Stacie's Urban Dogs

08/07/2025

Barking and Barking and Barking - oh god!

Dogs do bark for a reason despite it driving us nuts some days. Dogs communicate by barking. Some dogs like to bark (a lot), while others may be more reserved with their natural canine voice. But why do some dogs bark at seemingly nothing?

Dogs can hear sounds up to a kilometer (over half a mile) away, depending on ambient conditions.

Dogs can hear noises that are up to four times quieter than we can.
Dogs are more sensitive to high-frequency noises. Our hearing operates in a range of 20 to 20,000 Hertz, but dogs hear at a range of 65 to 45,000 Hertz—more than two times higher than ours!

Learn how to communicate with your dog. Brush up on canine body language to better understand how your dog is feeling in different situations. Then use positive reinforcement methods to teach your dog how to communicate with you.

Implement management. Managing the environment can go a long way in preventing barking. For instance, play a white noise machine or soothing playlist to drown out sounds only your dog can hear.

include methods like desensitization, counterconditioning, and relaxation training. And rule out any medical conditions.

I am sure this last comment will annoy some people but While they may be tempting and seem like a quick fix, using bark collars to curb barking isn’t advised by many pet professionals. “Bark collars simply punish this very natural behavior without addressing the underlying cause. This can increase anxiety or frustration, potentially exacerbating the barking problem, creating other undesirable behavior, and never providing the dog a chance to learn a more desirable response. Lazy owners choice of bark training.

08/07/2025

I was asked an interesting question recently about why does my does sniff around the yard, that seems like forever before he p**ps.

Dogs use p**p and p*e to communicate! Dogs have an amazing sense of smell, so sniffing around helps them gather information, like whether another dog has been there and claimed the spot. some dogs p**p to leave a strong scent from their glands to mark territory and send messages to other dogs. they’re checking if the coast is clear so they can p**p safely.

Sometimes, dogs take their sweet time simply because they enjoy being outside!

If your dog has trouble squatting because of arthritis or other joint issues, it can take them longer to find a comfortable position.

Dogs are drawn to areas with interesting scents.

Looking for a comfortable spot.

sniffing is important for dogs’ health and happiness—and it’s fun! So, if you can, let your dog sniff a bit before heading back inside.

08/07/2025

IF your dog is anxious for whatever reason please do not scold them or force them in to a crate/kennel. They are anxious for a reason especially rescue dogs and traumatized dogs so try products like:

Adaptfil - www.adaptfil.com
Or a new one made right here in Canada -
Cannanadacrew - www.cannanada.com

26/06/2025

My dogs love frozen treats in the summer time. I toss one in their bowl of food or they take them outside to enjoy. Use large ice cube trays and you can be really simple like plain organic yogurt with a few berries inside or chopped cucumber (very healthy for dogs). Or have a look at this site for ideasL

As the weather heats up, the freezer is your friend. Frozen dog treats are not only super easy to make—they're also healthy!

26/06/2025

Its that time of the year again when our canines can get overheated quickly. No one should be walking their dog when it is 25 degrees Celsius and higher. You can make your dog very ill with heatstroke. A good product to have throughout the summer is either a cooling bed or a cooling mat. There are a huge variety that you can buy in Canada, even at Home Sense. Another good idea is putting paw wax on their paws to protect from the hot pavement. Carry water with you on walks, rest when needed. Here are a few to view:

Discover the Top 10 dog bed cooling mat - Unbiased Reviews, Ratings, and Comparisons | Your Ultimate Guide to Finding the Perfect dog bed cooling mat

26/06/2025

Someone asked me today what to add to dry canine food if that is what they buy:

Freeze dried food by Grandma Lucy's is great, mixes up like porridge, full of nutrition and my dogs love it.
You can add steamed vegetables like carrots, broccoli, squash,, sweet potato, asparagus. Stay away from corn and regular potatoes. You can google what veggies and fruits are safe for your dog.

You can also add pieces of apple, watermelon, blueberries, Saskatoon berries.

