Magnificent Muffins - Pumpkin dog treats

Good behavior deserves a little recognition in the form of a tasty treat.  When your best friend has been especially well behaved, reward him or her with a doggie - luscious muffin that's packed with goodness.

Makes 15-18
Preparation time: 15 minutes
Cooking time:  20-25 minutes

10 oz wheat-and gluten-free flour
1 teaspoon baking powder
1 teaspoon baking soda
2 tablespoons carob powder
1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
3 1/2 oz pumpkin, cooked and mashed
1 tablespoon honey
1 egg beaten
3 tablespoons olive oil, plus extra for greasing
7 fl oz cold water

1.  Mix all the dry ingredients with the pumpkin and the honey in a large mixing bowl.  Stir in the egg and the olive oil, then add the measured water a little at a time, until you have a runny batter.  Grease a nonstick muffin or bun tray with olive oil.  Fill the muffin cups with the batter, leaving a little room at the top for the mixture to expand.
2.  Bake in a preheated oven, 350 degrees F for 20-25 minutes or until golden brown.  Test if the muffins are ready by inserting a toothpick or skewer.  If it comes out clean, they are ready.  Transfer to a wire rack and leave to cool. Store the muffins in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to one week.

Tips n Tails
Pumpkin is low in fat and high in fiber.  It provides a good source of potassium and beta-carotene, which gives pumpkin and carrots their orange color.  It helps to kick-start the immune system and its antioxidant properties may help prevent cancer and other diseases.

PUPSNACKS
Stephanie Mehanna
Robert S. Goldstein, V.M.D.
Veterinary Consultant

What to expect on puppy's first night home

You have made it through the first day with your new puppy, and now the whole family is exhausted and ready for bed. Take the dog outside one last time and wait until she relieves herself. Although most puppies tire easily, if she has a lot of energy, take her for a short walk to help make her tired.

Put her in her crate while saying the phrase you want to associate with bedtime, such as "time for bed" or "night-night," and giving her a small treat. Close the crate door and make sure the sheet is covering everything but the door, to give her a feeling of security. You can place a hot water bottle and/or a ticking clock in the crate with her for comfort; a radio with soft music on low volume nearby can also be comforting.

The puppy will cry the first night by herself in the crate. Resist the temptation to take her into your arms (or bed) and coddle her. The ideal setup is for her crate to be by your bedside. When she cries, stick your finger through the crate door grates and let her lick you, while offering assurance in a calm voice: "It's okay." Then, remove your hand and stop speaking to her, and go back to sleep. You can comfort her the first few times she cries, but it has to stop sometime---you need to sleep. Let her "cry it out" a bit and she will eventually stop. She knows you are by her crate-side because you have comforted her. She knows she is not getting out of her crate.

She will settle down. Expect this crying the first few nights at home. The puppy will eventually learn that "night-night" means that she is safe, you are nearby, and she is to stay in her crate.

You will notice that there are different cries for hunger, outside, and attention. If you ignore cries for attention once you've put her to bed, the puppy will soon learn that they don't work and will stop.

Your puppy will need to relieve herself a couple of times during the night. As a general rule, a puppy can hold her bladder for the number of hours that she is months old-for example, a four-month-old puppy should be able to hold it for four hours. Set an alarm clock if you think you may sleep through the dog's "gotta go!" cries. Once she has done her business, put her back in the crate to sleep more. Put a chew bone in the crate with the puppy to keep her occupied if she isn't sleepy right away and you need your sleep. You need to establish the routine and show the dog that nighttime is quiet time.

Dog Lover's daily companion

Wendy Nan Rees and Kristen Hampshire

Barking Dogs

If your dog is barking excessively, determine why he is barking. Is he barking because he is under socialized, so strange dogs overstimulate or scare him? If that is the case, invest in some training classes or day care, which will help him become more relaxed in the presence of new dogs. Is he barking because he is bored? Make sure that he has plenty of chew treats and toys, and give him ample exercise. Is he barking to get your attention? Start training him so that this behavior does not get him attention, but quiet, calm behavior does. If you need help with excessive barking, consult a trainer. Especially if barking is a fear response, it is very important that a qualified behavior counselor work with you to ensure that the fear does not grow.

Devene Godau, CPDT-KA, Trainers

Academy, LLC, Royal Oak, MI

The best way to stop a dog from barking is to ignore the barking, thus not reinforcing the behavior. Even a simple "Fido, stop it," is attention that can reward the bad behavior, causing it to continue.

