<![CDATA[Shady Mountain Pet Retreat, Inc. est. in 2005 - Blog]]>Sat, 18 Apr 2026 06:39:36 -0400Weebly<![CDATA[Teaching Dogs How to Learn]]>Sun, 05 May 2019 19:21:06 GMThttps://www.shadymountainpetretreat.net/blog/teaching-dogs-how-to-learnAt SMPR we use positive reinforcement training methods to teach our K9 guests how to learn. You may ask, How does this differ from other area trainers? I'm glad you asked! Greatly. First, let's put ourselves into their position. They don't understand our language, no matter how many times we repeat the words and use louder volumes. Second, if one is forced into a situation, one becomes increasingly recalcitrant about getting into that situation in the first place. Ever experience your dog running away instead of coming when called? Or, trying to hide when he/she sees his leash? This is your dog's reaction to being force trained, or otherwise not enjoying the process; for some reason.
In the past few years I have seen an incursion of electronic collar trainers enter our area. When I had first arrived, in 2005, I thought the biggest issue with training dogs in Central Virginia were the "tradition methods" using choke chains, prong collars and yanking on these collars when giving commands. Now I'm seeing e-collars being placed on puppies, gentle dog breeds, and others, who will react poorly to being taught in this manner. In my opinion, trainers who use these devices either don't know their craft very well, or are catering to pet parents who prefer frightened robot dogs to a happy companion. 
It hurts my heart to see this. Golden Retrievers who are gentle, loving creatures are being zapped into submission. Young dogs who need guidance are being flooded with scary stimuli and then zapped if they don't immediately accept it.
I view dogs as eternal children. Members of our families, who never grow up and move away. They rely on us for everything. And we rely on them for company and comfort. Therefore, I always approach the training process as - Would I do this to my child? Think of this for a second. If your child were afraid of stepping on grass would you force him/her to stand there and then zap him/her every time he/she attempted to get off of it? Or, would you take one step at a time, rewarding your child for each fraction of success until he/she decides that the grass was a fun place to be?
This is how I approach the dog training process. Each success is rewarded until the entire behavior has been accomplished. For those who don't have time to wait for their dogs to accidentally do something you may want, you facilitate the success.
Setting your dog up to make the right decision is not force training. It is merely appealing to him using something motivational, such as food, a toy, or touch. Dogs crave rewards as much as we do. They will work hard for them. Using rewards as a form of bait does not mean you'll need to forever rely on the bait for your dog to perform. It can be phased out over time.
Training your dog using positive reinforcement may take longer, but you are building a relationship with your dog, not just treating him/her like a piece of furniture; or a robot. Dogs are sentient, emotional creatures who crave love, attention and rewarding experiences. I hope you will agree with me that a happy, well-behaved companion who has learned how to make the right choices far outweighs a frightened robot dog.
View the pictures below to see the facial expressions of a dog who is responding to a cue because it wants to vs one who is frightened not to.
The Golden Retriever on the left is a beloved family pet who learned how to respond to cues via positive reinforcement. Note her relaxed, happy expression. The dog on the right was trained by Off Leash K9, an e-collar training franchise spread throughout the east coast (and elsewhere, too, unfortunately). After being cued to sit, look at his face. He's tense, scared and holding himself low. It broke my heart when I saw him do this. He is such a lovely, sweet Boxer. I never again told him to sit. Instead, I lured him into position and after the few days he spent with me he started to enjoy going on walks again, instead of waiting to be zapped.
In conclusion, please think about how training affects your dog and the life you have together. Giving him a choice to respond correctly, and setting him up for success, will help him better understand his environment and be a happier, relaxed, family member.
​
]]><![CDATA[Vitamin D]]>Tue, 05 Feb 2019 12:07:47 GMThttps://www.shadymountainpetretreat.net/blog/vitamin-dAs vets excoriate the benefits of vitamin D in a dog's diet, there can also be drawbacks to getting too much. In the past I have encouraged my clients to feed their dogs grain free diets. I suggest brands such as Merrick, Nature's Variety, Pure Vita and Natural Balance. Rarely, if ever, have these brands had to issue recalls. Now that I've been reading studies about what can occur if a dog does not get any vitamin D from grains, I'm changing my suggestions to feeding a high quality, meat based food, with healthy grains, such as brown rice, barley or oatmeal. 
As there is a danger of dogs not getting enough Vitamin D, there's also risk of overdose. The below article details what can occur when someone follow's their vet's advice and purchases a Hills Science Diet product.
Hills has infiltrated the vet office environment; touting how they have done all sorts of studies and quality control. They begin by subsidizing vet school programs. Now there is proof that their food is not helping dogs, but killing them.
It is not enough to observe a dog on this diet with a dry coat, hot spots, runny eyes and over the top poor behavior. Most dog owners will take their dogs to the vet for meds to help solve the issue, instead of looking to the source - the food.
I beg dog owners to approach the health of their dog holistically. What you feed is what you get. How you train and how often you train is what you also get out of your dog.
Read this article (please) and make a wise choice for your dog's nutrition.

