Bitter Apple has been a popular dog-training device and chew deterrent since 1960. It normally comes in a spray form, and while the smell can't be detected by humans, both the taste and the smell are harsh to dogs. It is non-toxic and won't stain carpet or fabric so it is frequently used as an anti-chew device. By spraying Bitter Apple on items in your home such as shoes or furniture, your dog is discouraged from chewing on them. While Bitter Apple is effective for most dogs, it does not work for all.
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Listerine
Listerine is an effective chew deterrent for many dogs. Get the original type if you use it and not the orange or mint varieties since the idea is to make the item taste unpleasant to a dog. Lightly spritz the area or item you do not want the dog chew. Listerine has a high alcohol content, so you would not want your dog to consume any, but this also make it an effective antiseptic on a cut or wound, and the smell combined with the flavor can help prevent the dog from biting himself and making an injury worse.
White Vinegar and Water
Mixing three-parts cold water with one-part white vinegar in a spray bottle creates an effective solution that can help take puppy stains out of carpeting as well as discourage chewing and urinating. White vinegar is a natural disinfectant and a natural deodorizer as well. The vinegar scent will disappear within a few minutes after use and take other odors along with it. Dogs have sensitive noses, however, and they can still detect it and will generally stay away from it because it bothers their noses. The water and vinegar solution is completely non-toxic and 100 percent safe around kids and pets. Some people prefer this method because there is no alcohol in it. It is used the same way as Bitter Apple or Listerine. Just spray the mixture on items that are not supposed to be chewed and see if it is effective for your dog.
Tobasco Sauce
Tabasco Sauce is an effective anti-chewing solution that won't harm your dog, but it is better suited to outdoor use since it can potentially stain your carpeting or furniture and does have a stronger smell. If your dog has a problem chewing on his own feces, pouring Tabasco over it can prevent him from attempting it. You can also mix it with a small amount of water as well to lessen the scent and the possibility of staining, but if you water it down too much, it will also lose its effectiveness.
In the last five days, I've heard from three pet owners who have suffered through the deaths of seven pets believed to be directly related to Chinese imported jerky treats and U.S. pet foods. It is believed, three dogs died from jerky treats, four dogs died from dog food.
Pet Owner #1 that contacted me lost three healthy dogs within six weeks. One ten year old dog, one four year old dog, one 17 months. She has a $19,000.00 vet bill. She has reported the deaths to her FDA Complaint Coordinator - which was very kind and understanding. She has reported the deaths to the pet food company - which hung up on her. The pet food company asked "What is the lot number from the bag?" Pet Owner #1 explained the bag was thrown away because she stores her pet food in air tight containers, the pet food company representative said "No food, no claim" - and hung up.
Pet Owner #2 lost three healthy dogs within three months. She is grieving and feels horrible guilt of giving her dogs Chinese imported jerky treats. She shared she checks everything and is so careful - even purchases foods/treats from a small independent pet store to prevent purchases of imports. The store didn't tell her these treats were made in China.
Pet Owner #3 lost a four month old puppy within three weeks of buying a leading pet food brand. Necropsy results show Vitamin D3 toxicity; the FDA is hesitant on testing the food, the State Department of Agriculture says they are hoping the FDA will test because they don't have the money. And that leading pet food brand forgot to pick up the food from the veterinarian for testing.
Last night, I listened to a Blog Talk Radio Show (Health & Harmony Radio Network) with guest Arthur Evangelista Ph.D. - former FDA investigator. He shared numerous personal experience stories of - shall I say - FDA ulterior motives. Such as why the FDA does investigate or take action on some things and why they seem to ignore others. I called in at about three fourths way into the show and asked Dr. Evangelista about the Chinese jerky treat issue. Specifically if he would make a guess as to why there have been hundreds (if not thousands) of deaths related to these imported jerky treats and no recall. He said...
