Doggie Pacifier

I have a new favorite product. It hasn't quite overtaken the Furminator in terms of making my life easier, but it's definitely up there.

Thanks to a tip from a good friend and fellow dog owner, Shadow now has the canine version of an infant's pacifier (Alleluia!)

It's called the Petco Mammoth Bone (PetSmart carries a similar product as well), and it looks like Shadow killed an eight-foot turkey in the backyard and is slowly working on an early Thanksgiving dinner.

Especially because Shadow destroys stuffed toys in minutes, gets bored with toys he can't destroy, and whines for attention the moment he's bored (making it very difficult for me to work), this thing is a life saver.

I do have to limit his chewing time to avoid any possible indigestion (same as if you sucked on hard candies for three hours straight), but that actually helps retain his excitement for the next time. Could it be that Shadow finally has a toy he can't get enough of?

One can only hope. Either way, nothing beats seeing him jump around like it's Christmas morning every time I pull out the Mammoth Bone, and then scamper away to some corner of the yard with his treasure.

They are what they eat

Shadow is just one bag away from graduating to adult dog food. Before choosing his newest culinary experience, however, I wanted to share a tool that was invaluable in choosing his current brand (Wellness Super5 Mix for large breed puppies).

For the first few months, we were feeding him something that sounded great but, upon further inspection, was providing him with almost no real meat. His digestion was iffy (I won't go into detail), but we weren't sure what to change.

Then I stumbled upon DogFoodAnalysis.com. The site breaks hundreds of brands down by ingredient, providing reviews and analysis. It's amazing how many of the big brands I found out are... well... neither very good nor very honest.

Dog owners can't completely control the health of their pets, but being diligent about what they eat is probably as close as any of us are going to get. So check it out. You might discover something critical.

Shadow's first Christmas

Shadow's received a lot of presents in his eight months with us, but Christmas morning was a whole new experience.

As usual, he was a curious puppy.

He has yet to understand how to unwrap gifts..

... but he got the general idea.

And like a true kid, Shadow ended his Christmas cuddled up in his new bed with his three new presents.

Easy Walk

Replacing Shadow's collar with a harness (only for walks) was possibly the wisest thing we've done for the little guy since he came home.

Shadow just loves people. Even more than squirrels and acorns, as far as I can tell, which is pretty impressive. When Chris and I set out to get a dog, one thing we knew hands down was that we wanted him to be loyal, protective to a certain degree, and friendly.

Of course -- me being a first-time dog owner and all -- I didn't realize that "friendly" meant he would try to play with every jogger, cyclist, grandmother and three-year-old out enjoying Mother Nature. (And by "play with," I mean pummel.)

I also didn't know that Labrador retrievers are known for giving every last drop of energy possible to reach their target, whether or not they strangle themselves in the process. Call it heart, call it chutzpah, call it dedication if you want. But most of the time I just call "NO!"

That's why walks with my wonderful little growing companion were, well, pretty unbearable over the last couple months.

In desperation, I accepted a choke collar at one point from a well-meaning neighbor, read a few articles about it, and gave it a shot. Let's just say Shadow and I entered a new level in our relationship that day, much in the way that friends aren't really friends unless they can have a fight.

So, after hearing the word "harness" from several people in the neighborhood and doing more research to make sure it wouldn't harm him, I put in an order for an Easy Walk harness. It's the same product Shadow's former teacher recommended a month ago (call me slow on the uptake if you want), and according to the box "is designed to gently discourage your dog from pulling" while walking on a leash. The low chest strap, it says, has a "patent-pending martingale loop" that's supposed to make it easy for walker to control dog without hurting him, without encouraging him to pull harder, and without damaging his trachea.

Two weeks after it's arrival, cynical me has become one of those people in the neighborhood who advises people to buy this thing. I actually enjoy walking Shadow now, and I don't come back sweaty and pissed.

And more importantly, Shadow doesn't seem to mind it either. Of course he tried to eat it the first couple times I put it over his head, but that's what dogs do. Now Shadow just sits there panting and waiting to frolic outside with his two-legged companion, who, for whatever reason unknown to him, is a billion times happier.

Teething Time

Sleep can't come too often for a puppy struggling with the confusion and pain of teething.

