have anxiety just seeing them! But now, it means I get a special clipper-belly-rub! All these good things in exchange for holding still for a quick clip.

I am not alone here. The topic even popped up in a dog advice column in the UK, where they have tips for getting your puppy used to paw-touching from the beginning. You can play some games, touch paws in nice ways, and teach shake/high five to make paw touching a normal thing. For help learning shake/ high five, be sure to check out my earlier Training Tip Tuesday post on the topic.

[Image Courtesy of PhotoBucket]

Upcoming Pet 'Net Safety Event

Be sure to visit the Daily Dog Scoop this Wednesday, when I will be participating in Petside.com's Pet 'Net Safety Event. Petside has organized the top 20+ pet bloggers to join forces on Wednesday, October 21, 2009 to promote ways to keep your pet safe and happy. I will be writing about ways to safely enjoy outdoor activities with your dog in cold weather. Petside will also be releasing a major poll about pet safety that day, which I will be sure to cover. Come back Wednesday for the Scoop!

Reading dogs

Watching people read can be pretty boring. Trust me, I watch my person reading all the time. But what about watching a dog read? Pretty amazing! Willow's person taught her multiple commands that she knows just by looking at the print. This talent is so special that is got the pair on the Today Show!

Aside from the neat tricks, Willow's person has an important insight to share: Willow was very destructive as a puppy, but her person figured out that it was because she was super smart and just got bored when she was home alone! If your pup is being destructive, you don't have to teach them to read, but giving them something to do will help.

Visit msnbc.com for Breaking News, World News, and News about the Economy

Wags to my buddy Lily for the tip!

Hot Dogs in Columbia

It is cooling off in where I live, but it is still hot for the dogs and people in other parts of the world. Check out this great picture of a dog getting creative to keep cool--the translation of the caption reads: "While a heat wave caused by El Nino affects Columbia and countries in Central America, this dog tries to cool off in a fountain of dancing waters in Medellin."Wags to my bilingual buddy Shep for finding this awesome picture and providing a translation!

The Wigglebutt Inn

A new hotel opened in Naples, Florida, but it is just for dogs. The Wigglebutt Inn is a 4,800 square foot daycare and boarding facility with all kinds of amenities. In addition to some very fun sounding indoor and outdoor group play areas, dog have private lounging areas to relax on a plush bed. There are even three deluxe suites where dogs can watch Animal Planet on their very own TV!

Safety is important at the Wigglebutt Inn too. All the dogs have to endure a 3-hour temperament test to make sure they will get along with the rest of the pack. The employees are trained in K9 CPR and there is even a live in overnight caretaker. Of course, they offer grooming, dog parties, and a gift shop too.

Sound like a great place...so great that they display a disclaimer at the door, "“We have no responsibility or legal liability if your dog doesn’t want to go home.” But we always want to come home, I promise.

Season 5 of the Dog Wisperer

Caesar Milan, the Dog Whisperer, is back for his 5th season on the National Geographic Channel. He started this season off with a special about raising puppies. You can read all of his puppy tips on the special Puppy Development section on his website. Did you know that puppies are born less developed than human babies and are deaf and blind?

Some people love Caesar, and some hate him--Either way, the tiny puppies in this episode are super cute! Check out this short video about what we can learn about how a mother behaves around her new puppies.

Dogs teaching life lessons to teens

I just can't say enough great things about Best Friends Animal Society. Their very active Chicago Safe Humane branch has a new program called "Lifetime Bonds." In this program volunteers and their dogs visit young men incarcerated in the Illinois Youth Center in Chicago for some very valuable dog play time. In this program, they teach the young men about dogs, dog safety, and caring for dogs. Once these guys learn to appreciate how great dogs can be, BFAS hopes it will deter future interest in dog fighting.

There are broader benefits though--One of my other favorite organizations--Puppies Behind Bars--has showed us that spending time caring for a dog can go a long way towards deterring inmates from a future of crime generally.

Black Dog Syndrome

Black dogs get a tough break. Earlier this year, I wrote about how black dogs face tough odds for getting adopted from a shelter. I said then, and it is worth repeating: Dogs are colorblind, people should be too. It is such a problem that some people have called it "The Black Dog Syndrome."

A shelter in Wake County, NC, decided to get creative. They started a special promotion dispelling the myths about black cats and dogs. They offered a discount on the adoption fees too. But since black dogs kind of blend into the walls of a grey shelter, they put the black dogs in kennels painted light blue to help their coats shine. They even put brightly colored bandanas on them to help them look less threatening. Check out ABC News for the video story.

The Black Dog Rescue Project in Utah is helping to get the word out too. They suggest taking a photo in natural light so the dog can show its best side on his petfinder page.