Brown Dog Treasures

This is a problem we have been experiencing with our Guinness for the last few years. Initially Guinness (an 11 year old chocolate lab) showed no fear whatsoever of thunder, fireworks or any loud noises. In fact he seemed to like the commotion! We just thought this was because of his “hunting” bloodlines. After all what good gun dog would shy away from loud noise?

When Guinness reached the age of seven, he suddenly began to exhibit nervousness during thunder storms and a mild fear of fireworks. We discussed this with his vet. He prescribed a Chinese herbal blend that he felt would calm him. The herbs did absolutely nothing. In fact, his fear continued to worsen.

Now at the age of 11 he goes into complete panic mode even before the storm hits. When the weather gets cloudly or windy he begins his panic routine. He even will sit and stare out the window in anticipation of the coming lightening and thunder! Once it hits, nothing will console him. He scratches the walls, floor, doors. If any of you have ever seen the movie “Because of Winn Dixie” you will know about the type of behavior I am speaking of.

At his age we really didn’t want to begin sedating him with heavy doses of tranquilizers, yet we could not stand to see him suffer this way. So I began doing some research on this problem. Here are some of the things I found out.

First of all I found out that it is common for a dog to develop these fears later in life, even if he has had no prior trauma or bad experience with loud noises. Medical experts are not really sure why this happens. Just knowing this made me feel better! I kept wondering what we had done to our previously fearless dog! I also found out that if nothing breaks the cycle of fear it will only worsen. The fact that Guinness was looking out the window anticipating the storm shows that he has a high degree of intelligence. The smarter the dog, the more fear they can develop.

Here are some of the tips I learned that can help calm your dog’s fears:

1. Don’t try to comfort your dog by babying, talking sweetly, hugging, petting and giving treats. This only rewards fearful behavior.
2. Whatever you do you must stay calm yourself. If you begin to anticipate the fact that they might become frightened during the storm, your dog will pick up on this and the whole situation will escalate!
3. Never punish or yell at your dog for being afraid.
4. In advanced stages of this phobia, your dog may become destructive to your home. DO NOT crate them. Even though it might sound like a good idea, they are likely to thrash around and injure themselves in the crate in an attempt to escape the storm.
5. Try bringing your dog to a safe place in the house and stay with them. For instance our Guinness like to lay under the overhang on our platform bed, behind some covers. Bring them to a favorite spot in the house.

And finally I will tell you about a product that we found recently at an industry trade show. It is the only thing that has helped Guinness. We are only recommending this as something that has worked for us, we do not sell this product ourselves.

It is called Relieve De Stress by Dog trainer and behaviorist Kathy Santo. You may have seen her on the Martha Stewart Show or the Today Show.  One reason why we like this product is that it is all natural and organic. It does just what it says. Your dog will not become drowsy or sedated as with harsh prescription medications, you will just notice a calming effect. Guinness was still afraid of the storm, but his reaction was limited to panting and nervousness, not all out panic. We began using this in June and I am happy to report that his reaction to the storm has become a lot less dramatic over time. He seems to be realizing that nothing bad will happen. Now when he hear thunderin the distance he goes over to the kitchen cabinet where I keep the bottle and he waits for me to give it to him! This is also supposed to be good for travel, grooming, going to the vet’s office. Any situation that causes your dog to feel stressed.

Ingredients:aloe Vera, organic relaxing herbs St. John Wort & Valerian, imported essential oils including, lavender, chamomile, ginger and rosemary extract (a natural preservative)

Kathy Santos Relieve De Stress Organic Herbal Remedy for DogsFor a drama-free day and for stress and anxiety provoking activities like traveling, separation, thunderstorms, grooming, vet visits, moving & more.

While it is NEVER a good idea to leave your dog in a car unattended, it is never more important than during the blistering heat of mid summer. Some owners think it will be safe if they leave the car running with the air conditioner on. Beside the fact that this is no longer environmentally responsible and expensive to say the least considering the current gas prices, it is SUPER dangerous.

Last summer we were outside out local Stop &Shop and noticed a beautiful Black Lab in a locked car with the air conditioning running. We were in the store for only a couple of moments to pick up ice. When we came out we noticed that the car was no longer running and the dog was still locked in there. We quickly ran into the Stop & Shop and had the store manager page the owner of the car. I do not want to imagine what would have happened to that dog if we had not been there for him.

If your dog spends time outdoors during the summer months please make sure that he or she has access to plenty of cool, fresh water and a place in the shade. And remember, if you are too uncomfortable to be outside and are enjoying a cool air conditioned house. Then it is probably too hot for your dog to be outside as well!

Here are some sign to watch for if your dog has been out in the heat:

1. Drooling
2. Rapid Panting
3. Lack of coordination or confusion
4. Top of the head hot to the touch

These are extrememly dangerous signs and immediate treatment is needed.

• Get your dog to a cool environment immediately
• Get your dog into a cool bath or run cool water over your dog with a garden hose.
• Once you have done this, keep your dog cool with ice packs and cool compresses while your transport him or her to the nearest vet or emergency care center.
• Remember this is a life threatening emergency for your dog. Act quickly.

When it comes to your dog and summer heat the steps you can take to keep your dog safe are preventative!

For further instruction with full diagrams, please visit this site:

Our Walk Your Dog With Love harnesses have arrived!

