The results were pretty much what I feared and somewhat expected based on her history. In addition to a moderate wheat allergy she is also mildly allergic to every food tested (beef, corn, milk and soy) except eggs! This has made it somewhat more challenging to find safe alternatives but we’ve managed to add in some safe diet options such as goat and rabbit.

We have noticed an improvement in her overall level of itchiness by cutting out these food offenders and just having a definite answer to some of our questions has been well worth doing the testing. We’ll be doing another round shortly when the extended panel, including chicken and other common foods, comes out!

• Be selective when sharing holiday treats. Choose fresh vegetables and lean cuts of meat (hold the rich gravy and spices). 
• Put potentially dangerous gifts safely out of Fido’s reach. Chocolate and (Macadamia) nuts are abundant this time of year and toxic to pets. Always ask friends and family which gifts may contain harmful foods before putting them under the tree. 
• Holly, misletoe, ivy, poinsettia and many varieties of lilies are highly toxic to pets. Either trade them for pet friendly options or make sure they are safely out of reach. 
• Be mindful of ornament placement if you have a nosy pet. Keep glass and hooks out of your pets reach and replace tinsel and garland (which can be harmful if eaten) with bows and ribbon. 
• Secure your tree to prevent it from being knocked over and hide cords to avoid chewing. 
• Take your pet for a long walk or play session before leaving for holiday gatherings or having guests over. If you are having a large party be sure to provide your pet a safe, quiet room to go to if they are feeling overwhelmed. Even the most social of animals sometimes need a break. 
• Be sure your pet has ID tags securely placed on his collar and be mindful that doors and gates are closed behind your guests. 
• Supervise your pet if he is partaking in the unwrapping of gifts Christmas morning. Ribbons, plastic, batteries and parts of toys are all dangerous if ingested. 

Wishing you and your furry family members safe and happy holiday season!

Those were the words my vet said as I sat across from him talking about our newest struggles with Dharma’s allergies.

Wait. What? Did I just imagine that? Is it really Christmas already?

I had waited for this day for a long time. I know, I know, who gets excited about breakthroughs in diagnostic testing?

Me. And probably anyone else who has suffered alongside their itchy, scratchy, miserable best friends or spent their time reading the ingredient list on every package of treats in the store searching for those with no wheat, corn, grains, soy, beef, chicken or dairy.

We know Dharma has environmental allergies ranging from fleas, multiple trees and an assortment of plants and grasses. She is under the constant care and monitoring of us and our holistic vet as we try to keep her feeling good with supplements and natural treatments while not resorting to traditional medications used to alleviate allergy symptoms such as steroids.

We have done the testing for the environmental allergies and the results have been a huge help in the process of living with Dharma’s allergies. Some things that are used in natural allergy relief, such as tea tree oil, will send Dharma into a scratching rage complete with open wounds and hair loss. Because we have done the testing we can screen out all known allergens. We have suspected, as has our vet, that based on her history of Irritable Bowel Disease and allergies that Dharma probably has a range of food allergies as well. I have searched high and low, calling every specialist around to see if there is a test for food allergies. There is; however, it is not regarded as reliable.

Previous testing is done using a blood sample and tests for the antibodies to certain foods in the dogs blood. The problem is that the test has a high sensitivity but low specificity producing many false positives as well as false negatives. Not exactly helpful. Until now the only way to test your dog for food allergies was through a method called the elimination diet. It works like this. You put the dog on a strict diet of one protein and one carbohydrate for up to 8 weeks. No other foods are allowed during that time. Period. That includes treats, bones etc. If you see improvement over the 8 weeks you introduce different foods one at a time until you have gone through your list and have determined which foods trigger an allergic response.

If it sounds easy it isn’t. We test every new food, supplement, shampoo, ear wash etc that Dharma is given. Some days I think the list of things we have left to try may take us the rest of our lives. Many times we get a positive response (itchiness) within a few days of giving her the new food or item. But because she has so many environmental allergies and we can’t control the amount of maple trees or yellow dock in the area we never know for sure with one trial if it is really the food causing her to scratch or a coincidence. That means if it produces a reaction once we must take her off the offending item, wait a week or two for her to calm down while it leaves her system and then try it again. If the same item makes her itchy twice we cross if off the list. Now do you see why I’m excited?

