Maui Dog Training

Running with Dogs 5 Habits

A Cheap Lynnetter Knockoff
Habits. It is what our lives are made up of and we can start today by concsiously choosing better habits or stay with the old worn our stressful ones.

Running with dogs is a great way to create new habits that change lives for the better.

 

1. Morning Ritual Running with Dogs

The way our day starts out does indeed set the tone for the outcome of our whole day. You can wake up, start reading e-mail, cruise Facebook, get overwhelmed because you have so much to do do today, and end up watching the depressing loop of CNN over and over again.

Or, you can take your dog and go for a run. Its a ritual that will start your days with oxygen intake, clear your mind, move your body to start from a place of strength and clarity rather than confusion and stagnation.

Your dog only has health, good behavior and even more happiness to share with you to gain from a morning ritual of running with your dog.

2. Gratefulness and Running with Dogs

So you may not think of running with your dog as a way to be grateful at first suggestion. But make this a habit and within a few short weeks you’ll be as grateful as your dog to go for a run. You’ll look forward to it. You’ll begin to plan around making sure running with your dog is on the schedule as many days of the week as possible.

It’s a lesson to first learn from your own dog. Take on the same attitude. You pick up the leash, your dog runs to the door, tail wagging, bouncy, barely able to contain the excitement of the thought they get to go outside, move, run, be active.

Just be as grateful as your dog for the chance to go out on a run, short or long, get as stoked as your dog. It will soon become a natural feeling, one you long to to do as often as possible, and yes, it will rub off onto the rest of your life.

3. Stress Reduction Running with Dogs

We have it. Stress. A word that has become ingrained in our lives. Get it out. Stop with the stress. Sure, things happen around us, we have busy lives, and jobs and so much is far from perfect, but there is a simple strategy to reduce it.  The most overlooked medicine for stress is exercise.

Go for a run with your dog. It will work wonders for your stress level. And your dog will be super stoked too. Even more reason. It’s easy to smile, let go, feel the peace of life around you when you see how a simple run can be pure bliss for your dog. Yep, like I said before. It rubs off and becomes part of your daily persona.

4. It’s Ok To Go a Little Bit Hard

We’ve become a society of holding back. We are gripped by mediocracy. It’s force fed to us in the media. We can cure all our problems with some meds, never mind the long list of side effects, some quick and easy GMO food, and living our active lives through watching Survivor on TV.

We don’t go a little hard at anything physical. McDonalds did an excellent job years ago of convincing us, ‘You deserve a break today.”

You will never move to a better place if you stay comfortable, try to make it as easy as possible, especially when it comes to exercise. Go a little hard. Even if it’s only for a minute.  The uncomfortable will become comfortable and you’ll get from where you are now closer to where you keep saying your want to be!

You’ll find the feeling addictive in a really good way. Go a little hard and feel the good on the other end of that.

Once again, take a lesson from your dog. Ever watch a dog just go into a full on run after a ball, or down the beach, or doing zoomies around the yard? What happens when they stop?

Big smile, wagging tail, bright eyes. Turned on and happy about it. Go a little hard. It’s okay. You’ll feel good about it afterward.

5. Never Ever Give Up. It is Better to be Sore Tomorrow than Sorry You Don’t Have Your Health (Dog Included).

The Steve Job types of the world will tell you that its those who don’t give up that get the greatest joy, success, achievement, and happiness out of life. Better to be sore in the body and the mind for continuing to try than to stagnate, become negative, get fat, and have a general so what attitude about your own life.

Never give up and don’t put labels on yourself like I’m not a runner. You are. You just need to start and then not give up.

You may not consider yourself a runner. You may not even think your dog is a runner, but the truth of the matter is exercise is the number one antidote to depression, to building a healthy immune system, muscle tissue and general stamina.

Exercise clears the mind, brings peace and space to be alone, away from social media, the noise of people rambling idol chatter in your head, worrying about job projects, or just that general sense of anxiety you carry around all day long with you.

Dogs are great teachers of this concept. Run, clear your mind, go a little hard, and enjoy every moment of this wonderful life you have to create and choose health over feeling bad.

*photo credit: By cogdogblog

Maui Dog Training specializing in private lessons, and dog training retreats, and yes, I will get you started running with your dog, motivate you to get out the door and gain a habit that gains peace of mind and loses a few extra pounds that may be hanging around.

