Marsha has joined us at Edwardsville and is grooming on Sunday and Monday’s and will join Tammy and Kelly Tuesday through Saturday as needed. Jamie will be at our Lafayette Square location on Sunday and Monday’s and will join Crystal and Christy Tuesday through Saturday on occasion too.

You can schedule an appointment on-line or give us a call at 618-692-4729 and we’ll set one up for you.

The polls opened on February 18 and the last day to vote is on Friday, March 16. 

Winners will be announced in the July 2012 issue of St Louis Magazine.

We would appreciate it if you would take a moment to vote for Four Muddy Paws!  We truly appreciate your support!

Thanks!

Thanks to everyone who voted and submitted photos! 

The top three photos with the most “Likes” on our Facebook page won a gift certificate to Four Muddy Paws.

Here’s all of our winners and entries!

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Catherine has a gift to connect and communicate with animals using their energy to connect to their emotions, voices and oftentimes the images they’re sending. All animals are welcome for a reading including dogs, cats, rabbits, horses, ferrets, and any other animal! This is so much more than just being a pet psychic – oftentimes our pets have insights into ourselves and our family that we were totally unaware of. You might get some rather unexpected but helpful advice for yourself!

Private sessions are 20 minutes long and you can either bring your pet(s) or even just a photo of a pet (yes, even a photo on your mobile phone!). You can either record your session and/or take notes as well so you have a record of your time together.

The cost is $25 per session.

Here’s our Schedule – all events are 11 AM – 3 PM on the fourth Saturday of the month and rotate monthly between Lafayette Square and Edwardsville. Call today to reserve your appointment time!

Lafayette Square – (314) 773-7297

Edwardsville – (618) 692 – 4729

Sat. – January 28 – Lafayette Square

Sat. – February 25 – Edwardsville

Sun. – March 25 – Lafayette Square (Note – this is the third Sunday of the month!)

Sat. – April 28 – Edwardsville

It’s estimated that eighty percent of all dogs and cats have some form of dental disease and gum disease and it can be very severe. Dental disease affects much more than fresh breath, it can frequently lead to more serious health problems such as kidney and heart disease. Veterinarian experts strongly recommend daily dental care for pets and twice a year mouth exams, beginning early.

Everyone learns the importance of good dental health when we’re young.  Your dog and cat depend on you to keep their teeth and gums free of plaque and gum disease.  And it’s not as difficult as you may think it is!

Your dog and cat deserve clean, white, bright teeth, fresh breath and healthy gums.  As always, a good preventive, holistic program is the best way to ensure good dental health and avoid many of the issues that can come with poor dental care.

Tartar can lead to inflamed and infected gums (gingivitus) and periodontal disease.  This can cause many health issues, especially in animals with a compromised immune system.  Reports suggest a link between periodontal disease and diseases that effect the lungs, kidneys and heart.

This is easy to avoid with making some healthy changes in your pet’s diet.  Unfortunately it’s a myth that dry dog foods help keep teeth clean and prevent tooth decay. (do croutons keep our teeth clean?) Actually fresh meats, fruits and vegetables are great due to the enzymes in these unprocessed foods.  The enzymes help keep the tartar off the teeth so it doesn’t become a problem.  Raw meaty bones and fresh vegetables like cauliflower, celery, apples and carrots (Salem and Foster love their carrots) are excellent at maintain clean teeth.  You can always tell when a dog or cat is on a raw fresh food diet by looking at their shiny white teeth!

Raw meaty bones (e.g. turkey necks and even our recreational raw bones) and our deer antlers and Himalayan Dog Chews are excellent at controlling tartar since your dog will scrape and gnaw (sometimes for hours!) on the rough surface from all angles.  They’re really “nature’s toothbrush” – your dog’s brushing and doesn’t even know it!  Plus they’re a wonderful source of calcium and phosphorus and their great for both the physical and emotional well-being of your dog.  Just remember – never feed any pet any cooked bone since they’re likely to splinter.  Always monitor your dog when their chewing their bones and make sure to take away any sizes that can be easily choked on. Also raw green tripe is terrific as a natural dental floss due to it’s rubbery texture.  Dogs LOVE raw green tripe and it’s full of digestive enzymes and other beneficial bacteria!

