Blog
DGDC Shopping List Pt. 2
Joan Marie Dauber
Dec. 5, 2024
The temperatures dropped very suddenly here in Chicago, so you might be spending a lot more time indoors with your darn good dog. When you do go out, Fluffy probably needs extra protection like we do. Our December DGDC Shopping List will leave you and your darn good dog warm and cozy - with some special treats as well.
Salt Sox Boots
Hurtta Expedition Coast
Flirt Pole
Hanukkah Dog Treats
Salt Sox. Ice and salt, even the "pet safe" versions, can irritate our dog's paws. We love Salt Sox, which are carried by many local pet shops like Doggy Style Pet Shop and For Dog's Sake. The balloon-style Paws booties work for many dogs but lack protection from colder temperatures. Lastly, check out the WagWellies at Wag Wear! Crocs for dogs:).
Hurtta Expedition Coat. This is a top rated coat on many people's lists (IT'S ON SALE RIGHT NOW!). We love how it covers their haunches and provides protection for their underside. You can also adjust the coat in several ways for a perfect fit. For a more affordable option, check out L.L. Bean's Reversible Field Coat. It's super snuggly at a lower price point.
Flirt Poles. It's a cat wand toy for dogs and a fantastic way to exercise your dog indoors while you sit back in your recliner. You can find many different styles at Chewy, Amazon, and Pupford.
Hanukkah Dog Treats. Tail Bangers' incredible dog treats are available online and at Pet Supplies Plus stores. The variety and designs of their canine cookies are absolutely delightful and we are sure your darn good dog will enjoy the taste as well!
Management for your feaful dog at the holidays
Joan Marie Dauber
Dec. 5, 2024
Disrupted routines, holiday decorations, and unfamiliar visitors can be stressful for any dog, but they can be especially overwhelming for our more fearful pups. Thankfully, Joan Marie has practical tips to help you manage their anxiety and provide the sense of security they need during these challenging times.
Create a Safe Haven for Your Dog
It’s perfectly okay for a shy or anxious dog to skip out on social gatherings. Set up a quiet, comfortable space in a separate room where your dog can relax away from the hustle and bustle. Include cozy bedding and their favorite toys (if safe). To help drown out party noise, consider playing white noise or soothing music, such as light jazz, classical, or reggae. If your dog is comfortable joining the gathering, still provide a retreat area where they can escape if things become overwhelming.
Advocate for Your Fearful Dog
Fearful dogs may be uncomfortable with direct eye contact or sudden touch. Inform your guests beforehand to avoid interacting with your dog until you give the green light. Pay attention to your dog’s body language and let them initiate contact. Guests should gently pet the side of your dog’s body rather than reaching over their head or attempting to pick them up.
Instead of having guests offer treats directly from their hands—which might put your dog in a stressful situation—suggest they toss treats on the floor or away from themselves. If your dog hesitates to approach, toss the treat farther away or pause treat-giving altogether.
Use Calming Aids
Products like dog appeasing pheromones can help ease your dog’s anxiety. Options such as Adaptil sprays, collars, and plug-in diffusers are worth trying—spray bedding or use the diffuser in their resting area.
There are also many calming treats on the market. When choosing one to try, look for ingredients like L-Theanine, Melatonin, Chamomile, L-Tryptophan, and Valerian. Zylkene is another popular ingredient found in prescription diets for anxiety. Vetriscience Composure Treats are frequently recommended by veterinarians.
If considering CBD treats, choose products specifically formulated for dogs that are THC-free, third-party lab tested, and made with superior broad-spectrum CBD in appropriate concentrations.
Provide Enrichment Activities
Activities like licking, chewing, and sniffing can help your dog self-soothe. Offer a favorite treat or enrichment toy before or during the gathering to keep them occupied. LickiMats, Kongs, Toppls, and treat-dispensing puzzles can provide calming, independent play. Ensure your dog has plenty of space to enjoy their treat without interference.
By preparing your dog’s environment and respecting their needs, you can help them feel more secure and supported during social events.
Holiday safety tips
Joan Harris
Dec. 5, 2024
'Tis the season to be jolly and to keep your dog’s safety in mind. Holidays can be very enjoyable, and we want to include our dogs in the festivities. But remember that our dogs don’t always know how to behave around the many holiday distractions.