Maui Dog TrainingJt Clough lives in Maui, Hawaii and practices health, happiness, natural remedies and training for dogs and their people.  Her way of communication with both dogs and people is healing and her training is effective physically and emotionally. Her work at ReVIBE | Dogs + Joy + Vibrance is for people looking to live healthier and happier lives through their dogs and her passion for it has helped so many to find more peace and joy in every day life with dogs. She is a dog whisperer for our best friends, specializing in private training and dog retreats. Her latest publications are Pumpkin Dog Food + Treats Recipes and 5K Training Guide | Running with Dogs.

Links to my other running with dogs articles:

Contributor to

Ms. Darla Binks | A Maui Dog Training Retreat

Maui Dog Training Retreats No More FearI’m often asked why someone would send their dog to stay with me for a couple of weeks to do a Maui Dog Training Retreat? Don’t they miss their dog? Should training come only from the owner?  Will your dog remember you or think you gave him or her away?

Ms. Darla Binks Explains Why She is at a Maui Dog Training Retreat

Binkerdoodle, Ms Binks, Darla, Darla Binks, she has many names, came to her Maui Dog Training Retreat because she’s a super duper fearful dog. She’s the kind of dog that has the best home life, dog parents give her the best of everything, spend time with her, give her a big yard, good food, and plenty of attention and yet she freaks out at every day regular things.

Bicycles, skateboards, the sound of an ocean wave, the water rolling up the shore as the tide comes in, cars, another dog, people with hats, glasses, old people, little kids all can be sources of fright for the dog who holds a place of fear within them.

Usually these dogs had something happen when they were very young during an important imprinting stage that caused them to fear all sorts of little things.  Something before we got them, something that happened before they left their own mother, or something we don’t even realize is a big deal for dogs is the source of their fear.  *No it isn’t always an abused dog that ends up fearful.

Why A Maui Dog Training Retreat When It Comes to Fear

Maui Dog Training Retreats Out and AboutDogs learn and think in pictures and we humans coddle and try to make things okay. So, whenever our dogs freak out we immediately pet our dogs, tell them it’s okay, in essence reinforcing their reaction was exactly as it needed to be.

This is why sending your dog to a Maui Dog Training Retreat does benefit your dog.

  • Yes, you will probably miss your dog.
  • No, you don’t need to do all the training yourself.  A professional could be the answer to sharing the greatest times ever with your dog.
  • No, your dog will not forget you or think you gave him or her away.

Those dogs who come to my Maui Dog Training Retreats and work one on one with me get a different kind of picture. They get to go do all kinds of things and with the right kind of exposure and reinforcement they figure out the picture really isn’t scary and their new reaction is more in alignment with tail wagging beach walks!

Old (Dog) Habits Are Hard to Break

Yep, you’ve been wanting to change some habit of yours for a long time. Whether it’s food, exercise or how messy you are, old habits are hard to break. Same is true when it comes to your dog.

The habits we establish with our dogs reinforce habits and behavior we don’t necessarily like, but yeah, old habits are hard to break and most the time when it comes to our dogs, we don’t even know which habit is creating the monster.

Maui Dog Training RetreatsMs. Darla Binks

She’s the sweetest. But certainly freaked out at the smallest of regular ol’ things. She’s been at her Maui Dog Training Retreat for a little over a week. Her habits have changed in a dramatic and really great way!

She walks the streets of Paia daily and deals with cars, buses, bicycles, skateboards and other dogs. She goes to the beach and hears and sees the waves rolling in. She rides around in the car. She lets people pet her. She’s opened up to a whole new life.

Her tail is wagging more and her little smile is coming out. It is what brings me great joy in what I do. Speaking dog isn’t hard, its about creating a new picture. And I really love at first showing dogs things and then passing the newly learned habits on to their family.

Everybody seems happier that way.  At least when there is a major issue out shadowing joy and peace and harmony when it comes to the dogs in our lives.

Binkerdoodle has a ways to go in order to let go of the fear completely she adopted as a puppy before she even came to live with her loving family. It was nothing they did. These are all the things we get hung up on. Guilt. Did I do something wrong? Why is she not responding to all the love we shower on her?

These concepts are all what I love to teach. Bringing out the best in a fearful dog does indeed always rub off on all the people around them.

Mahalo Ms. Darla Binks for bringing much joy to me while you are on the road to a really great life with your own family.

