1. Tail Wagging freely- Very happy and open to being pet or played with
2. Tail Slowly Wagging- Friendly but not quite sure of what’s going on so they’re reserving judgement until something happens. Often a shy dog that needs assurance you’re not going to hurt them. Talk sweetly to them and the wag might go faster.
3. Tail Straight Out and Still- On alert, cautious, playful. Combined with ears forward or twitching they hear something but can’t see it yet. Combined with ears back they aren’t sure what of the person or animal in front of them is going to do. This usually results in a burst of running or playing with another dog.
4. Tail Between Legs-Scared, nervous, wants to hide. May lead to biting so to be on the safe side, crouch down and invite them to come to you.
5. Tail Not Moving- Look at the eyes and ears. Ears down , head down, eyes looking up at you sad means “I had an accident on the carpet and I’m sorry.” Eyes looking at you and away with ears back, listen for the growl. Do. Not. Pet.

Never go up to a dog that isn’t freely wagging it’s tail to welcome you. When dogs want you to pet them they can do a few different things to show you. They might walk over and sit near you, jump up on you, roll over and show belly, and even bark then pant with a big open mouth to get your attention.

Whenever a dog enters my shop I immediately crouch down and kneel at their level a few feet away and put a hand out to them. Not close enough to touch them but enough for them to sniff and walk over to me.  The worst thing you can do is charge up to a dog that isn’t sure of what’s happening. I always let them come to me. Another protocol I do when an owner drops their dog off is to take the lead and let the owner leave with the dog still in the front room of the shop. Once the owner is out of eye shot I say “OK” and gently tug the lead. They hop up and go anywhere I ask. I never drag a dog out back against it’s will. If they have any worries I pick them up and cuddle them for a few minutes before starting their grooming. This usually happens on  their first appointment because they have no frame of reference as to what’s about to happen. They only remember their last vet appointment and we all know how much dogs love going to the vet.

Socializing your dog at a very young age is the key to curb territorial behaviour and hopefully ensure you’re dog won’t bite other dogs and, God forbid, children. Bringing them to play groups, dog parks,  or even a doggie daycare is a great way to socialize them in neutral territory. Once they’ve established a healthy behaviour outside of the home, invite friends and family over with their dogs and train them into sharing their space with other animals. Their natural instinct is to protect their home, and pack,  but a domesticated pet should be trained into allowing people into the home when invited. A new puppy should meet 100 new people and have 100 new experiences in a short period of time. They need to be stimulated and taught how to act in any circumstance.

Dogs act completely different when their humans aren’t around. I’ve had people drop their dogs off to be groomed and been told ‘they might bite’. Sometimes they do, sometimes they don't.  The owner only knows how their dog acts when they’re around but when the dog is alone with a stranger, its often a very different story. They act out when their owner is around because they feel they need to protect them. This all boils down to a lack of discipline, or a traumatic experience previously,  and their owner not establishing their ‘alpha’ status in the pack. If your dog needs to be corrected around other people the best person to do that is the owner. If a stranger tries to discipline when the owner is around that’s when they bite or attack.

I remember one dog that came for a grooming. The owner wanted to stay just in case the dog bit so she could take him home immediately. Sure enough the dog went for me 3 times while she was there. We ended that session and a few weeks later she came back with the dog. I took the lead and told her she could leave and I would ring when the dog was finished. I was able to completely groom her dog with very little argument from him. He kept looking at me as if to say ‘I’m not sure about this’ but my assertive stance and no fear policy put the dog at ease and I was able to do anything I needed to. The owner was shocked but delighted nonetheless. No one was ever able to groom the dog entirely because they were afraid of him. Working with animals since I was 12 has taught me how to read dog behaviour.

This doesn't always mean every dog can be groomed. Some have been so badly traumatized from either another groomer or even a vet visit that they can't be rehabilitated without a lot of time and effort if at all. I have had to send some home either incomplete or not even started and that saddens me. Do the best thing for your dog and research any professional you leave them with. Get referrals from friends or family who have had good experiences in the past with their pets to ensure they are not traumatized because that one bad experience will last them a lifetime.