Today dogs need supplements. I add digestive enzymes with pre and probiotics to their food. You can get all three in one product. They also have Omega oils in their foods, and I add a capful of bone broth to meals as well as canine pumpkin puree three times a week. You can buy frozen pureed veggie greens to add to their food. I add three times a week.

My dogs get filtered water too.

Now what about food for the joints! I recommend that all medium and large breed dogs start on a supplement at age 4. this is preventative and has shown to slow down the affects of aging joints. It is too late to add these ingredients when they are 8 or 10 or 12. This is not to say that your dog will never get arthritis but when it arrives, hopefully your dogs joints can deal with it better because you have been feeding nutritional joint food and supplements. One I highly recommend is from Carnivora, Canadian, all natural ingredients, ( yes please try and find natural and organic products for your dog) and it comes in a liquid formula which is better than dry.

https://www.carnivora.ca/component/eshop/joint-rejuv?Itemid=0
https://fourleafrover.com/products/hip-joint ( has Green Lipid Mussels)
https://www.smartearthcamelina.ca/products

Keep your dogs weight under control and regular walks, as they age be cautious of their activities, you do want ones that are over aggressive on an aging dog.

Smart Earth Seeds is dedicated to developing the best Camelina varieties available while working hand-in-hand with our growers to provide excellent production practices. Our flagship product is an equine omega 3 supplement made from the finest quality, cold-pressed, filtered, 100% non-GMO, Camelina....

26/06/2025

There is a lot of controversy today and opinions as to what is the best dog food for your canine. The ground that food is grown in is not as healthy as it was 20 years ago and 40 years ago. If not heavy with pesticides, much is genetically modified. Kibble is highly processed so the product loses nutrition. If for budgetary reasons you choose to purchase kibble, buy local (for me Canadian made), baked is best and read the ingredients. Rice does absolutely nothing for your dog nor does corn. Watch for fillers and poor by products. Add some bone broth made for canines, but be cautious if you have a giant breed. Add freeze dried food like Grandma Lucy's. Mix it up with warm water, looks like porridge but full of nutrition and add some to the bowl of food. You can add steamed carrots, asparagus, broccoli, sweet potato, blueberries, Saskatoon berries, turkey, salmon, bison etc.

Major Concerns with Dry Dog Food
Harmful Ingredients: Dry dog kibble often contains byproducts, fillers, artificial colors, and preservatives to keep costs low. This includes ingredients like grain, corn, barley, and soybean meal. Artificial ingredients have been linked to various diseases, including cancer. Byproduct meals are likely derived from diseased animals rather than healthy slaughtered ones, transforming potential human food waste into dog food.

Processed Foods and Cancer Risks: Highly processed foods are associated with an increased risk of obesity, metabolic diseases such as diabetes, and cancer. Studies indicate that a 10% increase in consumption of processed foods correlates to a 12% increase in cancer risk.
Toxins in Dog Food: The level of potential toxins in dog food, especially dry kibble, is alarmingly high. Research by the Clean Label Project testing over 80 brands revealed excessive amounts of heavy metals like cadmium and lead, which are potent neurotoxins, and arsenic, a lethal toxin. The presence of Teflon chemicals (PFCs) and the pesticide glyphosate (Roundup) in dog food raises significant health concerns.
High Carbohydrate Content and Health Risks: Dry dog foods often contain high levels of simple carbohydrates, such as white rice, potato, and wheat flour, which lead to rapid blood sugar spikes and subsequent health issues like obesity and diabetes.
Low Moisture Content: Dry kibble contains little to no moisture, which can lead to chronic dehydration in dogs. This can cause urinary tract infections, excessive strain on the kidneys, and an increased likelihood of respiratory diseases.
Contamination Risks: Dry dog food is susceptible to contamination with bacteria, fungal mycotoxins, and storage mites. These contaminants can lead to serious health issues and degrade the quality of the food.
Poor Digestibility and Bloat: Many veterinarians observe a correlation between excessive kibble consumption and bloat, particularly in large, deep-chested breeds like Great Danes. The kibble can cause excessive gas production, leading to a distended stomach, which may twist and create a life-threatening emergency.