For even more dental diet boosts consider adding some organic eggshells to your pet’s diet.  Just make sure they’re broken into small enough pieces so there aren’t any sharp edges.

Adding a probiotic into your pet’s diet can also be beneficial for their oral health in addition to helping their digestive and immune systems.

Here’s a short check list for you to get on a dental health program:

• Check your pet’s gums and teeth regularly
• Get comfortable with examining your pet’s teeth.  Do this at least once a month and look for red, swollen gums, tartar build-up, abscesses, loose teeth or any other irregularities.
• Make an annual teeth cleaning visit to the Vet for a professional  cleaning.
• Provide meaty bones and fibrous fruits and vegetables on a weekly basis.
• Use a toothbrush or finger brush to regularly keep tartar off their teeth.
• There are also natural dental oral gels, pastes and powders that work very well at keeping the teeth tartar-free.

Four Muddy Paws carries many options for you when it comes to your pet’s dental health – from dental nutritional supplements to toys and dental implements like toothbrushes, finger brushes, toothpaste and more.  Come and check out what you can do to improve your pet’s own dental health.

The list of workshops is as follows. 

• Orientation Class (without dogs) Monday – February 13 –7 PM – 8:30 PM  Cost $20

This class is open to anyone wishing to learn more about how a dog learns, positive (clicker) training methods, and positive training solutions for common dog behavior issues.  For some this may be all they need to get started and for others it’s an introduction to what they’ll learn in our other classes.  This class is a pre-requisite for our other training classes.

• Company’s Coming Monday – February 20, February 27, March 5 –7 PM – 8:00 PM  Cost $50

Does your dog bark like crazy when someone comes to your door, run out the door as soon as it is opened, and/or jump on guests when they enter your home?  In “Company’s Coming” your dog will learn to stay calm when someone knocks on your door or rings your doorbell and then politely greet your guests when they enter your home.  Positive, reward-based methods will be used.

• Walk This Way  Monday – March 26, April 2, April 9 –7 PM – 8:00 PM  Cost $50

Does your dog pull so hard that you feel like yelling “mush” when you take him for a walk? In “Walk This Way” you and your dog will learn to walk together as a team and have that pleasant stroll around the neighborhood you envisioned. Positive, reward-based methods will be used.

• What’s Your Dog Telling You? Reading your Dog’s Body Language and Dog Park Safety (without dogs) Date TBD  – One Night Cost $20

Did you know that a wagging tail is not always an indication of a friendly dog? Do dogs like to be hugged? Does that snappy little dog have a Napoleon Complex or is there something else going on? Plus dog parks are a wonderful place for your dog to exercise and socialize with other dogs. However, they can also be a scary place if the dogs do not appropriately send the right messages or play appropriately. Learn how to read what dogs are saying to each other, how to know if your dog is getting stressed, and whether your dog has the appropriate social skills to enjoy the dog park, go for a walk, visit with friends or go to the vets.  A very useful class in your day-to-day life with your dog!   

Save on Training Packages!

If you sign up for all three workshops plus the Orientation Class the total cost is only $125!

Call our Edwardsville shop to reserve your spot!  Space is limited! (618) 692 – 4729

Gail Czarnecki-Maulden, PhD, KPA CTP, a certified Karen Pryor Academy Trainer and Jeff Jensen, owner of Four Muddy Paws will be teaching.  Jeff is currently a lead dog trainer with the Greater St Louis Training Club.

Thanks, also to Gateway Dog House food truck for joining us at the event and donating 15% of their proceeds for the day! Plus what delicious brats and hot dogs!  Check them out around town!

The Fifth Annual Dogs & Suds Benefit Dog Wash supporting OpSpot is on Saturday, January 14 from 10 AM – 3 PM at the Lafayette Square St Louis location, 1711 Park Avenue, St Louis, MO 63104. 

Event details include:

• Friendly volunteers from OpSpot (Operation Stop Pet Overpopulation!) will be washing and drying dogs for only $15 with 100% of the proceeds benefiting OpSpot
• While their dogs are being washed and dried guardians can sample hand-crafted brews from Square One Microbrewery and Distillery and other treats.
• All dogs washed and dried on a first-come first-served basis

Plus Plus we’re excited that Papa Tom’s Gateway Dog House Food Truck will be at the event too from 10 AM – 1:30 PM!  – and they’ll be donating 15% of the days proceeds to OpSpot!!!! 