https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/us/a-dog-food-company-recalled-its-products-but-these-grieving-pet-owners-say-its-too-late/ar-BBTbAqi?ocid=spartanntp
]]><![CDATA[The Benefits of Canned Pumpkin]]>Mon, 19 Oct 2015 11:48:38 GMThttps://www.shadymountainpetretreat.net/blog/the-benefits-of-canned-pumpkinI often recommend giving your dog pumpkin as an aid to weight loss and to benefit an upset tummy. There are actually even more uses for it as Dr. Nancy Kay, DVM points out in her article below. I learned something new...pumpkin can be used for controlling hairballs in cats! Great info. I only hope they enjoy eating it.

What is canned pumpkin?
Canned pumpkin recommended by veterinarians is nothing more than pumpkin that has been pureed. It is a source of fiber that is low in fat and cholesterol. When purchasing canned pumpkin at the grocery store it is important to read the label carefully. Pie filling canned pumpkin has added ingredients such as sugar, fat, and various seasonings. It is the pure pumpkin product that veterinarians recommend.
 
How can pumpkin help?
Canned pumpkin can provide a number of health benefits based primarily on its fiber content. Be forewarned that canned pumpkin is mostly water, to the tune of approximately 90%. This means that the content of fiber (not nearly as much as is found in Metamucil).Pumpkin isn’t a be-all and end-all remedy for cats and dogs with gastrointestinal issues, but it is a reasonably harmless thing to try. If this has you thinking, “Hmm, maybe I’ll give canned pumpkin a try,” I urge you to consult with your veterinarian before doing so. In some cases, added fiber could cause more harm than good. All this being said, canned pumpkin does seem to make a significant difference for some animals in the following ways:
  • Diarrhea: Fiber can act as a sponge that absorbs excess water within the gastrointestinal tract. Diarrhea has a myriad of causes, and added dietary fiber can benefit some of them.
  • Constipation: When there isn’t excess water in the gastrointestinal tract, fiber can help draw in water and ease stool passage. Fiber can also create bulk within the colon that helps alleviate constipation for some animals.
  • Weight loss: Pumpkin provides a relatively low calorie way to give an animal the sense of a full stomach. This can make the reduction of overall food quantity more tolerable for the dieting animal.
·         Hairballs: Canned pumpkin can benefit some cats who suffer from hairballs. The fiber content helps move things along within the gastrointestinal tract. Be reminded that, only rarely are hairballs the true cause of vomiting in kitties.
 
How much pumpkin should you feed?
The amount of canned pumpkin needed to provide benefit will vary from pet to pet. For example, a Chihuahua may require only a teaspoon per meal whereas a half cup may be required for a Great Dane. As with any dietary additive, it’s best to start small and then work your way up to the appropriate amount. Some animals, particularly those of the feline persuasion, don’t much care for this different tasting orange substance in their food bowl- another reason to begin with only a small amount that is more readily disguised.If you are feeding your pet only a small amount of pumpkin daily, you may not use an entire can before it spoils. Consider placing the pumpkin in ice cube trays and freezing. Blocks can then be thawed as needed.
Questions for your veterinarian
·         Might my pet benefit from the addition of canned pumpkin?
·         How much canned pumpkin should I feed and how frequently?
·        What should I be watching for once the pumpkin is started?Do you feed your pets canned pumpkin and have you found it beneficial?
If you would like to respond publicly, please visit: http://www.speakingforspot.com/blog/?p=4963.
Sending best wishes to you and your four-legged family members,
Dr. Nancy Kay


]]><![CDATA[Training Rules]]>Wed, 19 Aug 2015 03:31:55 GMThttps://www.shadymountainpetretreat.net/blog/training-rulesThese are training rules I've always adhered to. Each one is VERY important to insure that your pet receives positive training geared toward him/her as an individual.