Dawn Nargi-Ferren, CPDT-KA,

Metropolitan Pets, New York City, NY

Most dogs have no clue as to whether barking is something good or something bad. Sometimes when a dog barks, he is ignored (owner in a jolly mood). Other times the dog is encouraged (owner sees suspicious stranger outside the house). And yet other times the dog is yelled at (owner has a headache). To help your dog know your rules, teach him what they are. Here is a good rule to start with: Barking is okay until the dog is told to hush.

Crystal Coll, All Ways Pawsitive Pet Behavior and Training, Queen Creek, AZ

To reduce barking, teach your dog to "speak." Barking only gets rewarded if he follows the "speak" cue. Heavily reinforce him when he's quiet, especially when you haven't asked for it.

Ann Dupuis, CPDT-KA, your Dream Dog, Randolph, MA

Be careful not to reward excessive barking with any attention-even negative attention. Instead, completely ignore the barking. Reward the dog with attention when the barking stops. Plus, you can modify the dog's environment to remove stimuli that trigger the barking (e.g., closing the blinds on a window facing a busy street).

Phhil Guida, Director of training, Canine Dimensions In-Home Dog Training, Marlton, NJ

Be sure to reward your dog during periods when he is quiet and not performing any unacceptable behaviors. For example, if he is sitting quietly and not barking, this is a perfect opportunity to reward him with his favorite treat or belly rub.

Dawn Nargi-Ferren, CPDT-KA, Metropolitan Pets, New York City, NY

Many dogs who bark and lunge at other dogs on walk are the same dogs who are home alone all day, looking out the window barking at dogs outside. I recommend covering the windows in the house so that the dog cannot practice barking at outside dogs. This, combined with additional training for walking outside, helps modify the behavior. For some dogs, just keeping them from barking at the window is enough to sop them from barking at other dogs when they are walked outside.

Carol Siegrist, CPDT-KA, Siegrist LLC, Dog Training & Behavior Consultation, Philadelphia, PA

Barking is intrinsically reinforcing, so be creative in reducing a dog's opportunities to bark when you don't want him to and reducing any external reinforcements that unwanted barking may produce.

Ann Dupuis, CPDT-KA, Your Dream Dog, Randolph, MA

Increase the amount of play, exercise, and distraction that your dog receives during the day. Inappropriate barking that occurs in the late afternoon and evening can be a sign that the dog is not getting enough physical and mental stimulation.

Phil Guida, Director of training, Canine Dimensions In-Home Dog Training, Marlton, NJ

Do not yell at a barking dog-to him, it's like you're joining the excitement. Instead, call him and engage him in an incompatible behavior like a down. After he is quiet, say "Shhh" and reward him. If he is too absorbed in barking to pay attention to you, try using a food lure or body block to interrupt him. (This means placing yourself between the dog and what he is barking at.) Then step toward him, which will cause him to move away from the source of his barking. Make sure to ask for another behavior after he is quiet and before rewarding him so as not to reinforce the barking.

Pat Blocker, CPDT-KA, Peaceful Paws Dog Training, Aurora, CO

The first step in obtaining peace and quiet is to realize that lots of barking is caused by the dog being lonely, board, frustrated, or frightened. These are all situations that you can help alleviate. A well-exercised, happy dog is more likely to sleep all day while you are not home. Spend time playing with, training, and exercising your dog.

Crystal Coll, All Ways Pawsitive Pet Behavior and Training, Queen Creek, AZ

For problem backyard barking, try taking your dog on a walk instead of letting him out into the backyard for exercise. The mental stimulation he'll get from the different smells while out on a 20-minute walk will tire him out (and help prevent nuisance barking) much faster than hours with the same non stimulating smells in the same non stimulating yard. If you feel that you don't have enough time to walk your dog, consider hiring a pet sitter/dog walker who can go over to your home while you are away and give Rover a much-needed break.

Dana Cooper, CPDT-KA, Woofers Canine Companion Training, Round Rock, TX

If your dog's excessive barking has already become a habit, don't expect to get it under control overnight. It takes weeks of repetition to replace an old habit with a new, more desirable one. If you keep up with behavior modifications procedures (such as teaching the quiet command). you will see a new pattern of barking develop. Instead of barking relentlessly at appropriately and for a reasonable length of time. It is important that you maintain praise, or your dog may revive his old annoying barking habits again.

Crystal Coll, All Ways Pawwwsitive Pet Behavior and Training. Queen Creek, AZ

Never use a muzzle for excessive barking. A muzzle does not allow a dog to pant, which is how he regulates his body temperature. Improper use of a muzzle can cause serious harm and even death. Instead, seek a trainer's advice for excessive barking because dogs bark for various reasons.

