Dog Fence – Blog

We all want to look after our pets in the best way we can and  alerts about unsafe commercial pet foods have sounded an alarm among pet owners. Unfortunately, this problem isn’t really ‘news’. It seems that incidents similar to this occur from time to time. Perhaps this is one reason more and more pet owners are opting to ‘home cook’ for their pets. However, in order to properly home-cook for your pets, you should first have a basic knowledge of canine nutrition; and, even more importantly, a thorough knowledge of human foods that are harmful to dogs. Some foods which are safe for human consumption can be poisonous for our canine companions. Below is a list of 25 common human foods that are toxic to dogs. Of course, when in doubt, always check with your vet.

Here is a list to get you started:

1. Onions (Both onions and garlic contain the toxic ingredient Thiosulphate. But onions are more of a danger. Many dog biscuits contain *small* amounts of garlic – garlic contains less of this toxin so huge amounts would need to be consumed to be toxic. And, by the way, this poison builds up the system – it can be toxic in one large dose – or with repeated consumption of small amounts.)
2. Chocolate (Chocolate contains Theobromine, a compound that is a cardiac stimulant and a diuretic. This can be fatal to dogs.)
3. Grapes (Grapes are dangerous because of an unknown substance which is toxic to dogs – affects canine’s kidneys)
4. Raisins (See above.)
5. Most Fruit Pits and Seeds (Contain Cyanogenic Glycosides resulting in cyanide poisoning – though the fruit itself is OK.)
6. Macadamia Nuts (Macadamia nuts contain an unknown substance that is toxic to dogs.)
7. Bones (Most bones should *not* be given (especially chicken bones) because they can splinter and cause laceration of the digestive system and/or become lodged in your pet’s throat – so they also pose a choking hazard.)
8. Potato Peelings and Green Potatoes (Contain Oxalates, which can affect the digestive, nervous, and urinary systems.)
9. Rhubarb leaves (See above.)
10. Broccoli (Broccoli is only toxic in large quantities.)
11. Green parts of Tomatoes or Green Potatoes (Contain oxalates, which can affect the digestive, nervous, and urinary systems.)
12. Yeast Dough (Yeast Dough can produce gas and swell in your pet’s stomach – leading to rupture of the digestive system)
13. Coffee, Coffee Grounds, Tea, Soft Drinks (Coffee, tea, & most soft drinks are dangerous due to the caffeine.)
14. Beer/Wine/Alcohol of any kind (Alcohol of any kind could lead to coma or even death.)
15. Human Vitamins (Human vitamins, especially those containing iron, can cause damage to the lining of the digestive system as well as cause kidney and liver damage)

16. Moldy or Spoiled Food (I think this goes without saying.)
17. Persimmons (Persimmons can cause intestinal blockage)
18. Raw Eggs and Raw Fish (Raw eggs and some raw fish can cause Salmonella poisoning.)
19. Salt, Baking Soda, Baking Powder (In large amounts these can cause an electrolyte imbalance – and severe electrolyte imbalances can lead to muscle spasm or even congestive heart failure.)
20. Mushrooms (Mushrooms may contain toxins which could cause liver and kidney damage)
21. Sugar-Free Foods (Sugar-free foods containing Xylitol have been found to cause liver failure in some dogs.)
22. Nutmeg (Nutmeg can cause tremors, seizures, and central nervous system damage.)
23. Excessive Fatty Foods (Excess fatty foods can cause Pancreatitis.)
24. Avocado (All parts of the avocado and avocado tree are toxic to dogs.)
25. Diary Products (Dairy products don’t usually pose a great danger; but many dairy product have high fat content (see number 23) – and many pets are lactose intolerant – some pets more than others. Lactose intolerance leads to gas and diarrhea; though small amounts of yogurt and cheese are usually fairly well tolerated.)

Keep these 25 toxic foods in mind when cooking for your dog. There may be other foods that your dog can not consume; so always ask your vet when you are unsure about anything concerning your pets.

Pet owners have been warned that it was unsafe to leave their dogs alone in the car this summer – even with water and the windows open.

Cars can heat up quickly both in the sun and the shade and could be “unbearable” for dogs, which can only cool down by panting and sweating through their paws.

Leaving the windows open and supplying water does not make much of a difference, as cars can still heat up to 50C (122F) even when there are clouds around.

Dogs should be taken out of cars and left in a secure, cool place with access to shade and water. They should not be left to stand in the sunshine for long periods of time or take part in unnecessary exertion in hot weather.

It is vital  to report any dogs that you think may be suffering in a car by letting someone in authority know or by calling the police or the RSPCA.

Caroline Kisko, Kennel Club communications director, said: “We all know how hot cars can get during the summer. Whether in the sun or the shade, cars heat up quickly and it can often be unbearable for us before the air-conditioning comes into effect, never mind dogs.