Four Golden Rules
 Information excerpted from the book "Do As I Do" by Claudia Fugazza

These four golden rules should be followed during Do As I Do training (or any other training technique one relies upon).

1. Working sessions must be kept SHORT

Each training session must amount to what is a fun game for your dog to be played in your company. If the dog becomes exhausted, his motivation can decrease and he can be less willing to cooperate with what you are trying to accomplish in the next training session. For this reason, it is important to close the training session before the dog becomes tired, when he is still willing to work (i.e., willing to have fun) with you.

Remember that training sessions should be a fun, playful activity for your dog. This does not mean that you should not work hard to get the training right; it just means that you should be diligent about making it fun for you and especially for your dog. If you respect this rule, you will see that in the next session the dog's motivation will likely increase.

Keep in mind also that this training technique is not merely based on the establishment of associations between stimuli and responses. It requires the dog to use his cognitive social skills. The dog will likely get tired relatively quickly because this implies much concentration. A good strategy to ensure that you do not overextend the training session out of enthusiasm is to count the treats you are delivering to the dog. But do not forget to offer a jackpot when you come across a particularly good response!

On average a six-trial session is sufficient and after the training it is ideal to provide the dog a place to relax body and mind.

2. Pause immediately if you detect signs of STRESS in the dog

Learning something new is always a stressful mental challenge. In any training situation, it is likely that the dog will not understand the purpose of the game at the beginning. If you notice at any point that the stress level is excessive, it is better to stop the training session at once and only resume it after the dog has rested and is calmer. In fact, excessive amounts of stress are not only bad for your dog but also compromise his ability to learn.

3. Always end the training session with a SUCCESS for the dog (and for you!)

If your dog fails with a difficult exercise, do not set him up for failure again and again. The right thing to do is to simplify the exercise a bit and end the working session on a high note.

4. Let your dog take a BREAK

Working sessions must be kept short to be effective for learning. Asking for six consecutive trials represents a significant mental effort and it is more than enough for most dogs. For some dogs this length may even be excessive.

By stopping before the dog gets tired, learning will be much more effective and the dog will not lose the motivation to work with you. Sometimes the enthusiasm for what you are doing or the attempt to obtain immediate results can lead you to prolong the working sessions too much. Rather than waiting for your dog to be tired or stressed, it is good practice to end the session while your dog is still willing to work. After a training session it is of the utmost importance to grant your dog a break.

Claudia Fugazza's new book, Do As I Do, examines dog training based on social learning. The book and accompanying DVD explain in detail this innovative approach to training. Buy it from the Whole Dog Journal today!


]]><![CDATA[The Importance of Dental Care for your Pets]]>Wed, 19 Aug 2015 03:30:04 GMThttps://www.shadymountainpetretreat.net/blog/the-importance-of-dental-care-for-your-petsThere's a reason I display toothbrushes in my pet boutique. It's very important to tend to your pet's teeth. His/her life depends on it!

Brush Your Dog's Teeth to Avoid Serious Health Problems Although veterinary dental specialists would prefer that all owners brush their dogs' teeth, the fact is that some dogs need it more than others. The accumulation of plaque (a "biofilm" on the teeth that contains bacteria) and tartar (a mineralized concretion of plaque) is not just unsightly, it's unhealthy. Tartar buildup at and under the gum line enables the entrance and growth of bacteria under the gums.

Most dogs who have bad breath also have gingivitis - swollen and inflamed gums, usually bright red or purple, and which bleed easily. Unchecked, these bacterial infections in the gums slowly destroy the ligament and bony structures that support the teeth (periodontitis). Because of the ample blood supply to the gums, infections in the mouth can also poison the dog systemically, potentially causing disease of the heart, kidneys, and/or liver.

If you are one of the unlucky ones, and your dog's teeth and gums need your intervention to stay healthy, how often do you really need to brush your dog's teeth? Put it this way: the more you brush, the less frequently you'll need to pay for a veterinary cleaning. Whether you would prefer to invest your time in patiently training your dog to enjoy having his teeth brushed or would prefer to invest in your veterinarian's time is up to you!

A few tooth brushing tips:

• Start out slow, and be patient. Don't try to brush all of your dog's teeth on the first day. Use a circular motion, gently scrubbing plaque away from the gum line. Reward your dog frequently and richly with treats and praise.

