Finding the best dog for apartment living.

Every Halloween, the debate on whether or not your dog should don a costume is rehashed. Some animal behavior experts say that it is psychologically damaging to the dog and that they feel humiliated, while others say that is not the case.

Obviously to put a costume on any dog is not “normal” because they are just that – canines. However, because many Americans nowadays made their beloved dogs an integral part of the family unit, they are included in more things than ever before in dog history. We see more dogs with families in public, people taking them on vacation (hence the increase in pet-friendly hotels, etc), and some sleep in our beds! Even in this depressed economy, the sales of pet products continue to rise.

Deciding whether to dress your dog for Halloween should depend entirely on how willingly your pooch accepts the costume. Don’t think that your pet will just sit there and let you wrangle him/her into an uncomfortable costume on Halloween night. It just won’t work. If you are set on turning your dog into Yoda or a Pirate, you will have to work up to it well in advance of the holiday.

Some dogs actually enjoy dressing up because of how the situation is presented to them by their owners – they may love the extra attention and treats associated with the interaction. If it is done correctly, starting with a light and unrestrictive costume, such as a dog tshirt, they may tend to be more cooperative when presented with more complicated costumes.

Personally, our dog gets very excited when we bring out her football jersey on the weekend and will wear it for hours with no problem. This is how we prepared her for costumes and other items. The jersey is light and breathable and she was rewarded with liver treats the first few times we put it on her. We praise her behavior and never laugh at her. If you think a dog doesn’t know when they are being laughed at, you are wrong!

Some dogs will not take to costumes at all and therefore should not be forced into wearing them. Following are some guidelines to consider when planning a doggie dress-up day:

Once you decide on a costume, be prepared to do several practice sessions with your dog. After a week or so, you may succeed, however if they appear to be agitated or in pain of any kind, do not proceed. Halloween just isn’t their thing.

If your dog freezes in place when dressed in a costume, this is an indication that they are uncomfortable and overwhelmed. They may soon try to get out of the garment to escape the fear of being dominated. Don’t force the issue.

Make sure your choice of costume is the right size, not restrictive or tight, and make sure the design does not interfere with the dog’s usual actions. No costume should be worn that interferes with their sight or breathing – and definitely no shoes.

Finally, if you are successful in getting your dog to wear a Halloween costume and plan to be outside, please make sure you keep him/her on a leash to avoid a disaster should he/she become panicked for any reason.

If you have a dog (or cat, for that matter) who is prone to ear infections, then you know how frustrating it can be to get the problem under control. Our Pug has had chronic yeast infections, which has cost hundreds of dollars in vet visits, antibiotics and cleansers. The vet prescribed Baytril most often, even though it never completely cleared up the infection.

The poor dog’s head shaking, scratching and bleeding were making us crazy! When none of the veterinarian’s medications worked, I started researching the problem on my own. I searched ear and yeast infections online and while reading some forum posts, I found a product called Zymox. After reading numerous positive reviews of the product, I decided to order a small bottle and test it out.

Since her ears were so bad, I started using the drops twice a day. By the second day she had stopped scratching, and at seven days the infection was almost completely cleared up! After two full weeks the infection was cured, so needless to say, we are definitely sold on Zymox. Yes, I did have to purchase another bottle in order to finish the 14 days. I bought the larger size so that I would be sure to have some on hand in the event of a future outbreak.

is an ear solution that uses natural enzymes to work with the body in fighting bacteria, fungi and yeast. It can be used on both dogs and cats of all ages.

If you are going to try this product for your dog (or cat), be sure to read and follow the instructions. The reason I say this is that if I had not followed their instructions to a T, the results may not have been as positive. For instance, you are not supposed to clean the dog’s ears with any product (including their own ear cleaner) while treating the infection, as this will interfere with the enzymes.