(paraphrasing)... The FDA doesn't make this information public because if consumers knew they would rebel against the manufacturer (China); especially considering the political climate we have with China now, they wouldn't want that. The FDA - rather than taking the consideration of the animal's health first (or human health) - they think politics first.
He made it clear that this is not the FDA Representatives in the field, this was FDA Administration. And I completely agree with this. I've spoken with numerous FDA field reps and they have been very helpful, plus I've heard the same from many pet owners. Dr. Evangelista told me we need to go after "the head of the snake". Meaning FDA administration is who plays politics with our lives and the lives of our pets - they are who need to hear our complaints and our outrage.
Seven dead pets in five days. And I only hear of a tiny portion of what is really happening. If we really knew what was going on...well, let's guesstimate. Let's assume TruthaboutPetFood.com reaches 1% (it's more like 0.50%) of pet owners in the U.S. - 1% of U.S. pets...7 deaths in 5 days. This means at 100%...there could have been 700 pet deaths in just the last 5 days due to pet foods or pet treats. If we knew what was really going on...
During the 2007 pet food recall, the FDA reported minimal numbers of sick or dead pets due to melamine poisoning. To the contrary, pet blogs were reporting thousands of sick or dead pets. Right now, just with the Chinese imported jerky treats, the FDA is reporting very low numbers of pets sickened or killed. We have to assume the numbers are far higher than what we are being told.
Have you taken a look at ConsumerAffairs.com lately? The pet food/treat complaints registered with the site? Type in the search box a name of a popular pet food brand or treat, then click on Consumer Complaints; you'll be shocked. Hundreds of pet deaths and illnesses just within the two weeks of February 2012.
Why aren't there recalls of these foods and treats?
Just as Dr. Evangelista stated...politics. Imagine the consumer outrage if we learned back in 2007 that (as many estimates have shown) upwards of 300,000 pets became sickened and/or died. Imagine the consumer outrage if we knew right now as my guesstimate showed, that during the last five days 700 pets really did die because of pet foods and treats. Imagine the outcome if we knew the real truth. Large multi-national corporations would experience severe profit loss (people would stop buying their products). Profit loss would trickle down into their human food products as well. Consumer trust of government agencies would be at an all time low. Politics.
Our pets are being killed because of politics. How do we fight politics?
We deserve to know what we are buying. We deserve to know of each and every complaint filed with FDA about each and every pet food, pet treat, pet product (human foods and drugs as well). How can consumers make educated shopping decisions without being informed of what is actually going on?
Now, how do we get that? I'd really like your input. We can't sit back and complain about it or fuss that the FDA isn't doing their job. We know they aren't - FDA Administration is not even close to protecting our pets and our families (though many FDA field representatives try). We need a plan of action. Suggestions?
If you'd like to listen to Dr. Arthur Evangelista's interview last evening on Blog Talk Radio...
A warning - the audio is poor during the last ten minutes or so.
What's in Your Pet's Food? Is your dog or cat eating risk ingredients? Chinese imports? Petsumer Report tells the 'rest of the story' on over 2500 cat foods, dog foods, and pet treats. 30 Day Satisfaction Guarantee. www.PetsumerReport.com
The List The List of pet foods that Susan wouldn't hesitate to feed to her own pets!
I'm Proud to be an American Coton Club Code of Ethics Breeder working to preserve the Health and; Well-being of the Coton de Tulear. I provide quality puppies from health-tested parents as loving companions to caring families and and individuals. I strive to help maintain our healthy gene pool & to protect the wellbeing and integrity of our Rare Breed.
Proud NOT to be AKC!
FOR INFORMATION ON WHY YOU SHOULD BUY only FROM A CODE OF ETHICS BREEDER go to:
http://www.americancotonclub.com/index.htm
Please help support our breed! Sign our petition opposing AKC acquisition of the Coton de Tulear Go to: http://www.thepetitionsite.com/xml/petitions/143/630/381
