Troubleshooting Common Dog Problems

With health issues be sure to visit your vet to rule out potentially serious health problems.

Obesity – Overweight is unhealthy. The easiest way to help a dog lose weight is to cut down the carbohydrate and overall calorie intake.

Digestive upset & diarrhea – A teaspoon of canned pumpkin a couple of times a day will often help firm up loose stools.

Itchy Dogs – Whether your dog is itchy because of allergies or fleas he will likely benefit by supplementing with enzymes, probiotics, and Essential Fatty Acids. A gentle natural aloe and oatmeal shampoo can offer some symptomatic relief. Fidoderm is a topical spray that can aid healing irritated skin while also deterring chewing the affected area.

Allergy Issues – Since there are a multitude of allergy issues it’s always best to work with a nutritionally knowledgeable vet. Visit www.ahvma.org to find a holistic vet near you.

Fleas – Spot on treatments are not nearly as safe as has been advertised. We can help you develop an effective natural flea treatment plan. For more information please read our “3 Step Flea Plan”.

Pulling – A Gentle Leader head halter with a short leash can work wonders eliminating pulling. It’s best not to use a head halter with an extendable leash, but if you do watch that your dog doesn’t run to the end of the lead as when he hits the end he may injure his neck.

Barking Dogs – Barking is a natural dog behavior. Excessive barking can be caused by a multitude of reasons. A dog trainer can help you find the source and solution for your barking issues. A good trainer can make the difference between a dog living happily with his family versus an unruly canine given up to a shelter. When shopping for a trainer make sure you find a good fit, ask lots of questions. Look for a positive reward based trainer, aggressive punishment based techniques rarely work and often can cause new problems.

Destructive Chewing – Chewing is completely natural for a dog so make sure he has plenty of appropriate chewing options.

Anxious Dogs – Rescue Remedy is an easy to administer calming tonic that works on most dogs. Make sure to have a bottle on hand during the noisier holidays like the 4th of July. Also pack a bottle when you have to travel with a nervous dog. Comfort Zone plug in with calming canine pheromones works wonders calming dogs with separation anxiety.

Housebreaking Issues – Visit Mercy Vet’s website to read a great article about how to housebreak your puppy: http://www.mercyvet.com/puppies.html