Is this product safe? Years ago these treats had some issues and unfortunately a few dogs choked and died. The treat is now new and improved with a soft, chewy texture that is easier to digest. They are now so soft that they are even bendable. The gummy texture helps remove tarter from a senior dogs teeth! Older dogs sometimes stop chewing things like chew bones, and dental cleanings are expensive but become necessary. However, like with any treat or dog chew you have to be a mindful dog owner! You really need to know your dog, ask your vet and think about when you give treats.

Seriously, I mean when you buy a treat for your dog, think about your dog and circumstance. Do you have multiple dogs? Does your dog gulp treats? How old is your dog? You are probably thinking, why should I ask myself all of these questions before giving my dog a treat or a chew!? Well, all of these questions have to do with safety and ultimately safety will save you heartache and vet bills. These treats like other treats and dog chews can be great if you read the packaging and get the proper size of treat for your dog. The main thing is that your dog does not gulp or hoard treats. If that’s the case this type of treat may not be right for  your dog. This treat is now new and improved to be chewy and easy to digest helping to clean teeth and has vitamins galore.

Paws for a Minuteâ„¢ safety tips for treats!

1. If your dog gulps treats, this treat is not the best. Beware of your dogs chewing behaviors. Check with your vet, first.

2. Read the packages and think before you buy a chew bone or treat!

3. If you own multiple dogs don’t give them all a chew bone or chew treat all at the same time. This creates a “shark effect” and frenzy that can cause choking.

Yesterday, I received a call from a former client telling me her dog has begun growling at her outdoors in the evening. Strangely, this new behavior began when she was ready for bed and asking him to come indoors. She wanted me to come over and correct this odd new behavior. I asked her to describe the issue. She said that her dog seemed spooked and would sort of hide in the back of the yard and as she approached him he began to growl. I asked her to describe what she did prior to leaving him in the yard. She confidently said that all she did was give him a bone while she was out and let him outdoors to enjoy the summer evening for a few hours. Bingo! Hello?

Giving a dog a bone outdoors can create problems like digging and territorial behaviors. Some dogs hide the bones and in the evening it can draw other animals to it. Not a good idea!

If leaving your dog in the yard for a few hours, exercise him first, then leave hard rubber toys or a ball to enjoy, instead.

Here’s my fun Paws for a Minuteâ„¢ quick tip!

Get a treat and put it in your back pocket. Use your body language to get your dog to come to you. Clap and praise your dog. As your dog approaches you reach into your back pocket, put the treat into your right hand and suddenly stand up! With your right hand ( the hand that’s holding the treat)  gesture the letter “j” or an upside down candy cane and say sit as you motion to your dog. That’s the training hand signal for sit! Your dog will focus on your hand and also smell the treat and drop the ball. When he spit’s out the ball give him the treat as you pick up the object he’s dropped!

* Tip: Fido Fact! Don’t chase your dog to get an object away from him. Hello? By doing that you are only teaching your dog to run away from you!

Here are my thoughts on dog training using food, treats or any other form of snack: Be sure that it does not become a bribe!  You need to be careful not to use it as a lure. Rewards like treats are great but they can wear off over time. If used with incorrect timing and as bait you might get a false result. Many trainers, dog people and new owners get confused when referring to the catch phrase “positive reinforcement,” thinking the kindest and only way to train a dog is by using food alone. Not true.

I will tell you what I tell all of my clients over the years (including my celebrity clients): make sure to vary the times that you give your dog a treat. For example, I often give a treat while the dog is holding a command (such as stay) and not just when the command is over! Praising your dog in a happy voice and giving him/her a pat or a hug for a job well done is equally good! The timing of when you give your dog a treat is key.

Another example is when taking pups out for potty breaks, don’t take a treat outside with you! The smell of the treat will distract your new puppy from going potty. Give him/her a treat indoors, “Just because!” Get it? It’s not if you should give a treat, it’s when.

More coming your way… Stay tuned!

Here is my secret weapon for the dog owners who want the 100% natural dog treat. Not expensive, dogs love them and they are vitamin rich treat. Yes, the sweet potato.

Put a sweet potato in the microwave for 2 minutes until soft. Let cool and cut into 1/4 inch slivers and take the potato skin off. Keep cool in the fridge for many servings of a great treat.

This is also a great treat for dogs that have food allergies.

Also try Sam’s Yams for a chewy sweet potato rawhide!

All dogs need to chew! Chewing is a function, not a behavior. What they chew on over time can become a behavior, like for example: chewing your shoe. That’s why training is key. I know most people “wing it.” They assume their dog will understand in time or grow out of  the “puppy stage.” However, the issue can become far more complex than that! If training and owner understanding isn’t handled properly, other problems can develop including aggression, territorial behavior, destruction due to anxiety, and the list goes on…

Paws For A Minuteâ„¢ … Bone-a-fide Facts!

1. Don’t give your dog bones outdoors. This promotes digging and can create territorial behavior.

2. Make sure that the bone is a marrow bone and not a steak or chicken bone that can splinter. Ask your vet about different bone choices that are right for your dog.

3. Multiple dog owners should consider a separation training exercise for bone chewing time. Not all dogs have issues with chewing. Two young dogs together will chew happily side by side. Add an age difference between two dogs and you might have trouble. Gating or crating one just for bone chewing time might be your answer on that dilemma.

