The Changing of the Season and Fall Walks

Fall has rapidly swooped in and the rainy deluge has begun here in Portland. Mr. N enjoys the crisp weather and playing in the leaves but he is a soggy wet mess a lot of walks. His paws are getting washed every time he goes for a walk. I'd like to try to squeeze in a couple more hikes before the year is over.

He recently acquired a tiny skateboard in a raffle so I've started training him how to skateboard. So far he will get on the skateboard (two paws and four paws) and stay on it while I move it. We may also work on either a rebound or a handstand as our indoor project this year.

Any fall activities planned with your dogs?

#BootTheScoot with Glandex® and Be Rid of Anal Gland Issues #Sponsored

Mr. N was hanging out on the pet store counter and receiving petting and treats when he suddenly started scooting on the counter. I was mortified. It was the pet store's anniversary so the store was full of people and dogs too. The employee ringing me up didn't bat an eye and calmly recommended a new supplement they had in stock for dog anal gland issues, Glandex®. 

This post is sponsored by Glandex and the BlogPaws Professional Pet Blogger Network. I am being compensated for helping spread the word about how Glandex – Natural Supplement for Anal Glands but Tenacious Little Terrier only shares information we feel is relevant to our readers. Glandex is not responsible for the content of this article.

Glandex is an supplement that guarantees results within 3-5 weeks to help "boot the scoot!" and treat anal gland issues. It is veterinary formulated and made in the USA with all natural ingredients. We were sent Glandex to try and I added it to Mr. N's food for about four weeks. It comes in a powder form (beef liver) and chewable (peanut butter and only for dogs). Mr. N prefers the powder and ate his food with the powder sprinkled on it with no issues. Dogs his size get 1/8 teaspoon per day.  

Dogs normally release anal gland fluid every time they poop but if they don't for whatever reason (soft stools, digestion issues, allergies, infection, obesity, anatomy issues or a combination of several issues), their glands get over full and cause the dogs to be uncomfortable. Severe cases require surgery.

The supplement helps to solve the anal gland issue because of the precise amount of fiber to help bulk and firm up the pet's stools to naturally empty the glands. I've seen reviews that mentioned an increase in stool size but I did not see a difference. Mr. N's are tiny to begin with. It also contains natural anti-inflammatories to target underlying inflammation as well as probiotics and digestive enzymes to support a healthy gastrointestinal tract which is an added plus because Mr. N has a delicate stomach sometimes. 

After adding Glandex to his food, I haven't noticed Mr. N scooting at all. He usually scoots once or twice a month (although usually not in public) and I would have to take him to get his glands expressed but I haven't had to do that.

Glandex is the only product that addresses all of the underlying causes of anal gland problems and works from the inside out to help maintain healthy anal glands. Their scientific formula works in multiple ways to keep the anal glands healthy and is a more effective alternative to frequent anal gland expressing which can further irritate the anal glands. Their product may also spare you public mortification! 

If you're interested in trying Glandex with your pets, you can purchase it here. The trial size chewables are $12.99 and the smallest bottle of powder (2.5 oz) is 17.99. For more information, you can find them on:

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Monitoring your Dog's Health and Exercise with a 'FitBit' for Dogs

Exercise and dog training go hand in hand. You can't expect a pent-up, under-stimulated dog to focus on training and pure exercise won't cut it with dogs, they need mental stimulation to work their brains too. Mind and body.

Mr. N is very firm on making sure he gets both. He enjoys his regular hikes with Sage and his daily outings. We also play with toys in the house, do conditioning work with his FitBone, and dabble with dog sports. For mental stimulation, he learns a wide variety of tricks and shows them off during therapy dog visits. I also take him with me all over the city so he is exposed to a wide variety of different things and smells. He is fascinated by the taxidermy store.

I received a FitBit for Christmas last year and have often thought that Mr. N could use one of his own. He would rack up those steps in no time. I've seen several different ones on the market for dogs but they're usually huge (at least on Mr. N) and/or not waterproof which is a necessity in the rainy Pacific Northwest. 

AMPT Animal reached out to us and their monitor fulfilled both requirements. It's 10 grams and Mr. N had no trouble bounding about with the prototype on his collar during an epic rainy weekend. You can use the monitor to track, analyse and set daily walk and play goals for your dog. It also comes with a wireless on-collar clicker and no, your dog can not self-reward. Mr. N tries with normal ones.

Credit: AMPT Animal

If you're interested in monitoring your dog's activity and health, AMPT Animal is offering a deal where the first 500 people can sign up to purchase a heavily discounted monitor as soon as it is available in exchange for product feedback. The monitor is an one time purchase with no contract or fees.

Mr. N wearing the AMPT prototype

Tenacious Little Terrier was offered a free AMPT Animal monitor in exchange for spreading the word about AMPT Animal.Tenacious Little Terrier was not otherwise compensated for this review post. All opinions expressed are our own. AMPT Animal is not responsible for post content.

Will the Real Dog Please Stand Up?

