By Audrey Harvey, DVM

There are many things you can do while your dog is young to look after his joints.

Exercise

Young dogs are full of energy, but are often short of common sense. They don’t know when to stop, and if allowed to do so, may run and play enough to stress their growing bones. It’s up to you to control your pup’s activity level.

Generally speaking, until he is 12 months old, your dog should have no forced exercise. This means that he should only be allowed to run around as much as he wants to, without any encouragement from you. This means that you must not take him jogging, or play ball excessively. Even allowing him to run the fence line with the neighbor’s dog can be potentially dangerous.

Nutrition

The best way to feed your pup is to choose a good quality puppy food and feed him that until he has reached around 80% of his expected adult weight. At that point, he can be changed onto an adult kibble. This will give him all the nutrients he needs to grow into a healthy adult. We like the all natural food from The Honest Kitchen.

Keep an eye on his body condition too. If he becomes overweight as a puppy, he is likely to carry that condition through to adulthood, and it is stressful on his joints. A dog’s body condition is scored from 1 to 9, with 1 being extremely emaciated, and 9 being morbidly obese. Your pup should have a body score of 4 to 5, which means you should be able to feel his ribs, and he should have an obvious waistline.

Supplements

Not all supplements are created equal. There are some that are good for growing dogs, and others that are very harmful.

One thing that you should never add to your pup’s diet is calcium. Too much of this nutrient is thought to contribute to orthopedic problems such as osteochondritis dissecans as he grows.

On the other hand, supplementing the nutrients that are involved in joint health can reduce the chances of future problems. The main ingredient in Joint Resolution is BioCell Collagen II, which contains Hyaluronic Acid and Chondroitin. Both have been shown to reduce joint friction and slow down the degradation of a joint’s natural lubrication. This helps to maintain joint health as your pup is growing up. A daily dose of Joint Resolution will promote strong connective tissue and keep his joints healthy.

Your dog loves to accompany you on all your adventures. By taking care of his joints while he is young, you’ll be able to enjoy an active lifestyle with him well into his senior years.

by Audrey Harvey

Aggression in dogs comes in many forms – food aggression, fear aggression and dominance type aggression towards people and other dogs. If you own a dog that shows this type of behavior, life can be challenging. You must always be on guard to make sure he isn’t put in a position where he becomes a danger to others.

There are several ways of managing aggression in dogs, most of which involve medication and retraining. This isn’t a job for the faint of heart; you really need support and guidance from an expert in dog behavior. However, there are some things you can do at home that can make him less grumpy and easier to live with.

Meals and Mood Swings

Amino acids are the building blocks of proteins and one of them, namely tryptophan, is involved in the production of serotonin in your dog’s brain. Serotonin is a feel good chemical that will make him feel happier and more relaxed.

It would make sense to assume that more protein in his diet would mean he’d absorb more tryptophan and make him feel less aggressive. However that hasn’t been proven to be true. If your dog eats a lot of protein in his diet, then it has to fight with all the other amino acids for the ability to move into his brain and affect his mood.

A study was performed in 2000 which involved feeding dogs a low protein diet, then adding a tryptophan supplement to it. The expectation was that less amino acids and more tryptophan would result in more serotonin production in his brain and therefore less aggression.

There have been few studies that have shown any real reduction in aggressive behavior in dogs fed a low protein diet. Some reports suggest that a high protein diet works better. The only thing you can do is give both a try. Change your dog’s diet for several weeks to either a low protein or a high protein diet and just see if it makes any difference.

Sleepytime Tonic for Aggression

Sleepytime Tonic is an all natural remedy for aggression that can be used in conjunction with a training program to manage your dog’s behavior. It has no side effects, and because it contains honey as a sweetener, your dog will love it. All it takes is a few drops on his tongue and you’ll see him become noticeably calmer after 20 minutes. You can even use it regularly to help him to become more balanced, and less likely to become grumpy.