4. If your dog growls or shows his teeth while chewing a bone at you or another dog in your household–it is not OK. That’s your signal for trouble ahead. Leash training and obedience class is a must.

5. Each stage of a dog’s life has different chewing needs. Stay tuned as to what they are…

6. Hold your dogs bone for a few minutes while he chews it. This is a great way to teach your dog to share.

7. Unless your dog is well and formally trained do not leave bones out around children. If your dog is territorial around a bone in the least, a child will become a target. Always use foresight! It’s definitely better to be safe than sorry.

Thinking carrots are just for the Easter Bunny?      

No way! Carrots are a great treat for dogs too! They dig them. Over their life span, a dog can get many of the same diseases and ailments that humans do.

Carrots given as a dog treat is a fantastic way for dog owners to save money. They are a healthy, crunchy and a low-cal alternative to the pricey dog treats on the market today.  Rich in vitamin A, carrots are great for over weight dogs, seniors and puppies!

Paws For A Minuteâ„¢… Quick Tip!

1. Buy a bag of carrots.

2. Clean, wash and keep the carrots in a plastic bin in the fridge.

3. Create a ritual after dinner or give as an afternoon snack.

4. Carrots are a great treat for children to give to dogs. They are big enough to not have a dog accidently snap at a child’s hand. Put your dog on a leash so that you can guide your dog to sit (the leash creates eye contact from your dog up to you). This is an important instruction for your dog to know before taking a treat from a child. Once patience is mastered in waiting for the command you can merely supervise the treat ritual between your child and dog.

5. Carrots are a great treat alternative for dogs that are allergic to certain proteins such as chicken or beef.

* Always supervise your dog around children, especially with treats or food. Double check with your vet that carrots are a good treat for your individual dog and circumstance.

The most frequently asked questions regarding rawhide are, “What is it?” and “Is it good for my dog?” It is actually made from the hide of a cow or buffalo. Some people feel that it is too hard for their dog to digest and therefore harmful. There are many types of rawhide on the market. The best kind to get is pressed rawhide, which is unbleached and a natural light brown in color. Rawhide comes in bone shapes and sticks. Rawhide chips are also available , but they are too small and thin and could get stuck in a dog’s throat.

Why rawhide? Dogs–especially young ones–need to chew. Unless your dog has a particular digestive ailment, rawhide is a godsend and certainly more digestible than a shoe or couch! Large bone and stick shapes are the best.

Caution: Keep a watchful eye. If the piece of rawhide your dog chews begins to get too small, throw it away.  Always check with your vet first, before giving rawhide to your dog!

My dog knows not to chew my Choo’s ..I mean shoes! This statement is righteously chanted by many dog owners. Well, guess what? Dogs need to chew!  Chewing for a dog is a function, not a behavior. What they chew on over time can become a behavior! Here is my quick tip.

Paws for a Minuteâ„¢… Quick tips: Chewing on your shoes!

1. Do not give a puppy or dog old shoes, clothing or socks to chew. This is a mixed signal. (dah)

2. Make sure you have the right chew bones. Many people have hundreds of toys, but no chew bones (such as bully sticks, nylon bones etc..) Always check with your vet as to what your dog should chew.

3. Create a ritual. Put your dog on a leash and hold a chew bone and watch tv for 5 or 10 minutes while he/she chews. This will isolate the proper chew bone and be a bonding experience all at the same time.

4. You can reprimand your dog after the fact. Yelling NO! does not work. Yes, your dog knows you’re mad, but not why. After you discover your dog has chewed your shoes, calm down. Silently, put your dog on a leash. Then without giving a dissertation, guide your dog over to the shoes and show him the shoe and let him smell it while saying NO! Then, bring him over to the chew bone and say “O.k.!” in a happy voice and take off the leash.  Now the reprimand for chewing has a beginning, middle and ending and also positive reinforcement.

I will cover the topic of chewing and puppy nipping in many blogs to come, stay tuned!

I understand. Cute stuff. The truth of the matter is that your dog really just wants to spend time with you.

I know, you get busy and then buy toys, grooming tools, chew bones, training supplies, food, dog walkers, vet bills and wow! Who knew it would cost so much?

Here are ways to SAVE money.

- Include your dog in your workouts. Really! Walk. Make it a 30 minute fast workout- with a mission.

- Bathe your own dog. You will save a lot of money. It really only takes 20 minutes. Here’s a tip: Keep a leash on your dog. That way you can redirect him to sit or stand and not run away. That way you can both remain calm and then you’ll remember to praise him while being bathed. Also dilute the shampoo with water before you put it on your dog and rinse 3 times longer to get shampoo out.

- Check with your local pet store to get low cost shot clinics. This is a good way to save money on vaccinations.

- Instead of expensive chew bones, treats and snacks, try a carrot! Dogs love them. They are crunchy and low cal.  Another healthy treat my dogs love are sweet potatoes. They’re crazy for them. Microwave a sweet potato then cut it up and put it in the fridge.  Always check with your vet first before you try something new.

- Looking for a pure bred puppy? Always check out breed rescues. Every city has one. If not, look in your local city shelter. Yes, they even have puppies.

- Tons of toys? Rotate them. But really, all you need is a tennis ball and a couple of bully sticks and you’re good to go. The trick is to bring them out during playtime. Ball to play/Bully stick to chill and chew.