Did You Know? An unspayed female dog or cat and her offspring can produce 67,000 puppies or kittens over a six year period!

This event is focused on helping raise funds for OpSpot, (www.opspot.org) which is a not-for-profit organization dedicated to eliminating the unnecessary euthanasia of dogs and cats in St. Louis and surrounding areas. They are registered as a 501C3 in Missouri and was founded in 1995

OpSPOT facilitates affordable spaying and neutering by area veterinarians; advises on public policies about spaying, neutering, and responsible dog and cat care; educates the public about responsible dog and cat care, which includes:

• Spay or neuter
• Keep cats indoors, and humanely confine dogs outdoors under supervision or indoors.
• Obtain vaccinations, licenses and microchips for all dogs and cats. Apply visible ID tags.
• Make advance arrangements for the care of pets in case of a disaster or a personal emergency (such as hospitalization or house fire).

Everybody poops! It’s just a fact of life. It is, however, a very useful tool in assessing the health of your pet. The zookeepers at the St Louis Zoo rate each animal’s poop on a daily basis. This way they can easily tell if an animal’s health has changed based on changes in their poop. You can do the same with your pet.

Here are some helpful signs to look for when analyzing your pet’s poop.

Color: The color of poo is usually shades of brown. Dogs on a higher protein diet (and most cats) will have dark brown poo. A pale yellow or greenish tint may indicate a digestive system issue (often parasites) and should be checked out with a vet. A stool with more white is common in raw fed pets. Very dark, almost black tar-like stools or stools with any bright red could indicate blood in the stool and should be checked out with a vet.

Consistency: Poo should be compact, firm and moist. Any deviations should be watched carefully. Diarrhea (watery, loose stools) can be caused by many different situations; too rich a diet, something from the house or yard, parasites, infection, allergies or any number of other issues. Chronic or severe diarrhea can quickly lead to dehydration and a visit to the vet is definitely in order. Constipation is indicated by small hard or crumbly poops and straining by the dog or cat. This can be a sign of either dehydration, lack of exercise or a blockage of some kind. If you suspect a blockage please get your pet to a vet immediately.

Smell: In general, poo should have only a mild odor and not have a strong or distinctive smell. This could indicate a digestive disorder or a poor quality and poorly digested diet

Quantity: Poo should be relatively small and compact. Big lofty voluminous poos can be an indication of a poor diet where your pet is not getting enough nutrients and most of the diet is coming out as poo. Also, firm and compact stools help express the anal glands with each elimination keeping your pet’s anal glands constantly cleaned out avoiding any impaction.

Parasites: You should take in your pet’s fecal samples on at least an annual basis or when you suspect there may be an issue. Your vet will be able to discover any parasites long before you see anything moving or crawling around.

Abnormal Signs: Look for any foreign objects in the poo. Strings, grass, small objects like crayons, are an immediate indication that your dog has eaten something he shouldn’t have. Is your pet licking his behind excessively? Is she straining or scooting outside (or inside)? This could also be an indication that their anal glands may be impacted.  A visit to your vet is in order to have them examine your dog.

Monitoring your pet’s poo should be just like taking a walk. It’s easy way to keep tabs on the health of your pet. Once you understand what their normal range is and their normal behavior then you’ll be more easily be able to identify any potential health issues.

Do you have an issue with your dog eating poop?  Click here for great advice from Dr Karen Becker!  We have a number of solutions at our shops to help you with this potential dog habit!

Here’s a quote from Ken Ramirez, Executive Vice President of Animal Care and Animal Training at the world-class Shedd Aquarium in Chicago.  He’s an amazing trainer and works closely with Karen Pryor’s Clicker Academy and Clicker Expo.

“My message would be simple: training is not a luxury, but a key component to good animal care. Everyone who has a pet should understand that basic fact. Training is a way to enhance the quality of life for our pets. It is far more than just teaching a dog to do a cute trick. Training is about teaching a dog (or any animal) how to live in our world safely.”

Each year, the Association of Pet Dog Trainers, the largest professional association for dog trainers in the world, proclaims January “National Train Your Dog Month.” This campaign’s goal is to promote the importance of training and socialization to all dog owners.