When you read the list of ingredients, you’ll understand why it works so well. The herbs Skullcap, Passion Flower and Valerian reduce anxiety and stress, and will help your dog to relax. Add to this a selection of Bach Flower Remedies that have been carefully chosen for their positive effects on fear and aggression, and you have the ideal treatment to improve his behavior.

Aggression in dogs is a challenging condition to manage. With the right diet, professional support and a bottle of Sleepytime Tonic, your dog has the best opportunity to learn new behaviors and become a happier and more relaxed member of your family.

Joint Resolution is an amazing product and the one we receive the most testimonials on . It’s a tonic that improves joint health and comfort for dogs with arthritis, hip dysplasia, luxating patellas and other types of joint problems. It has helped so many dogs feel comfortable again so we are really excited to delve a little deeper into this product with you so that you can share this amazing little bottle with your canine customers who are in need. Joint Resolution is the first product to blend BioCell Collagen II, hyaluronic acid, and chondroitin with organic and wild crafted herbs including Boswellia, devils claw and licorice which work to reduce inflammation and pain.

Joint Resolution is a therapeutic formula that will help rebuild your pet’s joints, decrease inflammation, and soothe pain," said Mitch Coven, formulator of Joint Resolution. Coven is a medical herbalist and has worked with thousands of patients using herbal medicines in a holistic context. (click here to hear a recorded discussion by Mitch about Joint Resolution’s formula)

A study published in the Journal of Veterinary Pharmacological and Therapeutics showed that collagen had reduced pain and lameness in arthritic dogs and improved the overall activity of the dogs. And just last month a new clinical study was published in the Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry finding that after taking BioCell Collagen significant improvements were made in joint discomfort levels and ability to participate in everyday activities. Click here to read more about the clinical study

Collagen is the most abundant protein found in joint cartilage that helps promote new cartilage synthesis and reduces oxidative damage to the joints. Joint Resolution contains a generous amount of Hyaluronic Acid which is an important joint and skin nourishing element which promotes healing and skin tissue rejuvenation. HA is essential in reducing joint friction caused by the joint’s degradation of its natural lubrication. Click here to see a full list of ingredients

This is the next generation of joint products as it takes herbal extracts and blends them with clinically proven ingredients to create a highly effective formula. The blend work synergistically together to provide much greater results than any one ingredient could provide on its own.

Click here to go to the Joint Resolution product Page

by Audrey Harvey, DVM

Agility is one of the most enjoyable things you can do with your dog. Imagine an obstacle course with jumps, tunnels, ramps and weave poles. Imagine running around that course with your dog running beside you and gleefully completing each of those obstacles. Imagine hugging your dog after you’ve both had a great run at a competition. That’s agility.

In an agility competition, the aim is to have your dog complete all the obstacles in order, and within the time limit specified by the judge. Even if you don’t want to compete, the training sessions are great fun. It doesn’t matter what breed, size or shape of dog you own, most can have a go at agility training at some level.

All dogs love agility: it gives them physical exercise and it’s an excellent way to build a connection with your own dog. Whether you win or lose, it doesn’t matter, you’ve both had a good time and will come home tired and happy.

Training for Agility

The best way to train your dog to negotiate the agility obstacles is with food rewards and positive reinforcement. That’s the best way to maintain his enthusiasm and keep the sport fun.

Don’t be in a rush when you are training for agility. Some of the obstacles, such as the dog walk and A-frame, can cause injury if they aren’t used correctly. You are much better off taking it slowly, keeping your dog safe and making sure he finishes the training session unscathed.

As you can imagine, there is a lot of jumping, turning and twisting involved when your dog runs an agility course. This can cause trauma to his joints. It’s important that you use a safe and effective joint support formula to prevent wear and tear that could cut his agility career short. Joint Resolution is that formula. Its Biocell Collagen II contains Hyaluronic Acid and chondroitin, as well as collagen, all designed to reduce inflammation in the joint and improve the lubricating effect of the joint fluid. Add to this a blend of herbs including Boswellia, devils claw and licorice, and the result is a palatable liquid that reduces pain and inflammation, and helps your dog to recover so he can run, jump and weave another day.

