The Perfect Pup

All dogs have butts. And similarly, many dogs will at one point or another scoot on their butt across the floor, grass, or even sidewalk (yep, it happens).

While this behavior can be a bit embarrassing if guests are over, it’s actually something you should try to diagnose and resolve sooner rather than later.

In most cases scooting is just a sign of full or irritated anal glands. But, in some cases, it can actually be a more serious sign of health problems!

So, let’s learn all about scooting. Here’s what we will cover:

-The main reason dogs scoot, full anal glands

-What are anal glands

-Other behaviors/signs you may see associated with scooting

-Other (less likely) reasons your dog is scooting across the floor

-What you should do if your dog is scooting

-What you should NOT do when your dog scoots

-How to prevent anal gland issues and scooting

Trust me when I tell you that you’re gonna run into this throughout your dog’s life, so it’s important to learn the ins and outs of the scoot. 

If you just want the simple answer, this is it…

The main reason dogs scoot on their butts is that their anal glands/sacs are itchy and/or full.

So, you might be wondering what in the world anal glands are. Let’s cover that. ⤵️

While you’ll more commonly hear the term anal glands, it’s actually the anal sacs that get filled and irritated for your dog.

Let’s break this down as simply as possible.

All dogs, male and female, have anal sacs (inside their anus) that are filled with foul-smelling fluid. The purpose of this fluid is essentially a “calling card” with their information. 

PS- That’s part of why dogs like to sniff each other’s butts and feces.

The fluid passes out of the sacs, through a duct, and then out of the anus, typically at the end of a bowel movement.

But sometimes the fluid doesn’t make it out as it should.

When that happens, you get a build-up in the sacs (often stemming from the ducts being clogged or irritated) that causes pain, inflammation, and general discomfort for your dog. This can also turn into Anal Sac Disease, especially if left untreated.

This leads us to why anal glands are often the root cause of a scooting dog… 👇

When your dog’s anal glands are full it can be quite uncomfortable for them. Think of how you’d feel if you constantly felt snot in your nose but were unable to blow it out… 

Fun topics, right? 😉

Scooting can do two things for your dog: 

-Comfort and itch relief

-Hopefully, it encourages the anal glands to discharge the liquid

Dogs scooting on their butt across the floor is common. Dogs typically scoot because their anal glands are full, irritated, and/or itchy.

Again, if you suspect this to be the case then please consult your vet. If anal gland issues go untreated they can become increasingly worse for your dog’s health!

And don’t stop your dog mid-scoot. Let them scoot and then work on finding a solution and remedy for the root problem.

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While many people know grapes and chocolate are dangerous for dogs, did you know xylitol is poisonous for dogs too?!

The artificial sweetener xylitol can cause major health problems, including death if ingested by a dog.

So, in this article, we’re gonna dive into all things xylitol and pups so you can keep your good boy or girl safe!

DISCLAIMER: If you believe your dog has ingested something with xylitol, call your vet or a pet poison control hotline immediately.

Here’s what we will cover:

-What is xylitol

-Why is xylitol poisonous and toxic for dogs

-Symptoms of xylitol poisoning

-What foods contain xylitol

-How to keep your dog safe from xylitol

While xylitol is touted for its oral benefits and low-calorie sweetness for humans, it is extremely dangerous for dogs.

Xylitol causes a sharp increase in insulin that can lead to hypoglycemia (too low blood sugar). If left untreated hypoglycemia can become fatal to a dog.

Recently, researchers and professionals have found that xylitol can also cause liver failure (hepatic failure).

In dogs, other complications that can arise from xylitol ingestion are hypokalemia (low potassium levels) and hypophosphatemia (low phosphorous levels).

Based on experience at the ASPCA APCC, dogs ingesting greater than 0.1 g/kg of xylitol should be considered at risk for developing hypoglycemia. In comparison, doses greater than 0.5 g/kg may be hepatotoxic (toxic to the liver) and more than likely cause death. 

So of course you are probably wondering how to calculate those numbers…

Well, it can be difficult. Many products do not explicitly list the amount of xylitol in their product, but let’s show a rough example.

Chewing gum typically contains about 0.22-1.0 grams of xylitol per piece!

