Herbal DogTips & Products for Your Herbal Dog

Keeping your dog healthy is a vital part of your dog’s happy life. Your dog needs more than exercise and nutrition, she also needs to know that she’s a member of your family. In this article, we will discuss how to control your dog using positive reinforcement as well as the importance of giving your dog a job.

Dog’s have been man’s best friend for as long as we can remember. They provide us with compassionate acceptance and non-judgment and they love without reserve. Your dog wears its heart on its paw, so to speak. The smile on
their faces as you head out for a walk or when its playtime is your dog’s way of saying, “thanks!”

Proper care is important for your dog including nutritious food rich in proteins, fats, vitamins and minerals to ensure a healthy body. Dogs need a diet that fits their lifestyle, size and weight.

Dogs love to exercise and need to be active to stay healthy and happy. You can teach your dog to fetch a ball across the yard, or play tug-of-war with a rope toy. Just like a little kid, your dog needs to be able to burn off excess energy so they don’t get into mischief or become destructive.

When your dog isn’t getting enough exercise, it may seem like he’s bouncing off the walls! When this happens, a long walk is in order.

Your dog needs guidance and training so that they can be a productive member of the family. Dogs love to be useful and will naturally take on jobs of their own such as guarding the house, barking at the mailman, or carefully watching the kids playing outside.

Your dog wants to feel important and a good way to accomplish this is to have them wear a small saddle pack Dog Backpack Saddle Gear Bag Easy Fit for Dogs New (colors vary) when you go for a walk or hike. Don’t it load it down with too much weight however. Try a portable, light-weight water bowl and a bottle of water in the pack for a medium size dog. Small dogs shouldn’t have any weight on them except for a portable bowl and some light weight treats or your keys.

When your dog goes outside it’s also important to have them treated for fleas. Try using an herbal or natural flea remedy. Some dogs like to wear dog shoes to protect their feet and this is especially important in harsh winter conditions or when the pavement is very hot during the summer.

Having an animal companion is a lot of work and responsibility; it is also very rewarding. More than routine care, your dog needs the proper nutrition, exercise and attention. Just as important, your dog wants to be a valued, contributing member of the family and know that they are important to you. Not providing these needs for your dog can result in bad behavior and misunderstanding with your furry friend.

To naturally enhance your dog’s life, have you thought about using herbs for dogs? Herbs have medicinal qualities and have been used for centuries for their healing properties.

When choosing herbs for your pets, its important to find organic herbs that have not been treated with pesticides. The use of pesticides kind of defeats the purpose and also affects the vibratory nature of the herbs themselves.

Herbs for Pets: The Natural Way to Enhance Your Pet’s Life, by Mary L. Wulff and Greg L. Tilford, is a comprehensive guide to caring for your pets using holistic methods and herbs. The authors are herbalists and bring their extensive knowledge of herbs and their properties to the reader.

Alternative Medicine for pets is becoming more popular and sought out every day. Many cities are privileged to now have homeopathic veterinarians and care for animal companions. Through the use of herbs, homeopathic remedies, Reiki, animal massage and other natural forms of healing, your pet will enjoy a gentler form of non-invasive treatment.

A new puppy! It tugs at your heart to think of a cuddly new puppy that you can play with, teach tricks and count on to be your companion for many years to come.

When you bring a new puppy home, it’s important to think about puppy health and the type of food you will feed your new friend. Commercial dogs foods will certainly support the health of your pup, but at Herbal Dog, we prefer puppy food made with natural, wholesome ingredients.

Our own dogs have enjoyed a healthy life with Wellness brand dog foods. Wellness makes a special formula for puppies that is provides the right mix of nutrient rich whole foods.
Wellness Super5Mix Puppy Health Large Breed Formula Dry Dog Food

Puppies need more than just good food of course. They also need plenty of naptime, playtime and exercise. If this is your first puppy, or even your first puppy in a long time, you will want to read about caring for and training  your puppy in this great book by Sarah Wilson, My Smart Puppy: Fun, Effective, and Easy Puppy Training (Book & 60min DVD), which is also available for download on Kindle.

Some things to remember in caring for your new puppy,

1. Provide natural, wholesome food made just for puppies, such as Wellness brand.
2. Have a soft bed where you puppy can sleep close to where you are.
3. Train your puppy using positive reinforcement, and soft tones.
4. Lots of fresh water always available.
5. Exercise your pup by taking him on walks, throwing a frisbee or ball, tug of war with dog toys.

Caring your puppy’s health will be rewarding and fun for the whole family and bring you years of joy with your new family member.

Whether you hire a professional dog trainer, or decide to train your dog yourself, you’ll love hearing about clicker training for dogs.

According to Karen Pryor, clicker training is an animal training method based on behavioral psychology that relies on  marking desirable behavior and rewarding it.

The clicker, which is a small mechanical device that fits in your hand and makes a “click” sound, tells your dog when he’s doing the right thing. Combined with positive reinforcement, it is a humane and safe way to teach your dog or other animal companion good behavior.

