I spend a lot of time on etsy.com, searching through all of the handmade and antique items. I've bought a lot of stuff for myself on there, but I've actually bought more things for Signey.
Why take your money to a big corporation like petco when you can find much more unique (and often better quality) items made by people just like you and me! There are specialty treats, chews, toys, beds harnesses, and my personal favorite, collars! I encourage you to take a little time to check out what sellers on etsy have to offer. Here are some of my own favorite collar shops:
Very Vintage: Adorable collars made of organic cotton. My favorite thing about these collars is the patterns, I don't think you'll find anything like these elsewhere! I have one myself, and the quality is outstanding.
http://www.etsy.com/shop/veryvintage
Creature Collars: These collars are better than anything I've seen in a petstore. This is another shop that I look forward to buying from again and again!
http://www.etsy.com/people/CreatureCollars?ref=ls_profile
Custom Paintings by Kate: If you've ever wanted a personalized painting of your pet, look no further. I've seen firsthand the awesomeness of Kate's work. These are a great alternative to the typical dog paintings you see.
http://www.etsy.com/shop/xyauchx?ref=pr_shop_more
Bee by the Sea: You'll find more than just collars in this shop. Beautiful doggy-coats and beds can be custom ordered for your furry friend!
http://www.etsy.com/shop/BeebytheSea
and if you buy your pooch a fancy new collar, don't forget to check out my shop for a custom, hand-made ID tag! get 15% off your tag order with coupon code LBF15 ;)
http://www.etsy.com/shop/LittleBlueFoxDesigns
Wednesday, August 17, 2011
Sunday, August 14, 2011
Going RAW!
I have recently been looking into doing the raw diet for Signey, mainly because she has a bunch of allergies and I've heard good things about allergy dogs and raw. Thanks to some of the people on the shibainuforum.org, I have been looking over some really great websites that have cleared up my skepticism about feeding dogs a raw diet.
I was directed to a site that clears up some myths about feeding raw, quite a few of which that I personally believed, and were my main reasons for not trying the raw diet until now. Among a few of them were:
I was directed to a site that clears up some myths about feeding raw, quite a few of which that I personally believed, and were my main reasons for not trying the raw diet until now. Among a few of them were:
- Wolves eat the stomach contents of prey
- Dogs are too far removed from wolves to be fed a raw diet
- Dogs have adapted to cooked diets
- Bacteria in meat is dangerous to my pet
I highly recommend reading about these myths, which can be found at www.rawfed.com/myths/ .
I strongly believe that you can't just believe everything you hear or read, so don't take my word on this alone. You are dealing with the health of your dog, and shouldn't be tampering with their health based on the words of one or two individuals. Do it right! Do research, compare notes from one source to another. Try to find out if the information you are reading is posted by someone that gets some sort of benefit by pushing the information they're giving. I know that over the next couple of weeks I'll be doing just that.
Here are some other resources on the raw diet for pets:
www.rawfed.com
www.rawfeddogs.net
www.rawlearning.com
www.preymodelraw.com
Thursday, August 11, 2011
Some questions answered.
Working in a grooming shop, I tend to get asked a lot of questions and hear peoples' concerns about their dogs. I've compiled a random list of some of the most common questions that I get asked, and my answers to those questions.
1. My dog must have fleas, because he's itching a lot!
There are a lot of different reasons that dogs will itch, although fleas are a common cause. And remember that fleas aren't the only bugs that can bit your dog and make them itch (like mites). Some other causes of itchiness include:
2. My dog is really stinky no matter how many baths he gets.
Try to find what area the bad odor is coming from. If your dog has skin problems, it will often have a bad odor. Sometimes the odor will be localized to one area (for example, the throat), where the breakout is the worst. Ear infections also give off a nasty smell, and are especially common in floppy eared dogs. Bad breath can also be a culprit. Usually this is caused by bad dental hygiene, but it can also be caused by food not being digested properly and resulting in a bad smell from the mouth. I have seen dogs with excellent teeth that have terrible breath. Usually switching to a higher quality food, or adding a vitamin/mineral supplement to the diet will help, but if it persists, you should check with your vet.