In this sample calculation, I’ll use my Labrador Retriever Scout. She weighs about 65 lbs or about 30 kg.

So 0.1 g/kg would be about 3 grams of xylitol. To find the g/kg level that can lead to hypoglycemia, just take your dog’s weight in kilograms and multiply by 0.1

If 1 stick of gum is anywhere from 0.22-1 gram, just 3 sticks of gum could cause our very large dog to develop severe complications.

And anything above that could quickly lead to liver failure and death.

Here are some symptoms of xylitol poisoning in dogs:

-Decreased movement

-Lethargy

-Vomiting

-Weakness

-Staggering

-Incoordination

-Collapsing

-Seizures

COMMON FOODS THAT CONTAIN XYLITOL

-Sugar-free gum, Ice Breakers have been said to contain more xylitol than others.

-Peanut butter

-Nut butter

-Mouthwash

-Toothpaste

-Pudding

-Syrups

-Jams

-Chocolate

-Chewable multivitamins

-Nasal sprays

-Personal lubricants

-Sugar-free mints

-Sugar-free candy

Above all, keep xylitol-type products out of reach of your dog. If your dog ingests anything with xylitol immediately call your vet and/or pet poison hotline.

Feeling sluggish? Not feeling mentally alert? Struggling to make decisions?

You may just need to pet a dog…

At least, that’s what the initial findings from a group of researchers have to say!

While all research can have limitations, the findings of the effects of contact with a dog on prefrontal brain activity study are quite eye-opening.

Let’s dive right into it. ⬇️

Each participant took part in 6 sessions, 3 that included a dog and 3 that included the plush toy. Every session followed the same format.

With the participant sitting on a couch, they did the following for 2 minutes while their brain activity was monitored with the fNIRS machine. Additionally, their heart rate and electrodermal activity (essentially sweat levels) were monitored.

Staring at a blank wall (neutral)

Only looking at the dog or toy from about 3 feet away (watching)

Having the dog lay near them or the toy placed on their thigh (feeling)

Actively petting the dog or toy (petting)

Staring at a blank wall (neutral)

This was repeated 6 total times (3 with a dog and 3 with a toy).

The data found through these sessions was astounding! 

REAL DOG VS PLUSH TOY

While there was actually increased brain activity when interacting with the plush toy, the gains in activity were significantly higher when interacting with the dog.

As the dog or toy entered the room, was next to, and then was interacted with by the participant, brain activity increased. 

And while this is true, the gains in prefrontal brain activity were significantly higher when the participant interacted with a real dog compared to a toy!

Simply put, a real dog was more effective at activating brain activity than a plush toy. Not much of a surprise there.

WATCHING VS FEELING VS PETTING

What I found most interesting was the significant jump in brain activity when participants were actively petting the dog!

One of the largest jumps in brain activity occurred when the participant when from being near the dog (feeling) to actively petting the dog (petting).

It seems as if there is some scientific evidence as to why we (or at least I) always want to go pet dogs that we see on the street. That petting of a good boy or girl can actually increase our brain activity.

WHAT ABOUT WHEN THE DOG LEFT THE ROOM?

Another piece of data that the researchers uncovered was that even after the dogs left and the participants went back to staring at a wall (neutral phase), brain activity stayed measurably higher than compared to the first neutral phase.

So, not only can petting a dog get our brain moving at that specific moment, but it can even help once the dog is gone!

No study is perfect and no study can give us complete answers, but this study did show statistically significant evidence that petting and closely interacting with a dog can have positive effects on our brains.

This type of hard data and evidence can ideally provide therapy dog groups with a better ability to secure funding, expand operations, and overall better serve people worldwide.

The bottom line is that dogs are amazing creatures that we are truly lucky to have in our lives and further research is certainly needed to better understand our relationship with them. 

And we should treat, raise, and train dogs with that level of respect in mind. 🙂

While you may be wanting to know how many times a day you should walk your dog, I want to convince you in this article to think about this question differently!

Before you close this tab, stick with me for a few minutes. I promise by the end of this article you’ll feel more confident in assessing your dog’s exercise needs each day. 

And I know the sentiment of this question comes from a desire to make sure you’re meeting your dog’s needs, which is a fantastic thing! So I want to dig into that a little bit more, and help us all improve our dog’s lives (and ours as well in the process).

