I get asked all of the time my Favorite supplements so I thought I would share the links:
Category: Uncategorized
Food for Thought
Breeders
The more I get involved with dogs, the more I understand the importance of finding and supporting reputable breeders. They breed to better the bred, by the follow the breed standard and provide the proper health testing, titling, and temperament among other values. The biggest thing is that they care where their puppies go. They care that it is a good fit for the home and the biggest thing is if it doesn’t work out they take them back. Imagine how much less space shelters and rescues would need, if we all supported reputable breeders? Everyone always seems to want a “cheap” family pet. However, cheap and quality and purposely bred dogs are not feasibly when you consider the costs to the breeder. I once came upon a blog about the value in having a relationship with your breeder, I wish I could find it! It talked about how reputable breeders support you and your dog throughout it’s life time. If you have health questions, grooming questions, questions about training or nutrition etc. they are there for you. Coming from someone, which lucked out their rescued GSD puppy passed all of her prelims, it can be challenging sometimes with not having a breeder to go to for advice. I spend a lot of time doing research when It would have been amazing to have a mentor from the get go.
SAR
I just realized I have not blogged in quite awhile. In september I attended my first, of what will be many, HRD seminars. I went to AMPWDA and loved every minute of it. It was the perfect seminar for a novice. I got amazing advice and support even after the seminar was over. They even had class room instruction in the evening to just train handlers in SAR. It was by far one of the most positive and encouraging groups of people. I left with great training plans, support and new friends. I can’t wait for next falls’s!
SAR A Great Community
I have connected with a lot of SAR folks on Facebook and I am glad I have. Recently one of those people recommended this book to me How to Train A Police Bloodhound and Scent Discriminating Patrol Dog and it is beyond helpful with training and is intended for any breed of dog. I am only a few chapters in and wish I had known about this book sooner. Some of the tips I will definitely use with Ruger and some others I will keep in my tool belt, as I do not think they will improve on what Ruger and I already have going. It is very inspiring when veterans of SAR are so willing to help us newbies be successful. Hopefully one day I can do the same for someone else. 
How Awesome is This?
I do not usually share upcoming research in my blog, however as a Great Dane and German Shepherd owner this is awesome. Check it out:
News Release
For Immediate Release
AKC Canine Health Foundation Announces New Research to Tackle Bloat in Dogs
“RALEIGH, N.C. (June 1, 2017) Gastric Dilatation Volvulus (GDV, or bloat) is a serious problem for many canine breeds, but little is truly known about the causes of this deadly disease. While any larger dog can be affected, targeted breed-specific research can help advance understanding of potential genetic factors that may predispose dogs to developing bloat.” For the full article Click Here
Supplements
I am not an expert.But there are a few things I supplement my dogs Raw diet with and I have friends asking all the time what I use, so I thought I would just blog about it. ( as with any advice speak with your holistic veterinarian before adding anything).
For hips and joints I use this Hips & Joint
For external parasite control I use (you do sprinkle it in the food) : Natural Flea & Tick Defense I also like DE: ( can put in food and use on them as well, follow directions as to not have them or you inhale it) Diatomaceous Earth Food Grade
For great looking skin and coat: Skin & Coat
Healthy oils: Krill Oil
I also like to supplement from time to time with: The Honest Kitchen or Sojos
Freeze dried raw treats ( great for training!):
I also like to use these for adding or training to make sure my dogs get some organ meat:
Dog Training is Never a Straight Path
When I got Ruger I had plans for him before I even picked him out, before he was even born. The thing about life is we can plan all we want, then life happens. I had dreams of Ruger being a Therapy Dog, like Gracie, and to show him in Conformation, perhaps even breed him one day to have my next show dog. Expectations and reality do not always match up, I once saw a diagram about dog training and it was a squiggly line about getting from A to B, well sometimes we never make it to B and have to switch plan C or even D. When one door closes another opens, well this week one door will be closing for me for good. Ruger is getting snipped, he will never be able to have puppies, so although I said goodbye to Therapy Dog work for him a long time ago, and knew Conformation was not for him, for some reason I am feeling sad. The realization that none of my plans for him will come to fruition is hitting me hard this week. A quote by Tony Gaskins sticks out and that is “if you can’t do anything about it then let it go. Don’t be a prisoner to things you can’t change.” I wish it was that simple! I have to keep reminding myself why Ruger would not better the breed, for one he has allergies, two he was never shown and does not have CH in front of his name. I could go on. I have to remind myself of all the positives instead. We did find plan D for Ruger and that oddly enough is something I never thought would be possible with a Great Dane and that is SAR work. We still have a long way to go and have so much to learn, however we are heading in the right direction. Life is funny, expectations are not always met, but the opportunities it opens you up for, if you are open to it, can surpass even my wildest dreams. If those other doors had not closed I would not have met some amazing people and had the opportunity to become a better handler than I was a year ago. I would not have a dog, which has certified twice now in tracking and has added an article search certification in there as well.