With guests in the house, it’s easy to forget that food on the counter, holiday decorations, and other distractions can lead to dangers for our dogs if not managed with care. Now is the time to prepare ahead to keep the holidays safe and pleasant for everyone!
Brush up on your obedience
We don’t want grandma to be knocked over or have nieces and nephews become chew toys. Review and practice your obedience skills prior to the arrival of guests. Sitting politely for greetings, settling on a mat and leave it will go a long way for keeping your guests safe and comfortable during a party. If your dog hasn’t mastered these skills in distraction, prepare and practice a confinement schedule beforehand. This can be a familiar crate in a quiet part of the house, or a barrier set up to keep your dog safely out of the fray. Provide plenty of toys or delicious chews to keep your dog busy.
Keep up with your dog’s exercise schedule
Regular walks and exercise will keep your pet healthy and alleviate many of the holiday stresses. But be mindful of the cold weather. When the temperatures dip below freezing, keep walks and outdoor time short. A nice fitting coat and boots may be necessary for our short-coated breeds.
Be mindful of hazards
Christmas ornaments, tinsel and decorations can pose potential threats to our furry friends if ingested. Wires and batteries can cause injuries around their mouth or in their digestive tract. Several delicious foods are toxic to our pets such as grapes, garlic, onions, avocado pits, and xylitol (an artificial sweetener). Supervise your pets around these hazards and keep trash in a tightly sealed container somewhere your pet can’t access.
Keep your eye on the door!
Confining your dog to a crate or away from the door may prevent your escape artist from hitting the road. This is particularly important for those hosting a large party or if children are running around the house. Practice confining your dog ahead of time as many dogs used to free run of the house can become anxious when confined. Work on making confinement stress-free and pleasant by providing your dog with her favorite chew or food puzzle.
Supervise all interactions with children
Even if your dog loves children and is comfortable in their presence, never leave them alone together. Children don’t always read a dog’s body language and are likely to do something that could scare or over-excite your dog. Remember that the holidays can be stressful for our dogs with all the distractions, changes in routine and guests in the home. There’s no reason to chance an avoidable accident.
We hope you, your family and your darn good dog have a safe and happy holiday season!
DGDC Holiday Shopping List pt. 1
Joan Marie Dauber
Nov. 4, 2024
We can't wait to fill our darn good dogs stockings up this year! And we know some of you like to get a jump on the holidays and do your shopping early. Here are some great ideas both for the darn good dog AND for the darn good dog family members.
Hide & Scent
Lickimat Wobble Bowl
4MyMerlesCreations Toy
Elevated Dog Bed
Hide & Scent Game Kits. We discovered this one listening to Hannah Branigan's podcast, Drinking from the Toilet. It's an incredible, well-designed scentwork game your kids can play with your dog - although it's absolutely appropriate for adults as well. The kids' version comes with 4 differerent styles of adorable little scent pouchs with a cute dog on it. This is a game you can use over and over again with your darn good dog and is a great way for the very little ones to play with the dog without always petting and touching the dog. Plus, scentwork is so good for dogs!
LickiMat Wobble Slow Feeder Dog Bowl. We know some of your dogs have gotten pretty advanced at their enrichment activities and might need an extra challenge these days. You can use this as a way to feed your dog their meals OR freeze special fillings in it as you would a flat LickiMat.
4MyMerlesCreations Tug Toy. From the wonderful trainer and educator Susan Garrett, founder of Dogs That and her podcast Shaped by Dog, this tug toy is the Gold Medal Champion of tug toys, especially for larger dogs. If your dog loves tug games, this is where you should spend your pennies!
K&H Pet Products Pet Cot Elevated Dog Bed. Some dogs always run a little hot or prefer to sleep outdoors (looking at you Sherpards and Huskies). This high quality elevated bed is the perfect solution - we use one outside for our pets on the patio as well.
New and unique treats!
October 1, 2024 by Joan Marie Dauber
I love shopping for dog treats! It's more fun for me than my own grocery shopping. Here are some great new finds your darn good dog may enjoy:
- Freeze dried cheddar cheese. No more having to refrigerate and cut up your cheese before training or taking walks. And so many options now: Pure Bites, Northwest Naturals, Pupford, Stewart (in a bucket!), and WagWell now produce cheddar cookies and can be found in local pet stores like Wiggleville Pet Boutique.
