Introducing the Dog Zone

The Dawg Mama's Round-Up is "In Effect Mode"*

Gratuitous cute dog photo of the week.

This little guy is Charlie. He was one of our first clients and a co-mascot (along with our dog Angel) for our business website and cards. Charlie is not only cute and ridiculously sweet but a really well behaved dog who always sat when told to. His calm presence always helped the more excitable dogs in our pack to find their way back to emotional stability.

If you would like your dog featured in a weekly round-up, please reply to this post (or email me at: dawgmama [at] substack [dot] com). Share a brief sentence or two about what is awesome about your canine companion and/or what your dog does well in terms of training.

Thinking of adding fruits or veggies to your dogs diet?

This week's article link discusses the American Kennel Club's perspective on which fruits and vegetables are safe or not safe for dogs.

The worst fruit for dogs are raisins or grapes. According to Jerry Kline, Chief Veterinary Director of the American Kennel Club, grapes or raisins can cause kidney damage. Garlic and onions are toxic enough for dogs to cause hemolytic anemia, a condition where red blood cells are destroyed faster than they can be replaced.

An excellent vegetable for a dog is the mighty carrot. Carrots contain beta-carotene which converts into vitamin A, which is beneficial for vision. This vegetable is also great for dental health. Blueberries are an excellent fruit option for adding to meals. They're full of antioxidants, phytochemicals, and fiber. We give our dog 4-5 large blueberries in her dinner and she loves them.

For further details here's the article link: https://www.akc.org/expert-advice/nutrition/fruits-vegetables-dogs-can-and-cant-eat/

Mindful walking does wonders!

This week's training tip:

On your daily dog walks, try to keep your phone off or on silent. Additionally, try to not listen to music or podcasts when walking. By turning off digital attention temptations, it becomes easier to notice the subtle communication clues your dog is giving you.

Notice his tail. Notice her ears. What is your dog saying when you pass by cars and people? Does your dog occasionally make eye contact with you? Do you feel connected or bonded? Notice how your body and your dog's respond together to changes in stimulus, the ground under your feet (and paws), and temperature. This will help you build on your dogs communication vocabulary.

When not looking at your dog, look up and enjoy the sights and smells that surround your pack. Delight in time spent together focused on the simplicity of the moment.

Mindful walks foster a deeper human-dog bond by being fully connected to the elements and each other.

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If you enjoyed today's Dog Zone feel free to comment, like, or share this post. Thanks for reading!

*Al B Sure!, a rapper and singer from the late 1980’s who utilized the New Jack Swing style in his music, named his first album, In Effect Mode. His first hit single, Nite and Day, remains one of my top 10 favorite songs of all time.