Dog Introductions

If you live in an area where there are other dogs you will have to deal with dog introductions.  Dog introductions can have many different outcomes.  It can be a pleasant, embarrassing, aggressive or uncomfortable experience.

My terrier, Lizzie, is very good with small dogs but will bark at a large dog even if it is a few blocks away.  We all like to call this the “Napoleon complex.”  Although our small dogs appear aggressive when they are barking at larger dogs it is really a reaction to fear.  They think that if they bark and appear aggressive that the larger dog may not feel as powerful.  This can be a very embarrassing experience when the larger dog is walking by nice and calm while your terrier is barking away.

Most Yorkshire Terriers, Cavachons and Yorkie mixes behave well with other small dogs, but there is always the exception.  The most important thing that you can do to protect your dog and other dogs is to ask the owner of the other dog if it is okay if both of your dogs interact.  Most owners will say, “Oh yes, my dog is friendly” or “Oh no, my dog doesn’t do well with others.”  Once you have permission to have your dog interact with another make sure that you keep your leash taught and are able to react quickly if there is a problem.  You never want to get into a situation where the leashes become crossed or you have to yank on your dog’s neck.  If you have to yank on your dog’s neck an injury could occur.

Whenever you dog is interacting with another dog you want to remain vigilant.  Your dogs may be getting along one minute and be in a serious fight the next minute.  Dogs can have very good friends; you just want to make sure that they have time to get to know each other!

Skunk Visit

As we all know, our dogs can be very curious.  Terriers tend to be especially curious as most of them have hunting in their genes.

My terrier, Lizzie, had a backyard visitor this past Saturday night.  A smelly, black & white animal that we all hope our dogs do not encounter.  A skunk.

After spending the evening with friends, we came home and let Lizzie out into the backyard of our borough row home.  I knew that we had a skunk after Lizzie had a barking fit months back and the neighbors came running and screaming, “SKUNK,” a few weeks ago.

As we were watching the evening news the awful skunk smell started filtering into our house.  I knew right then that we were in trouble.  I ran outside, grabbed Lizzie and committed the biggest mistake of the evening by bringing her inside.

• Tip #1: Leave your dog outside if possible.
• Tip #2: If your dog was sprayed directly in the face and seems to be having trouble breathing or with their eyes make sure to call your veterinarian.

I brought Lizzie into the bathroom tub and hopped on the internet while my boyfriend made sure she stayed in the tub.  My parent’s two terriers had been sprayed months back and I knew that the tomato juice myth wasn’t the best way to go.

• Tip #3: Mix 1 quart of 3% hydrogen peroxide with 1/4 cup of baking soda and 1 teaspoon of strong dishwashing soap.  Mix this in an OPEN container as the mixture would have pressure if it was covered due to the fizzing.
• Tip #4: Change into old clothes before you attempt to clean your dog.  The odor that the skunk sprays is very oily and can stain and saturate your clothing.

I washed Lizzie with this mixture and followed it by two more washing with regular puppy shampoo which was mistake #2.

• Tip #5:  You should wash your dog with the hydrogen peroxide mixture and then follow this by using a solution such as “Nature’s Miracle” on the areas that were DIRECTLY sprayed BEFORE washing the entire dog.  Since the spray is oily you can actually spread the smell throughout the entire dog unnecessarily if you wash them with regular shampoo too early.

It is now four days later and the smell lingers on her, her collar and throughout our home.

• Tip #6: Make sure you apply the hydrogen solution or “Nature’s Miracle” to any collar or clothing that was on your dog right away.  Once the oil soaks into to the material and dries it is very difficult to remove the smell.

I stopped by the local pet store yesterday and picked up a bottle of “Nature’s Miracle Skunk Odor Remover.”

• Tip #7:  Saturate your dog with “Nature’s Miracle Skunk Odor Remover” and let the solution dry on their hair or fur.  Make sure you avoid their eyes, nose and mouth.  If this area was spayed you may use a saturated wash cloth around these areas.

Yorkshire terrier owners actually have it a little bit easier than others when it comes to an encounter with a skunk.  Since a Yorkshire terrier has hair, instead of fur, it is easier to get the oil and smell off of a Yorkie than other dogs with fur and undercoats.

Lizzie and I have grown used to the smell but as it fades away I hope that I can help others avoid the mistakes that I made and avoid that pesky black and white animal, the skunk.