Shadow is teething... and suddenly I see why “Has he started teething?” was been such a frequent question over the last few months.

Now nearly five months old, Shadow has mastered the no-nipping rule and has yet to exhibit any great tendency towards chewing non-toys items like furniture, clothing or pillows. (Though I’ve got several shirts with tiny vampire fang marks due to jumping, and one pair of crappy Syrofoam flip flops with a shark-like chomp in the heel.)

But now that the teething stage has arrived, from what I’ve heard, all bets are off.

This morning he can racing into the bedroom, jaw flapping, body jerking around like a mad dog... or a person in so much pain he thinks flailing about will relieve it. That’s what my little guy is going through, and watching it compels my top lip to retreat below the lower and create my own puppy face.

More than usual, Shadow needs to be near me or Chris. He needs to touch one of us, maybe because he thinks we’ll comfort him, maybe because he thinks we have some sort of magic treat that will stop his gums from bleeding and throbbing. Sure, I went through this too, but that was at least 26 years ago and I didn’t take very copious notes at the time.

A gigantic bowl full of ice seems to work well, as does this ChillyBone product we bought (although he does seem keen on tearing off the casing in addition to letting the cold soak into his gums).

Other than that, getting through this stage is a matter of making sure he always has something dog-specific (not the leg of our ottoman) to chew on, comforting him when he needs it, and brushing his teeth because his heartwarming puppy breath now smells like rotting tissue and blood. (If anyone has a remedy for the latter, please please please let me know at LauraShadow219@gmail.com; it’s fairly nasty.)

Check back later this week for photos from Shadow’s Fourth of July trip up to Maine. Highlights include his first swim, glamour shots in the mountains, and a rematch with Cousin Moose and Uncle Artie.

Some articles I found helpful:
"Puppy Teething Training Tips"
"Teething Remedies for Puppies" by Glyn Sheridan
"Is Your Puppy Teething?" by Joy Butler
"Puppy Teething Symptoms" by Jessica Cole-Hodgkinson

Leon Goes Down

This just in:
Leon, Shadow's pet lion with the squeaky stomach and the crinkly behind, has been rendered mute.
"It is sad," said Shadow's caretaker, "but I it was bound to happen sooner or later."
Redirecting attention to the silver Lab's newest acquisition, a red chicken named Sam, she added, "Sam's looking pretty scared right now. I mean, if a lion can't even survive..."

Some Tidbits

Shadow spent much of the beautiful 80-plus degree weekend outside, learning to play fetch (pictures tomorrow) and still trying (ugh) to eat dandelions.

Here are a few discoveries I've made that new dog owners might find helpful:

- A good hand lotion is a must. Even obsessive compulsive hand washers do it more often once the dog arrives, turning even spring or summer hands into sandpaper.

- Dogs dream, and in Dream Land they often bark, "run," and spasm. The first day Shadow came home, this caught me off guard and I feared something was wrong. However, as is also the case with people, there is a clear difference between sleep spasms and seizures.

- The area rug my husband had for three years lasted an entire week under the wrath of Shadow. In addition to accidents (which are hardest to clean on rugs), he saw it as a toy to be pulled up and unraveled. In its place, we invested in a cheap interlocking exercise mat. Not only does it protect the wood floor, it's soft to sit on and individual squares can be removed for cleaning after accidents.

- Baby oil works great to remove sap from dog hair.

- Filled hollow bones are the canine equivalent of babysitters. I have a few already stuffed with peanut butter and kibble (there are also pre-filled ones, but DIY is cheaper) sitting in a plastic bag in the freezer. This was an ingenious tip passed on to me by a family friend. Shadow thinks he won the lottery when he gets one, and the fact that it's frozen inside buys me more time as it takes him longer to lick out all the filling.

- I'm in the process of finishing two puppy playlists (without ultra loud noises or things that will scare Shadow).. When I'm finished, I'll have one playlist full of songs I will actually enjoy listening to while he's around, and another of soft (sappy, boring) songs that would drive me crazy on repeat but are soothing to Shadow when he's alone.

