Ask Pachoo!

      Dear Pachoo,

I am petrified of loud noises, like thunder and fireworks.    Is there anything I can do to calm my nerves when I hear them? 

From Tommy in Wake Forest

Dear Riley,

You’re not alone! This is very common among the canine community.  It’s not breed specific and varies in intensity from dog to dog.  My brother, Prince, who’s a border collie, gets all stressed out during storms.  Needless to say, the 4th of July is his least favorite time of year.  My sister and I don’t mind so much.  Prince gets all quiet and his ears stick straight up.  His eyes get all big, and he becomes very alert and sensitive.  Sometimes he barks at the noises, as if that’s going to help.   Usually, he runs upstairs to the bedroom, his favorite place in the house, and waits out the storm/noises.   We have a lot of friends who don’t handle it as well as he does.  For some, their anxiety can put their safety and health (emotional as well as physical) at risk. For you and them, I have these tips:

1.  Find a nice cozy spot where you feel safest and ride out the storms, like Prince.   

Some of our friends hide in closets, bathrooms/bathtubs, or under beds.

2.  Don’t go to your Mom or Dad for reassurance and comfort.  They’re going to worry

about you and stress you out even more.  Otherwise, they’ll give you the wrong kind of attention, trying to comfort you.  Instead, it will confuse you and validate your fears.

3.  Ask your Mom or Dad to buy you a Thundershirt.  These fashionable sweaters   

have worked for a lot of our friends at All Breed Care.  They are super soft, yet tight   

and snug.  Wearing one can help take the edge off.  You can find them at your local

pet store, like Gourmutt’s Bakery.  You can also find them online.  They really work!

4.  Try to keep your mind busy with other stuff, like go get some treats, or ask your    

other pack members to play your favorite game with you.  Keeping your mind active

and distracted can help a lot.

5. Sometimes, you can take over the counter medication like “Rescue Remedy” or 

Calm Down.” They don’t always work and really all they do is make you drowsy. If

you like a good buzz on, and you are not a belligerent drunk, I recommend you try it.

6.  Ask your vet for prescription medication or other medical suggestions that can help

with those difficult times.  Be careful with these, however.  You don’t want to end up on “Animal Interventions” or “Crack Dog Hoarders.”

Ask your Mom and Dad to read this article.

Good Luck and hope you have a safe 4^th of July!

Sincerely,

Fenway "Pachoo" Hodjat, K9phd

ABC Advice Columnist

Newbie News by Erin Weiss

Pet Quirks!

One of my new favorite things about my job is learning the quirky behaviors of all the animals I visit.  They are what make our pets unique and entertaining, and I know every pet owner can list one or more silly little things their furry friends do every single day without fail.  I am accustomed to my own dog’s quirks – from her favorite spots to nap to the funny ‘talking’ sounds she makes when she’s frustrated with us, and everyone in my family can predict when they’re coming.

             As a dog walker, visiting someone else's pets opens up a whole new hilarious world of quirks to be learned and laughed at.  I’m sure every Pack Leader with All Breed Care would agree, and could rattle off some silly things they witness with their clients every day.  I have Belle the lab who sits in the middle of the road whenever she feels tired, Sophie who stops abruptly every walk to roll around in something smelly, Lav the Shar-Pei who runs around in circles and growls excitedly when you walk up the stairs, and his sister Oste who likes to walk backwards when she’s sick of the direction I’m leading her.

            Cats have their share of quirks too, as I’m sure any cat owner can attest. Here is a video I found of a cat who barks like a dog – that is, until he gets caught and resumes meowing. 

If your pet has any quirky behaviors you’d like to share, leave a comment!

Newbie News by Erin Weiss

Newbie News is a working title, so bear with me! Here you will find regular postings of pictures, videos, and stories from a newbie Pack Leader with All Breed Care.

My first subjects are my very first daily dog walking clients: Kenda & Maxxis.

 

Kenda (bottom right) & Maxxis (top left)

I am lucky enough to get to visit these two several times a week for daily walks. The first thing they do when I let them out of their crates is ATTACK!! I always let Kenda out first (impossible to get her collar on her if I don't - learned this from trial and error!) and she yells and pleads with me to free her brother from his cell. As soon as I open the door for Maxxis, it's game on. Their energy and playfulness never cease to amaze me - Kenda especially, she is a wild girl!

After they calm down a little I saddle them up and we head out on our walks. These are usually fairly uneventful, but last week we had a bit of excitement - an encounter with a frog! I normally forget to take my camera with me to document my visits, but for once I had it ready to go! I managed to capture a video of K & M 'playing' with the frog. I hope you enjoy it as much as I did (as evidenced by my giggling in the background)

[No frogs were harmed in the making of this film]

It was quite the juggling act holding their leashes and filming the frog - I must have looked pretty ridiculous but capturing this adorable moment was certainly worth it! I quickly decided that it was in the frogs best interest if we kept moving, so we said goodbye (before Maxxis could sink his teeth in) and continued on our way.

When we get back home, Maxxis usually heads for the water bowl while Kenda rolls around on the floor - I never get tired of watching her do this! Then depending on how exhausted they are, they either play some more or find a cozy spot to sit while I write my notes. Maxxis is fond of the sunny spots on the floor while Kenda prefers the comfort of the couch.

We lounge around for the last few minutes of our visit while I give them the All Breed Care signature "Shower of Affection".  As soon as I open the jar of treats, they take off running for their crates and hop right in - I would be slightly offended at their eagerness for me to leave, but I know I can't compete with a tasty treat! And after all, one of the best parts of my job is knowing that I get to come back and see them again the next day. I hope they enjoy my company as much as I enjoy theirs! 

ASK PACHOO

Fenway "Pachoo" Hodjat, K9phd
ABC Advice Columnist

Dear Pachoo,

My mom and dad say that I’m not getting enough exercise. What kind of exercises do you recommend I try?   

From Oliver in North Raleigh

Dear Oliver,

Find a nice comfy spot in the house and enjoy a snoozie doozie!  That’s what I would do.  My sister Pumpkin, who is a boxer, enjoys sunbathing.  Neither of those options is considered exercise though.  My brother Prince, who’s a border collie, loves to chase birds, rabbits and squirrels.  Sometimes, my dad takes us out and throws a ball for us.  The most fun thing my mom and dad do with us is taking us for a walk.  Sometimes our friend Laurie comes over and takes us on walks too.  Sometimes my brother and sister go for runs with my mom and dad, but I can’t keep up, so I stay home and watch the house.  Prince and Pumpkin always come back huffing and puffing after going for a run.  They say it helps relax them.  I’ve never had a problem relaxing, but to each his/her own, I guess.  Our vet tells us that running is the best form of exercise for a dog.   He tells my dad that there are a lot of benefits of running with a dog (see his article, Born to Run).  Sometimes moms and dads don’t have enough time to take us for walks or runs.  They have to take care of human responsibilities, so they hire my dad, Laurie, and other really cool friends from All Breed Care to help.  I’ve met them all, and I can tell you that they are all super awesome walking/running buddies. Go grab your leash and ask your mom or dad to take you for a walk or run.  If they’re busy, ask them to call my dad.

Sincerely,

Fenway “Pachoo” Hodjat, K9phd
ABC Advice Columnist