3. At what age can I start having my dog groomed?
As long as you have a puppy-safe shampoo, you can start bathing your dog right away. Especially with dogs that will need to be groomed frequently (i.e maltese, shih tzus, pomeranians), the sooner you start, the better. Play with your puppy's ears, feet, tail, legs. Open their mouth to check their teeth. Run a brush over them, especially their legs. Clip their toenails (I do NOT recommend a dremmel for puppies, the noise and grinding can be very scary). If your puppy fights, don't give up! They'll quickly learn bad habits like biting or jumping around to get out of being groomed. Be patient and wait for them to calm down, and then continue.
It is important to remember that while you don't want them to get their own way, you also don't want to be too rough because it will make it that much harder the next time. Give them lots of praise when they are being good, and don't let them go in the middle of a tantrum.
Once your puppy has had all its shots they should be able to go see the groomer. The sooner, the better, because getting groomed by a groomer is much different than at home. If your puppy needs hair cutting, ask your groomer to just bathe and brush the first visit so they can get used to all the noises and the process.
4. My dog is terrified of the vet/ groomer!
A lot of dogs will shake, cry, and scramble for the door when they go to the groomer or the vet. Most of it is a show to try to get out of it. Typically, the minute their parent is out the door the terrified dog will immediately calm down. The average dog hates everything about being washed, groomed, and getting a check up. And of course, the average dog really doesn't want to be away from their owner. The best thing you can do for your dog when handing them over to the vet or groomer is say your goodbyes before going in, and hand them over quickly. The longer you drag it out, the more wound up they will get.
5. I want to keep my dog's hair long, but I don't have the time to brush it every day.
Unfortunately with long haired dogs like shih tzus, poodles, and cocker spaniels, the upkeep can be difficult. I have met a lot of people that don't have the time to brush out their dog enough to keep them from matting up, but don't like them shaved down. If this is the case, you really only have one option, which is take them to the groomer regularly. Depending on the type of hair, and the length, this could mean having your dog groomed once a month, or possibly even once a week. That can get very expensive, very quickly. If you can't afford weekly visits, try to work with your groomer to find a "compromise" length. Even some of the most easily matted dogs can be left at a length that makes them look cute and fluffy, while making them easier for you to brush.
Some people expect groomers to brush out matted dogs. Many groomers don't want to do it because its a lot of work, however, its hardest on the dog. Brushing out mats can be extremely painful and can leave them with brush burn, and in sever cases, bloody.
6. My dog is scooting!
Don't worry, its normal! Most of the time they will scoot because their anal glands are full and need to be released. Not all dogs have this problem, but many groomers will check the glands for you to make sure they are not getting impacted. If your dog is scooting a lot, you should take them to have their glands expressed manually to prevent impaction and ruptures.
7. How often should my dog have his teeth cleaned?
You should be brushing your dog's teeth at least 2-3 times a week. Some dogs naturally have bad teeth and will get nasty buildup even with frequent brushing. Dry food, good diet, and chews will help keep your dog's teeth and gums healthy. If your dog's teeth are bad, don't put off taking them to the vet and/ or having their teeth cleaned. It will only get worse, and if left alone can cause serious problems.
8. I can't afford expensive dog food.
It might seem like a lot of money at first, but feeding your dog a higher quality dog food can actually end up equaling out over the long run. A dog fed a higher quality food will usually eat less because better foods contain less fillers. Better food also equals better health, which can potentially save you a lot of money in vet bills. Plus, you'll probably notice your dog's poop will be a lot less smelly and smushy, which might not seem like a big deal until you actually witness the difference in person. Just because you can't afford the best of the best, doesn't mean you can't feed them a better food.
9. I started giving my dog (insert supplement name here) and it looks like its not working!
Most supplements can take a couple weeks to a month to start showing signs of working. It takes time for vitamins and minerals to get in to the system before changes can occur. If you haven't seen any changes in your dog in 3 months, the supplement might not be working.