If you’re really dying for a number, I’d say at least one walk a day. Or at least 60 minutes of total walking time. Preferably you’d give two walks per day, too!

BUT…

Let’s flip the script on this question and find a better way to think about our dogs’ exercise and stimulation needs.

Where I previously lived I almost never walked my dogs.

Yup, you read that right.

But you know what I did do a lot of?  Fetch, tug of war, playing at the park, snuffle mats, hikes, lick mats, hide and seek, and doggy play dates.

While we rarely went on a standard “walk” around our neighborhood, my dogs still had plenty of exercise, bonding, and enrichment time throughout the day.

The trap of thinking about how many times you need to walk your dog is that walks aren’t the only measure of a happy, healthy, and well-exercised dog.

And every dog is different (you’re gonna be sick of hearing that by the end).

Some dogs absolutely love walks. They love the bonding time, they love the sniffs, and they love the leisurely exercise.

Some dogs just don’t really care for walks but enjoy the experience and get enough enrichment out of it.

Some dogs need loads more than just a walk… 👇

I could walk my dog Scout for 2 hours straight and she wouldn’t be tired… at all. She would actually probably end up a little bit bored.

But let her play fetch for 30 minutes and she will be visibly enjoying herself and come home more tired than the 2-hour walk scenario.

Certain breeds have been bred for 100s (if not 1,000s) of years to perform specific tasks.

My Labrador Retrievers were literally bred to help retrieve items. That is their “life calling” if you want to give it a name.

So ask yourself, what was your dog bred to do?

If the answer is to be a lap dog, then walks might be perfectly suitable for meeting his or her exercise needs.

But if the answer is to help with hunting, walks might not be enough.

Or if the answer is to herd livestock, walks might not be enough.

Possibly the answer is to protect, and walks might not be enough.

Do you see what I mean?! Every single dog is different!

The key is to find what type of exercise your dog derives the most enjoyment and physical exertion from, and do that.

And if you find yourself coming home from a long walk and your dog is still hyper, it might be time to reassess your exercise routine.

You come home to a chewed-up shoe, see your dog avoiding eye contact or making themself look small, and wonder… do dogs feel guilt? 🤔

The vast majority of pup parents believe that dogs feel guilt.

But what does scientific research say?

Alexandra Horowitz, a writer, professor, and researcher of dog cognition, conducted a study in 2009 to find out if our pups really can feel guilty!

So let’s break down her study and find out for ourselves if your pup really feels guilty after they have an accident on the carpet.

Let’s do it! ⤵️

This study consisted of 14 dogs of varying ages and breeds. The main criteria were that the dog was at least 6 months old and had lived in their current home for at least 3 months.

So as to get the most realistic results, the study was performed in the respective living rooms of these 14 dogs and their humans.

Here is how the study was carried out.

And this is where the real study kicks in…

The study had two main “elements” that varied:

So once the pet parent left the room, sometimes the treat was immediately taken away thus guaranteeing “obedience” to the human’s cue.

In other instances, the dog was prompted by the experimenter (although it was done in a way not to undermine the pet parent’s request to leave the treat) to eat the treat.

Two outcomes occurred for each dog:

Before returning to the room the pet parent is told to act in one of two ways (see “owner response” above):

“Obedience” = happy greeting.

“Disobedience” = scolding.

Here’s the twist though!

Some pet parents were told their dog had NOT eaten the treat when the dog actually had.

Others were told the dog DID eat the treat when the dog actually had not.

But the pet parent completely believed the experimenter was being honest. Their behavior returning to the room was equal to what decision the pet parent had been told their dog had done.

So now for the most important part, the results of the study.👇

There was no significant effect on the dog’s obedience to the number of ABs. Meaning whether or not the dog “disobeyed” their human’s “command” had no major role in whether or not the dog acted guilty…

Want to know what did have a significant effect on the number of ABs?

The pet parents’ response!

The study found that the pet parent’s reaction had a MUCH greater impact on the amount of “guilty looks” than the dog’s actual behavior.

Running with your dog can be a very effective way to improve the health and happiness of your pup and you, the human!

While jogging can be relatively straightforward, adding a dog to the mix will change how you approach this activity.