“Owners are urged not to think that dogs can handle heat like we can and to realise that it is never safe to leave the dog in the car alone, whether the windows are open or not.”

We are often caught out here in the UK, especially if it is an overcast day. Last year a Police Dog handler forgot about his dog whilst carrying out some paperwork duties:- It was one of the hottest days of the year, with temperatures reaching 29.3C (84.7F). Jet, aged seven, and 18-month-old Jay-Jay died, possibly within 20 minutes, from heatstroke which would have brought on multiple organ failure.

A customer account on our equipment and service:-

 Mrs White, TN13

I contacted DogFence as I was at my wits end with my Springer Spaniel and new Labrador puppy. Previously, Percy my Springer had been happy to stay at home but when Harry joined us my world was turned upside down.

 Harry stayed in the garden until he reached 5 months and then he decided to explore further a field with Percy in tow. To start with they were picked up by my neighbours and when they returned via the dog warden having been picked up over 3 miles away I knew I had to take action.

 A friend had used DogFence and I was intrigued but also sceptical. I also had issues with the idea of shocking my dogs. I visited my friend and was very impressed to see her two Jack Russells playing and roaming happily within the garden. I also noted that her drive way gates were open and the dogs ran eagerly up to the entrance but stopped (barking their heads off) as a lady with a rather large dog walked past but did not go out! Amazing I thought! Her dogs seemed very happy and content in the garden and she explained that they reacted to warning beep and most of the time never even go into the beep area.

Both my friend and DogFence pointed out that the little shocks are kept to a minimum and are really only used in the training phase. They also use white flags around the boundary to train the dogs to know where the “no go” area starts. These could be removed after a few weeks. They explained that it is the warning beep that stops the dogs and the shock is there as a last resort!

I called DogFence and the lady in the office was so helpful, she answered all my questions and actually it was her honesty and openness that sold me. She was very clear and specific about what was involved and explained that the key to the success was to get the training right from day one. I decided to go for it!

The engineer arrived on site quite early in the morning. It’s usually mad here anyway but he was great, taking charge and giving advice on where the cable should be placed. He met the dogs and then began on getting the dog fence installed. I was also impressed with how neat and tidy the job was – the machine used to bury the cable made a small cut in the ground and he explained that after a few days this would disappear but it was the driveway that my husband was most worried about. As we have a tarmac drive Stuart explained that we would have a small scar from where the cable was inserted. It was all sealed and now several weeks on it is hardly noticeable.

 Shortly after lunch it was time for dog training. Stuart started with Harry as he is younger and he explained that his concentration span may not be that good, therefore, he was going to break up the session to avoid Harry getting bored. He took the dogs out individually and I watched from the kitchen window. To start with the shock was turned off on the collar and I was amazed to see that the dogs were quite wary of the white flags and the beep. Then came the moment I was dreading, turning the shock on the collars. Stuart started on level 1 and I watched for a reaction. Harry made no reaction at all in fact, it was only when they got to level 3 that Harry reacted and this was a rather quick tale between the legs and a quick flit backwards. He carried out further trainng around the garden and after Harry had received the second shock Stuart lowered the level to 2. Harry received two more shocks during the training session by the time we came to the distraction training Harry was well aware of the boundary flags but was not in anyway upset. I was amazed when Stuart got me to walk down the drive and then he dropped the lead and walked out with me – Harry stay firmly put.

Percy is and always has been a wimp so I expected him to be the “cry baby” but I could not have been more wrong. Stuart explained that Springers can be more sensitive than labs and that he expected Percy to react on a lower level. Percy made no reaction on level 1 but responded on level 2. He was a little more unsure about being left on the driveway on his own and when we dropped the lead and walked down the drive he didn’t follow – he turned walked back to the house. Percy was definitely more wary of the flags during the distraction training and for the first week would not go within 6ft of the flags. To date he has never had another shock and Harry who was so brazen in taking Percy off got a beep after the 2^nd week when he was chasing a rabbit across the garden. I was amazed to see him skid to a halt and the rabbit ran off into the neighbouring field!

 Four weeks on and I am pleased to report that all is well and the dogs are enjoying the garden but are now safely at home. I am no longer stressed and am not spending my time driving around the village searching for the dogs. The greatest thing for me is the fact that I don’t have to shout “shut the gate” to the children or “where’s the dog”. Now it’s getting warmer I leave the French doors open and the dogs come and go as they please. I have no worries and the dogs are not shut away – they are free to roam, play or sunbathe all day!

 Thank you DogFence for a job well done and for keeping my dogs safe.

Choosing Your Rescue Dog

Most rescue dogs have had at least one home and sometimes numerous homes. It will normally come with behavioral baggage and some problems, purely from the fact that it has been rejected at least once and in some cases many times.

Some will have been in Kennels or the Rescue centre for some considerable time that has an effect on the dogs, especially those that are normally used to family life and constant attention. The dog may have been put in a rescue centre because of behavioral problems, which could include aggression, toileting, excessive barking destructive tendencies etc.