1. My dog must have fleas, because he's itching a lot!
There are a lot of different reasons that dogs will itch, although fleas are a common cause. And remember that fleas aren't the only bugs that can bit your dog and make them itch (like mites). Some other causes of itchiness include:
- Dirt, pollen, grass, or other environmental allergens
- Dry skin
- Chlorine (from swimming in a pool)
- Food allergies
2. My dog is really stinky no matter how many baths he gets.
Try to find what area the bad odor is coming from. If your dog has skin problems, it will often have a bad odor. Sometimes the odor will be localized to one area (for example, the throat), where the breakout is the worst. Ear infections also give off a nasty smell, and are especially common in floppy eared dogs. Bad breath can also be a culprit. Usually this is caused by bad dental hygiene, but it can also be caused by food not being digested properly and resulting in a bad smell from the mouth. I have seen dogs with excellent teeth that have terrible breath. Usually switching to a higher quality food, or adding a vitamin/mineral supplement to the diet will help, but if it persists, you should check with your vet.
3. At what age can I start having my dog groomed?
As long as you have a puppy-safe shampoo, you can start bathing your dog right away. Especially with dogs that will need to be groomed frequently (i.e maltese, shih tzus, pomeranians), the sooner you start, the better. Play with your puppy's ears, feet, tail, legs. Open their mouth to check their teeth. Run a brush over them, especially their legs. Clip their toenails (I do NOT recommend a dremmel for puppies, the noise and grinding can be very scary). If your puppy fights, don't give up! They'll quickly learn bad habits like biting or jumping around to get out of being groomed. Be patient and wait for them to calm down, and then continue.
It is important to remember that while you don't want them to get their own way, you also don't want to be too rough because it will make it that much harder the next time. Give them lots of praise when they are being good, and don't let them go in the middle of a tantrum.
Once your puppy has had all its shots they should be able to go see the groomer. The sooner, the better, because getting groomed by a groomer is much different than at home. If your puppy needs hair cutting, ask your groomer to just bathe and brush the first visit so they can get used to all the noises and the process.
4. My dog is terrified of the vet/ groomer!
A lot of dogs will shake, cry, and scramble for the door when they go to the groomer or the vet. Most of it is a show to try to get out of it. Typically, the minute their parent is out the door the terrified dog will immediately calm down. The average dog hates everything about being washed, groomed, and getting a check up. And of course, the average dog really doesn't want to be away from their owner. The best thing you can do for your dog when handing them over to the vet or groomer is say your goodbyes before going in, and hand them over quickly. The longer you drag it out, the more wound up they will get.
5. I want to keep my dog's hair long, but I don't have the time to brush it every day.
Unfortunately with long haired dogs like shih tzus, poodles, and cocker spaniels, the upkeep can be difficult. I have met a lot of people that don't have the time to brush out their dog enough to keep them from matting up, but don't like them shaved down. If this is the case, you really only have one option, which is take them to the groomer regularly. Depending on the type of hair, and the length, this could mean having your dog groomed once a month, or possibly even once a week. That can get very expensive, very quickly. If you can't afford weekly visits, try to work with your groomer to find a "compromise" length. Even some of the most easily matted dogs can be left at a length that makes them look cute and fluffy, while making them easier for you to brush.
Some people expect groomers to brush out matted dogs. Many groomers don't want to do it because its a lot of work, however, its hardest on the dog. Brushing out mats can be extremely painful and can leave them with brush burn, and in sever cases, bloody.
6. My dog is scooting!
Don't worry, its normal! Most of the time they will scoot because their anal glands are full and need to be released. Not all dogs have this problem, but many groomers will check the glands for you to make sure they are not getting impacted. If your dog is scooting a lot, you should take them to have their glands expressed manually to prevent impaction and ruptures.
7. How often should my dog have his teeth cleaned?
You should be brushing your dog's teeth at least 2-3 times a week. Some dogs naturally have bad teeth and will get nasty buildup even with frequent brushing. Dry food, good diet, and chews will help keep your dog's teeth and gums healthy. If your dog's teeth are bad, don't put off taking them to the vet and/ or having their teeth cleaned. It will only get worse, and if left alone can cause serious problems.
