Something Smells Funny! Is your SENIOR Dog Destroying Your Home?

We Americans LOVE our Pets. Dogs, Cats, Bunnies, Monkeys, Rats…you name it. We let them sleep in our beds and eat in our kitchens. We buy and cook them special foods. We dress them up and treat them like the members of the family that they are. But have you ever considered the damage pets can do to your most important investment, your home? The time to think about this is not when you are moving but long before you put your home on the market.

As a real estate agent working in Minnesota, I have seen some strange pets inside of some homes…everything from pot-bellied pigs to monkeys and bunnies with the run of the house. Oh, yeah and then there are the people who have dogs and cats too. Many homeowners take great measures to protected their homes and property but some do not.

I have walked into vacant homes and had potential buyers pick out the exact location of where the previous owner had the litter box. I have seen puppy’s teeth marks on the sides of oak cupboards and cedar decking and claw marks on wood floors. I have walked through extensively landscaped yards destroyed by holes dug by chained dogs. I have witnessed a family whose cat jumps up and hangs on screens to notify their owner that they want to come inside. One seller had a sign posted in the furnace room on a terrarium full of large, noisy crickets announcing that it was food for the lizards and snakes that were kept in the bedrooms and family rooms of the home. And then there was the family that let the horse wander in the front yard and let the bunny have the entire house to roam…you can just imagine the damage left behind on that one.

While amusing to read about, pets can be hard on your home. When you go to sell, you could have to make extensive repairs or discount your selling price to reflect the condition.

The smells are the worst. People who keep pets in carpeted rooms even in cages or kennels can have serious problems as do owners of senior pets who have trouble getting outside or to the litterbox due to health problems. Often the odors will not be removed with a simple steam cleaning. In most cases, I have to recommend that the carpet be replaced. But homeowners with serious damage find that they are not only replacing the carpet, the padding and sometimes even the sub-flooring needs to be removed to eliminate the smell.

It is possible to have your beloved pet and to protect your home.

• Keep your pet well groomed to reduce odor, hair and nail damage.
• Get a pet bed for your dogs and cats. Our dog loves the extra comfort and it keeps dirt and sweat from his coat from going into the carpet fibers. We will move his from room to room during the day so he can stay with us. If this is too much trouble, buy several. They are considerably cheaper than replacing carpet. Our cat uses his bed daily too. It is positioned for his easy access in front of his favorite window so he doesn’t jump and leave marks on the woodwork.
• Have a proper sized kennel or cage for exotic pets and clean often.
• Clear all accidents immediately. Use special pet cleaners to remove odors and stains.
• Cover all exposed woodwork especially around windows. Pets love to jump up and look out windows. Use gates to limit your pet’s access to soft wood floors like birch or cherry wood. Nail marks require the floor to be completely sanded down before refinishing. It can get very costly.
• Don’t chain your dog to the side of your house. Chains and bolts can cause both cosmetic and structural damage to your home.

My thanks to Teri Eckholm REALTOR with RE/MAX Specialists for submitting this article

Copyright 2011 Old Dog Paws



  

Skin Care for your Senior Dog

You might think that just because a dog has a thick furry coat, he doesn't need special care for his skin, but you would be mistaken. Just like a human, a dog’s skin is a protective layer that  performs many functions:

• Retains moisture

• Protect from foreign bodies

• Creates Vitamin D

• Protects against UV sun rays

• Acts to regulate the body temperature

• Contains sweat glands

• Houses the nerves to detect pain, pressure and temperature

Similar to human skin, a dogs skin is comprised of three layers:

1. Epidermis—The outer layer with the hair follicles where a dog’s fur grows out of.
2. Dermis—The middle layer
3. Hypodermis—The innermost layer

Each hair follicle contains a sebaceous gland which provides lubrication and waterproofs the hair and skin. In addition these are the glands that produce the scent that dogs use to mark their territory and the pheromones used to attract the members of the opposite sex.

Dogs’ hair comes in 3 different types all with different functions:

1. Guard hairs—These are the top layer of long hair in a dog’s coat that provide waterproofing.

2. Undercoat—Also known as the wool hairs, these hairs trap air to keep the dog warm.

3. Vibrissae—These are the whiskers that surround the eyes, mouth and muzzle that are sensitive to touch. The vibrissae hairs should NEVER be cut without good reason.

