If you suspect your dog has HD please know the only way to diagnose is via x-ray.

No vet can diagnose HD just by:

1. Examining the dog

2. Pulling on the legs (which you absolutely do not want done on a growing pup) (if your vet tries to do this to your pup – many will on your first vet visit – please stop them immediately or they can do damage)  I also suggest finding a new vet.

3. Seeing the dog move.

The x-rays must be done by a vet with experience in proper positioning.  Most of you will not find your regular vet qualified to do these x-rays.

Proper positioning is very important.  See this link:

http://leerburg.com/hipart.htm?set=1

Note:   The Orthopedic Foundation For Animals is the only organization qualified to read the x-rays on pure bred dogs and give a rating of  fair, good or excellent (or confirm HD).  Your vet is not qualified to do this.

www.offa.org

I am sorry the links do not appear to be working.  Please paste into your browser to view them.

Patty

www.snowcolabradors.com

Whenever your dog needs surgery it is very important to do full blood work prior to be sure all organs are functioning properly.

For example if the liver or kidney levels are off (and you don’t know it) the anesthesia during surgery could produce more problems for these organs that could later be fatal.

This is also true of younger dogs going in for spay or neuter.  Vets will give you the option of doing the work up or not.

I highly recommend y0u spend the extra money to be on the safe side.

If your vet does not suggest this, question them.  If they say its not necessary please find a new vet.

*Even if you have no surgery planned and you have a senior dog (age 7 and up) yearly blood work is important to check all organ function.  If something is elevated you can reverse it with meds or natural supplements or at least keep it in check (from further elevation).

Patty

www.snowcolabradors.com

This is a great recipe for weeds and will not hurt your pets.

1/2 cup white viniger

1/2 cup salt

1 tspn Dawn dishwashing liquid

Mix together and put in a spray bottle.

Spray your weeds and give them time to die off and than pull them up.

For an all natural lawn fertilizer use Milorganite.

http://www.milorganite.com/

Patty

www.snowcolabradors.com

You need to teach your puppy “no bite”.

Its really very easy.

When your pup bites you, gently grab the lower jaw with your thumb on the inside under the tongue and gently give pressure quickly as you say “no bite” and release the jaw right away.

If the pup goes to bite again repeat the process.

I find after giving the command if I ask for kisses and get a lick I praise the pup and this helps the process along.

Be consistent.  It truly does work.

I start this training on my pups at about 4 weeks of age so when they go to their new homes they already know the command “no bite”.

Try it, it works, be consistent (as you should with any training).

Good luck

Patty

www.snowcolabradors.com

Problems with house training a pet, a senior dog with incontinence, etc.?

This method works great.

Clean the area as you normaly would.  But does the dog or cat keep going back and squatting on that same spot?  Even though you cleaned it well?

Even, if they don’t do this, do you keep smelling urine?  I know I do because I have a good nose for it.

If you are not smelling it but your pet is still squating in that spot, that is because their sense of smell is so much more intense than yours.

Once the area you cleaned is dry, sprinkle baking soda all over the area.  Let it sit over night (or for at least 8 hours) and vaccume up the next day.

You will be amazed at the difference and I bet your pet will leave it alone as well.

Patty

www.snowcolabradors.com

This is a wonderful starter to a dinner party or cocktail party.

Easy to make and they freeze great.

Bacon Crunchies

Double or triple the batch

¾ c dark brown sugar

1 stick margarine (room temp)

1 package onion soup mix

1 lb bacon

Pepperidge farm white bread (thin one)

Remove crust and cut into 1/4s

Mix the first 3 ingred. till well blended

Spread mixture on 1/4s about 1 tspn per ¼ (don’t put on too much)

Wrap each one in a piece of bacon overlapping and lay on cookie sheet cut side down (cut bacon strips into thirds – one piece for each 1/4 pc of bread)

Bake 325 deg. 10-15 min.

Make in advance without baking and freeze on cookie sheet than transfer to zip lock for future  baking

Spread mixture thin and always cut bread in 1/4s first.

Enjoy

Patty

www.snowcolabradors.com

First off be sure you do not have a parasite issue.  Take a stool sample to the vet to be sure you don’t have giardia, coccidia or the like.

It is often best to have the sample sent to the laboratory to be sure nothing is missed.

If the above is ruled out – dogs can get loose stools from a sudden diet change.  If changing food be sure and do a slow change over (most dog foods give instructions on the bag for this)

If its just stress or a food change too quick giving canned pumpkin (1-2 tbsp) in a meals for a few days or more can help (also works for constipation).  Cottage cheese can also help (same amt) but too much can bind.  Metamucil is also helpful but check with our vet for dosage according to age and weight of your dog.

Over feeding (especially with a puppy) can also cause loose stools so if you have just increased feeding first try cutting  back a bit and see if that helps.

Probiotic (live organism that needs refridgeration is best) can help sooth the intestinal tract when having a bout of loose stools.  Health food stores carry them or go to Progressivelabs.com and call Nancy at ext. 149 and ask for Multi Dophilus (tell her I sent you, she knows this product well).  I have used it for my dogs for years).  Works great!  They love the taste too.

Patty

www.snowcolabradors.com

The correct term is Caprophagia and yes it is gross.  But, there is a solution.

The best one I can give you is pick up the stool as soon as it hits the ground so your dog does not have access to it.

This theory is that it breaks the habit and the dog will forget about eating poop.

It does work but you must be diligent each day going out in the yard with your dog(s)

There are products on the market (like Deter) that I have tried that don’t work.

Neither does all you read on the internet: feeding pineapple, fig newtons, meat tenderizer (too much salt IMO) etc.

You will also read that some say dogs eat feces because it tastes good.  I disagree, I have watched my dog eat it and can tell she is not really enjoying the taste.  She will also leave some behind.

It has been called a learned behavior from watching mom clean up after the pups when in the whelping box.

I am believing in the theory (in the link below) that some eat it because of learning to clean up after their young.  My girl only eats her daughters stool and never touches another.

Here is some more info for you to read up on, but, as I said, clean it up immediately and break the habit.   That is the best remedy I have found.

BE DILIGENT!!!

http://www.vetinfo.com/deatpoop.html

Another site with some info that might help or deter you from using what I mention above.  (again, just pick up the poop as soon as it hits the ground to break the habit – this can take a month or more….)

http://www.dogpoopdiet.com/

Patty

www.snowcolabradors.com

This is a great recipe:

4 slices bacon

1/4 cup chopped onion

2 chopped cloves garlic

3 tbsp butter

3 tbsp flour

1 1/4 cups 1/2 and 1/2

1  16 oz bag of fresh spinach (boiled in water, drained and set aside)

1/2 tsp salt

1/4 tsp nutmeg

1/4 tsp pepper

Fresh Parm cheese.

Cook bacon in skillet and remove and set aside.  Add onion and garlic and saute in bacon grease.

add butter and flour and cook for 2 minutes till flour is cooked

add 1/2 and 1/2 and simmer for 2 min or until thickened.

Add cooked spinach and remaining ingred. (s, p,nutmeg)

Stir well, top with grated parm cheese and serve.

Patty

www.snowcolabradors.com