• The "brushes" that you wear on your fingertips don't tend to work as well as brushes with softer bristles - and they make it much easier for your dog to accidently bite down on your finger. Look for very soft-bristled brushes with long handles, so you can make sure you reach the molars. For larger dogs, soft brushes meant for adult humans work fine; baby human toothbrushes work well for smaller dogs.

• If your dog will tolerate it (or you can positively and patiently teach him to accept it), electric toothbrushes work great! For some dogs, however, these whirring, vibrating brushes are a deal- breaker, no matter what kind of treats you offer.

Use a toothpaste designed for dogs. They come in flavors that are meant to appeal to dogs (meaty, not minty) - and they are free of fluoride, which can be toxic to dogs. (Remember, dogs don't know to spit the toothpaste out!) Look for products that contain antibacterial enzymes, which help discourage bacterial growth and resulting gingivitis. Dip the brush in water frequently as you brush, to help rinse the plaque away from your dog's teeth, and to facilitate a thorough application of the antibacterial enzymes in the toothpaste.
]]><![CDATA[Kibble Does Not Help Your Pet's Teeth]]>Wed, 19 Aug 2015 03:28:44 GMThttps://www.shadymountainpetretreat.net/blog/kibble-does-not-help-your-pets-teethThis is an important excerpt from the great periodical, Whole Dog Journal:

Don't They Need Kibble to Keep Their Teeth Clean?
 Information excerpted from the book "Raw Dog Food" by Carina Beth MacDonald

Of course not! Dogs don't get cleaner teeth by eating kibble, any more than you will by eating cookies. Those crunchy little nuggets provide almost zero teeth cleaning benefits for big sharp teeth. Ever looked at your dog's mouth about an hour after eating her doggie bits? All that goop is still smooshed between her teeth, fermenting away. One of the most immediate benefits most people see with a raw diet is sweet breath and whiter teeth. Often this difference will be seen within days. One of the most common reasons people bring their pets to a vets' office is for dental concerns.



]]><![CDATA[All it takes is a single drop and voila..contamination.]]>Sun, 22 Feb 2015 15:15:54 GMThttps://www.shadymountainpetretreat.net/blog/all-it-takes-is-a-single-drop-and-voilacontamination]]><![CDATA[Dog Food Rant...Again.]]>Sat, 21 Feb 2015 23:37:44 GMThttps://www.shadymountainpetretreat.net/blog/dog-food-rantagainHello my friends. Here's another article about the most horrific of dog foods - Beneful. I cringe when dog owners bring this with their dogs. It's toxic on so many levels.

Class Action Lawsuit filed against Beneful Dog FoodFebruary 18, 2015 Pet Food News 41 Comments 44,497 Views

Sh
A nationwide class action lawsuit was recently filed in California charging Nestle Purina with breach of warranty, negligence and negligent misrepresentation (among other things).

From TopClassActions.com:

Nestle Purina Petcare Company was hit with a class action lawsuit alleging that its Beneful dog food includes toxic substances which are capable of killing dogs.

According to the Beneful class action lawsuit filed in a California federal court by plaintiff Frank Lucido on Feb. 5, Beneful is responsible for making thousands of dogs either seriously ill or causing them to die, which happened to one of his own dogs.

Lucido owned three dogs — a German Shepherd, an English Bulldog and a Labrador. He bought a bag of Beneful for the first time in late December 2014 or early January 2015 and each dog began eating Beneful exclusively, the Beneful class action lawsuit explains.

On Jan. 15, the German Shepherd began to lose a large amount of hair and began giving off a unusual odor, which concerned Lucido and his wife, who first started to notice the symptoms. Two days later the German Shepherd became “violently ill.”

After being examined by a veterinarian, it was determined that the German Shepherd was suffering from internal bleeding in the dog’s stomach and the liver was also malfunctioning, which the veterinarian said was “consistent with poisoning.”

On Jan. 23, Lucido’s wife found the English Bulldog dead in their yard. “Post-mortem veterinary examination revealed signs of internal bleeding in the dog’s stomach and lesions on his liver, much like [the German Shepherd],” the class action lawsuit claims.

CourthouseNews.com states: “He blames the problems on the presence of propylene glycol, an automotive antifreeze component, and grains with fungus that produce mycotoxins.”

The lawsuit cites our pet food testing results, “The class action lawsuit cites the Association for Truth In Pet Food, which tested “Beneful Original and found that it contained dangerous levels of mycotoxins.” The consumer funded Pet Food Test found Beneful Original to contain 10 different mycotoxins which resulted in a Risk Equivalent Quality of 32 – above high risk.