I’ve been running with my dogs on an almost daily basis for the past few years and want to pass along 9 essential tips that will make running with your dog much easier and more enjoyable.

Here is what we will cover:

I have two Labrador Retrievers and they have been my running mates since they were old enough to safely run with me.

We’ve run all over Utah, New York City, and California on a wide variety of landscapes and terrains. I made plenty of mistakes in the early stages, and hope that his article will help you avoid my mistakes!

I typically run anywhere from 3-6 miles per session about 3-6 times per week with them. While this may sound high, it took a lot of progression and practice to safely get to those numbers (more on that later). My pups even recently helped me train for the New York City Marathon and were integral to my success!

While we mostly do our runs while they can be off-leash, I have logged hundreds of miles with them attached to my waist (more on that later as well).

All that to say, I have a high level of experience running with dogs! So, let’s dive into all the ways to make jogging with your dog a successful experience.

Quick note: I am only going to discuss casual running/jogging and not Canicross. I have no experience with Canicross, but many people (and their dogs) love it!

AND here's the hands-free leash I've used for years and LOVED! https://amzn.to/3G0EerB

The choice to relinquish a dog to a shelter is often one that weighs heavily on the pup parent. It is in most cases seen as a last resort, and often one they’d rather not have to make.

While I want to remain sensitive to anyone who has had to make that decision, it’s important to discuss the main reason why so many dogs are relinquished to shelters. Understanding the “why” behind relinquishment can hopefully help reduce the frequency!

Some estimates put the number of dogs relinquished to shelters at around 1 million per year (roughly 3 million end up in shelters overall, but I want to focus on relinquished dogs).

Let that sink in for a moment…

Roughly 2,700 dogs PER DAY are being relinquished to shelters.

In this video, we’ll dive into the data from two different studies that aimed to pinpoint why dogs are relinquished. My hope is that understanding this data can help us individually and as a society make more informed and healthy decisions with our pets.

Here is what we will cover:

-The #1 problem behavior reported during a relinquishment

-How many surrendered dogs received training? Both formal & informal

-Additional statistics about dogs ending up in shelters

-What we can do to reduce the number of dogs being relinquished to shelters

If you're needing help with your dog's behavior, please sign up for 30 Day Perfect Pup! It is 100% free (no credit card required) and covers topics like potty training, biting, leash walking, and more! Sign up free here: https://pfrd.site/signupfree-heree

While most of us know the damage stereotypes can do to us humans, what role do they play for our pups?!

We often put “labels” and stereotypes on our dogs that ultimately end up causing harm to them and specifically to their training.

In this article, we’ll discuss how you can avoid these stereotypes and find more positive ways to look at your pup, regardless of breed!

Here’s some of what we will cover:

Need more training help?? Sign up for 30 Day Perfect Pup here! https://pfrd.site/classhere-signupp

While most of our homes or apartments have the dog staples like a bed, water bowl, and toys, there are some truly unique dog household items that’ll make your life about 100x easier!

And with how challenging raising a pup can be, I’ll take “easy” any chance I get!

Here’s a quick overview of the 5 items + a bonus item:

1- Automatic/robotic vacuum: https://amzn.to/3yoK4ym

2- Enzymatic cleaner: https://pfrd.site/cleaner-enzymatic

3- Airtight dog food container: https://amzn.to/3ecOMbA

4- Portable paw cleaner: https://amzn.to/3T5wub3

5- Magnetic screen door: https://amzn.to/3rF7aNC

6- Dog blow dryer (if you bathe your dog at home): https://amzn.to/3RKaqla

#1- AUTOMATIC VACUUM (ie ROOMBA)

Whether your dog sheds or not, having an automatic vacuum will decrease the dust, pet dander, and general messes throughout your home.

And if your dog does shed, a robotic vacuum is almost non-negotiable.

Most robot vacuums can be set to automatically clean at certain times of the day so you almost never even have to think about it!

#2- ENZYMATIC CLEANER

Sticking with the whole “dogs are dirty” theme, a high-quality enzymatic cleaner will save your floors, rugs, and carpet.

Even if your dog is potty trained, accidents of all kinds will happen. Dogs throw up, excited pee, accidentally poop on your favorite rug, you name it. 

Sh*t literally happens.

