My Blog

Is Your Dog Bullied at the Park (or is He the Bully?)

Brian Corby - Wednesday, March 24, 2010

Courtesy of Dogtipper.com

You take your dog to the dog park to enjoy running free and to socialize with the other dogs. But is he being bullied by other dogs and how can you prevent that?

Some dogs bully other dogs when in a “doggie environment”, such as a dog park, dog daycare, or a beach area designated for dogs and their owners. Like the school playground, bullying often takes place in large groups. Often these dog bullies are large breeds and prey on smaller dogs, although there are certainly cases of smaller breeds with a strong, dominant personality bullying other dogs of all sizes.

Is My Dog Being Bullied–Or Could He Be a Bully?

The next time you take your dog to the daycare, the park, or other places where there are other dogs around, observe how he behaves toward the other dogs and vice versa.  Find out if your dog is being bullied by other dogs — or if your dog just might be the one who harasses other dogs.

You can tell that your dog is being harassed by other dogs if he is being surrounded by them. Often groups of dogs will gang up on one, jump at his face, and grow at him, often for no legitimate reason.

Signs of Dog Bullying

A dog that is being bullied is on:

  • is almost always happy around other people and dogs, but nervous and scared around the “bully” dogs
  • is repeatedly mounted
  • is continually being taken away from his toys, water, or certain spots
  • is being attacked, beaten, pinned to the ground, and pushed around
  • is continually being menaced
  • in worst cases, is being bitten or badly hurt

Putting a Stop to Dog Bullying

Don’t tolerate these acts. Repeated display of these behaviors are not only hurtful to your dog in a physical way, but can also be mentally damaging.

It is important to find out what is causing the harassment to occur among these dogs and put an end to the improper behavior. Some dogs are just real bullies, without any direct reason for acting that way. Keep in mind that in many cases, it only takes one bully to rev up other dogs and follow his behavior.  In this case,separating the dog from the playgroup will solve the problem.

Another reason for dog bullying is improper, or lack of, supervision from the owner or staff member in the day care. Dogs that aren’t properly watched tend to get out of control while playing, and that’s when the bullying starts.  Therefore, when you take your dog to a day care, make sure that there are enough staff members to supervise all the dogs and that they are being looked after at all times. Lastly, whether it is at the park, the beach, or your neighbor’s house, make sure to keep an eye on your dog at all times.

Green Your Dog: Reduce Toxic Chemical Exposure

Brian Corby - Monday, March 15, 2010

We worry about toxic chemicals affecting our children, our homes and ourselves, but how about our furry friends?

A study by the Environmental Working Group , called “The Pets for the Environment” project, looked at 43 different chemicals and their impact on pets. According to the EWG website, 

“The Pets for the Environment project was launched in early 2008 when Eddie the dog joined forces with the scientists at Environmental Working Group. Nonstick chemicals from a frying pan had killed Eddie's friend Feathers, so Eddie wanted to know what toxic chemicals he and his feline pal Cleo were also exposed to.The study found that dogs and cats had comparable levels to humans in some chemicals, and even higher levels than humans in others.”

The three groups of toxic chemicals with extremely high concentrations were fire retardants, stain and grease resistant chemicals (i.e. teflon), and phthalates (from plastic). These chemicals have been shown to cause high rates of several kinds of cancer in dogs.

So how can you keep your pet safe?

The EWG recommends the following simple steps to reduce your pooches exposure to these dangerous chemicals:

-Choose pet food without the chemical preservatives BHA, BHT and ethoxyquin, vary cats’ diets to limit their exposure to mercury in seafood, and choose organic or free-range ingredients rather than “by-products.”  

-Use a reverse osmosis, faucet-mounted, or pitcher filter to remove contaminants before filling your pet’s water bowl. 

-Replace older foam pet bedding, and replace or reupholster furniture with exposed or crumbling foam where flame retardants are found. 

-Vacuum often with a HEPA-filter vacuum, and take off your shoes at the door to minimize your pets’ exposure to toxic chemicals in house dust. 

-If you suspect your deck was made with arsenic-treated wood, treat it with a sealant every six months and don’t let pets play or sleep underneath it. Wash with mild soap and water, but never power wash! 

-Don’t get optional stain-proof treatments on couches, carpets and car upholstery— they’re loaded with toxic perfluorochemicals. 

 -Avoid nonstick pans. An overheated nonstick pan can kill pet birds, and it gives off chemicals that may be bad for other pets and people too. Try cast iron instead. 

-Care for your lawn without using insecticides, which may cause nervous system damage in pets that walk on the treated lawn, eat the grass, or breathe in the chemicals. 

-Use kitty litter made of plant sources like wheat or recycled newspaper. Clay-based kitty litter is strip-mined, causing extreme environmental damage during extraction. 

-Get biodegradable, compostable doo-bags for when you go on walks with your 

Spring means Fleas and Ticks! Don't let them Take a Bite Out of You!!

Brian Corby - Monday, March 01, 2010
Protecting your pet from fleas is an important part in keeping your them healthy and happy.  Fleas are the most common external parasite found on dogs and cats. (source: petsandparasites.org) and Spring is a prime time for them to reap havoc on you, your pet and your home. 

They cause your pet to feel uncomfortable and can carry other illnesses or tapeworms.  If left untreated, a few fleas on your pet can quickly lead to a full-blown infestation in your home. Prevention is easy!

At Green Dog Wash we carry and recommend the following products:

ATLAST! Flea & Tick Spray

For YOUR dogs and cats... ATLAST! Flea & Tick Spray supplies the finest organic products to the canine/feline market.  The company's owners came into existence after becoming fed up with putting harsh chemicals on their pets to help control fleas and ticks. With ATLAST! you simply spray your animal and they are protected with all organic components that are the perfect alternative for your pet!  ATLAST! both works great and smells great! 

CAPSTAR

CAPSTAR provides fast flea relief for your dog or cat.  It begins to work within 30 minutes to kill adult fleas. You will literally see fleas falling off your pet!  Click here  for more information about CAPSTAR.