Attorneys representing pet food consumers in this lawsuit are listed as: Jeffrey B. Cereghino of Ram, Olson, Cereghino & Kopcyzynski, by John Yanchunis of Morgan & Morgan Complex Litigation Group, by Karl Molineux of Merrill, Nomura & Molineux, and by Donna F. Solen of Kimbrell Kimbrell & Solen LLC.

Wishing you and your pet(s) the best,

Susan Thixton
Pet Food Safety Advocate
Author Buyer Beware, Co-Author Dinner PAWsible
TruthaboutPetFood.com
Association for Truth in Pet Food


Before you purchase dog food, be certain to read the labels. Stay clear of anything that has the following ingredients:

By-products, corn, wheat, rice hulls, beet pulp, BHA, ethoxyquin and soy.

Ask the pet shop if you can see an actual sample of the food. Smell it. If it stinks, don't purchase it for your dog.


]]><![CDATA[Pet Food Test]]>Tue, 06 Jan 2015 13:47:11 GMThttps://www.shadymountainpetretreat.net/blog/pet-food-testMany of you may get flustered with me when I discuss proper pet nutrition. There's a reason for it, though. I am knowledgeable of how to keep your pets healthy and food is a key component in that quest. Your pet is what he/she eats. If your pet is having an allergic reaction to something it is usually due to what is being fed.

Below is a consumer pet food product test that proves what I've been preaching. Granted, just a few of the numerous pet food products were tested, but many of these products are brought into SMPR with the pets or I have discussed the quality of "vet prescription foods" with you and dissed them as low quality.

Here's why:]]><![CDATA[Four Golden Rules of Training - re-post]]>Wed, 24 Dec 2014 16:33:14 GMThttps://www.shadymountainpetretreat.net/blog/four-golden-rules-of-training-re-postFour Golden Rules
 Information excerpted from an article by Claudia Fugazza

These four golden rules should be followed during Do As I Do training (or any other training technique one relies upon).
1. Working sessions must be kept SHORT

 Each training session must amount to what is a fun game for your dog to be played in your company. If the dog becomes exhausted, his motivation can decrease and he can be less willing to cooperate with what you are trying to accomplish in the next training session. For this reason, it is important to close the training session before the dog becomes tired, when he is still willing to work (i.e., willing to have fun) with you.

Remember that training sessions should be a fun, playful activity for your dog. This does not mean that you should not work hard to get the training right; it just means that you should be diligent about making it fun for you and especially for your dog. If you respect this rule, you will see that in the next session the dog's motivation will likely increase.

Keep in mind also that this training technique is not merely based on the establishment of associations between stimuli and responses. It required the dog to use his cognitive social skills. The dog will likely get tired relatively quickly because this implies much concentration. A good strategy to ensure that you do not overextend the training session out of enthusiasm is to count the treats you are delivering to the dog. But do not forget to offer a jackpot when you come across a particularly good response!

On average a six-trial session is sufficient and after the training it is ideal to provide the dog a place to relax body and mind.

2. Pause immediately if you detect signs of STRESS in the dog

Learning something new is always a stressful mental challenge. In any training situation, it is likely that the dog will not understand the purpose of the game at the beginning. If you notice at any point that the stress level is excessive, it is better to stop the training session at once and only resume it after the dog has rested and is calmer. In fact, excessive amounts of stress are not only bad for your dog but also compromise his ability to learn.

3. Always end the training session with a SUCCESS from the dog (and for you!)

If your dog fails with a difficult exercise, do not set him up for failure again and again. The right thing to do is to simplify the exercise a bit and end the working session on a high note.

4. Let your dog take a BREAK

Working sessions must be kept short to be effective for learning. Asking for six consecutive trials represents a significant mental effort and it is more than enough for most dogs. For some dogs this length may even be excessive.

By stopping before the dog gets tired, learning will be much more effective and the dog will not lose the motivation to work with you. Sometimes the enthusiasm for what you are doing or the attempt to obtain immediate results can lead you to prolong the working sessions too much. Rather than waiting for your dog to be tired or stressed, it is good practice to end the session while your dog is still willing to work. After a training session it is of the utmost importance to grant your dog a break.

Claudia Fugazza's new book, Do As I Do, examines dog training based on social learning. The book and accompanying DVD, explains and details this innovative approach to training. Buy it from Whole Dog Journal today.
]]>