- Other cheesy treat options. Pupford has Gouda Crunchies (human grade so you can share!), Ollie has Parmesan Treats, Redbarn and Ollie have cheese puffs, Himalayan Dog Chews now have yak cheese puffs, and my favorite, Shepherd Boy carries freeze dried raw goat cheese (which is more easily digestible for our dogs and is lower in fat, calories, lactose, and sodium than other cheeses).
- Kelp and sea "monstah" treats. I've been using Earth Animal's soft Kelp Jerky for a few years and all the dogs like it! Now we also have: Polkadog Green Monstah Crab & Kelp Bone Dog & Cat Treats, Icelandic Cod & Lobster bites (plus several other options), Vital Essentials Salmon bites (plus Minnows and other fishies), and PLATO Hundur's Crunch Jerky Minis - single ingredient treats with Icelandic fish skin.
- Bison bites. Another fan favorite of the pups! Try West Paw, Spot & Tango, Health Extension, Fruitables, and Belly Benefits soft bison low calorie training treats, suitable for dogs with sensitive stomachs.
Where to go when things go wrong (AT the wrong time)
September 1, 2024. Joan Marie Dauber
Sometimes our darn good dogs have a knack for having problems during non-business hours. Or our regular vet is just too booked to get Fifi in anytime soon. Here are some resources in Chicago and what they offer:
EMERGENCY VETERINARY HOSPITALS
Medvet Chicago (3305 N. California). A 24 hour emergency veterinary hospital. They do prioritize according to pet's medical situation, so there can be a wait. They also have a cancer center and other specialists on staff. (773) 281-7110.
Veterinary Emergency Group (VEG). (755 W. North Ave.) A 24 hour emergency veterinary hospital. Clients have reported that staff will allow you to stay with your pet even during examinations. There is also a location in the South Loop and several in the suburbs. (312) 757-5444.
Premier Veterinary Group. A 24 hour emergency veterinary hospital. Like Medvet, they have other services on campus as well. 3927 W. Belmont Ave. (773) 516-5800.
URGENT CARE HOSPITALS
Scout Veterinary Urgent Care. 2369 N. Lincoln Ave. An urgent care veterinary hospital open 10-8 daily. You can only book an appointment no more than 36 hours in advance online. This place is great for issues like a bee sting or sudden eye problem. (224) 268-0604.
Sploot Veterinary Care. several locations in Chicago. A primary and urgent care veterinary practice. (312) 634-6346.
West Loop Veterinary Care. West Loop and Streeterville. An urgent care veterinary practice. (312) 421-2275 (West Loop), (312) 766-5959.
Bond Vet. Several locations in Chicago. Primarily an urgent care vet practice, they now also operate as full veterinary hospitals as well. Each practice is only open up to 4 days a week and they are all different. Use website to book online.
How's YOUR leash game?
August 30, 2024
Joan Marie Dauber
Yes, our dogs need training to be excellent leash walkers, ready to respond to cues, quick to give focus, and able to remain in their thinking brains outdoors.
However, sometimes the other end of the leash is making it unintentionally difficult for our dogs to do their best! Let's talk leash skills:
DITCH THE WRIST WRAP! You can hurt yourself easily if your dog is prone to jump or lunge. Instead, look into doing a "finger wrap," "accordion," or "thumb wrap" like the pros do.
INSTEAD OF PULLING BACK, ANCHOR YOURSELF. When your dog pulls forward, it's natural to pull back - and then they pull even more! It's called an oppositional reflex. Instead, work on planting your feet, keeping your arms locked into your side (try squeezing your elbow to your ribs) and waiting for the leash to go slack. Mark and reward that looser leash!
DROP THAT SHOULDER, RELAX THOSE ARMS. Some dogs are very sensitive to leash pressure - we may be contributing to stress while our dog is leashed inadvertently with our own tension. Work on a longer arm, take deep breaths and relax those shoulders!
