Your dog won’t mind if
you change his name

DO you like your dog’s name? Think you picked a good one, or do you regret it every time you call him for dinner? If the latter, please know it is quite all right to change his name. And if he is a rescue, and this was the name an abuser screamed at him regularly, please DO change it.

When I got Jetta two years ago, her name was Brook. I didn’t like her name and had long planned to name my next Doberman Jetta. I spoke with her breeder-owner many times before she was shipped to me and while referring to her as Brook, in my mind, I kept thinking Jetta and somehow it came out Bretta. So I decided to call her Bretta, which lasted a week or two. I realized I really didn’t like that name either, and I still loved the name Jetta, so I changed it again. This didn’t phase her one bit.

Dogs don’t care what we call them, as long as we don’t call them late for dinner. (I know … that’s an old one. Couldn’t resist). Seriously, if they associate a name with food, petting, and play, it doesn’t bother them at all to have it changed. They’ll get used to it in short order and everyone will be satisfied.

Avoid diarrhea when switching foods
When switching a dog’s food from one brand to another, or from one type (chicken/lamb/beef) to another, always go slowly, over the course of at least a week or two. Start by giving the dog 75 percent of his old food, and 25 percent of his new food. Work up to 50/50, then 25/75. Changing a dog’s diet too quickly can cause diarrhea. It’s impossible to switch too slowly, so plan ahead and take your time.

Natural way to treat diarrhea
Canned pumpkin! Not pumpkin pie filling with all the spices, but 100 percent canned pumpkin. The amount you give depends on the size of the dog. Jetta is 70 pounds. If she occasionally has diarrhea, I give her about half a cup. Then a couple hours later I might give her some more. I use my intuition and see how it’s going. Canned pumpkin can firm up diarrhea.

IMPORTANT: This is not to say that if your dog is ill, you don’t need a vet and that all you have to do is rush to the grocery store for a can of pumpkin. If it’s serious, if it goes on for more than a day, or if it’s bloody, or if it’s accompanied by other symptoms, call your veterinarian post haste. But all dogs get diarrhea at some point and it’s usually due to something they ate that didn’t agree with them and it’s no big deal and pumpkin can help get them become regular more quickly. Keep it in the cupboard. Unused portions freeze well.

Natural way to treat constipation
Same as above. I swear! It works for both!

'Til next time … kiss the kids! - Victoria (Mom of Jetta WAC, CGC)

For more tips and advice, subscribe to the free Doggie Parenting 101 Tips and Tricks e-Newsletter. Contact Victoria at www.nanny911fordogs.com.