A Note From Darla’s Mom

*Darla’s mom got to see her yesterday and commented on how great she looks. Both her smile and her coat. The smile, due to training, the coat, she gets coconut oil every day right along with my dogs! Big smiles all the way around.

Subscribe for more Darla stories and please leave a comment if this story touched your heart. If you have a dog that shows fear in any way and want to know more on how dogs think and learn please feel free to contact me.

Maui Dog Training + Running + Retreats + RemediesJt Clough lives in Maui, Hawaii and practices health, happiness, natural remedies and training for dogs and their people.  Her way of communication with both dogs and people is healing and her training is effective physically and emotionally. Her work at ReVIBE | Dogs + Joy + Vibrance is for people looking to live healthier and happier lives through their dogs and her passion for it has helped so many to find more peace and joy in every day life with dogs. She is a dog whisperer for our best friends, specializing in private training and dog retreats. Her latest publications are Pumpkin Dog Food + Treats Recipes and 5K Training Guide | Running with Dogs.

 

Beneful Dog Food Recall Yes or No

Beneful Dog Food Recall Yes or No?

More Please...

The dog world is rocked with dog food questions these days. What is good, what is bad?  What is the truth, what is not.  The latest controversy is a Beneful Dog Food recall that hasn’t happened.  A Purina product.

Yep, one of the big store name brands that puts pretty pictures of real food on the front of the bag.  The marketing is done nicely.  Fresh carrots and peas, chunks of premium red meat imprint on the mind.  The photos let us believe in our hearts this is what we are feeding our beloved dogs.

After all.  Its an oldie goldie trusted name, right?

But Beneful Dog Food is Not on the FDA Dog Food Recall List

Should I be concerned?

Recently the Consumer Affairs website has been inundated with over 250 complaints about Beneful Dog Food causing illness, even to the point of liver failure on their website.  I think these complaints are going to be far from over unfortunately.  It’s quite a political arena as it turns out, sort of like the fight over listing GMO’s!

*you can see more complaints about Beneful Dog Food at Dogstar.com

An Examiner article titled Beneful dog food killing dogs nationwide; no recall issued by FDA has become quite popular and in fact has also taken criticism for reporting something before it is actually proven to be true.

Yet, the truth of the matter is there have been chicken jerky dog treats on the market that have also been making hundreds and thousands of dogs sick, some to the point of death, but have not been placed on the FDA recall list.

The FDA Criteria

Finally, after over a year of people reporting sick and dying dogs over the chicken jerky treats coming out of China, the FDA listed Milo’s Kitchen® Chicken Jerky and Chicken Grillers after the company voluntarily recalled the product due to finding trace amounts of antibiotics in them.

What??? Not only are there all kinds of chemicals and diseased products being added to our dogs’ food, but we are feeding them a little bit of antibiotics every time we give them a treat?  Sound like something you want to sign up for?

I don’t know about you, but I’d certainly believe the number of complaints and problems listed on the Consumer Affairs website to have some serious validity to them before I’d wait until the FDA decided to issue a warning!

So why isn’t the FDA recalling Beneful?  There could be several possibilites.

It could be every single complaint on the Consumer Affairs website are legitimate reports of pet death or illness linked to Beneful, but only a few of these pet food adverse events were reported to FDA.

You can read more on reasons why the FDA doesn’t seem to get on these things in a timely fashion at Information Regarding Beneful Complaints

What Dog Food Should You Feed Your Dog

That’s the big question.  And there are many opinions about it.  Personally, I have a problem with an all processed diet.  However, not even I have time to cook for my dogs every single day.  As well, feeding your dog a home made dog food diet does require some knowledge.  They need certain vitamins and minerals.

It’s not that hard really though.  Once you have a few rules down, get a few good dog food cookbooks and find good quality ingredients kibble to feed on those days you can’t do it all, you’ll have a happier healthier dog (and you too most likely…  back to the old fashioned you are what you eat methodology).

Let People Know About Beneful Dog Food

 

Maui Dog Training + Running + Retreats + RemediesJt Clough lives in Maui, Hawaii and practices health, happiness, natural remedies and training for dogs and their people.  Her way of communication with both dogs and people is healing and her training is effective physically and emotionally. Her work at ReVIBE | Dogs + Joy + Vibrance is for people looking to live healthier and happier lives through their dogs and her passion for it has helped so many to find more peace and joy in every day life with dogs. She is a dog whisperer for our best friends, specializing in private training and dog retreats. Her latest publications are Pumpkin Dog Food + Treats Recipes and 5K Training Guide | Running with Dogs.