The concept of clicker training is 70 years old, but it wasn’t introduced to the United States until the late 1980’s by Karen Pryor and her dog trainer, Gary Wilkes (and some of their friends).

Karen is the official clicker trainer and best resource for learning about this gentle and compassionate way to train your dog.

To learn more about the training programs or to purchase a training kit, visit Karen Pryor’s site.

Dogs itch for all kinds of reasons and fleas is just one of them. If your dog is itching a lot, it’s time to find out the reason. Good detective work is required to help your dog from the discomfort of constant itching.

Check your dog’s fur, looking down to the skin for any signs of rash or cuts. Do you see any fleas running around when you do this? Comb your dog and see if there is any white, flaky stuff that could also be signs of fleas.

An itching dog may also be an indication of more serious issues like liver disease, some cancers and immune system issues.

A common allergy in dogs is laundry detergent. Your dog may have redness on the skin of her stomach and abdominal areas. Try washing your dog’s blankets in a perfume and dye free detergent such as Dropps Laundry Pacs, Scent + Dye Free, 20-load pouch (pack of 3) and see if the itching gets better.

An antihistamine such as Benadryl Kapseals 48 Count (diphenhydramine) may be helpful for short term relief but be sure to check with your dog’s vet for proper dosage recommendations before giving to your dog.

You can help make your dog more comfortable with a nice bath using a natural dog shampoo. Careful not to rub your dog too much when drying and don’t use a hot hair dryer as this will make your dog itch even more and negate the benefits of the bath.

Herbal remedies are available to improve the condition of your dog’s skin and coat as well. These natural treatments may also reduce your dog’s itching and scratching behavior.

Thanks for stopping by today. If you find a product or solution that helps your herbal dog with his itching, be sure to leave a comment.

Natural dog treats in the pet store can cost as much as $5 for one cookie or biscuit! Learn how to make your own dog treats right at home in your oven. You will know all the healthy ingredients you put in the treats and will save money, too!

The Ultimate Dog Treat Cookbook: Homemade Goodies for Man’s Best Friend, author Liz Palika gives us some great recipes for making homemade treats for dogs. Some of her recipes include: Crunchy treats, Cookie cutter treats, Yogurt Yummies, and Dry dog food kibble.

The book contains 50 canine-tested, veterinarian approved recipes that are sure to be your dog’s favorites. The treats can be stored in air-tight containers so can bake a batch for your dog to share with her friends.

When your dog is sprayed by a skunk it’s important to act quickly. Having needed supplies on hand for this type of pet emergency is crucial to getting rid of the noxious skunk odor and getting your dog freshened up. Leaving your dog outside until it wears off is not an option! Your dog will need a bath with a shampoo or treatment that will get rid of the skunk smell.

While skunks can be a nuisance to your dog, they are a beneficial part of the environment. Skunks are gentle by nature and according to the City of Dublin, Ohio, 70 percent of a skunk’s diet includes insects considered harmful to humans. They are especially helpful at controlling grubs in lawns and eating black widow spiders.

Things to keep on hand for emergency skunk sprays include:

• Natural teardrop eyedrops (such as Allergan’s Refresh Tears drops – at your pharmacy)
• 1 quart hydrogen peroxide (3% strength – at your pharmacy)
• 1/4 cup baking soda (grocery department)
• 1 teaspoon liquid dishwashing soap (Dawn or Joy work well)

Hydrogen Peroxide Mixture – Mix it when needed and do not store any leftovers. Mix the 1 quart of hydrogen peroxide, 1/4 baking soda and 1 teaspoon of liquid dishwashing soap in an open container. Rinse your dog with water down to the skin. Pour the mixture slowly on your dog and rub it through her fur letting it soak for about 5 minutes. Rinse with warm water. Towel dry gently.

If you’re looking for an effective solution that you don’t have to mix up yourself, Natures Miracle Skunk Remover 32oz works wonders to rid your dog of the oily, icky skunk smell.

If your dog is sprayed by a skunk, follow these steps:

1. Check your dog’s eyes to see if they appear reddened. Skunk spray can cause temporary blindness (15-20 minutes). If your dog appears to have been sprayed in the eyes, use a natural teardrop eyedrops such as Allergan’s Refresh to help wash them out. Don’t use anything with chemicals such as Visine in your dog’s eyes.

2. Wrap your dog in a blanket or towel to transport to the bathtub. Don’t let them roll in the carpet or on furniture! Be prepared to toss the blanket or towel that you used afterwards.

3. Wearing rubber gloves, give your dog a bath using one of the recommended formulas. Take care not to get any shampoo, oils or mixture in your dog’s eyes or mouth.

4. Dry off your dog and provide a warm place to rest after the ordeal of being skunked and having to take a bath!

If you aren’t sure what to do or there are extenuating circumstances, contact your local poison control or your emergency veterinarian to ask questions.  Good luck! Hopefully your dog will learn its lesson quick and you won’t have to do this more than once!