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20 Halloween Tips for Dog Owners

by Carrie Boyko, CEB

courtesy S. Gilbert

During our #Coupaween Twitter Party, I shared a good many Halloween safety tips, alongside Arden Moore's expert tips. I've combined some of our tips to make this a quicker read that is even more helpful.

If you missed the party, or simply found it tough to keep up, I hope the following tips will get put to good use on Halloween evening or if you have a themed party. Feel free to leave your additional thoughts in comments below.

Avoid K9 bolters by keeping dogs on leashes or in a closed room when you green trick-or-treaters.
Make sure your pet sports a reflective collar for visibility with ID tags, name, your cell phone number and microchip.
When opting for costume wear, check for fit and comfort. Do a dress rehearsal a few days early to allow time for modifications.
Have important numbers available: vet, ER vet, ASPCA poison control hotline.
Making your pet's costume yourself? Avoid buttons or small items that can be swallowed.
Consider pet's visibility when selecting costumes. Dogs may be more easily frightened when they cannot see well.
When checking for fit, also look at body language. Nothing too tight?
Simple, yet stylish goes a long way. Velcro bow ties or pleated tuxedos on male dogs is very dapper.
When taking Fido out to trick-or-treat, choose light-colored costumes for best visibility by others.
Black costumes are very hard to see in the dark AND difficult to recognize when worn on a black dog. Choose contrasting color to your dog's fur.
Dogs will often hang their head when extremely unhappy with costume. Consider removing headpiece or footwear.
Be sure costumes are made of breathable fabric and are fire retardant.
Help your dog become more comfortable with costume by daily practice with treats and praise. Go slow!
Reduce stress by treating your dog to a brisk walk before sundown on Halloween eve.
Associate costume with pleasurable activity by letting Fido wear it while eating.
Dogs who won't wear costumes will often tolerate a bandana, reflective collar or collar light.
ONLY take well-socialized dogs on house to house trick-or-treating.
Candy and wrappers all out of reach!
Candles are dangerous. Choose battery-operated versions for safety.
Simplify costumes by using only the key components. Example: Wizard of Oz's Dorothy's red slippers can be easily made to slip over dog's paws without being slippers. Think out of the box!

Happy Halloween,

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Tiny Fearlessly Steps into the Future Because He Lacks Reasoning Skills. His Bowl is Also Always Full of Kibble.

20" x 24", acrylics on panel, featuring a spunky daschund mix, $799 to the first asking nicely - inquiries may come to me. Please and thank you.

I wish I could be more like Tiny. Satisfied with kibble and chasing butterflies. I suppose starting by appreciating the simple things is a step in the right direction.

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Balancing Act

"Balancing Act," 24" x 9", acrylics on museum quality panel, featuring none other than Salvador Doggie practicing his mad balancing skills with a few holiday ornaments. This original painting is lush with drips and thick swaths of paint, and then there's those innocent eyes. Don't believe him, Santa, he's not that good...... "Balancing Act" can be yours for $549 + s&h - as always, inquiries may come to me.

Thinking about balance today, what we believe we can do vs actual truth.

I am rabidly optimistic, and believe I can totally balance a cairn of ornaments on my head. While standing on one leg, too, no less. So why can't Sal?

Thanks, as always, for following my art,

Warmly, Kim

ksantini@turtledovedesigns.com

PSST: All remaining inventory from my Toys series of paintings (the little 6" square treasures) are now $50 plus s&h through December 10th, 2016. And yes, I will combine s&h on all orders.

I've selected a few wonderful originals, including pieces never before offered, for special pricing through Saturday, December 10th, 2016. As I clean up the studio in the next few days, I may be adding more to the album, so please check back.

And finally, in the interest of sharing much needed beauty and love with the world, I will consider all reasonable offers on original works currently in my studio. Please include the painting's title or a link to it with your inquiry. All requests may come to me directly.

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Mari(gold)

FINISHED! "Mari(gold)," 24" x 30", acrylics on panel, depicting a golden retriever puppy sprouting a crown of marigolds - the flowers represent the years of beauty and joy a puppy brings to one's life, as well as the fragility of our time with each other. Mari's portrait is $699 plus s&h. Inquiries may come to me.

I would be remiss if I didn't properly thank Team Husar Photography for my photo reference. Knowing her love of goldens, I shared my concept of a Marigold Golden Retriever. She responded with a couple photos, of which Mari was based upon.

I have the best, most supportive team behind me!