Agility Competitions

When you and your dog have mastered all the obstacles, and worked out how to remember the order in which the obstacles need to be performed, you may want to try your hand (or paw) at an agility competition.

While there are always winners in these competitions, it really is you racing against the clock. Your goal is ultimately to finish the course correctly and under the course time.

Some dogs become extremely excited before their run, and exhaust themselves before the starters whistle goes off. If your dog does that, then think about giving him a dose of Sleepytime Tonic 20 minutes before his run. Don’t worry, it won’t make him fall asleep at the start line. It contains a unique blend of herbs, including Verbena officianalis, and Bach Flower Remedies such as Cerato and Passion Flower. These will reduce restlessness and muscle twitching, and increase his attention and ability to focus. The result is your dog will perform better during his run.

Most dog obedience clubs offer agility training. Ask around, and you should be able to find agility classes in your area. Just be aware that it is addictive and when you start, there is no going back!

Audrey Harvey is a veterinarian who has worked in small animal practice for 20 years, and has been involved in teaching and competing in dog obedience and agility. She is passionate about preventative health care in dogs, particularly obesity management and the prevention of boredom related behavioral problems. Audrey lives in Brisbane Australia, and shares her couch with an Australian Cattle Dog, an Australian Working Kelpie and two Whippets.

by Audrey Harvey, DVM

One of the most common reasons that dogs visit their veterinarian, particularly as they approach their senior years, is for stiff and sore joints. This can make it hard for them to move around, and they won’t enjoy their daily walk nearly as much.

If you find yourself in this position with your four legged best friend, then you need to investigate all options for keeping his joints healthy. There are many ways that you can manage your dog’s joint problems.

Anti-inflammatory Medication

The first way to manage sore joints in your dog is to reach for anti-inflammatory medication. These drugs are very effective at reducing pain and inflammation, and they work quickly. On the other hand, there is the chance that they will cause side effects in your dog, such as stomach ulceration and kidney damage.

The use of anti-inflammatory medication is a bit like closing the stable door after the horse has bolted. They have their effect after inflammation has already occurred. How much better would  it be if you could stop that pain and inflammation before it starts?

Nutritional Joint Supplements

There are three main advantages to using nutritional supplements to look after your dog’s joints. Firstly, they work. A recent study in the Journal of Veterinary Pharmacology and Therapeutics showed that collagen definitely improved the mobility and comfort level of dogs with arthritis.

Secondly, using a nutritional product to support your dog’s joints is proactive. If you give him the right supplement, you can help to slow the deterioration of his cartilage and improve the consistency and cushioning effect of the fluid in his joints. This can prevent joint degeneration before it occurs, rather than treating the damage after the event.

Lastly, nutritional supplements are safe. There is virtually no risk that your treatment will do more harm than good. If you can manage your dog’s joint health using supplements, it’s a better long term option for him.

You may find that your dog doesn’t respond to supplements as quickly as he would if you used medication. That is to be expected. Supplements have a cumulative effect; this means that their effects add up over time.

Choosing a Nutritional Supplement for Your Dog’s Joints

Whether you shop online or at the pet store, you’ll find quite a range of nutritional joint supplements to choose from. How do you know which one to buy? You need to read the label to check the  ingredient list, and make sure it includes ingredients that have been shown to be effective.

Some of the more common ingredients you’ll see are glucosamine and chondroitin sulfate. These have both been proven safe and effective. However, these days there are so many other, even more effective all natural ingredients available. One that I like is Bio Cell Collagen Type II. It encourages the development of new cartilage in your dog’s joints and helps to reduce any further damage. Check out Joint Resolultion. It not only has the collagen but also contains two other extremely effective ingredients: Hyaluronic Acid and chondroitin which which both promote tissue healing and improve the lubricant effect of his joint fluid as well as herbs like boswellia serrata and devils claw to help with inflammation.

If your dog is a bit stiff, or is very active, supplements are an important part of managing joint wellness. Supplements can treat existing symptoms as well as helping to prevent them before they occur.