When you go to the doctor or bring your furry friends to the vet with an infection, you’re given an anti-biotic that is very specific to certain strains of bacteria. That means it’s essentially useless unless that specific bacteria is present. Plus, anti-biotics cause yeast (thrush) infections so you must always follow anti-biotics with probiotics (found in yogurt). And if you or your pet is misdiagnosed as having a bacterial infection, when in fact it’s a yeast or virus, you or your pet will only get sicker from the anti-biotic treatment. So now you’re saying, “Jessi, how do we fight these horrible bugs if we’re not sure what they are?” I have two words for you...Colloidal Silver.

What is Colloidal Silver? I took this easy description from a website.
“Colloidal Silver, a liquid solution of charged silver particles of monovalent silver, is used as an effective treatment for many health conditions in dogs...Colloidal Silver acts as a broad-spectrum antimicrobial agent and is effective against over 650 disease organisms found in humans and pets. It kills bacteria, fungi and viruses without disturbing the surrounding healthy cells or contributing to resistant strains...”

How it works is basically suffocates the offending fungus, virus, or bacteria by disabling enzymes needed by these pathogens for proper oxygen metabolism. I know that sounds like a lot of medical mumbo jumbo but it’s important to know that even though it does this, it never effects healthy cells in the body. It essentially kills the bad and leaves the good alone. What other anti-biotic can do that?

The medical community are now using Colloidal Silver to disinfect equipment to prevent staph infections. Colloidal Silver is so safe it can be taken repeatedly unlike regular anti-biotics and bacteria cannot mutate to become immune to it. It builds your immunity for future infections, doesn’t interact with other medications, and doesn’t sting the eyes or cause upset stomach. You can administer Colloidal Silver internally by mouth, spray directly into your eyes, or apply topically to cuts and abrasions. I also recommend spraying it into dogs and cats ears that are infected and spraying on your dog’s teeth to help with gum infections and prevent tooth decay.  Most ear infections are misdiagnosed as either being mites or a bacterial infection when in fact it’s usually a fungal infection brought on by food allergies or additives. The recommended dose for dogs is roughly what you would give a child. About a teaspoon to a tablespoon for small to large breeds once daily until the infection clears and symptoms ease. I don’t recommend taking silver indefinitely because it can get costly. Usually 2 weeks is the longest an infection should take to clear. Pets age rapidly so they also heal rapidly as well. For what would normally take a human 2 weeks to get over an animal can be cured of in just a few days. Keep an eye on your pet’s symptoms and once they have reversed you can discontinue treatment.

Now you’re asking yourself, “Where on earth do I find this wonderful remedy?” Believe it or not this amazing product is sold at your friendly neighborhood health food store. You might even find it at a chemist that sells holistic products. It’s FDA approved to be sold over the counter because it’s so safe.

There is also another product on the market that contains Colloidal Silver made specifically for pets. Happy Tails, an amazing holistic pet product company, has a two-part ear cleaning product. The first step are the cleaning pads infused with silver and the second are drops to put inside the ear once it is cleaned out. They both contain healing herbs to soothe inflammation but the silver in the cleaning pads is where the real disinfection begins.

With holistic remedies being more main stream many pet retailers are jumping on the band wagon and supplying great remedies for pets. But keep in mind that sometimes when it’s ‘pet grade’ it could be loaded with fillers or yeast to make it more tasty. So do your research and read the list of ingredients. Find out how much of the actual remedy is in there. Other than Happy Tails, I also like to use human-grade products on my furry clients. I just lower the dosage of course.

For more information on pet health visit my blog at www.tailwaggers.ie.

I recently had someone call into my shop with a dilemma. Her new puppy had severe separation anxiety and was scratching the door relentlessly. To the point of causing itself injury. We recommended some calming herbs and essential oils and even a plug-in the vet carries that gives off a scent to calm dogs.