- There are hundreds of toxic plants out there, and many are in our yard. As soon as Shadow began feasting on all the dandelions, I got the ASPCA (American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals) application for my iPhone so it would always be with me. There are many other resources as well, but the app I have was free, lists every plant that can hurt your dog (or cat or horse), and includes both descriptions of symptoms and photos of the plants.

- Shadow sleeps a lot, but because I have to be on guard as soon as he wakes up, finding time to exercise is a harder than I'd expected. Sometimes I can manage to get in a 30-minute run, but otherwise I use the 10-Minute Solution DVDs. Each contains five 10-minute workouts, so I can do 10, 20, 30, 40 or 50 minutes... depending on what Shadow allows!

- We didn't want Shadow to be too focused on food, so Chris and I initially rewarded his bathroom achievements with praise and affection rather than treats. After too many bouts of leash tugging and puppy freak outs, I threw my hands up last week and began giving him just half a treat immediately after each time he goes outside. It's made a huge difference; I only wish we'd done that from the beginning.

* If you have a tip of your own you'd like to add, please send it to LauraShadow219@gmail.com, along with your first name and the name and breed of your pet. I'll collect them and use the results in a future post.

Video: Shadow Meets Kong

Now that he's nine weeks old, we started seriously crate training Shadow on Saturday. He's been great so far, and the accidents (which reached five on Friday) have plummeted. Plus, he seems to love his cozy little home.

In a while we'll give him his first bath since leaving the breeder. That should be interesting...

Christmas in April! (for puppy)

Water bowls: check.
Leash: check.
An assortment of toys for him (us) to play with: check.

Anyone reading my monthly credit card bills might think I turned into a dog in early March. That's when all the Banana Republic purchases, all the electronics, and all the home accessories from Kohls disappeared... replaced by swipes at Petco, PetSmart, and the Pet Supplies section of Amazon.com.

Chris and I perused numerous books and articles to come up with our list of must-have puppy supplies. In making our purchases, we considered customer reviews, price, and availability. Then, like new parents fawning over baby shoes, we added a few (or several) as they caught our puppy-dog eyes.

Following is our ultimate survival list for welcoming a new puppy into a home.

(Standard disclaimer because, well, that’s what people do: I, as a simple novice dog owner, in no way endorse these products or take any responsibility for anyone using them… But they looked like good bets for me and my Shadow.)

A few good reads

1. Cesar Millan’s "How to Raise the Perfect Dog: Through Puppyhood and Beyond"

Neither Chris nor I started out as fans of Cesar Millan, a.k.a. "The Dog Whisperer." I only picked up the book -- audiobook, actually -- because of my nagging need to see for myself and discount things on  my own terms. A few weeks and several prolonged car trips later, however, I could confidently declare myself wrong.
While not a detailed guide to the daily workings of a dog's life (for that see below), Cesar Millan provides a great foundation for training YOU to train a dog. Unlike other authors who hang onto the outdated idea that dogs who disobey their owners should be punished -- Do they really understand why? -- Cesar Millan instead advises dog owners on how to elicit the desired behavior from their pets.

2. Kristin Mehus-Roe's "Original Dog Bible: The Definitive Source for All Things Dog"

For a day-to-day "how-to" guide, a reference for emergencies and answers to "I never thought of that" questions, this massive volume is sitting on our bookshelf -- right next to the thesaurus, "Writer's Market," and phone book.

Hardware

3. A video camera: Kodak PlaySport HD Waterproof Pocket Video Camera

We couldn't justify spending a ton on a full-size video camera, but this gets the job done for just $150 -- the price of one night out -- and is the size of a cell phone! (The fact that it's waterproof may be an unecessary frill, but I'll admit it sold me.) This is a must for showing cute videos of your new puppy to family, friends, and perhaps a legion of loyal blog fans...

4. A crate, such as: Midwest Life Stages Double-Door Folding Metal Dog Crate, 36"L x 24"W x 27"H

Crate training is all the rage, don't you know? This one is a cinch to set up and take down (for travel). The 42-inch is pretty massive, but it comes in all sizes and has a divider for when he's just a puppy. We don't anticipate needing it when he's older, but just in case, it was worth the extra couple bucks.

