“Dogs weren’t bred to lie on the sofa all day and then walk in perfect step with their human for 30 minutes a day,” said trainer Eric Goebelbecker, CPDT-KA, owner of Dog Spelled Forward. “They get bored just like we do and need to exercise their brains.”

Providing the right stimulation can be a critical step in eliminating problem behaviors. As Goebelbecker points out, bored behavior is often mislabeled as separation anxiety. A dog who is bored will spend his day searching for activities, like disemboweling your television remote or barking incessantly. Providing adequate mental stimulation is easier – and more fun – thank you might think.

When you’re hanging around the house, play with your dog. Consider a game like tug or fetch. Hide in your house, and let your dog find you. You can repeat that exercise with treats and toys, too.

When you leave for the day, give your dog food puzzles he can solve on his own. To up the ante, Goebelbecker suggests hiding the toys. This gives your dog two separate activities – first, finding the toy, and second, solving the food puzzle.

Nina Ottosson makes a range of eco-friendly and pet-safe toys that will definitely keep your dog busy. Warning: These toys, which come in a variety of skill levels, will probably require your participation at first. (Check out her YouTube video demonstrations!) Another great option, though less eco-conscious, is the Kong. You can stuff a Kong to keep your dog occupied. “Kongs are great. You can put treats in them or even actual meals,” said Goebelbecker. “If your dog gets good at un-stuffing them, freeze them.”

Keeping your dog’s mind active will help eliminate problem behaviors like destructive chewing or excessive barking. According to Goebelbecker, “Mental stimulation can result in more relaxed and satisfied dog.”

Your dog will be happier and healthier for it, too!

Image: OakleyOriginals on Flickr, licensed for commercial use under Creative Commons.

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I’m going to be frank about this. My dog farts – a lot. It’s gross. He stinks. And farting just makes my pup’s already large carbon paw print even worse since flatulence contains the greenhouse gas methane! So I set out on a mission to find natural solutions for his gassy belly. I’ve tried just about everything to help his flatulence issue from altering his diet to feeding him yogurt to special natural remedies. If your dog has digestive issues, too, try some of these natural solutions for dog gas problems.

Diet

Digging into your dog’s diet to find the cause of gas may seem like a no brainer, but the mystery of food and farts can sometimes be hard to solve. Dogs can be allergic to a number of ingredients that may be in his pet food – from soy to sweet potatoes. Or if you pass table scraps on to your pet, you may be contributing to the problem. If you think our pup’s stinky butt may be stemming from digestive issues, talk to your vet about his diet. You may want to try a more limited diet or grain free formula to see if it alleviates the gas. Some owners opt for allergy testing – though pricey, it can help pinpoint the source of your dog’s gas.

Pet Alive Flatulence Preventer

The Flatulence Preventer from natural pet remedy brand Pet Alive promises to reduce gas guild up with an herbal formula. The ingredient list of natural digestive aids and homeopathic remedies may seem foreign, but everything is natural. While this may be a good solution, my picky puppy (who often leaves a bowl of food uneaten for hours) wouldn’t oblige to the recommended dosage. To start you must give your dog a pinch or two of the tiny pellets every 30 minutes for six doses. Then, you must give three doses daily.

Yogurt

Just how yogurt can help balance out human belly troubles with its live and active cultures, it can help your canines digestive issues, too. Add a teaspoon of plain yogurt to your dog’s bowl at each meal.

Weider Pet Health Digestive Wellness

The Digestive Wellness formula combines the probiotics of yogurt with other enzymes and fiber that can help normalize your dog’s digestion including sunflower, flax and ginger. It comes in a powder formula that you add to your dog’s meal once or twice a day.

Alas, my hunt for the perfect doggie Gas-X continues. Does your dog fart? Have you tried any natural remedies that work? Tell us in the comments below.

Image: gadgetbubba

The post Pooch that Toots? Natural Ways to Stink Out Gas appeared first on EcoSalon.

The same springtime allergies that may cause you to suffer from a runny nose, itchy and watery eyes and sneezing can affect your pets, too. Some dogs are allergic to pollen, mold spores, dust mites, fleas and other indoor and outdoor allergens. Since this year’s allergy season is one for the record books with astonishingly high pollen levels – likely because of climate change – your dog may be exhibiting more symptoms than usual.

Allergies in dogs typically appear as skin problems causing inflammation and itchiness that not only cause discomfort, but also leave skin vulnerable to infections. You might notice your dog incessantly licking his paws to relieve itchiness, obsessing over a hot spot (which is nothing more than a patch of infected skin), or suffering from an ear infection due to an overgrowth of yeast and bacteria in the ear canal.

Since you can’t just hand your pup a box of tissues and an allergy pill, here are three natural remedies to prevent allergy attacks before they start.

Omega-3 Fatty Acids

In the same way that fish oil is healthy for humans, fish oil can do wonders in helping some dogs’ skin and improving the condition of their coasts. Because omega-3 fatty acids are natural, anti-inflammatory agents, they can help calm skin and reduce the inflammation that often occurs with allergy prone pups. You can purchase supplements at the pet store, but it’s best to consult your vet for proper dosing recommendations. Additionally, you can look for dry and wet dog food formulas that have fish oil, omega-3 fatty acids, salmon or krill listed on the label.

Probiotics

Studies have shown that Lactobacillus acidophilus, one of the live and active cultures commonly lurking in yogurt, can help with pollen allergies, hives and eczema in humans. Veterinarians also speak highly of the benefits of probiotics in preventing dog allergies. Again, ask your vet about appropriate supplements, or look for one of the many brands of natural dog food that includes probiotics in the recipe.

Reschedule Walks

If you suffer from seasonal allergies, your doctor may have told you to avoid outdoor activities in the early morning and evening. Similarly, you can try to keep your dog inside during those hours. But if you work 9 to 5, that may be next to impossible. If you can, shorten your a.m. and p.m. walks – leaving a longer stroll up to the dog walker – consider wiping your pooch down with a cold wet cloth to remove some of the allergens that may be clinging to her coat when you come inside.

Image: ccho

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