Then we suggested getting a crate and making it their little ‘doggy den’ with toys and a bed. Even covering it with a blanket so it didn’t look like a crate. Just a little place they could call their own, a bedroom of sorts. We even suggested keeping the door open for them to go in and out of while they’re home so the dog knows it’s not a bad place. We told them what dogs do in nature. They don’t leave themselves exposed to the elements in case a predator was on the rise. Leaving a dog in an open room no matter how small we think it is, to them it might as well be a football stadium. Putting a dog in a room where the ceiling is 10 feet above their heads is like putting a person in a room with a ceiling 3 stories high. And for a den animal that is just plain scary.

The reply to this last suggestion was a firm ‘No! It’s cruel to cage and animal.’ Under no circumstances do what we suggest be, in any way, cruel or inhumane.  We know dogs. We know it’s their natural instinct to protect themselves and no matter how much we try, we can not breed that out of them. To try to do so has only been met with aggravation and disappointment for the outcome always turns out the same. Instinct is instinct and it cannot be changed.

Now, that being said some dogs are extremely afraid of the crate because it is not being introduced to them properly. In my experience this is one of the best ways to crate train your dog.

Step 1. Purchase a crate that is big enough for your pet to stand in but not be able to get away from any messes they make in there. Most dogs don’t want to lay in their own droppings but the occasional accident might happen.

Step 2. Place a bed or blanket with an article of your clothing in the crate along with a chew toy or two. Kong toys lined with peanut butter are great for keeping your puppy busy. Try not to put too much in as it can be fattening or cause overnight accidents in the crate.

Step 3. Place a blanket over the crate so it doesn’t look scary or too open. Remember we’re trying for a ‘den-like’ feel. Some people keep the crate in the living room and use it as an end table. That way the dog isn’t banished to the utility to be alone and scared. So when it’s bed time, the telly goes off, Fido gets in his bed, and the door is shut. Good night.

Step 4. Encourage puppy to go in and out of the crate while you’re home. Even shut the door while you’re home to get them used to it. Giving a small treat or rawhide after you shut the door will distract them from wanting to get out and makes it a more positive experience.

For the first night or two they will resist and cry but do not back down. That will only prolong the training process and we need to get Fido feeling calm and at home as quickly as possible. If they start barking and carrying on, clap your hands and say  ‘No!’ firmly. They need to know you’re the alpha and in control. Dogs act out mostly when they don’t understand their place in the pack. And, by the way, you’re ALWAYS the alpha.

Don’t let them train you. If they’re doing something that’s against the rules, reinforce them. Place them in the crate for a time out. Be consistent, they’ll get the picture. Training a dog is sometimes a constant effort. Some catch on quickly while others are a true test of our patience. If you’re not sure how to train your dog ask a professional. Ask several professionals. Get all the information on dogs, breeds, training, and their instincts before you bring home your pet. Trust me, it will be worth the effort to ensure a smooth training process.

Ever wonder why Fido acts up when you’re stressed, even though you’re not physically showing you’re stressed? Call it ‘Doggy 6^th Sense’. (I see stressed people) Dogs pick up on our feelings no matter what they are. Happy, sad, worried, angry, dogs will react to everything. You may even notice that when you’re ill your dog will lay near you a lot or demand more of your attention. This is their way of showing they know you’re sick and they want to help you feel better and guard you until you’re well.

To ensure you have a calm dog, calm yourself. Do Yoga or meditate with your dog in the room. Meditation has been proven to be the best way to calm ourselves so why wouldn’t it work for your dog? They may start off wanting to lick the face off of you but eventually they will calm and meet your pace. If you make this your daily ritual you may even, over time, calm hyperactivity in a pet that correctional training or nutritional supplementation doesn’t fix. Dogs can’t communicate verbally so they show their feelings by acting out.  Use meditation to your advantage and try to connect more with your pet on a mental level. Create a ‘Zen Doggy’. It may even help you train or calm them in other environments like the dog park or the vet. When you take them into those environments take a deep breath and feel only a sense of calm. Make eye contact with them and send that calm feeling to them without speaking. Keep doing this the entire time you’re out.

