M's POV

All blog-stars feel ignored once in a while. I will demonstrate using pictures, how my pack and the cats spend their days as M works away.

This is M's desk. 

The bodies belong to Bob and Jet, the tailless twin kitties.

They are allowed up there.

Please notice: coffee cup, PetZoom (ultrasonic dog bark control), cherry flavored chapstick (M's addiction), Program (dog flea treatment). 

This is Jet's favorite napping position.

M is sure it's due to Jet's XL tummy.

Bob refuses to grow up. He's a wool sucker because he was never properly weaned.

He prefers it when the shirt he's sucking on is on M.

Max, the maine coon cat, is a loner.

He spends his mornings napping on the Emery Cat Scratch Board on top of the pool table.

Our beloved senior dog likes to be as close to her mistress' feet as possible.

We, the brats, the chiweenie and the teacup chihuahua (moi) love to play bitey-face by M's legs. Sometimes we irritate her so much that she puts us on her lap. 

Hint hint! Dog training tip!

What do you do while your parents work?

Twinkie

Ultrasonic Bark Control Systems | Stop Barking Dogs Safely

We recently posted a product review for the PetZoom. We were amazed at how effective this handheld device was, yet, it was used sparingly in our home until we became certain about certain issues, especially its safety. So how do ultrasonic bark control systems really work? How do you stop barking dogs safely?

An ultrasonic pet trainer emits an ultrasonic pitch audible to dogs and cats, but not to humans. Dogs and cats are able to hear frequencies the human ear cannot pick up.They are recommended for all dog and cats and their owners, but can also be used by innocent bikers and hikers since they claim to keep unknown animals away. Their effectiveness is generally debatable, but in our case it worked from day one. Do not forget that the best alternative to any bark control device is proper training along with daily exercise.


There are several types of ultrasonic bark control devices, but this post deals mostly with the inexpensive handheld ones because we've tested those. We were so satisfied that we're going to step this up by adding an outdoor ultrasonic bark control unit. In brief, the alternatives include the most common and readily available dog collar mounted type which, just like the other types, is activated by the sound of the bark. Some of the collar types provide a remote control unit leaving it up to the dog owner to trigger the correction. Another type of ultrasonic bark control is designed to work indoors. Those too can either be automatically triggered or controlled by the owner and they have variable  radius.

We hear all the time about mass recalls on products previously considered safe. Take spot-on dog flea treatment, for example. Many generations of canines were treated by their loving owners with this type of flea control treatment, and it wasn't until recently when the FDA announced that the majority is killing and injuring tens of thousands of dogs each year. While we can't predict what the future will bring, we still wanted to do a thorough research as to the safety of ultrasonic bark control systems. 

For starters, ultrasonic technology is FDA approved. The manufacturers and experts all concur that this type of product hasn't been around long enough, but based on it's short history in the market, it is considered safe, pet friendly, and humane. It is considered "natural" and painless. Ultrasonic pet trainers are favored over shock collars and other training devices because they are considered both harmless and effective. 

These are the only caution statements we found during our research: Never place the ultrasonic pet trainer directly next to any pet's ear or even any human's. The high intensity sound could be harmful in the same manner as any loud audible sound would when held against an ear. Never push the correction button for more than a second or two maximum. 

Wide range Outdoor Ultrasonic Dog Bark Control Product considerations:

 

Dog Silencer Pro                                  Bark Free

Now that we have witnessed the miracle of the affordable PetZoom, confirmed how it works and that it is indeed safe and humane, we're considering purchasing the Dog Silencer Pro, a unit that has a 300 foot range and that comes equipped with a remote control unit and can be used both indoors and outdoors. The unit has a built-in sensor with a 75 ft sound sensor range. Because the Dog Silencer Pro costs between $80-100, we're also considering the less expensive Bark Free unit that sells for under $50. The Bark Free unit has a range of 25 feet and does not come with a remote control but it gets good reviews. Stay tuned.

Twinkie

Fleas On Dogs | 'Tis The Season

Flea season usually starts in early spring and lasts through December depending on how warm the weather is. Fleas hatch more successfully in warm weather. If you're going to treat your yard, start as early as February. Most dog owners opt for treating their dog directly because it's easier and less costly, are they doing the right thing though? Lately flea control has been getting a bad rep and is considered a carcinogen, so dog owners are caught between a rock and a hard place, to medicate or not to medicate and what are the alternatives to commercial dog flea repellants? Fleas on dogs is an issue every dog owner has to face. 

Dogs love to roll on grass but so do fleas

FLEA CONTROL OPTIONS

1.Toxic Flea control

Insecticidal powders or shampoos

Spot on medication

Aerosol flea bombs

Impregnated flea collars

2. Flea Control Tablets

Those work by sterilizing the female fleas so that the eggs she lays are sterile and don't hatch. This method breaks the cycle of the flea right from the start. It is safer than toxic pesticide.