*photo credit By vmabney
*there are a couple affiliate links in this article, a few links to other resource articles and a couple links to e-books I have written myself.

TEDxMaui and Dogs

TEDxMauiLogoTEDxMaui 2013 and Dogs

Many of you are familiar with Ted Talks.  They are inspiring and have been best described as “brain spas”. But what does TEDxMaui and dogs have to do with one another?

Life on Maui with Dogs

I did not attend last year’s TEDxMaui because I did not live here.  I moved to Maui from the Big Island Hawaii in August 2012.  Since making that decision I found the true Aloha of Hawaii here on Maui.  And yes, that does include dogs as well.

I get the opportunity to start all over again on this island of Maui and in doing so I’ve put more meaning, more purpose, more joy into what I do with dogs over the last 14 years.  Ultimately for me, that means I inspire people to understand how dogs think and learn and develop a relationship of understanding and joy versus miscommunication, frustration and love/hate relationships.

I get to inspire people to realize that we truly do become what we think about and are an amalgamation of the 5 people (including dogs) we spend the most time with.

I  get to inspire people to get out and have fun and enjoy the small things each and every day we have on Maui with our dogs.  I get to show people how dogs can truly forgive quickly, get excited about the same old tennis ball, or a beach walk.

Getting excited like it was the greatest day ever more often brings sparks of inspiration to live with purpose with what we already have right in front of us.

And I have found that when joy and passion start to fire up, great things happen.

Lollipop Moments & Treats

We tend to offer our dogs treats when they’ve done something good.

We tend to offer them treats when we want them to feel happy about themselves, and in doing so we feel happy ourselves.

We give them treats because it lights our own eyes up as a reflection of our dog’s eyes to see the combination of gratitude and satisfaction from knowing they did something right to the definite feeling that we are pleased about it.

Why is it that we don’t do that for the people around us?

Why don’t we tell people how happy we are when we see them attempt to do something new? Why don’t we acknowledge how important small steps to a better place?

Have you ever had someone say something or do something that fundamentally made your life better?  Have you ever told that person they did it?  i.e. it’s a big treat!!

*Ted Talk shown at TEDXMauiSalon as we discussed this year’s 20 speakers here on Maui

TEDxMaui 2013

I had the pleasure of attending a TEDxMauiSalon and the short evening was so inspiring to me I was amazed.  Many people I have met on this wonderful Island were there and every one of them had the words that TEDxMaui 2012 changed their lives.

I cannot wait.  I’m imagining great things for myself and everyone else at TEDxMaui 2013.

And by the way, after that short salon TEDx session, I was invited to New York City as the fitness/behavior trainer in the DogTread Canine Gym at this year’s Westminster Dog Show!

After “The Dream is Real” …. well, keep checking back.  You’ll see!

To purchase tickets for TEDxMaui 2013: The Dream is Real, contact the MACC’s Box Office at 808-242-SHOW (7469) or go to http://www.mauiarts.org

Maui Dog Training + Running + Retreats + RemediesJt Clough lives in Maui, Hawaii and practices health, happiness, natural remedies and training for dogs and their people.  Her uncanny way of communication with both dogs and people is healing and her training is effective physically and emotionally. Her work at ReVIBE | Dogs + Joy + Vibrance is for people looking to live healthier and happier lives through their dogs and her passion for it has helped so many to find and do that thing they’ve been talking about or wishing to happen for so long. She is a dog whisperer for our best friends, specializing in private training and dog retreats, studies natural dog remedies, nutrition and communication. Her latest publications are Pumpkin Dog Food + Treats Recipes and 5K Training Guide | Running with Dogs.

Dog Hot Spots and Coconut Oil

Again, yesterday I was asked what to do about hot spots on dogs.Coconut Oil for Dog Hot Spots

Quick answer. 

Two things:

1 circle greenStart feeding coconut oil.

 

2 cirlce greenRemove grains from their diet.

 

Most vets will prescribe antibiotics which may be a temporary band-aide, possibly some other type of oitment until your dog becomes resistant to the antibiotics.  As well, it’s not addressing healing from the inside out which is how hot spots in dogs truly need to be treated.