Darlene Koza, Scooter's School of Sit & Stay, Rochester, NY

Getting Used to a Collar and Walking on a Leash

Dogs Don't come collar or leash trained. The basis of teaching your dog to walk calmly on the lead is teaching him to accept the collar and lead, which means getting him used to the idea that the collar is part of his "dog suit," and if he wants to explore the world outside of your home, the leash is the symbol of "walk." (Eventually, your dog will see the leash and make this happy association...and perhaps even bring the leash to you.) It is generally easier for your dog to adapt to a collar, although expect some fussing at first. He'll complain (by whining) and may rub his head on the ground in an attempt to loosen or remove the collar. He'll fast realize that the collar is there to stay, so do not remove it, despite his pitiful pleas. He'll get over it within a few hours.
Once the dog accepts the collar, put a small leash on it for your pet to drag around. The leash will seem like a toy at first-a string attached, what fun! Watch your dog carefully as he walks around the house with the leash attached, dragging. You don't want the leash to get caught on anything. Once he is used to the leash's dragging behind him, you can pick up the leash and allow him to lead you around. When a dog is confident on the leash-meaning he pulls it, as opposed to not budging or fighting it-teaching him to walk properly beside you is the next step.
Begin the walk only after the dog has sat calmly to have his collar on and continued to sit calmly as his leash was attached.
Once the leash is attached, it is important to make the dog walk calmly toward the door. If he jumps or surges ahead, gently correct him with a tug of the leash and return him to a sitting position. Make him stay, then move on again. Repeat this process until the dog is walking calmly by your left side.
Repeat the process when you reach the door. The dog should not be allowed to surge out the door or pull you through the open door. If he begins this behavior, return him to the house and make him sit quietly until he can be trusted to walk through the door properly. Starting a walk in control is crucial to creating a well mannered dog.
As you begin your walk, it is vital to keep the attention of the dog focused on you at all times. The dog should look to you for guidance, not take the lead himself. Every time you stop, your dog should stop. Getting into the habit of asking your dog to sit down every time you stop is a good way to keep your pet's attention focused on you.
Make sure your dog is looking at you, then move off again. If he begins to surge ahead, immediately stop and ask the dog to sit. Repeat this process until the dog is reliably staying at your side. Each time he does what you ask him to, reward him with a treat, a toy, or your praise.
If your dog pulls on the leash and you continue to walk away, you are inadvertently rewarding that unwanted behavior. Dogs learn weather you are actively teaching them or not, then learning the wrong things now will make learning the right things later that much harder.
Remember it is important to be consistent in your expectations.

Dog Lover's Daily companion
Wendy Nan Rees and Kristen Hampshire

Is Your Dog Dreaming?

Dogs Dream About running, eating, sniffing, and chasing. Like people, dogs enter light sleep and intense REM cycles, when dreaming occurs. If you notice your dog flinch and twitch at sleep onset, that signals light sleep and you can easily wake him. Once dogs enter a deep, REM cycle, the brain is active and their body responds accordingly. Their eyes may move back and fourth, you'll see their paws shifting, scratching, and they may wag their tails. During Rem, dogs can pant, sniff, and murmur. Despite activity taking place in the room, a dog in REM is not easily awakened.
Dreaming is vital to a dog's health. It's a time for data processing and memory storage - for mental replenishment and brain development. For this reason, puppies require a significant amount of sleep. Excited owners that keep their puppies awake for too many hours a day to play are, in essence, robbing their pups of critical development time.
Older dogs also need a great deal of sleep to repair from daily activities and restore energy for basic functions: eating, walking, socializing, and so on. Dogs may spend up to fourteen hours a day in REM sleep.
Should you wake up your dog if he is dreaming? There are two schools of thought. One says, do not wake your dog, even if he is whimpering and pawing in his sleep. If startled, he may unintentionally respond with aggression. The other camp says to gently wake up your dog by petting him softly and speaking in calm, reassuring voice.
Will your dog remember that heated chase or great big steak when he wakes? Perhaps that sad look he gave you when you put out yet another boring bowl of kibble is a sign your dog is remembering his dream.

Dog Lover's Daily Companion
Wendy Nan Rees and Kristen Hampshire

Personalized Dog Collars

Personalized Dog Collars

Try a collar with your name and phone number embroidered directly on it with no tags. The embroidered collar is great in case your dog gets out. Tags can be difficult to read, and your dog has to get close enough for the person to read it. With embroidered collars, the information can be read at a distance, making notification quick.

Laura Dorfman, CPDT-KA,

Kona's touch, Inc., Glencoe, IL

Top Tips from Top Trainers

Housetraining

Lack of housetraining is a common reason that pet owners relinquish a dog or banish him to the backyard. Yet housetraining is a straightforward process, as long as you understand that your new pet is like a toddler without a diaper and needs to be housetrained appropriately.