WALK TOWARD YOUR DOG TO SHORTEN THE LEASH. Say you've left your dog some extra leash to sniff but now you need to get moving again. Move towards the dog and do a hand-over-hand folding of the excess leash in your hand until you are close to your darn good dog. It'll be easier then to get their attention AND you'll have avoided pulling or yanking.
It's May! Time to chase the winter blues away.
May 1, 2024 by Joan Marie Dauber
Some of our dogs are going to take the "chase" part of that sentence VERY seriously which can be reallly hard on the other end of the leash (you). Today we're sharing some tips for high energy dog parents to take away the overly developed bicep you've got and replace that intensity with some peace and connection.
The walk starts BEFORE the walk. Rehearse calm when: approaching doors & putting on harnesses/collars/leashes. Train a Wait before leaving, and a check in before proceeding. Is your dog not able to do that yet? Then pick up the leash, walk away from the door calmly with your dog, ask for a Sit briefly, then calmly say "Let's go" and proceed to the door. Repeat this several times until you notice your dog has relaxed enough to give you even a momentary Wait at the door.
Think about treat delivery. Famous Predation Substitution Trainer Simone Mueller emphasizes treating our hunting breeds BEHIND us. Try giving the treat down behind your heel on a walk. Or lure them to each side and behind you when you give treats, rather than tossing forward or dropping in front. This will teach them good stuff happens when they stay back and near you rather than always rushing ahead.
Winding and curvy is the way to walk. When possible, find a wider path and encourage your dog to sniff perimeters (you can use some treat scatters and toe tapping near the ground to help). Then calmly encourage them to walk in a curvy path all the way over to the other side of the path, repeating the same sniffing cue (if your dog knows Find It or Search, this is a great time to use it!). This way of moving engages that powerful canine foraging sniffer to slow them down and teaches a new pattern of outdoor leash walking.
Here comes the sun!
April 11, 2024 by Joan Harris
With great weather comes increased traffic in parks, beaches, and sidewalk cafes. Good canine etiquette is important so you can include your dog in all the fun. At Darn Good Dogs Chicago, we are here to help! Register now for training to sharpen your dog’s leash walking and basic obedience skills so you’re both ready for warm weather fun.
Read on and discover some great ways to get out-and-about with your pup!
Hit the Trail
Some of our Darn Good Hiking Favorites are Waterfall Glen and Starved Rock State Park. The Chicago Lakefront is always a winner with trails all along the lakefront that cover a variety of Chicago neighborhoods. A long walk around Lincoln Park lagoon and Zoo is another one of our convenient favorites! Or take a trip down to Jackson Park (cherry blossoms are out!) and check out the huge Jackson Bark dog park with agility fun. For other ideas visit hikewithyourdog.com to find a full list of Illinois tail-friendly trails.
Montrose Dog Beach
Overall, many dogs’ favorite place, EVER, in the world! The Montrose Beach Dog Friendly Area assures Chicago residents, and their canine friends have a fun, clean and safe beach experience.
Indiana Dunes National Park
A short ride from Chicago, leashed pets are allowed both inside the National and State Parks and are welcome on most beaches and trails.
Dine Alfresco
As a dog-loving city, Chicago offers a plethora of dog-friendly restaurants and cafes for you and your well-mannered pup. Many of these patios even provide treats and water bowls. Google "dog friendly restaurants in Chicago" and find a favorite in your neighborhood. Many ice cream shops have a "pup cup" available (plain or peanut butter) like Letty's favorite place Vaca's Natural Creamery.
Create a Frozen Treat
Fill a container with some water and a few of your dog’s favorite treats such as apple or banana slices, berries, carrots or biscuits and freeze. On a hot day, your dog can cool off enjoying this homemade treat. Fill up the kiddie pool and have a great time in the backyard!
Indoor Fun
When the heat is just too much or when a rainy day stops you from going out, try teaching your dog a new trick! Darn Good Dogs Chicago trainer Joan Marie can show you how to do just that. Register for a Tricks and Fitness Class, a Tricks 4 Session Add-On Package, or private sessions to strengthen your dog’s mind and body. Nose work and Agility classes are also a fun way to keep your dog engaged and entertained indoors.