Why Coconut Oil for Hot Spots in Dogs?

Healing Properties of Coconut Oil DetoxCoconut oil consists of more than 90% saturated fats, with traces of few unsaturated fatty acids, such as monounsaturated fatty acids and polyunsaturated fatty acids. Most of the saturated fats in coconut oil are Medium Chain Triglycerides (MCTs). The main component (more than 40%) of MCTs is lauric acid, followed by capric acid, caprylic acid, myristic acid and palmitic. Coconut oil also contains about 2% linoleic acid (polyunsaturated fatty acids) and about 6% oleic acid (monounsaturated fatty acids).

Arrow Soft RightMost of the coconut oil benefits come from the MCTs. Lauric acid in coconut oil has antibacterial, antiviral, and anti-fungal properties. Capric and caprylic acid have similar properties and are best known for their anti-fungal effects.

In addition, MCTs are efficiently metabolized to provide an immediate source of fuel and energy, enhancing athletic performance and aiding weight loss. In dogs, the MCTs in coconut oil balance the thyroid, helping overweight dogs lose weight and helping sedentary dogs feel energetic.  It also is huge in healing skin issues.

Healing Dogs with Coconut Oil

Use coconut oil internally and externally.  When starting your dog on coconut oil start with 1/2 to 1 teaspoon a day and increase to 2-4 teaspoons over weeks depending on dog size.  Benefits include:

  • Clears up skin conditions such as eczema, flea allergies, contact dermatitis, and itchy skin
  • Powerful antibacterial, antiviral, and anti-fungal agents that prevent infection and disease
  • Reduces allergic reactions and improves skin health
  • Regulates and balance insulin and promotes normal thyroid function
  • Helps prevent or control diabetes
  • Helps reduce weight, increases energy
  • Aids in arthritis or ligament problems
  • Improves coats to sleek and glossy, and deodorizes dog odor
  • Prevents and treats yeast and fungal infections, including candida
  • Disinfects cuts and promotes wound healing
  • Applied topically, promotes the healing of cuts, wounds, hot spots, dry skin and hair, bites and stings

Arrow Soft RightFeed A Grain Free Diet To Resolve Hot Spots

A good friend and dog training colleague posted this on Facebook:

Last week, I was talking to a customer in my store, who told me that his uncle drives a truck in the prairies, whose job it is to spray wheat crops with one of Monsanto’s herbicides, he’s required to wear full (head to toe) gear. Nothing in the fields (he sprays) lives, except the GM wheat. As a result, he won’t eat wheat, and he’s apparently not even a health conscious guy, but he still won’t eat wheat, cuz he knows that what he spraying it with, is highly toxic.

That was enough for me to realize I don’t really need to feed my dogs grain that comes from who knows where but most likely not the organically grown fields.  As well I don’t really want to feed it to myself or anyone of my loved ones!

There are many benefits of feeding grain free but the biggest one is many dogs have grain allergies. They are naturally meat eaters! Dogs with grain allergies will often have ear infections, excessive scratching, licking of paws, and hot spots. Dogs with these issues will benefit greatly because a grain free food removes these allergens from the diet.

Maui Dog Training + Running + Retreats + Remedies

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Lessons from Authentic Maui Dog Observations

Why Real Authentic Can Be Learned From Dogs

Authentic Maui DogsWe all have this version in our head of our authentic self and yet we are actually pretending to be something we really aren’t most of the time.  I swear it’s the reason we are so drawn to our Maui dogs, even when they behave in a way that isn’t exactly acceptable.

We get why they are acting out, don’t like another dog, or our partner.  We get why our dog’s like perfect strangers on first sight, or take to an unlikely dog friend and why they cuddle up to us even when we are in a really bad mood.  The reason?

Dogs are authentic in their actions.  They do not have a a filter.  Dogs are truly authentic in their whole being.

Living with a Dog Version of Authentic

You don’t choose to be authentic. Authenticity is a state i.e. whatever you are in any given state ~ asshole or angel.  You are what you are. People might call you authentic or not.  Really, they’re making a judgement about whether they like your code. They’re saying “Hey, I like the way you play” or “Eff off.  I don’t like your rules.”  Both are a paradox. Whether asking you to be different or be the same, both are opposites of authenticity (because it’s different than what you truly are). Whatever mask you choose from the closet to wear in the morning, wear it. Be it. That’s authentic.