Thanks for following along with my artwork,

Kim

ksantini@turtledovedesigns.com

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Salvador Doggie

"Salvador Doggie (Sal)," 24" x 48", acrylics, charcoal and ink on panel, featuring my newest muse, a rescued mixed breed. Details and in process pics are on Facebook, and I think the color there is far more representative of the painting. This piece is $1499, a total deal for the giant serving of joy it will bring, and that price includes shipping inside the US (I also ship worldwide for a small fee) - inquiries may always come to me.

Sal joined our family over the weekend. He came via a rescue organization and we know nothing about his past except that whoever it was who dumped him lost out big. He's a dear rat terrier mix with the brightest eyes and a wiggle butt who goes from 100mph to stop at the sign of a lap. Or a cookie.

Didn't take him long to hit my easel, and I think his portrait sits as a great example of what I could do with your dog..... just think about it, then reach out if it's something you think you want to pursue!

Thanks for following along with my artwork,

Kim

ksantini@turtledovedesigns.com

WORKSHOPS:

"Color-iffic," Montague, Michigan (near Grand Rapids), September 8-9th, 2016. For further information or to enroll, please contact Korrine Rodgers.

"Getting Fresh," Mt. Pleasant, SC, September 23-25th, 2016. For further information or to enroll, please contact Kathy Sweeney.

"Color-iffic", 2 days, Crooked Tree Art Center, Traverse City, MI, October 8-9, 2016. Click here for further information or to enroll.

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Ramping Up Ease of Entry for Fido

by Carrie Boyko, CEB

The All Things Dog Blog gang is getting ready to embark on a new chapter. We're adding an RV lifestyle to our travel with dogs. What's more, we'll be doing this in a very uncharacteristic way--green! As we begin to venture out more frequently, I'll be bringing you tips for camping greener, living lighter and finding solutions for your Fido friends.

Today's post is all about solutions. With Tanner sitting on the fence between middle aged and senior (I can't believe he's 7 already!), I'm starting to be more careful about his joints and overall comfort and ease of activities. No more agility for this boy; we want him to live to a ripe old age without hip issues. We've started with the addition of a ramp for entry into the RV.

While Tanner doesn't yet need a ramp, we want to be prepared. And further, it was

important that he learn to use it and build the necessary muscles he'll be using to traverse this bridge to his temporary home. This super light Ultralight Bifold Pet Ramp folds in half and stores easily in the compartments under the RV "house", making it the ideal solution for RVs, SUVs and other larger vehicles, as well as homes with several steps into the entrance.

Tanner learned quickly and easily how to use the ramp. You can find out more here. Even without agility training, your dog will happily follow a treat up the ramp in order to get their reward, especially when his family is inside calling him happily! Keep that tip in mind :)

Our friends at Solvit Products have many helpful pet solutions for dogs who have various challenges, l

courtesy SolvitProducts.com
CareLift™ Lifting Harness

ike the CareLift™ Lifting Harness. This product is designed for dogs who have a loss of mobility in either the front legs, rear legs, or both. Choices make it possible for you to address the needs of your dog's particular challenges. This patent-pending product is also great for use in rehabilitation after an injury or surgery. You can find out more at the link.

courtesy Solvit Products

I'd like to highlight a couple of other travel solutions that Solvit Products have developed--their Vehicle Safety Harness line and their Front Seat Net Barriers. The latter is a great way to remind Fido that he is to remain behind the front seats for both his safety and yours. The harness can serve as an additional safety device, helping keep him in the car in case of an accident. This harness is available in 4 sizes that adjust to fit 6-120 pounds. Wow!

courtesy Solvit Products

These are just a few of the many pet solutions that Solvit Products have created. Others can be found at their website: www.SolvitProducts.com. When you find a product you'd like to buy, check out their Store Locator here. Watch for a giveaway coming soon!

I received a sample of the UltraLight Bifold Ramp to review with Tanner. I have not been paid to share my thoughts and the opinions are completely my own, as well as observations of Tanner's experience. I only share the reviews of products in which I find value and usefulness.

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Introducing the Best of All Things Dog Blog:

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(c) photo copyright Carrie Boyko 2009

Tanner Invites You to Read On...

Scrolling through my archives the other day found me wondering how any new visitor to the blog would ever find my best posts. Tanner and I put on our thinking caps and came up with a brilliant idea:

The Best of All Things Dog Blog

This link will take you to a list of YOUR favorite posts. No, I'm not bluffing. My really geekie analytics program tells me which posts and what topics are most popular with my readers. If you'd like to explore some of our more oft-read articles, you need only click on the sub-heading just above this paragraph to find a list of these posts. Enjoy!