Ann Allums,

CDPT-KA,Best Friends Animal Society, Kanab UT

When housetraining, be gentle, be patient, be consistent, and most of all, set your puppy up to be successful.

Trish McMillan, MSc, CPDT-KA, ASPCA Animal Behavior Center, Urbana, IL

Supervision and consistency are the keys to housetraining success.

Jim Barry, CPDT, CDBC, Reston Dog

Training, Reston, VA

Imagine this: Inside your house you have a wonderful bathroom-it's clean and temperature controlled, the toilet seat is heated, and there's a guy standing outside the bathroom door waiting for you to finish so that he can clean and sanitize the area. Outside about 100 feet away from the back door is an outhouse that's old and rickety, there are splinters in the seat, and you only have newspaper sheets for toiled paper. It stinks in the summer, it's freezing in the winter, and there are cracks in the walls; it's horrible. Now, how much would I have to pay you to get you to go outside and use the outhouse every time? Think about your dog in the same situation-he can go in an inside area where it's nice, soft, and temperature controlled with someone standing by at all times to clean up, deodorize and sanitize the area; or he can go outside to his toilet area where it's not sanitized, where it's dirty, wet cold in winter, hot in the summer, and it stinks. There is nothing nice about the outside toilet area. So how much do you think you have to pay your dog to use his outside toilet area?

Sandra L. Wire, K9 FunTime, LLC

Indianapolis, IN

It can be helpful to take a long weekend to devote to housetraining. Stay home with your dog and go out every hour, generously rewarding each success. If you can keep it up for three or four days, progress is often very rapid.

Jim Barry, CDBC, CPDT-KA, Reston Dog Training, Teston, VA

Top Tips from Top Trainers

Naming your Dog

What's in a Name?

Soon after you bring home your new puppy or dog, you'll begin the name game. What should you call your new friend? If you adopt a dog that has been previously named, you can teach him a new name, but it will take some training. In any case, consistency is key with training, so decide early what to name your dog and stick to it.

Here, we'll assume you are naming a new dog.

Name possibilities are endless, some of which you may not want to call out loud. (Do you want to yell, "Come home, Stinker!" every day?) While you may have the perfect pooch name picked out before you bring your puppy home, keep an open mind until you get to know your new friend. It's okay to wait a few days to name your pup. You may learn that her spunky nature disagrees with the name Grace. Or perhaps your pet's sly behavior suits the name Brutus but not Fido.

Brainstorm a list of possible names, and keep these pointers in mind as you select a winner:

Noah sounds like "no." Names that rhyme with no could be confused for the command no. A dog named Noah that hears "No!" will be excited you called his name and will not get the message to stop a bad behavior.

Keep it short. Two-syllable names are best. Practice saying the name and see how easily it rolls off your tongue. If you choose a name that is too long, you'll probably resort to a nickname anyway.

Test the name. How does your dog respond? Of course, he will not realize it is his name at first, but if you get an adverse reaction, you may wish to reconsider the moniker.

You can also search online for name ideas. You'll find typical names for your dog's breed, most popular names, Hollywood names, historical names, political names. Here is a list of prompts to get your creative juices flowing:

What physical characteristics make your dog special? (Why do you think there are so many dogs named Spot?)

What was your favorite childhood movie or book character?

Name your favorite flowers or plants: Daisy, Rose, Basil...The list goes on.

Can you think of foods that would make interesting dog names?

Consider your favorite hobbies and the jargon associated with them. Music, dance, crafts, and sports terms can double as inventive dog names.

Avoid naming your dog after someone you know personally, unless the individual has a great sense of humor and is fond of dogs.

Peruse baby name books, where you'll find hundreds of possibilities.

Dog Lovers Daily Companion

Quick Dog Treats

Many of us can barely find the time to feed ourselves given our busy schedules, much less to make homemade snacks for our pets. When you don't have time for mixing, rolling, and cutting your own dog biscuits, try this quick and easy recipe, which uses just two ingredients. Wheat germ is a great source of Vitamin E, and organic baby food is widely available - try meat or vegetable flavors for variety. If time is not limited, you can puree your own organic meats and vegetables. We always kept a supply of these treats in a pretty glass jar on the counter for Gertrude and Jordan, since some experts feel that toxins from plastic containers can leach into food.


1 cup organic wheat germ
2 small jars organic baby food

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Grease a baking sheet with butter or a little oil. Combine the ingredients and mix thoroughly. Roll the mixture into 1-inch balls. Place the balls on a baking sheet and flatten them with the back of a fork.
Bake for 25 to 30 minutes. Remove and cool on a wire rack.

Variation: Try adding 1 tablespoon pureed garlic to ward off fleas, or 2 tablespoons ground flaxseed or flaxseed meal for a shiny coat.

eco dog