8. I can't afford expensive dog food.
It might seem like a lot of money at first, but feeding your dog a higher quality dog food can actually end up equaling out over the long run. A dog fed a higher quality food will usually eat less because better foods contain less fillers. Better food also equals better health, which can potentially save you a lot of money in vet bills. Plus, you'll probably notice your dog's poop will be a lot less smelly and smushy, which might not seem like a big deal until you actually witness the difference in person. Just because you can't afford the best of the best, doesn't mean you can't feed them a better food.
9. I started giving my dog (insert supplement name here) and it looks like its not working!
Most supplements can take a couple weeks to a month to start showing signs of working. It takes time for vitamins and minerals to get in to the system before changes can occur. If you haven't seen any changes in your dog in 3 months, the supplement might not be working.
Wednesday, August 10, 2011
Ugh, fleas.
Signey is very allergic to fleas, as well as being sensitive to other allergens, and it doesn't take very many to make her chew and itch. This summer I finally took Signey to the vet and got her a prescription for Comfortis, which is a flea treatment in pill form. It. Is. Amazing. I highly recommend talking to your vet about this treatment, especially if you have a problem with fleas and the other products are no longer working for you.
Now for anyone who has treated their dog (or cat) for fleas and is wondering why they are still seeing fleas on their pets or in the house, if you have an infestation you must treat your house to get rid of the infestation. Flea treatments do not create a barrier that keeps fleas from biting them, it only kills them once they've already bitten.
Signey chews and scratches herself long after the fleas are dead and gone, so I took her back to the vet for a cortisone shot and antibiotics. The way it was explained to me is that it is not the flea bite that makes your pet itch, its the flea saliva. And once your pet starts scratching at the bites, they cause small scratches that then become infected and make them scratch more. Breaking this cycle can be as simple as giving your dog a soothing medicated bath, or as costly as taking your pet to the vet for medicine.
My process to treat against infestation:
1. Bug "bomb" the house. I have found that this is the best way to kill all the live fleas.
2. Vacuum and treat the carpets with a flea powder, which will prevent future infestations (usually for a couple of months to a year, depending on the product and the frequency of vacuuming)
3. Bathe any pets that can have fleas with a flea shampoo. Its best to do this while you are bombing the house, since you and the animals need to be out of the house, and that way the animals wont re-infest the house with any fleas on their bodies.
4. Give your pet their flea treatment. If you are using a topical treatment, you may have to wait a day or two to apply the treatment. This is another reason I like comfortis. Also, if you use comfortis, you may not even need to bathe your dog. Within 12 hours of giving Signey the pill, there were no live fleas on her.
5. Follow up. Continue to give your pet their flea treatment on time, at least once a month. Summertime is the worst time for fleas, and many pet owners can get away with treating their pets only every couple of months during the late fall, winter, and early spring. If you treat your carpets in the springtime, and at least once more during the summer, you will lessen the risk of infestation.
First Post!
This blog will mostly be about Signey and what it's like to live with a shiba. I'll also be posting tips and information on general pet information, pet-related products, and pet health. Signey is a (almost!) 4 year old Shiba Inu that I bought from a breeder in Oregon back in 2007.
Shibas are an incredibly stubborn and intelligent breed that originated in Japan. They share similarities with the Akita, both in heritage and temperament, and they are not to be taken lightly. They may look small, but they have the personality of a much larger dog. This is not a breed for inexperienced dog owners, and anyone interested in owning a shiba should do extensive research before bringing one home.
If you are interested in learning more about the breed, check out these pages:
http://www.shibainuforum.org/
http://www.shibas.org
http://www.akc.org/breeds/shiba_inu/
Shibas are an incredibly stubborn and intelligent breed that originated in Japan. They share similarities with the Akita, both in heritage and temperament, and they are not to be taken lightly. They may look small, but they have the personality of a much larger dog. This is not a breed for inexperienced dog owners, and anyone interested in owning a shiba should do extensive research before bringing one home.
If you are interested in learning more about the breed, check out these pages:
http://www.shibainuforum.org/
http://www.shibas.org
http://www.akc.org/breeds/shiba_inu/
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