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Ask the Doga Instructor: Part 6

by Carrie Boyko, CEB

A Joyful Journey

CARRIE: Finally, the main reason I started this workout regimen was to find a way to build strength and flexibility at home while bonding with my dogs. It’s working so well that I am building a deeper bond with Tanner and Oliver, while seeing benefits for my health which I know will be helpful going forward. Can you elaborate on these benefits based on your relationship with Nikki B. and her participation in your practice?

JESS: Getting in touch with the messages your body has for you may take some time and practice. As you relax into your poses, enjoying the deep breathing, focusing your awareness on nothing but the rhythm and quality of your breath, you will eventually begin to read your inner self; physically, emotionally and spiritually. Some days you’ll be out of sorts and other days you will find that you’re on top of your game and successfully practicing poses you never before thought possible. Your mind will make new connections with your body, allowing you to continue to progress in your practice.

Growing Closer, Day by Day

Your dog, just like Nikki B, will play an important role in this process by helping you to relax at times when you may otherwise be distracted and unable to focus on the present moment. Animals have amazing skills for calming us if we allow them to share their ability to stay with us in the moment. There is much we can learn from our pets and much that they can learn from us if we allow them the opportunity to do so. That’s what is so great about doga! Taking the time to strengthen the bond, not only with yourself, but with your furry friend(s), will yield more benefits to the body, mind and spirit than you ever imagined.

CARRIE: Thanks, Jess. This has been great way to share my #WeeklyWag tips for bonding. Your insights will most certainly help us all with moving forward in our doga practice. I started out liking the idea of partner poses with my dogs, but surprisingly, now find that I’m using Tanner more than Oliver. He seems to love being an important part of my practice when he is used as a balancing aid or block. Sometimes he breaks into a smile that shows off his enjoyment.

Treat, Please!

Oliver is coming along. He’s comfortable in certain positions that I hold him in as a weight, while others make him a bit anxious. I’m trying to tune into his anxieties and skip those poses that seem to make him uncomfortable. After all, it’s supposed to be fun for both of us, right? I'll continue to work with the treats as rewards. Thanks again for joining us for this series of questions.

JESS: My pleasure entirely! I look forward to hearing from you again soon!

If you're new to Doga or Yoga, please be sure to do these three things: (1) Get your doctor's permission to start this or any other workout, (2) Check with your vet to make sure your dog is able to participate in simple Doga exercises safely, and (3) visit our introductory post where I've outlined a few tips that will help your experience go more smoothly and enjoyable. Keep in mind that you can always stop if a pose is uncomfortable, returning to a more relaxing pose for you.

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Ask the Doga Instructor: Part 5

by Carrie Boyko, CEB

Jess Adds a Blanket
Beneath Her Hips for Extra Comfort

CARRIE: I can’t help but notice that a midday yoga break helps me to wake up and re-energize. Of course, there are certain poses that have exemplary results in perking me up--most notably are the inverted poses that bring blood to brain. I’m also beginning to become more aware of some aspects of my body’s messaging. These status updates I become aware of would never have been noticed without yoga guidance from you, Jess, as well as a couple of others who have helped me along this path. Can you give us some of the mind-body connection stuff that we’ll gain when participating in frequent yoga practice? This is something I haven’t delved into with my readers, so we’d love to hear your thoughts.

JESS: It is quite impossible to practice yoga without gaining a better understanding of yourself--physically, emotionally and spiritually. This is because yoga forces us to stay in the present moment. We send our awareness inward, to focus on the movement of the breath. The movement of our breath, then, matches the physical movement of our bodies as we transition from one pose to another. This synchronization of the breath with the body recruits the involvement of our spirit, ultimately making the practice of yoga a very powerful mind-body-spirit experience. As I mentioned earlier, this has a lot to do with the fact that in yoga, we are working within the parasympathetic nervous system, which is responsible for our resting and digesting, as opposed to the sympathetic nervous system, which is what we use as a fight-or-flight response to stress.

Because of the fact that yoga incorporates the practice of strength building, endurance, balance and flexibility work, we are really increasing the circulation of blood throughout the body and mobilizing all of our internal organs, which is what is responsible for many of the physical benefits of yoga. It’s amazing how much more energy we find after the practice of even the most basic of poses, like Legs Up The Wall, because of the fact that it brings fresh, oxygenated blood to the brain.