Shedding or molting of hair is seasonal and common. A dog will shed hair to grow a coat suitable for the new season (i.e. thick coat in the winter). Sometimes a dog will lose a large amount of hair, usually around the flank area. This is a common occurrence and should not be considered worrisome. It should grow back at the time of the next molt.

As your dog ages, you'll notice that the skin thickens and becomes less pliable. It's a good idea to check for large lumps on or under the skin. This could be a sign of a tumor, cyst or cancer. As part of your senior dog's complete home health care program, you may want to schedule a special grooming session on a regular basis. Brushing your dog daily helps distribute skin oils and prevent dandruff for a healthy, pretty coat. It's also very relaxing to your dog, even therapeutic. Brushing time is also a perfect time to monitor your dog's health and body condition.

Tips for good canine skin care:

• Feed your dog a balanced diet.
• Brush your dog regularly.
• Beware of bathing. Bathing can dry out your dog's skin.
• Check your dog daily for external parasites such as fleas and ticks.
• Use preventive pest control measures
• Immediately treat any skin eruptions such as rashes, ulcers and infections
• Consult your veterinarian if you notice any skin problems.

Additional Tips for Caring for a Senior Dog's Skin:

• Do not bathe your dog too often because that will dry out the skin. Overbathing will deplete healthy oils from the coat and skin. This will often lead to scratching, irritation and eventually sores. So how often is too often? Frequency of necessary baths will be largely dependent on the breed and activities of the dog.
• Dogs who spend that are continually outdoor are exposed to dirt, debris and insects will typically require more bathing, about every 4-6 weeks. Check with a professional groomer as some will recommend bathing double-coated breeds only about 3 times a year. Similarly, smooth-coated dogs can go a lot longer between baths than can curly-coated breeds such as poodles. Too frequent bathing, especially during winter months can cause the coat to soften and reduce its insulating qualities.
• To keep your dog clean between baths, brush daily. This is good for a dog's coat and skin, Not only will your dog look and smell better, he will enjoy all the attention. 
• Dry weather means dry skin! Remember as your senior dog will often spend more time indoors during the colder months, his dog's fur and skin can become dry. Don't forget if your dog is a breed that grows an undercoat, you need to comb it out when the weather gets warmer. Be certain that your pet's fur does not become matted or his skin will not be able to breathe. This causes itchy skin and your dog will begin to scratch, chew and even pull out fur.

Copyright 2011 OldDogPaws

ABC's of Senior Dog Care--Companion

Companion--Our senior dogs have been our loyal companions for many years. They have been by our sides through good times and bad only wanting a rub behind the ears, a walk around the neighborhood and a bowl of kibble. Old dogs are true friends and our canine companions. Some days we wonder who needs who more?

Copyright 2011 OldDogPaws

Old Dog Friday Photo Fun--Old Dogs Need Friends Too!

That's our old dog in the background when our neighbor's dog dropped by. Lizzie is a pup compared to our then 16 year old senior dog. Whenever Lizzie showed up to visit Tikki, she would run up his dog ramp and wag her tail while she patiently let our old Tikki sniff her up and down. For a few minutes, he seemed to forget all his aches and pranced around with his friend with a spring in his step. Yep, old dogs need friends too! Happy Friday!

PetZoom Pet Park Indoor Pet Potty, 25.5" x 20" x 2"

Inside of a Dog: What Dogs See, Smell, and Know

Copyright 2011 OldDogPaws

Protective Products for Old Dog Paws

Do you take care of your old dog’s paws? Everyone knows exercise is good for an old dog’s health so we include them in our walks which we take in all types of weather. In the summer, we protect our own feet with comfortable shoes and in the winter an extra pair of socks inside our boots. But once we’re ready most people just attach a leash and head outside without any consideration of how a walk will affect our dog’s feet. It is almost like we are asking our dogs to endure the elements barefooted!

There are a variety of innovative products available that protect your dog’s paw from the elements. The trick is training your older dog to wear them. There are also several products that help when your old dog’s paws are already sore.

Dog Boots – There are several different types of dog boots.
• Orthopedic – Used to protect wounds caused by dragging paws
• Disposable – Keep your dog's paws safe and dry in wet and muddy conditions – great for the visits to the dog park.
• All purpose boots – Use them year-round on rocky trails or fields covered with winter snow or summer thistles.
• Extreme Winter Boots – Added warmth, provides traction and protect your dog's paws from ice, rocks and rough terrain.

Protective Products for Paws

Knit Socks - Protects and warm your pet's paws used indoors or out.