Nutriscan canine food sensitivity testing is performed by a lab called Hemopet. Dr. Jean Dodds runs Hemopet and is extremely well-known for her work on advanced thyroid testing and the Rabies Challenge Fund. Dr. Dodds personally evaluates each and every test run through her facility ranging from titer testing to thyroid tests and now, Nutriscan testing.

Nutriscan testing evaluates saliva samples to identify antibodies to foods to alert owners to which foods should be avoided for their pet. Antibodies appear in the saliva before the animal is even diagnosed with IBD or food allergies. The test currently evaluates the top 6 food allergens; corn, wheat, soy, milk, eggs and beef. Hemopet plans to release an extended panel of 14 additional test items including chicken and turkey by the start of 2012.

The day I found out about this new testing I went home, called Hemopet and ordered my diagnostic kit. The sample gathering process is non invasive and can be done at home. I put the piece of rope is put into Dharma’s mouth and ignored her looks of dismay, then inserted it into the sample tube and mailed it back to the lab. Dharma and I are anxiously awaiting the results.

I purchased a food dehydrator along with a jerky gun and a range of ground jerky ingredients (pork, turkey, beef and lamb) and set out to make my first batch. I mixed each pound of meat with a 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder and a healthy sprinkle of parsley. Although large amounts of garlic can be problematic for dogs moderate servings (about 1 clove per day for a 50 lb dog) have many health benefits such as repelling fleas and acting as a natural antibiotic.

After each batch was mixed  it was simple to create strips and logs using the jerky gun. I then placed them on the dehydrator and dried.

They were an instant hit!

With a successful first batch of jerky under my belt I decided to create some other snacks for the dogs to enjoy – sweet potatoes and a range of fruit – which were devoured almost as quickly as the jerky.

• Desensitize and counter condition your dog. Buy a fireworks CD and begin playing it each day. Start with the volume low and play during meal and play times. You can also give your dog a treat each time a firework explodes on the CD. During the grand finale be sure to have many small treats ready so you can reward your dog rapidly. Each day turn the volume up a little more. It is important to use high value treats, not the usual kibble or dry biscuits, during this training. Try pea size pieces of chicken or cheese.

• If your dog is crate trained and happiest in his den use the crate while playing the CD in preparation for the real thing (you can also use a small room). On the 4th leave your dog in her safe space with a peanut butter stuffed and frozen Kong or another tasty and long-lasting treat. Close windows and leave the radio or TV on to help drown out the sound. Try an herbal anti-anxiety blend such as Animals’ Apawthecary Tranquility or Dog Appeasing Pheromone spray or plug-in to help her relax.

• If you don’t feel your dog can stay home alone during the show ask a friend or relative to watch your dog or take him to his favorite doggy daycare for playtime. If your dog absolutely panics each year when the fireworks start another option is to plan a trip to a quiet area for the day to avoid the noise. No matter where you spend the 4th make sure she has ID tags on and is in a secure area before the start of the fireworks. A large number of dogs run away on this holiday when they become afraid.

• Some dogs are incredibly afraid of fireworks and have an extreme reaction such as trying to break through doors and windows or destroying the house. Counter conditioning can be a very slow process with these guys and it may be best to see your veterinarian for medication to get him through the day.

• Remember it is easiest to teach a puppy not to fear loud noises instead of waiting for a fear to develop. Spend your pups first 4th in an area where he can hear the fireworks (but not too close) and reward each time one explodes. Use high value treats.

A little prevention now will go a long way to ensure your dog is celebrating alongside you for years to come.

This applies to all aspects of your pet’s care from the medical attention they receive to the food they eat and the training methods you use to teach them. The next time you take your dog in to the vet ask yourself if your dog really needs a Lyme vaccine when he is never in an area with ticks or if another steroid shot is really the best solution for her itching. Talk with the doctor about your concerns and ask about the risks and benefits for treatments and preventatives before agreeing to them. If your dog has a chronic issue or illness that is always treated the same just to come back in a week or month ask yourself (and your vet) what you can do to address the underlying issue instead of just putting a band aid on the symptoms.You should respect the fact that your vet went through extensive medical schooling but also value your role as your pet’s guardian and decision maker. If your vet doesn’t like you asking questions or raising concerns it might be time to find one who is willing to be a partner in your pet’s care rather than a dictator.

This applies to other aspects of your pet’s well-being too. If you find yourself wondering if the trainer insisting on choke chains and alpha rolls (read: call Bark to Basics) really has your dog’s best interest in mind make your concerns heard or find another trainer. When the person at the gym tells you any “people food” is terrible for your dog pick up a book on canine nutrition and find out for yourself.