3. Natural Dog Flea Treatment Alternatives
The environmental choice that is the safest for all involved (discussed in detail below)

DOG FLEA TREATMENT SIDE EFFECTS

Nowadays with all new kinds of dog allergies present, flea control adds an extra burden often causing a reaction from mild irritation to full blown allergies, and it can even cause cancer and death. 

There is a plethora of dog flea prevention products on the market that make it hard to chose one that will not have an adverse effect on your dog. Until recently, it was believed that products available through your dog vet are safer than the ones sold "over the counter",  often sold in bulk, and of course cheaper.  This has all changed. We are now aware that toxic flea control can have devastating effects. Just a couple of days ago, a dog rescue owner was complaining about a midnight bath. He was explaining how he administered a spot-on flea product and two of his rescue dogs were making circles, rubbing themselves on the furniture, wheezing, and reverse coughing. He gave them a "midnight bath" so they could get rid of the poison and get a good night's rest. 

Spot-On Pesticides such as Zodiac, Bio Spot, and Frontline are presently considered to trigger adverse reactions in your pet. They can shorten life span and cause terminal illness and premature death. Studies have shown a correlation between Spot-On Pesticides and thyroid cancer (also believed to be a possible human carcinogen), loss of appetite, reduced fertility and heightened fetus mortality, liver, kidney, heart, lung, spleen, adrenal, and brain damage. The neurotoxins in those products can also cause headaches, eye and throat irritation, convulsions, barking, salivation, incoordination, tremors, increased dog aggression, nausea, diarrhea, vomiting… and the list goes on. It is long and scary. Itching, also known as pruitus, is the most commonly reported side effect. The message is clear: The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) stated that products intended to treat cats and dogs for fleas and ticks kill hundreds of pets each year and injure tens of thousands. They also stated their commitment to better protect the health and safety of pets and families. Are we poisoning the dog fleas or our dogs? 

Pruitus, the lesser of all evils

SAFER AND NEWER FLEA TREATMENT OPTIONS

Get rid of your old flea meds if they contain chemicals classified as "organophosphate insecticides," also known as OPs. They are considered to be harmful not only to your dog, but to your children and yourself. 

Alternatives to OP based meds are often available only through your dog vet. Some of these products are: Comfortis (oral), Capstar flea control (oral), Program (oral), Sentinel (oral), Promeris (oral), and Fronline (topical, applied to skin).  These products seem to cause fewer side effects but they do not guarantee that a dog suffering from allergies won't react badly to them. For example, the Capstar flea control remedy claims to start working within 30 minutes and a great safety profile as far as safety is concerned, yet, a quick search on the internet proves that this flea medication too can have it's share of allergic reactions. Speaking of the Capstar flea control remedy, it's main ingredient, Nitenpyram is a prescription drug and can only be obtained by prescription. 

NATURAL AND SAFE ALTERNATIVES

Herbal shampoos that contain bergamot, rosemary, citronella, juniper, geranium, eucalyptus, and lavender. Make sure you lather your dog's head too, so if there are fleas present, they don't simply migrate on his head to wait it out. Leave the suds on your dog for a few minutes so they work better. You can also rub your dog with basil, fennel, rosemary, or bicarbonate of soda and then simply brush out the residue. 

You can try adding a small amount of apple cider vinegar to your dog's water and sprinkle some garlic powder or Brewer's Yeast on his food.

For carpets, sprinkle Borax or Diatomaceous Earth for a minimum of half an hour (more effective if left overnight), and then vacuum. Keep the dog out of the room until you're done vacuuming. 

For your yard, I recommend you plant catnip and marigold (natural pesticides) in places your dog frequents. 

Use a flea comb, keep your pet clean, use flea repellants, like herbal flea powders and the natural flea reppelants mentioned above, in between baths. Maintain your dog's sleeping quarters clean and add some cedar chips to his bedding. Keep your dog as healthy as possible because healthier dogs do not draw fleas to them like ones with compromised immune systems. 

Bonus Dog Flea Management Light Trap

This isn't really a solution to a flea infested home, but it's a good indicator of whether or not you have fleas present. Take a shallow pan and fill it up to the rim with water and a bit of dish soap. Dawn is the dish soap of choice since it is considered safer for animals and lots of rescue organizations prefer it. Place the pan on top of a white cloth and shine a light on it while the rest of the house remains dark (feel free to leave it out overnight underneath a night light). Silly fleas are attracted to the light and dive like kamikazes into the concoction. The only problem is, fleas can't swim, and that's a good thing, in our case. 

What to do? Just the fact that you're reading this means you're a responsible dog owner who's getting educated. Now that you've done your research you are ready to make an educated decision based on your dog's and family's needs and limitations. Best of luck to all of us, especially our dogs who rely on us. 

Twinkie