DogBoy's Dog Blog

No dog is safe from heartworms. It may sound sensational but any dog can get heartworms, and Texas is among the top ten states for heartworm infections. It is imperative that you understand how heartworms are transmitted, and how to protect your pet from them.

Have you ever wondered what your dog is up to while they spend a rainy day at the Ranch? Just like any other day, we focus on safety, health and fun for our client dogs.

Hiking with your dog is a great way to exercise, explore, and enjoy nature. Whether you were inspired by some awesome pictures of dogs camping, or just want to try something new that your dog will enjoy, here are some tips for how to hike safely with your dog.

Microchipping your dog can be the determining factor in whether your dog comes home safely after being lost. However, we know there’s a lot of hesitation that comes with putting your dog through any kind of invasive procedure.

At DogBoy’s we offer a wide variety of training types, including, but not limited to:

Disclaimer: In this article we are discussing the use of invisible perimeter fences that shock dogs through an electronic collar. However, this is not a comment on the specific brand Invisible Fence.

Also, we want to say that we understand why some people see a need for using invisible shock collar fences in some very special circumstances. Some dogs just cannot be contained, and invisible shock collar fences are often looked to as the last resort for a desparate owner.

Finally, for the person that argues that you can use these types of "fences" with the collar only on a vibration mode, please note that most owners will "turn up the heat" in frustration when the more humane mode doesn't bring the desired result.

These fences are NOT recommended. In fact, invisible shock collar fences will more likely do your dog harm than good, and here’s why.

 

#1 Invisible Shock Collar Fences Confuse And Frighten Your Dog Instead Of Protecting Them

An underground electric fence administers a shock when the remote shock collar crosses the perimeter. You may understand why this shock is happening, but your dog won't.

Dogs lack the context to comprehend why they’re being shocked. All they know is that they are in pain for no apparent reason, and this creates fear and confusion in your puppy. Your dog may eventually start to associate the fence line, or the perimeter of your home, with pain and anxiety. This combination almost always leads to unwanted displacement behaviors in dogs.

Invisible shock collar fences can cause unanticipated behavioral and health problems that are difficult to reverse because of their reliance on fear and pain. An owner may forget to take the remote collar off before a trip, and their dog will be accidentally shocked as they leave. This sort of thing actually happens a lot more often than you might think.

If a dog is repeatedly subjected to pain without an apparent cause they will start to fear whatever they’re looking at, or sensing, when the shock occurs. It could be anything from:

• The car itself
• Grocery bags
• Your cologne
• You

Now, your dog may submissively urinate when they smell that cologne or they might be hesitant to get in the car (which will complicate every vet visit!).

Leashes are a necessity if you're a dog owner. Choosing the right leash is nearly as important as making sure you are feeding your dog the right food or getting them the right training. Almost every dog I know will chase anything new and exciting that moves, if given the opportunity.

Sometimes that adorable curiosity can land them in big trouble though. That's where the tried and true dog leash comes in handy. So, it’s extremely important to make sure you're using the right leash for your dog, and avoiding the ones that might harm them.

Here’s DogBoy’s three simple steps to guide you toward the right leash for your dog:

First: DON'T Use These Dog Leashes

Before we discuss our recommendation on the right leashes for your dog, let’s make sure you know the wrong ones first.

One of the most common and most dangerous leashes is the Flexi Leash. It seems so convenient at first, because it gives your dog free rein to go at their own pace.

I understand completely why someone would want to use this leash at first glance. They're inexpensive, have a nice handle, and it seems like it gives your dog a sense of freedom while you maintain control. However, the Flexi Leash is a long, thin line that can easily wrap around a person and trip them up or cause injury. It has caused burns, cuts, and other serious injuries to dogs and humans alike.

You also don’t want to use any leash that cinches your dog’s neck or body. These leashes can actually cause permanent damage to your dog’s trachea and neck. It’s difficult to control the tightness of the leash and accidents can easily happen with an over-enthusiastic dog.

It's the summer, yay! However, dog owners are faced with a difficult dilemma during this season:

On one hand, it’s absolutely vital that your dog gets outside to socialize with other dogs and humans. On the other hand, soaring summer temperatures cause dogs to become overheated rapidly.

Here’s our guide for how to handle the heat this summer.

Be Aware Of Your Dog’s Potential To Overheat

Certain dogs are at a much higher risk for overheating, and it can happen quickly if you’re not careful. These types of dogs must be monitored closely and their exercise and exposure must be regulated accordingly:

• Older Dogs
• Overweight Dogs

Even in the shade, dogs can easily overheat. Being obese or older increases the risk for heat stroke immensely, so it is incredibly important that you be careful with these dogs. Brachycephalic Dogs have a harder time controlling their temperature and staying cool because of their smaller snout. Some examples of dogs that are Brachycephalic include:

• Boston Terriers
• Bulldogs
• Boxers

These breeds get hotter much faster than other dogs and you have to pay extra attention to them.

This is a re-post (with some changes of course) of our article about the dangers of mixing Dogs and fireworks on New Year’s Eve and some ways to help. These all are equally true for Independence Day! Here’s our guide for keeping your dog safe and sound this July 4th.

Independence Day is a fun time for a lot of people. They love to go out, watch the fireworks and have a great time with all of their friends. For many dog owners, their dogs are their best friends, so they take their dog along to holiday festivities without hesitation, including to watch fireworks on July 4th.

This is a bad idea.

Here’s why you should avoid fireworks with your dogs on the holidays, and some options for you if you intelligently choose to enjoy the fireworks without them:

1. Fireworks Are Incredibly Stressful For Dogs

On July 4th humans see fireworks and understand the context of these explosions. So, the stress response in the average person has been desensitized and our brains do not sense the need to shift into survival mode. Some people may be more sensitive to the sound, but most of the time, barring extreme or traumatic circumstances in certain individuals, they still understand that fireworks do not present an immediate danger.

Dogs do not understand the context of human holidays or fireworks - they just see and hear big explosions in the sky and fear the worst.

Most pet owners and trainers understand the serious danger of using shock collars on their dogs. They have tried several ways to find more humane alternatives. Just like any “get rich quick,” or “lose weight fast” tricks, these newer types of collars are not what they appear to be.

It’s tempting to turn towards these devices because they promise the same quick and easy results as a shock collar, and are marketed as “humane.” Even I once used a citronella collar, and here’s why I will never do that again.

Citronella Collars Confuse Your Dog, and Don't Train Them

Citronella collars and e-collars are similar in their approach towards reducing or eliminating excessive barking. They detect barks with microphones or other sensors, and then release an aversive stimuli to deter future barking through negative reinforcement.

Citronella collars spray Citronella oil into a dog’s face when they bark. While the experience isn’t exactly painful, it is most definitely unpleasant. The intended effect is that the dog quickly learns to associate barking with citronella sprays so that the mailman won’t get barked at anymore. Unfortunately, these collars rarely work as intended.

Citronella collars deplete their stores of citronella oil fast, especially if the dog is a heavy barker. It only takes a couple citronella-free barks to undo all the work the collar has done to that point. A dog that receives random punishment for barks will only be confused, not trained.