Living that lesson from a dog’s standpoint is easy.  Dogs are simply authentic.  They bark at people because they feel like it.  They find their pack to play with and forcing the issue doesn’t really work.  There’s no pretending for a dog.  What is, is what is.  That simple.

Same at the statement above.  Whatever you choose in the morning, wear it, be it.  It’s okay to practice being your authentic self instead of being something, doing something, liking something you really don’t want to have anything to do with.

Play by your own rules.  While you can be kind in doing that, you don’t have to be unauthentic because you feel you need to be something else for anyone else.

The Authentic Maui Dog Pack

This morning I took a pack of dogs to the beach here on Maui.  These dogs know one another and they have their games with one another.  One will break up two that are hogging the bumper.  They will try and out swim each other to get the bumper.  The Boxer will even try and dunk the not so good at swimming Weimaraner in an effort to get the bumper, and it’s all in being their true authentic selves.  No “sorry, I didn’t mean it” needed!

My observation of this women who had a dog she didn’t a have a lot of control over this morning was interesting and I realized her snapping bitchy attitude at the pack of dogs and me was her authentic self.

Six Maui dogs playing.  Six dogs listening to what I wanted them to do when it comes to not running off, not bothering other people or dogs.  The one dog that joined… out of control.  Wild abandon.  And the women got irritated at us.  It was our fault her dog wouldn’t come.  In her opinion it was all the other dogs fault her dog was out of control.

Blame.  The other dogs.  Us.  (my friend and I) for her dog not doing what she wanted him to.  Her authentic self was showing in a serious way.

What is Your (Dog) Authentic Self

Take a lesson from our Maui dogs.  Own up to who we are.  Be it.  And be grateful for all we have on our Maui Hawaii Island.

*Author’s note:  I say this about Maui dogs because this is where I live with my dogs, this is where I practice my dog thing.  The concept applies to where ever you and your dog are in the world.  And yes, I’ve traveled quite a lot.  It is a sign of our times that our authentic selves are being compromised all over the world and the state we expect our dogs to be is also falling outside of authentic as well.

Now, go wag, have fun, be like a dog.  No expectations.  Just grateful.  Just be you.

Maui Dog Training + Running + Retreats + RemediesJt Clough lives in Maui, Hawaii and practices health, happiness, natural remedies and training for dogs and their people.  Her uncanny way of communication with both dogs and people is healing and her training is effective physically and emotionally. Her work at ReVIBE | Dogs + Joy + Vibrance is for people looking to live healthier and happier lives through their dogs and her passion for it has helped so many to find and do that thing they’ve been talking about or wishing to happen for so long. She is a dog whisperer for our best friends, specializing in private training and dog retreats, studies natural dog remedies, nutrition and communication. Her latest publications are Pumpkin Dog Food + Treats Recipes and 5K Training Guide | Running with Dogs.

Dog Disaster Preparedness

Disaster Preparedness for Our Beloved Dogs and Other Pets

Hurricane Sandy Dog Disaster Preparedness Hurricane Sandy Dog Disaster Preparedness
*photo credit http://now.msn.com/hurricane-sandy-animal-rescues%5B/caption%5D

What kind of natural disaster preparedness have you done for your dog or other beloved pet?

We’ve just had a bit of a scare here in Maui and the other Hawaiian Islands.  An earthquake near Canada triggered a possible tsunami.  We are all aware of the devastation in Haiti and in Japan, and when the possibility of a tsunami hit here in Maui recently, people evacuated voluntarily.  But how prepared were you?

To our avail, the tsunami didn’t hit and we were all safe, but shortly after Hurricane Sandy hit the East Coast and the reminders of natural disaster and the devastation it can cause is real and up front in all of our minds at this point in time.  And yet, have you prepared your natural disaster kit?  For yourself?  For your dog?

Dog Disaster Preparedness

Those of of who live in Hawaii or coastal areas have a heightened reason to prepare for flooding.  When there is a huge ocean that is very powerful without added storm conditions the possibility of water disaster in storm conditions is high.  The first thing you need to prepare for is what to do in case of flood, which should prepare you for other types of natural disaster as well.