Paw Heals - Creates a germ and water barrier, penetrating rapidly and deeply. Does not wash off when dogs are in water. Helps your dogs paw pads and webbing heal.

Paw Protectors - Products are available to aid in the care and repair of dry, calloused foot pads. The product softens calloused areas and increases the pliability of the pad, while maintaining the resiliency consistent with normal healthy tissue.

Paw Spray – A pet friendly spray that removes dirt and more from your dog's paws. There are some that contain aloe so will help soothe and condition irritated paws.

Paw Wipes - Cleans and deodorizes dog paws with a fresh scent. Use to help stop the spread of dirt and odors.

Pet safe winter ice melter - Keep your steps, sidewalks and driveway both pet and environmentally friendly.

Leg wraps – Not sure if these are more of a fashion statement but they could protect your dog from formation of Ice-balls or collecting thorns in the fur.

Canine footbath – A device that you place your dogs paw into and it cleans it. As you pull the paw out it says it works like a squeegee.

Dog paw cleaner brush - There are extra soft, super absorbent microfibers dusters that are designed to be gentle on tender paws.

Paw De-icier – A special solution that repels water, ice, and snow. This will help to prevent water from freezing between pads, and snow from clumping on fur.

Musher's Secret - An invisible “boot” for dogs, made of dense, barrier wax that forms a breathable bond with your dog's paws. Developed in Canada for use with sledding dogs; its said to provide great protection even in the most extreme conditions. The semi-permeable shield is absorbed into the paws, allowing perspiration to escape through the toes. Aids in protecting your dogs paws from salt and chemicals, ice build-up, snowballing, sand, sand-burn, hot pavement, and rough terrain.

Brief warning, we had a bit of a struggle to train our old dog to get his foot gear on. Maybe the old guy was embarrassed. He was definitely stubborn and comfortable in his ways. But the “bootie-battle” was worth it in the long run. Best of luck!


Copyright 2010 OldDogPaws

The ABC's of Senior Dog Care--Brave

Brave -I considered our old dog brave for many reasons. He was brave to fight through his pain each day and still remain gentle to the people around him. Brave to struggle up and down the dog ramp although he could barely see or fully use his hind legs. Brave to be aware of his loss of movement yet still pushing himself to find a way to stay by our sides.

Copyright 2010 OldDogPaws

Teaching an Old Dog New Tricks

7 Tips to Prepare your Older Dog for a Move to a Condo

Downsizing from a family home with a big back yard and room to roam is not easy for anyone in the family. But as needs change, older people often look for homes that require less yard work and maintenance. Often a condominium or town-home is a great alternative to older folks who prefer spending time with grandchildren and travel than cutting grass and weeding gardens.

All the changes and restrictions that come with being in a condo or town-home association are something most people are prepared for but “Fido” might be in for a bit of a surprise. No longer will he be able to chase squirrels or the neighbor’s cat out of the backyard. And that leash and kennel that were only used for trips to the vet, will more than likely be used several times every day when he needs to go outside. It will be a sad day for Fido who can no longer be leash-free in his own backyard because his backyard is now common ground.

Here are 7 helpful tips to ease your senior dog’s stress and help him make a smooth, stress-free transition to the condo-lifestyle:

1. Start Training Early - Don’t think of this as a way to punish Fido. A training collar is all about keeping your older pet safe in his new environment. Pull out that training collar and let him know that you mean business. He has to relearn to walk on a leash and not bark at everything and everyone.

2. Practice, Practice, Practice - At least a month before the move, start your daily walk with the leash being attached before exiting the house. Make sure Fido knows that darting out the door will no longer be tolerated.

3. Tied out Trials - Every time you sit on the deck or patio, first hook up Fido to his tie-out so he can get used to being tied-up. Many people don’t use these in fenced yards but most condo associations will have this restriction.

4. Reward Good Behavior - As Fido learns the rules, the training collar can come off and the treats or reward system can begin.

5. Keep License Up-to-Date - Most associations will require all pets to have to have all shots and local licensing up to date and of file.

6. Snap a Good Photo - Not quite a mug shot, but many associations will want a photo of all pets on file so they know which pet belongs to which association member.

7. Find Area Dog Parks - Research your new neighborhood to see if there is a leash-free dog park in the area where Fido can have a quick and safe run once in awhile to burn off all that pent up stress from being good in his new surroundings.

By taking the time to prepare Fido for the change to condo-living, your older dog will enjoy his new home and surroundings as much as you will.

Copyright 2010 OldDogPaws