Rescued dogs are usually more than six months old, are housetrained, and mainly past the chewing-everything stage, they are normally happy to be placed in a loving home. Many have been precipitously uprooted from loved family by some misfortune, and some have been abused or neglected and need lots of patience and tender loving care, to get past the trauma in their short lives.

The initial adjustment can sometimes be difficult as the dog may need to learn to trust again or even for the first time. Separation anxiety, fear of noises, and attempts to run away are common. But once past the first few months, when the dog learns to depend on the kindness of his new owners, then the bond is forged.

Here are some points to keep in mind when choosing a dog

If your time is limited, choose a dog that needs little grooming, minimal training, and only moderate exercise.

1. If your budget is tight, choose a small-to-medium dog that needs little grooming and minimal training ands less food.
2. If you are an inexperienced dog owner , do not choose a large dominant dog or a dog with high energy level unless you are committed to six months of steady, patient, consistent training and a dozen years of daily walks of a mile or more.
3. If you have children or elderly people in your home, do not choose a large, dominant dog that needs lots of training and exercise or a high-strung dog that is fearful of high-pitched voices and childish behavior.
4. Be prepared to walk the dog at least twice a day and to clean up his/her waste.

They may not be any background or information on the dog not even the dog’s original name or age or even what crossbreed it really is. Many will have been found wandering the streets cold and hungry. Whatever the case there are a few principles and rules you should adhere to.

Rule 1. Do your homework decide on size and basic type of breed before you even start looking. Look at your working and time commitments. Can you really afford the time and expense of dog ownership?

Rule 2. If you have children under five really thing before  taking on a rescue dog, the temperament may be unknown or masked by the environment of the kennels. In most cases responsible rescue centres will not allow their dogs to be re-homed to couples with young children.

Rule 3. Never buy on impulse or because you feel sorry for a frightened and timid dog, especially if you are not an experienced and confident dog owner.

Rule 4. Discuss what you want in a dog (e.g. an active dog that will play willingly, happily go on long walks, or a homely laid back breed of dog that will happily sit for hours by the fire, and only requires gentle exercise.

Rule 5 . If you have decided on a pedigree check the breed requirements and possible problems, discuss the positive and negatives of that breed with breeders and the rescue staff.

Rule 6. Don’t expect to walk into a rescue centre and walk out with a dog. They will need to check your suitability to own a dog including your home, garden, and work commitments, in many cases they will pay a home visit and will require you to complete a long questionnaire.

Rule 7. Once you have decided that you are going to re-home a dog then prepare the home and garden well before the arrival

If you are extremely house-proud, don’t take on a large dog, especially a Boxer or Mastiff who will dribble and cover you and your furniture in salvia! Don’t be pressurized by a family member to take on a breed that you are not comfortable with – it won’t work in the long term.

Timing

Consider careful your commitments in the next few months. Are you planning a holiday, does someone in the house-hold have exams coming up, are you thinking of building an extension. All these are factors that will affect how your dog or if your dog will settle into the new housefhold.

Age

Don’t dismiss an older dog, there are often many advantages. They most likely have many good years left in them and they are more likely to be calmer and will have gone through the destructive “teenage” years. Many older dogs are re-homed to due a family relocation or owner dying and do not come with “emotional baggage” that is often seen with younger dogs.

Remember your new dog will be ‘Stressed’ , worried and uncertain of you, your family and the new surroundings/environment. He/she must have time to adjust. By taking on a rescued dog, you will be taking on his/her past too, and this could be an unhappy past.

Among companion animals, dogs are unmatched in their devotion, loyalty and friendship to humans. Anyone who has ever loved and owned a dog will confirm that. The excitement your dog shows when you come home, the wagging tail at the sound of the lead being picked up, the delight in the games and it’s head nestled in your lap, these are just some of the rewards of keeping a dog.

Having said that owning a dog is not just a privilege it’s a massive responsibility. These beautiful animals depend on us for at the very minimum, food, water and shelter, but they deserve so much more. If you are considering taking a dog into your life, think long hard and seriously about the commitment that dog ownership entails.

Just the other day Cesar Millan lost Daddy, his beloved dog and right-hand “man” on the job, appearing in more than 50 episodes of “The Dog Whisperer.”

 Daddy, a Pit Bull who previously survived cancer, died peacefully, surrounded by his family, at 16. The dog had lived with the Millan family since he was four months old.

 In Daddy’s honor, the Dog Whisperer and his family have established an emergency animal rescue fund in his name.

 Daddy’s Emergency Animal Rescue Fund will help dogs who are victims in large-scale disasters (hurricanes, fires, and other natural catastrophes), man-made disasters (hoarder and puppy mill rescues), and one animal victims of abuse or violence.

 Fans who would like to contribute to Daddy’s fun can visit this site.