Get a large rubbermaid storage bin.  I like the clear type.  When anxiety strikes it makes it much easier to see what you want to grab.  A large bin that seals is excellent for to keep water out and it will allow space to pack your own essentials to should you have a small dog, only one dog or are just super minimalist in what you need!

What to Put in The Dog Disaster Preparedness Bin

  • Dog food – even if your dog doesn’t normally eat canned dog food, in an emergency, especially a water emergency, canned dog food is best.  Since I have time to prepare I get the good kind of canned dog food.  8-12 cans (depending on the size of your dog) is my suggestion.  You can also pack some kibble in a zip lock bags.  Just make sure you rotate it on a regular basis.  I know I’ll forget to do that so I stick with the canned dog food and figure I can grab some kibble on my way out if I have time.

 

  • Water – this is something you will need for yourself as well, just keep in mind if you have a dog, you need enough to supply your dog with fresh uncontaminated drinking water too.  Water is heavy and hard to pack.  My suggestion here is to get a 3 gallon jug and keep it in your dog bin.  Since water is so very important and can easily be the thing that will keep you and  your dog alive in times of natural disaster, especially flooding where everything ends up contaminated here is the luxury item I would have on hand, in the bin ready to go at all times:  Katadyn Pocket Water Microfilter.  Yes, it is expensive, BUT the one thing I don’t want to have to end up in some sort of urban riot in a Walmart or convenience store in time of disaster is the rush to get enough clean water.  Have some bottled water ready to go, and have this item for the possible days of survival you and your dog may be faced with.   *At the very least have these water treatment tabs on hand:  Emergency Water Treatment for Earthquake, Hurricane, Disasters, Survival and Camping, Water Purification 

 

  • Dog ID – have current identification tags on your dog.  Include a cell phone since that will be your only way of communication away from home.

 

  • Chip Number – keep a copy of your dog’s microchip number in the box.  Make sure the microchip company has your current contact information to match your dog with your should you get disconnected from one another.

 

  • Current Medical and Vaccination Records – Prepare a file with copies of current medical and vaccination records, your pets’ microchip or tattoo numbers, your veterinarian’s phone number and address, feeding and medication instructions, and recent pictures of your animals.

 

  • Dog Crate – have a dog crate around and ready to go should disaster strike.  Even if you normally don’t crate your dog (and no it’s not mean and can be very beneficial to many dogs) normally, a crate available to contain your dog during a disaster could mean the difference in getting in a disaster relief center or not.  It can also seriously protect your pet in a time when much is going on, your dog and you are in an entirely new environment and you constant monitoring may be difficult.  I suggest a fold down wire crate.  Easy to transport, stores easily and provides a safe haven for your dog in a time of disaster.

 

  • Dog Leashes – Keep an extra dog leash or two or three in your disaster dog preparedness kit.  That way you don’t have to look around for your dog’s leash and the extras will certainly come in handy for another dog owner in need.

 

  • Medications – If your dog takes any special medication it’s a good idea to have an extra RX on hand.  Rotate it out every time you refill your dog’s RX.  That way you”ll have all you need in one place and you won’t have to worry about re-ordering in times of disaster.

Life is a Special Gift to Enjoy Every Day

In light of the recent Hurricane Sandy disaster we are all reminded how precious life and all that we have around us is every single day.  When worries and stress take over, remember all that you do have, your health and your dog’s health being on the top of that list.

Pay it forward when you can and make a point of being grateful for all we have right now here in Maui.  For you and for your dog.

Donate to Help Hurricane Sandy Pets

RED CARPET DRESS -FUNDRAISER

Benefiting Betty White’s Humane Heroes Club…

helping animals of Hurricane Sandy

Donate to Hurricane Sandy Animal Relief

Maui Dog Training + Running + Retreats + RemediesJt Clough lives in Maui, Hawaii and practices health, happiness, natural remedies and training for dogs and their people.  Her uncanny way of communication with both dogs and people is healing and her training is effective physically and emotionally. Her work at ReVIBE | Dogs + Joy + Vibrance is for people looking to live healthier and happier lives through their dogs and her passion for it has helped so many to find and do that thing they’ve been talking about or wishing to happen for so long. She is a dog whisperer for our best friends, specializing in private training and dog retreats, studies natural dog remedies, nutrition and communication. Her latest publications are Pumpkin Dog Food + Treats Recipes and 5K Training Guide | Running with Dogs.

 

 

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