5. A pen: Midwest 552-30 30-By-24-Inch E-Coat Pet Exercise Pen, Black

Just like a playpen for toddlers, this will let us tend to tasks in another room without having to confine the little guy in his crate. Bonus: it attaches to the Midwest crate (see above), so he has the option to go to and from his bed as he desires. It's really like his own little house. ☺

6. Food and water bowls: Loving Pets No-Tip Dog Bowl

They come in plastic, stainless steel, and ceramic, and each has its pros and cons. I felt stainless steel was the best bet because it's durable (a must for both Shadow's chewing and my clumsiness), and because plastic can reportedly sometimes cause allergic reactions. The biggest fault seems to be that stainless steel gets hot in the sun, so choose a meal spot carefully.

7. Collar and lead

Once again, the choices abound -- from leather, nylon, and canvas, to harness, buckle, and snap-around. It took Chris and I two visits to Petco to figure this one out, but we settled on a small AND medium (just in case) nylon buckle collar and a six-foot nylon lead. This (along with some of the toys) we had to buy in person because it's pretty personal and because... well... it's part of the fun!

8. A carrier:  Petmate Pet Taxi Traditional Kennel, Large (Pets Up to 15 Inches Tall), Light Gray

Depending on your dog's size, you might be able to combine this and the crate, but we needed a small carrier for car transport as well as a crate for the house.

9. A bed: We're using towels the first few weeks, so Shadow can pick out his own bed as a housebreaking prize down the road ☺

Protection

10. Grannicks Bitter Apple spray

Nothing's guaranteed to save your furniture from sharpening canine teeth, but word from several colleagues and a few pet store employees was that this stuff is the best bet. I'll be dousing the house right before Shadow sets his curious paws inside this weekend.

11. Something to cover the floor: Grabber Outdoors Original Space Brand All Weather Blanket: Blue, Box

This is billed as a waterproof blanket that's easy to clean -- perfect for protecting the floors (especially when Shadow's visiting his grandparents).

12. Puppy pads: IRIS Neat 'n Dry Floor Protection and Training Pads for Puppies and Dogs of All Ages, Regular, 100-Count (Packaging Varies)

Yeah, it's a dirty job, but it's part of the housebreaking process. We're using these not as training tools, but as extra protection in case of accidents. Gotta keep the floors sparkling!

13. Cleaner: Nature's Miracle Stain and Odor Remover

Last of the nitty-gritty, I promise. But if there's one thing all the experts are in agreement about, it's that you can't wipe down an accident with any old household cleanser. You might not smell a thing, but he will, and he'll equate it with a place to... well... do it again...

Hygiene

14. Toothpaste and toothbrush: Petrodex Dog Dental Care Kit

This came with both the toothpaste and the brush. I'm sure the first time I use it will make for an interesting post -- keep an eye out!

15. Oral hygiene chews: C.E.T. Enzymatic Oral Hygiene Chews, Petite Dogs, 30 Chews

These I stumbled upon and figured if something Shadow eats can remove plaque and make my brushing his teeth easier, it's worth a shot!

16. Brush: Ultimate Touch Gentle Slicker for Puppies

Gotta keep him looking pretty! This one's made for puppies, so hopefully it won't yank his gorgeous silver locks.

17. Plastic bags for being a good neighbor: Bags on Board Regular Bag Refill Pack, 120 Bags

Sure, you can use regular shopping bags, but aren't these so much prettier?

18. Nail clippers (we're waiting to speak with the vet on this one)

19. Shampoo: Synergy Groomer's Blend Oatmeal Protein Shampoo

Oatmeal and no reports of tearing are the reasons I chose this for Shadow's first post-breeder bath.

Grub!

20-22. Treats for training and for everyday use. For his first few weeks, Shadow's dessert menu will consist of:
                           

























23. Bully sticks

These are billed as being better for dogs' digestion than rawhide. Cesar Millan seems to be a big fan; let's see if Shadow is too.

24. Puppy food (consult your breeder for this) and a canister to hold portions of it for easy serving

Play time!

25 & Up.  Toys -- and lots of them!

Here are just a few items from our current collection, which will be growing in no time:


























In a few days, all these purchases will finally be of use as we welcome Shadow to our home. Check back this weekend for photos... and maybe even a video -- if Shadow hasn't run us down already!