According to the Humane Society of the United States, between six and eight million dogs and cats are turned in to animal shelters each year, and about four million are euthanized for lack of good homes. Studies by the National Council on Pet Population Study and Policy have found that most dogs (and cats) are turned in to shelters for common behavior and training issues that could easily be solved with the assistance of a professional. In fact, research has found that training and socializing dogs when they’re young can reduce or even eliminate behavior problems in the future.

Since January is the time for New Year’s resolutions, it is the perfect time for dog owners and those who may be considering getting a dog, to learn about the importance of training for their pet. The APDT web site has a wealth of helpful information for pet owners at http://www.apdt.com/petowners. APDT’s other sites, http://www.trainyourdogmonth.com and http://www.mydoghasclass.com have additional tips and resources for dog owners. Free webinars and social media chats will occur during the month of January as well (a full listing can be found at http://www.trainyourdogmonth.com).

Training can begin at birth since your pet is learning every minute of the day.  You have a relatively short window for socialization training and puppy play is key. Read more about the importance of Puppy Socialization at our website.

Positive Trainers

In your training look for truly positive trainers – positive training works in-sync with how an animal learns  – they will repeat what they get rewarded for  – whether that’s a reward you approve of or an accidental reward!  If they don’t get a reward they’ll try something else! Dogs are like gamblers – they’re always hoping to get a reward from their efforts. This is where training comes in.  Keep rewarding the positive behavior and ignoring the bad or unwanted behavior is key. There is an art and finesse to training your pet but the rewards are boundless!

There are still many traditional dog trainers working today both on television and in the Bi-State area.  Learn more about becoming a benevolent leader with your dog at our Blog Post.

When you’re looking for a postive trainer here are some good questions to ask:

• What kind of equipment do you use? Essentially you don’t need any equipment besides a leash (and this is for safety issues only) and some kind of reward. You’ll need a flat or round buckle collar.  No choke chains or pinch collars needed.  No-pull harnesses or a head collar are good management tools when you’re not training. We carry a wide variety of appropriate management tools at Four Muddy Paws.
• What kinds of rewards are used? Remember that rewards are anything YOUR pet finds rewarding – it might be food, or a favorite toy or even the chance to smell a tree or jump on the couch! Be creative!
• How are corrections handled? A positive trainer will reward the good behavior and ignore the bad behavior – no corrections are needed in positive training.
• How are the dogs managed in class? The adult dogs should have little interactive with each other in class.  Puppies , of course, should have ample opportunity for play, socialization and exploration.

Here’s a great quote from positive dog trainer Grisha Stewart from Seattle Washington -

“There is no reason to resort to violence to train dogs or fix behavior problems. That includes violence by proxy with electrical shock. Causing fear on purpose boggles my mind. That’s no way to treat another living being. Having thumbs doesn’t give us the right to push that button or pop that leash. We need to use our other major tool, instead — the creative human brain is what keeps progressive trainers from needing to pretend like we are dogs with leashes in our hands.”

For more information on Positive Training (aka Clicker Trainer) check out Karen Pryor’s site – clickertraining.com

Looking for a dog training classes in the Bi-State Area – check out our Resource Page on our website – many great options for you on Reward Based Training and Behavior Issues – both group and individual classes – all positive – all the time! 

Nothing can build and strengthen the human-canine bond like training – whether it’s obedience or rally, tricks  or free-style, nose work or dock diving – you and your pet will both benefit tenfold!

Saturday, January 28 10 AM – Edwardsville – 618 – 692 – 4729

Wednesday, February 1 6:30 PM – Lafayette Square – 314 – 773 – 7297

Call today to reserve your space!

You are what you eat and so is your pet.

• Do you know what’s in your dog and cat’s food?
• Do you know how to read and interpret a nutrition label and ingredient list?
• Do you know how dog and cat food is regulated?
• What’s a feeding trial consist of?
• Do you know the difference between natural, holistic and organic?
• What’s the best dog food or cat food?
• Do dogs or cats need grains in their diet?
• Should I rotate my dog’s food?
• What about nutritional supplements?
• Lean how to find the right food options for your pet. The most common dog health issues (e.g. ear infections and yeasty ears, itching, flaky skin, allergies, dental health, dull or greasy coat and shedding, bad breath etc) can often be resolved with the right diet saving on veterinary costs.
• Plus learn about the benefits of adding fresh foods to your pets diet.