A Zen Doggy may feel more comforted when left alone at home for many hours. Dogs with separation anxiety are usually that way because of an over attachment to the owner and a sense of being in an unstable environment. They were possibly moved around a lot, or had a trauma of some kind, shaking their stability. They crave attention at all times leaving you drained and afraid to leave them alone. Some people ban a dog from certain rooms or put them in a kennel. Your dog should feel that his/her home is their palace and can roam freely without problems. And, if you desire, you should be able to give them that freedom (once housebroken of course). Bring them into different rooms to meditate with them in there. Tell them mentally what you expect of them in that room. Visualize them calmly entering the room and napping while staying off furniture you don’t want them on. Also see them chewing only their toys. Send these mental images to your pet and at the end make eye contact. See if you notice anything. Is Fido calm or napping? Are they chewing their own toys or rawhide?

You can even connect with your dog mentally when you’re not even there. A Zen Doggy can pick up on things you’re thinking or feeling while you’re at work or even on holiday if you meditate. Try it. While you’re away from home meditate and try to send messages to your dog. It may even be the best way to calm their separation anxiety. See if you come home to a happy and relaxed dog with the house left intact.

You never know, you just might get to the bottom of all your problems when you create a Zen Doggy. Wouldn’t it be fabulous if you could get your dog to do tricks by just thinking them? That’s one parlor trick I’d love to see.

Reiki, a form of energy healing, is also a great way to open meridians and heal your dog of any emotional baggage they could be storing. Opening meridians clears any blockages that may be causing physical problems like digestive issues or even allergies. I’m Level II Reiki Certified and I’ve experienced some amazing physical and emotional transformations just by doing 10 minutes of Reiki on my 4-legged clients. I’ve cleared gastrointestinal blockages and even calmed an entire room of dogs.

Sometimes healing needs to be done on all levels; physical, emotional, and mental. You can give all the nutritional supplements and change the diet of a dog all you want but if they are a nervous wreck it will undo all the good you’ve done. Getting them to a state of Zen is one of the best ways to heal them. Once you’ve ticked that box move on to physical remedies (if needs be) and you’ll have one healthy hound.

1. Health-Spayed or Neutered pets have a lowered chance of developing cancers of the reproductive organs and mammary glands. Hormones cause cancers to grow and spread rapidly and not having them present can prevent that.

2. Safety-Un-neutered males have a tendency to wander out of the garden searching for a mate.  This could lead to them getting hit by a car, stolen, or cause a disturbance to neighboring dogs. They tend to be more aggressive and will get into a fight and get hurt or even impregnate a dog you, and their owner, wouldn’t want to of had puppies with. (Diluting pure bred bloodlines)

3. Domestication- If you neuter an animal it changes their thought process from the instinct to reproduce to that of being your pet. Taking away reproductive hormones does absolutely no damage whatsoever. It actually calms them and could lead to easier housebreaking as most un-neutered males have a tendency to mark their territory and that includes your entire house.

4. Over-population- There is a growing problem in Ireland, and most countries, of over-population in domesticated pets. People are breeding to make money but in a recession not all puppies are being bought so there is a surplus of dogs on the market. Plus the overflow problem in charitable organizations like MADRA and Galway SPCA are ever increasing. They can’t keep up with the demands of sheltering unwanted animals that get abandoned every day.

It is not cruel to want to neuter your animal. It simply means you’re looking out for their best interest and keeping them safe and home. If you have any questions or concerns about neutering your pet, contact your local veterinarian and they should be able to put your mind at ease.