NAPWDA
I had the privilege of attending my second NAPWDA seminar at the end of April. I have a LOT of information to share, however two things I had never really thought about until it was brought up, at the seminar, was what the function of certain dog behaviors are. The two were Barking and whining. Whining…. Do you know what it is? I learned over that weekend that it is your dog’s plea for assistance. Once you hear it put like that, it makes total sense! In addition, that a Bark’s function is distance. It could be stay away or come closer, but nonetheless it is distance. I have had dog’s my whole life, taken numerous courses as well as help teach at our local kennel club and I can tell you I am constantly learning something new. I suppose the moment you think you know it all you might as well quit, …… I know I will NEVER know it all.
SAR SO MUCH TO LEARN
A good friend recently gifted me a book about SAR, which I wish I would have had months ago. As I am reading through this evening one quote has been sticking out “……..The first time search dog handler may believe they are ‘mission ready’ after a few months….” This quote sticks out to me, because the more I learn the more I am NOT ready, if that makes sense. Someone’s life is on the line. I have so much to learn and there is a lot of things I do not know, I do know. How could anyone after just a few months be prepared? Be qualified? I still have a few courses and certifications to complete and even then, I know there is so much to more to it than just that. Tonight I am feeling a bit overwhelmed with how far I still need to go. That being said, it will all be worth it, if I am able to help just one person, even if that is a year or two out.
Here is the book if you are interested( Don’t let the title fool you, it is full of great information for the first time SAR person) : Building a Search and Rescue Team From The Ground Up
Natural Ways to Parasite Control
Natural ways to parasite control
I get asked all the time how I handle parasite control for my dogs and the answer is, I USE NOTHING from my veterinary’s office. If it is toxic to me, why would I want it on my dogs? I am not judging those that use it, I am simply stating it does not work for me. I prefer utilizing the old motto “you are, what you eat” and help my dogs naturally fight off unwanted pests, but beefing up their food.
I spray this on them before we go outside (I live in SD, so I only need to do this about 5 months out of the year, please note this DOES NOT go in their food)
I put this in their food everyday://ws-na.amazon-adsystem.com/widgets/q?ServiceVersion=20070822&OneJS=1&Operation=GetAdHtml&MarketPlace=US&source=ac&ref=tf_til&ad_type=product_link&tracking_id=tenaci-20&marketplace=amazon®ion=US&placement=B01JA40LDM&asins=B01JA40LDM&linkId=372fb0feda4a29845e063342771bef7d&show_border=true&link_opens_in_new_window=true&price_color=333333&title_color=0066c0&bg_color=ffffff“>Flea & Tick
For probiotics and internal control I put this in their food everyday as it also has DE in it://ws-na.amazon-adsystem.com/widgets/q?ServiceVersion=20070822&OneJS=1&Operation=GetAdHtml&MarketPlace=US&source=ac&ref=tf_til&ad_type=product_link&tracking_id=tenaci-20&marketplace=amazon®ion=US&placement=B01DHDYRX2&asins=B01DHDYRX2&linkId=df64f79112cc83f101c90c19d1e9f1e1&show_border=true&link_opens_in_new_window=true&price_color=333333&title_color=0066c0&bg_color=ffffff“>Probiotics/ DE
I also spray my yard with all natural and toxic free buy control. Research what would work best for you and how to safely spray. As with all advice, check with your veterinarian first before making the switch.