Remember to stay mindful while soaking up the sun to ensure your dog does not overheat. Offer frequent water breaks and limit activity when there are extreme temperatures. Never leave your dog in a car unattended and always provide access to shady areas. Stay safe while you enjoy the outdoors with your best friend in the upcoming warm weather months!
Spring forward - with a plan!
March 11, 2024 Joan Marie Dauber
You might lose more than an hour of sleep: your dog is going to be HIGHLY distracted with the smells, sounds, and sights of Spring - you could lose any communication outdoors. Here's how to spring forward together!
- Change or upgrade your reinforcers for your leash walks and park hangs! Variety is the spice of life: dogs enjoy novelty, just like us. Remember: it's not just food that's reinforcing. Toys, play, praise, petting, favorite tricks, and even chasing squirrels (on cue and with excellent recall!!) all are excellent positive reinforcers.
- Get unpredictable. Start randomly and more frequently playing games like: Name Game, Pattern Games, treat scatters, "get it/find it/search" food tosses, and Recall Games using hand targeting or paw targeting to engage your dog back into your human world.
DO let Fluffy have her sniffaris, but start increasing the unpredictability and amount of engagement you have with her outdoors. This way you can prevent nature's powerful reinforcers from grabbing her attention completely away from you.
- Use Premack. Premack Principle is the "you can have dessert after you eat your vegetables" principle.
An example. Fido just saw a bunny run into a yard and, boy, is he ready to hunt! Ask for the tiniest bit of engagement with you (brussel sprouts) with any behaviors he knows that are quick and easy, then immediately reinforce him by cueing "go sniff" where the bunny went (ice cream sundae)!
Give him a few seconds, then ask him to come back to you (make sure you are fun and packing a highly valuable reinforcer with you) for a moment. Repeat! Back and forth Fido goes, which gives you Recall and gives him access to the bunny zone.
Eventually, he'll trust that when you call him back, he won't be denied all the fun he wants to explore in the world and will be happy to respond to your cues.
- The City is your parkour course. I don't know about your pup, but my dog LIVES to jump. Jumping over and on things leaves her tongue hanging and tail wagging! The City Dogs have so many opportunities to jump up on benches, rocks, steps, and more. If your dog can't jump for safety reasons, "Paws Up" for the two front paws is also a fun behavior that is safer.
Puppy, it IS cold outside
Top: humans' coats. Bottom: dog's winter wardrobe. This doesn't even include her holiday themed sweaters.
Jan. 20, 2024 Joan Marie Dauber
Only a few weeks ago, it was 60 degrees. We've now hit -31 degrees with wind chill. I've been taking dogs out for over twenty Chicago winters, so I've learned how to be prepared.
First of all, if you have a Samoyed, Husky, Malamute, or Shepherd, you have hit the jackpot! They are built to weather any winter storm. Do be careful if your dog is a puppy or is elderly or has any health conditions that could make exposure to lower temperatures unsafe and limit their time outside appropriately.
If you are like most of us, your dog is at times cold and uncomfortable outside right now, particularly when it comes to their paws. Here are some ideas to keep them safe and cozy:
Coats and sweaters. They are everywhere now (I saw some at Lowe's!). If you are looking for THE coat that will last forever, the highest ranked one of 2023 is the Hurtta Expedition Coat (now on sale!).
Booties. For basic protection from ice and salt, the PAWZ booties are pretty user friendly and inexpensive.
Next up are boots like SaltSox which provide more insulation from the cold - this is what Letty wears right now. You can find them at local pet shops like Doggy Style Pet Shop and Barks N Rec.
Some people prefer the next option of boot leggings, which potentially stay on better and provide even more protection from the temperature. Walkee Paws has a special right now for 50% off using the code ARTIC50.
When it is bitter cold but your pup's paws still could be harmed by salt and ice, you can use a balm like Musher's Secret or BioBalm. If you have a bully breed, you should also protect their noses with balm.
Make sure your darn good dog is staying hydrated as well. If you want to boost their hydration, try adding Brutus Bone Broth to their food, or freezing it as pupsicles in an ice cube tray.
The ideal way to acclimate your dog to these accessories is through gradual steps paired with positive reinforcement. This year consider starting this training in September, so Fido will offer a paw to get bootied up and lift his head to go through that sweater! If you need help with handling and fear free training, contact us at info@dgdchicago.com.