Half Moon Pose
Working My Core and Bonding with the Dogs

Many people do find that it is quite challenging to silence the busy thoughts of the mind during the practice of yoga, especially at first, but even if you are able to focus on the breath, and only the breath, for just a few minutes in each pose, you will instantly notice how much more aware you are, not only of your physical state of being, but of your emotional and spiritual state, as well. Just as I shared before, this increase in body awareness is what prevents injury in our practice and eventually, what makes us safer in our day to day lives.

The increase in emotional and spiritual awareness that comes from the practice of yoga will yield even more benefits: self acceptance, self love, loss of ego, peace, contentment, freedom, empowerment and pure joy.In the case of doga, we’re adding the synergies provided by bonding with our best friends, our dogs.

Notes from Carrie:

This past week All Things Dog Blog celebrated our 5th Annual #SuperDogSunday, a football and activity-related event that focuses on our dogs' physical and mental activities-fun and problem-solving. The event drew a record crowd and we--me and my Event Barkers partners--had a blast sharing tips for ways to get your dog into the game and have a doggone good time, sponsored by Zuke's.

The photo of me and my dogs above includes another inverted pose--Half Moon Pose--in which I am rewarding the dogs for joining me in our #SuperDogSunday photo shoot. Notice all the Green Bay Packer memorabilia? My family and I are long time supporters of the Packers, my Grandfather having been instrumental in forming the original team.

Look for more fun ways to involve your dog in your home yoga practice by visiting our Doga page at this link, where our focus is on helping you bond with your dog through yoga.

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Ask the Doga Instructor: Part 4

Nikki B. and Jess Pass the Test

Welcome back to our Ask the Doga Instructor interview. Today I'm asking Jess for more help on getting our dogs comfortable with and involved in our practice. Let's see what she has to say:

CARRIE: Till now, I’ve more or less taken charge of helping my readers try various methods of getting their dogs involved. Aside from luring Fido with a treat, what are your top tips for getting a pup comfortable with the activity happening on the mat, and further, getting involved in it along with us?

JESS: Nothing is more reassuring and comforting to animals than routine and consistency. Nikki B. has been joining me for yoga for such a long time that she is not anxious when watching me. The keys are frequency of practice and trust. If you begin practicing yoga once a month, or just once in a great while, your dog will not respond appropriately because he or she will not understand what’s going on; it will be too new and too different than your usual routine.

If you begin practicing yoga every day for 15 minutes, however, and then gradually add more time to your daily practice, your dog will recognize this as a new routine and will be more apt to join in, because with routine and consistency comes comfort and trust. Start your practice by changing the entire ambience of the room; dim the lights, soften the music, open the windows (weather permitting), maybe even light some candles—out of reach of your dogs. Anything that you consistently do to begin your practice will help your dog understand that this is time for yoga; it is time to be on the mat and bond with you. This sets the stage for your new routine.

Once you have set the tone for yoga, gently set up your mat and your props (with some of your furry friends’ favorite treats nearby) and get yourself into a comfortable position for establishing that deep belly breathing pattern. This will all help to reassure your dog that this a happy, enjoyable time, and that you are welcoming him or her to join you. Start with simple, flowing poses that require little movement. Gradually move onto more challenging, physically involved poses that require more movement and involvement from your dog(s); then end your practice with more simple, resting poses. Keep in mind that some days, your dog will want to be more involved in your practice and on other days, he or she may not want to be very involved in your practice at all; that’s perfectly okay! Dogs have their moods and their attitudes change just like you and I do, and we have to honor that and respect that, or we will not get their respect in return.

Never force your dog into a pose, either; instead, always offer a place on your mat for your dog to lie down or sit, and reward them for participating in your practice, but never punish them for not participating. The key is in waiting for your dog to be ready. When he or she is completely comfortable with your activity, and trusts that this is a safe, happy experience, they’ll surprise you and join in without an invitation. That’s when you know you have truly gained a doga partner!

Notes from Carrie:

Don't forget to offer a treat when your dog joins in, to cement the memory with a positive reinforcer. With #SuperDogSunday right around the corner, Tanner and Oliver are looking forward to noshing on a Z-Filet from @ZukesPets! Check out our Event Barkers Twitter Party and ways to win US-made natural treats at the link.

Also, be sure to check out our series of short, instructional doga videos and other helpful posts that share tips on modifying your practice to suit your needs. You'll find all this and more at our Doga page, where our focus is on helping you bond with your dog through yoga.

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Tiny Fearlessly Steps into the Future Because He Lacks Reasoning Skills. His Bowl is Also Always Full of Kibble.