Send a message to learn more

20/04/2025

Treats for your dogs!

Many commercially available dog treats can be detrimental to a dog's health due to ingredients like artificial coloring, excessive sugar, high fat content, and fillers like corn, soy, or wheat. Treats from China, rawhide, and cooked or raw bones should also be avoided. Instead, opt for treats with simple, high-quality ingredients and avoid those on recall lists. Ingredients to Avoid:
Artificial Coloring and Flavoring: These can be harmful for dogs.
High Sugar Content: Excessive sugar can lead to weight gain and other health problems.
Excessive Fat: High-fat treats can contribute to obesity and other health issues.
Fillers like Corn, Soy, and Wheat: These are often less nutritious than other ingredients.
Rawhide: Rawhide treats can pose choking hazards and cause digestive issues.
BHA, BHT, and Ethoxyquin: These artificial preservatives have been linked to negative health effects.
Grapes and Raisins: These are toxic to dogs.
Macadamia Nuts: These can cause a range of symptoms in dogs, including weakness and tremors.
Onions, Garlic, Chocolate, and Xylitol: These are also toxic to dogs.
Fried Foods, Bread, and Baked Goods: These can be high in sugar and fat.

Table Scraps: These can be toxic or highly fattening for dogs. Choose healthy human food.
Meat Meal: Some meat meal ingredients may not be suitable for human consumption, potentially including roadkill, dead zoo animals, or euthanized pets.

Avoid:
Milk bones snacks
Pup peroni
Canine Carry Outs
Pup Corn Dog Treats
Greenies - convert to sugar!
Rawhides ( google - the list is long)
Pedigree MarroBones
Beneful Baked Delights
Dentasticks
Nylabones
Antlers
Pigs Ears

These are just a few. Making home made treats is not difficult. And you can buy healthy treats at high end pet stores. Even Homesense carries quality dog treats now and then.

Check out Metro Pet Market - https://www.metropetunleashed.ca/
Snausages
Purina Begging Strips

Pet Health and Wellness. Based in Saskatchewan, offering Local Delivery, Pickup and Canada-Wide Shipping.

20/04/2025

Feeding your dog kibble!

While commercial kibble can be a convenient option, focusing solely on it may not provide optimal nutrition for your dog. Kibble is highly processed and may lack certain nutrients, especially those easily destroyed by high heat. Additionally, kibble often contains high amounts of carbohydrates, which may not be ideal for all dogs, and the high-heat processing can affect nutrient bioavailability.

A diet that includes fresh, raw, or minimally processed foods can offer a wider range of essential nutrients, including those freeze dried food,steamed veggies, pieces of turkey, salmon, venison etc. My dogs love watermelon, pieces of sliced banana and cantaloupe pieces too.

Food grown in the soil today is not as healthy as it was 20, 30 years ago so dogs just like people need supplements. Even veternarians agree that dogs need probiotics. Most allergies begin in the gut.

My dogs get digestive enzymes and probiotics plus daily vitamins. Once my dogs (big) turn four they get a liquid glucosamine, chondroitin, msm and green mussels added to their meals daily. Preventative and slows down the development of arthritis and provides some comfort when they do get to old age.

Read labels carefully.
If you are looking for some great receipes:

https://foreverrecipes.com/

Send a message to learn more

20/04/2025

One of the best beds for dogs.

Save $70 Off Today with our Biggest Sale Ever. Trusted by over 100,000 Local Pet Owners and rated 'Excellent' by Trustpilot. Brooklyn Dog Beds are filled with 40% Extra Filling and come with Super Plush Oversized Rims Loved Nationwide. Free 1-5 Day Shipping and 30 Day Returns.

20/04/2025

If you cannot brush your dog's teeth this is a great alternative. I also use a warm wet terry cloth washcloth and dip it in a mixture of coconut oil for canines and baking soda. They like the taste of the coconut oil and the baking soda takes care of the scrubbing.