#3- AIRTIGHT DOG FOOD (& TREATS) CONTAINER

There’s something oddly unsettling about opening a pantry door, laundry room, or cabinet and a stiff stank of dog food hitting you in the face.

The vast majority of dog food, whether kibble or dehydrated food, doesn’t have the best packaging when it comes to closing it back up! And that causes two things to happen. ⤵️

The food doesn’t stay as fresh as possible

The smell of dog food permeates throughout your home (or at least the room you’re keeping the food in)

The solution?

Get a nice air-tight dog food container! Not only will your pup thank you (for the fresher food), but your home will smell better.

#4- PORTABLE PAW CLEANER

I don’t care if you live in a big city or the wide-open countryside, your dog’s paws can get quite gross on walks and other adventures.

While most of us will towel off paws if they’re muddy or visibly dirty, what about when they aren’t?

I can assure you that there is still plenty of dirt and grime on your pup’s paws, even if you don’t see it!

#5- MAGNETIC SCREEN DOOR

If you enjoy having bugs and flies in your home, then skip this section.

If you don’t, then you need a magnetic screen door!

Keeping a back door or patio door open is a great way to welcome fresh air into your home, but what if you don’t have a screen door..?

And don’t even get me started on the number of times you end up opening and closing your door to let your dog out to use the bathroom! 😅

With a magnetic screen door, you can keep the door open AND not have to worry about your pup being able to get out.

While most of us have heard the term ‘therapy dog’, what therapy dogs actually do remains a bit of a mystery to many!

In this episode, I’ll be interviewing Monica Callahan to help us all gain a true understanding of what therapy dogs really do and how they improve lives everywhere!

MEET MONICA CALLAHAN

Monica Callahan has been a professional dog trainer for over 10 years and graduated from the Karen Pryor Academy in 2012. She is currently serving on the Board of Directors for the Alliance of Therapy Dogs. She is a current rally judge for the C-WAGS organization. In 2021, she graduated from the prestigious licensing program, Family Paws. Family Paws is geared toward working with families who are welcoming babies into families with dogs or continuing to keep toddlers and children safe and dog aware.

Monica also runs her own dog training business, Family Fido Dog Training. Monica helped start the MYR Airport P.E.T.S. therapy dog program in December of 2021. On top of all of that, The Hero Dogs was started by Monica and her husband to showcase the therapy work they do for first responders and crisis response.

Learn more about Monica and her work here: https://familyfidotraining.com/

WHAT DOES THE THERAPY DOG CERTIFICATION PROCESS LOOK LIKE?

Monica stressed that one reason she loves and believes so strongly in the Alliance of Therapy Dogs is because of their testing and certification process!

Many other tests and certifications are strictly behavior based, but ATD’s certification process chooses to focus on handler and dog relationship and temperament.

Monica emphasized that this type of certification process helps to more effectively approve only the dogs that can truly handle therapy dog work.

Of course, there are behaviors your dog should have a solid understanding of to become a therapy dog. Here are some things your dog should be able to do:

-Loose leash walking

-Responsiveness to handler, even in distracting situations

-Not jumping when greeted

-Not jumping when greeting someone sitting down (as is common in a therapy work situation)

-Not being startled by people rushing by (ie, nurses down a busy hospital hall)

Monica recommends ensuring that your dog could pass the Canine Good Citizen test as part of their therapy dog training!

As part of the Alliance of Therapy Dogs’ certification process, dogs are required to go through three different on-site (ie, senior citizens home, hospital, etc.) observations to ensure their capabilities.

WHAT DOES A THERAPY DOG DO & WHAT ARE THE BENEFITS?

While there isn’t one specific task a therapy dog does, their general role is to provide affection, comfort, and support to people in need.

This can be done in a variety of ways and in a variety of scenarios.

Here are some places where therapy dogs often do their work. ⬇️

-Hospitals

-Schools

-Offices

-Nursing homes

-Disaster areas

-Police & fire stations (more on that later)

-Libraries and more

Here are some of the specific things a therapy dog might do during their work. ⏬

-Be pet by people

-Play simple games with people

-Snuggle & cuddle with people

-Be groomed by people (especially those in rehabilitative situations working to improve or re-learn motor skills)

-Simply, be near people needing support and comfort