So, say in an alternate universe, humans aren’t top of the food chain. There’s a higher life form than us and we are their pets. We used to roam free and eat meats, fruits, vegetables, and the occasional grain. Over time we were domesticated by these ‘higher beings’ and forced to eat a dried, over cooked, highly processed food that, in most cases, has ingredients we couldn’t even identify. And if that’s not bad enough, now think about all the symptoms of nutrient deficiencies we come out with and go to a ‘doctor’ just to get a shot that rids us of the symptoms for a few months only to have them return because the source of the problem was never pinpointed and remedied. Sounds familiar? It should. It’s what we do to our pets every day.

Ever researched what your dogs’ oldest ancestor, the wolf, eats? Wild dogs and wolves hunt their prey (herbivores like rabbit, chicken, lamb, fish and even deer) and eat them raw. They eat the intestines first as they contain the digestive plant matter the herbivore would consume which provides them with vitamins and minerals. Then they eat the muscle meat, organs, and lastly the bones for calcium. Dogs have stomach acid which is four times stronger than humans so they can digest bones and raw egg shells. This also means they are not affected by the bacteria people have to cook out of their food. Oh, and you can also squash the myth of them getting ‘a taste for the blood’. First, there is no blood present in any raw meats you get from raw food distributors and, second, they have to be taught how to hunt and kill. They watch you go to the kitchen and get their food out of that cold box and think of it as a food dispenser. They have no idea how it got there and they don’t care either.

Feeding raw food is your pets best chance at optimum health. Food allergy symptoms can be reversed in a matter of days. If you think your pet may be suffering from food allergy symptoms like dull dry coat, itching, ear infections, eye drainage, wind, and even impacted anal glands, try a food change to raw. Consult your local raw food retailer for more information and suggestions on how to introduce raw food. Also know that dogs can be allergic to certain raw meats or grains as well so, if symptoms don’t reverse, change the source of protein (meat) until they do.

I’ve worked at vet offices both in Ireland and in America and I can say there is no difference in what they are being taught about nutrition. Zilch! One book I read several years ago, Dr Pitcairn’s Complete Guide to Natural Health for Dogs & Cats, stated specifically that when he was attending veterinary college there was only one class on pet nutrition and the rest were about drugs and surgery. Can you see the bias towards medicines even in animals? The incentives for vets to carry certain brands of pet foods are why we’re being told to buy them. Human doctors have the same amount of education on the matter as veterinarians and given incentives to push drugs as well, so it’s no wonder people are dying of drug toxicities and malnutrition. Instead of being told “eat this apple” they hear “take this pill”. Humans and pets need the same array of vitamins, minerals, fats, fiber, and proteins. Pets portions may be different to ours but the base nutrition is exactly the same.

If you look at the digestive tract of a dog it’s almost identical to ours. Their stomach acid is 4X stronger so they can digest raw bones and egg shells for calcium. We need ours from plant sources. The bottom line is we BOTH need calcium. We don’t eat cereal for every meal so why should animals. Dry nuts (kibble) are supposed to be a complete meal for a dog? Would you want to eat a dry bland over processed cereal everyday? I can understand for ease of feeding and lack of freezer space using a dry nut, but at least put some raw meat on top to give them what they desperately need for proper digestion. Real food raw like they would get in nature. And please do your research on the brands you come across. There are so many well-known brands that have indigestible ingredients in them that only do more harm than good.

Brands I recommend:

Nature’s Menu-Raw Food

Prize Choice-Raw Food

Luath’s-Holistic Dry Food

Robbie’s-Holistic Dehydrated Food

We’re opening a new boutique in Oranmore, County Galway where we will carry all the great pet products we have in Kilcolgan, plus our new ‘Chic Boutique’ collection. Grand Opening is scheduled for Saturday April 2nd from 10-6pm. There will be a raffle basket full of great stuff for your pet and a coupon for a free grooming in our salon in Kilcolgan (just 10 minutes away from Oranmore). Plus grab bags and Justin from Petpics.ie will be there to capture all the great moments of the day. Planning more great surprises too! Don’t miss your chance at winning the raffle and we’d love to see you there.