Our dogs rely on us to make the best decisions we can when it comes to their health and happiness. We are their advocates and with that comes responsibility and many times, questioning the status quo. Ask the questions your dog’s would ask if they could talk. Do I really need another vaccine? Why is “people” food bad for me? While you’re at it, you should start applying this approach to your own health and wellness too!

You can check out the results here:

http://oc.cityvoter.com/contests/oc-hotlist/4786/pets/training

Thanks to everyone who showed their support and voted.

For all of you who have completed a training package of 3, 6 or 8 lessons Bark to Basics is now offering follow-up sessions for a discounted rate of $85. Follow-ups are great if your pooch could use some freshening up on commands or you have new problems to solve.

In Home Boarding

Need a place for your dog to stay during your upcoming vacation? Bark to Basics is now offering in home boarding. Dogs stay in my home and live like they’re part of the family while you’re away. I stick with your routine and rules so your dog settles in smoothly. Dogs are supervised while mingling and daily 45-60 minute walks are provided. You can add training time to the stay as well.

Fleas can create a variety of problems for our dogs ranging from itchy skin to flea allergy dermatitis and even to tapeworms. While many people use the traditional topical flea treatments, like Frontline, or the newer pill form of flea control, Comfortis, many are unaware of a more natural option available to them and their dogs.

The traditional flea preventatives contain insecticides and toxins and dogs can experience a range of side effects including irritation or redness where a topical product was placed, hair loss, vomiting, lethargy, and diarrhea. In severe cases I have even seen dogs who have suffered from seizures and death after using these products. Certainly these cases aren’t the norm but like all medications these preventatives carry risks. Read a package of your favorite flea preventative and notice how it recommends you not allow it to come in to contact with your skin and instructs you to wash thoroughly if it does. If it’s not safe for our skin why would we want to put this on our pets?

One of my bassets, Dharma, has a range of allergies, including flea allergy dermatitis. When she gets fleas she turns in to a chewed up, red, bloody mess so we absolutely must keep them off her. So I set out searching for natural ways to prevent fleas. One that I came across was feeding small amounts of garlic, too much can be harmful to your dog, and gave it a try. It seemed to work for a while but eventually I found fleas on my dogs.

I expressed my concerns to my holistic vet at an appointment one day and he told me about Flea Treats. After doing some research I decided to give them a whirl. Flea Treats are a chewable tablet that guards against fleas and ticks using a vitamin B complex, which is known to reply bugs by creating a smell that they (not us) can detect. I even know of people who were given vitamin B shots to keep mosquitos away. One thing to keep in mind is that you will need to give them for around 10-20 days before you see their effectiveness.

There are a lot of pros to using this alternative. They’re not only natural and harmless, but they repel pests before they land on your pet, a major difference compared to traditional methods that kill fleas only after contact. Because vitamin B is water-soluble, your pet would not become ill even from eating an entire bottle. They’re also inexpensive, costing around $3 per month for a small dog and $6 for a 70 pounder. They’re safe for puppies, pregnant dogs and cats too. Best of all the company offers a money back guarantee.

But do they work?

Months later I’m happy to report that we are flea free using Flea Treats.

Most owners are very hard on themselves when they first take control of the leash and treats after watching me demonstrate the particular command or technique we’re working on during our session. They often feel awkward with the tools and struggle at first with getting the timing right. Many times the dogs aren’t the only ones working on breaking old habits like repeating commands – a big no-no with me!

This is where I go from dog trainer to coach and cheerleader. Training is a skill that develops with time and practice. Just like you don’t expect your dog to get something new on the first try (at least you shouldn’t) I know you need time to hone your new role as trainer. I don’t expect you to get it all right away and luckily, neither does your dog. I start by breaking your task into small and manageable steps – getting your coordination and timing right, communicating clearly with your dog and patience while he or she learns to work you. Clients are often frustrated with their rate of progress and focus on the steps they haven’t yet mastered rather than their successes. I coach you one step at a time, letting you know when you are doing things right and allowing you to be successful at one step before asking you to incorporate something new. Just like when I’m working with your dog, I gradually increase the criteria until you have perfected your training techniques. It doesn’t take long before both pet and owner are making progress and gaining confidence.

One of the most common questions I’m asked is, do you train husbands and kids? I always respond with same techniques, different treats. And I’ve heard some favorable reviews on my idea for freeze-dried beer treats for the husbands!