As an owners of a VERY rambunctious 75 lb. chocolate lab I can’t tell you how happy Bryan and I were to find this harness.

As a puppy our Guinness was very hard to manage on his walks. It wasn’t that he meant to be disobedient, he was just so full of joy every waking moment. It was if he couldn’t wait to get down the street and around the next corner. He just needed to see everything and say hello to everybody. It was really more like Guinness dragging me around the neighborhood rather than Guinness going for a walk! Guinness is 11year old now and a little easier to manage. But if he spots a squirrel or a baby carriage or a neighbor he likes, we are off to the races again!

Over the years we have tried many types of collars and harnesses. We started with those “chokers” that were recomended by a local trainer. Well that was just not a good idea. First of all a chocker is exactly what it says it is…it chokes your dog into submission! I just couldn’t stand it!

Then we tried the type of harness that goes over the muzzle. Guinness hated it. He became so distressed he didn’t want to walk at all. He felt he was somehow being punished. I do know that some people use these with sucesss, but I think they do look rather foolish.

We shelled out big bucks on training. We took Guinness to private Obedience classes. He was took excitable to take a group class. Well that worked just fine…as long as he was at class. As long as the teacher was present, Guinness was a model student. He even obeyed off leash commands on a busy city street. As soon as he got home he went right back to pulling me all over town!

I guess I wasn’t calm and assertive enough! Well the good news is I have something that works! The Walk your Dog With Love Harness is very simple, very reasonably priced and works instantly. I no longer have to be a “dog whisperer” top take him on a walk.

You can find out more about how it works by watching this short video below.

Earlier this evening someone sent me the following prayer in an email. I just wanted to share this with every dog owner. This post will be short because I am going to take the author’s advice and spend some time with my Guinness.

I am your dog, and I have a little something I’d like to whisper in your ear. 

I know that you humans lead busy lives.  Some have to work, some have children to raise.  It always seems like you are running here and there, often much too fast, often never noticing the truly grand things in life.

Look down at me now, while you sit there at your computer.  See the way my dark brown eyes look at yours?  They are slightly cloudy now.  That comes with age.  The gray hairs are beginning to ring my soft muzzle.

  You smile at me, I see love in your eyes.  What do you see in mine?  Do you see a spirit?  A soul inside, who loves you as no other could in the world?  A spirit that would forgive all trespasses of prior wrong doing for just a simple moment of your time?

 That is all I ask.  To slow down, if even for a few minutes to be with me.  So many times you have been saddened by the words you read on that screen, of others of my kind, passing.  Sometimes we die young and oh, so quickly, sometimes so suddenly it wrenches your heart out of your throat.  Sometimes, we age so slowly before your eyes, that you may not even seem to know until the very end, when we look at you with grizzled muzzles and cataract clouded eyes.  Still, the love, is always there, even when we must  take that long sleep, to run free in a distant land.

  I may not be here tomorrow, I may not be here next week. Someday you will shed tears from your eyes, that humans have when deep grief fills their souls, and you will be angry with yourself that you did not have just “one more day” with me.  Because I love you so, your sorrow touches my spirit and grieves me. 

  We have NOW, together.  So come, sit down here next to me on the floor and look deep into my eyes.  What do you see?  If you look hard and deep enough, we will talk, you and I, heart to heart.  Come to me not as “alpha” or “trainer” or even “Mom” or “Dad” but as a living soul, and stroke my fur and let us look deep into one another’s eyes, and talk.

   I may tell you something about the fun of chasing a tennis ball, or I may tell you something profound about myself, or even life in general.  You decided to have me in your life because you wanted a soul to share such things with, someone very different from you, and here I am.  I am a dog, but I am alive.  I feel emotion, I feel physical senses, and I can revel in the differences of our spirits and souls.  I do not think of you as a “dog on two feet”–I know what you are.  You are a human, in all your quirkiness, and I love you still.

 Now, come sit with me, on the floor.  Enter my world and let time slow down, if only for fifteen minutes.  Look deep into my eyes, and whisper in my ears.  Speak with your heart, with your joy and I will know your true self.  We may not have tomorrow, and life is, so very short.  We have today.

With much love,  Your Dog

(Author Unknown)

Summer is the time when we all want to beat the heat and enjoy a dip in the pool, lake or ocean. Although we will all look forward to these activities it is important to keep the safety of your pet in mind when around water.

Dogs, like children need to be taught how to swim into and exit open water. Not all animals can automatically swim and some breeds of dog actually have a hard time keeping afloat. Never throw your dog into the water! You should get in first and call to your dog.

Even the best swimmers can have a hard time exiting the water. Climbing ladders to exit the water is not automatic. Most dogs have a hard time exiting a pool by ladder because their paws can not grip the rungs. Steps that are below the water are not easily seen by dogs since the stairs are below their sight line. Each year many pets drown in backyard pools. Please consider purchasing a safety ramp for your dog.

While attending the recent Pet Industry H.H. Backer Trade Show in Baltimore we were quite impressed with the Skamper Ramp. This ramp is available in two models. The original Skamper Ramp is excellent for small dogs and backyard wildlife. The Super Skamper Ramp is perfect for larger breed dogs and use on boats and docks.

We are so anxious to have our customers keep their dogs safe this summer that we are offering FREE UPS ground shipping on both models.