Dog Sports for Reactive Dogs

Having a reactive dog means a lot of the traditional dog world and dog events are shut to you if your dog has trouble controlling themselves around other dogs. And reactive dogs are very often the dogs who need a job. High energy. Sharp. Busy brain.

These days with advances in technology and dog training, there are a lot more options for competing and titling with a reactive dog. Now you can send in a video of your dog performing and your dog can earn titles in a variety of different sports. This is also a great option for people who live far away from dog sport venues. 

Agility: The Virtual Agility League "provides a non-traditional, skills-based agility venue that allows people to submit dog agility performances for review by video. To give reactive or distracted dogs an equal chance to show off their agility skills, and recognition for the people who love and patiently work with them."

Disc Dog: If your dog is a frisbee pro, Pamela Johnson offers disc dog titles by video. She also offers canine freestyle routine and trick titles. 

Musical Freestyle: Dogs and humans show off a dance routine choreographed to music. "Rally Freestyle Elements offers video entries in Musical Freestyle for those that either live too far from live events or for those dogs not suited to the show environment."

Nosework: Nosework is traditionally recommended for reactive dogs, both as a way to build confidence and because the sport is set up to accommodate reactive dogs and their needs. This sport is also good for dogs with various disabilities. 

Parkour: In Dog Parkour, dogs use skills from human parkour and dog agility to overcome obstacles. "Dog Parkour helps with confidence and overcoming fears, and it is a low impact but challenging activity for any canine athlete."

Rally - FrEe:  This sports combines cues from Musical Freestyle and the competition format of Rally-Obedience. "It emphasizes the precise execution of fundamental freestyle and obedience skills while encouraging creative and novel behaviors on a Rally-Obedience style course." 

Trick Dog: Shake. Roll over. Sit pretty. Fetch! Do More With Your Dog! offers trick dog titles from novice to champion.

Photo by Grace W.

Dracula's Grave

Bait and Switch

Mr. N would like to file a complaint with the Bureau of Dog Affairs. He was explicitly promised a "walk" but instead was roped into taking Halloween photos. He thinks this is a bait and switch. 

Do you agree? 

Bookstore Display Model

Mr. N practices strength and balance training on top of a tiered bookshelf. He is used to heights but the texture of the bookshelf meant he had to sit with poise. Being a good display model also means having excellent sit/stay skills. Sometimes people mistake him for a stuffed animal.

Does he add to the display?

Immense Sacrifice

Mr. N hopes humankind appreciates the immense sacrifice he has made by getting TWO baths in one week.  Unfortunately, we were both exposed to MRSA during a therapy visit so the ER said to give him a bath as a precaution. 

Is Your Dog a Rule Follower or a Rebel?

Mr. N is a dog that likes being good. I swear he preens when another dog is being "bad" and he is 

"good." If one of his friends has to go back on leash and he is still off-leash, he prances about expressively and flouts his freedom. 

He very rarely loses his off-leash privileges but I had to leash him one time on the beach because he was obsessed with trying to play with this one dog on a flexi-leash. After he disregarded his second warning, he went on the leash. After a decent amount of distance away from the dog, I un-leashed him. He kept looking back at me and checking to see if it was OK to walk ahead. He does not enjoy being "bad." 

I think part of it is he likes law and order and the other part that he is a total mama's boy and wants to stay in my good graces. This isn't to say he is never naughty but he does try very hard to be good. 

When canine visitors enter our kitchen, he disapproves. He is not allowed in there unless expressly invited.  Even if other dogs are in the kitchen looking for crumbs or sniffing the treat bin, he never joins them. If I drop a treat by mistake, he'll wait to see if I really meant to give it to him. 

He also believes that good behavior should be rewarded and appropriately. Sometimes after reactivity training (which is probably the hardest for him), we'll pass by a dog and I'll dole out a treat for not reacting. And he'll look at me as if to say, that was really, really hard. That dog was talking smack about me and I didn't even say anything back! I think I deserve more treats. Most of the time, I'll agree with him and treat him to his satisfaction. 

Whereas our foster pup could care less about human approval or rules if it conflicted with what he wanted. He was always trying to sneak into the kitchen. And he stole food out of Mr. N's mouth. Literally. Mr. N was aghast at his behavior and would run and tattle. We used to call them Goofus and Gallant. 

Is your dog a rule follower or a rebel? 

Mr. N says he has done his part. Treat now please?

Too Sick for a Walk

The sick pup in his sick bed.

Mr. N was super listless this morning. Even the walk word wouldn't budge him out of bed and he always wants to go for a walk. He had been having a stomachache for a few days but I took this as a sign that we needed to go to the vet asap.

Luckily, we were able to get a same day appointment and they gave him fluids and anti-nausea medication. When we got home, he decided that he would eat from my hand and ate his first meal in two days.

After lots of napping and another small meal, he had a spurt of energy and ran around the living room chasing a toy for a half hour and demanded his chews. Little Dog is on the mend.