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Make it a better place for Every Dog.

WHO WE ARE

We are Todd & Allison Foley of TG Shelties and Beagles. We breed Beagles occassionally and co-breed Shelties with Karen & Bob Henley of Shelhaven Shelties of Upper Rawdon, NS. As you will see from our website, our main focus is on showing our dogs in the conformation show ring and over the years we have been quite successful in the ring. Allison shows dogs professionaly, competing all over North America, including Westminster, Show of Shows, Purina National and the Eukanuba Invitational. We do have Beagle puppies available to pet homes on occassion.

A Guide For Finding Your Lost Dogs

FIRST RESPONSE:

You will find your dog. Never give up!!!!!

Most importantly, keep a clear head even though you are probably as panic stricken as you have ever been. You need a plan and follow it through.

Immediately search area of where dog went missing for at least 15 minutes to one half hour. It would be good to get a general idea of which direction the dog was heading.

If he fled from his own yard, leave the gate open and put his crate out in the yard with food and water in it.

Call or get a hold of as many people (maybe neighbours, friends, family relatives, the Breeder) as possible, to help in the search party for at least a few hours or until dark.

Search in an area of 2 square miles (TARGET ZONE) from where the dog was last seen or lost. If in a rural area, this area may span to about five square miles but usually does not.

If possible, obtain a cellular phone. Give all the members of the search party your number. If you are unable to obtain a cellular phone, make sure someone is home to receive messages and that they get them to you. If you have no one at home and have an answering machine, turn it on. Change your message to, asking for information on your lost dog.

 

Instruct search party to not chase the dog but to only notify you when the dog is seen.

If you see the dog, do not yell out his name or try and chase him or he’ll be gone like the wind. Sit down calmly on the ground, like you are wanting him to play or like you are feeding him, calling his name gently or using some key fun words that he is used to when you are having fun with him. He may come to you but may not. Trust me, your first instinct is to scream out his name and go tearing after him. This won’t work.

Lost Shelties are in “flight” mode. If you think they will come to you when you call them you may be fooling yourself. They don’t wait to see who it is.

Talk to anybody you see in that area to find out if they have seen your dog and get the direction of his travel. 

Most of the time somebody has seen him. They usually travel within a half mile very quickly but do not usually travel more than two – three miles (TARGET ZONE).
They usually will go downhill which will be easier on them and also leads them to water.

Call to get a Live Animal Trap (see next section) or at least set up a crate. Set it up where the dog was last seen or where he ran from. Most Shelties, if not found after a few hours will eventually be caught in the live trap. Set the trap up before the first night if possible but it is never too late to set the trap up.

Call Police, dog catchers /officers / SPCA, Vet (give tattoo # and microchip information), fire station and animal shelters, etc.

Have someone stay at the site for the first 24 hours if possible. (not yourself). You must have a clear head in the morning or for the next part of the search.

Before you leave for the night, place a piece of your clothing where he was last seen. This may lure him back to this area which is known to happen.

Show Dogs

Shetland Sheepdogs

"Trixie"

Owners / Handlers: Todd & Allison Foley
Owners / Breeders: Karen & Robert Henley
Co-Breeder: Connie Nelson

Beagles

"Quinn"

Owner / Handlers: Chelby Marling, Todd & Allison Foley
Breeder: Andre Jeanotte

Other Breed

"Thomas"

Owners: Jamie Alexander
Breeder: Kerri Brangers

Resources For Dog Parents

Is Wellness A Good Dog Food?

The Wellness Dog Food line is considered one of the pioneers of natural dog foods. With much thought about the kind of ingredients they use, all their meats are hormone and steroid-free. They use nutritious grains along with fresh fruits and vegetables to help provide needed anti-oxidants, vitamins, and minerals. There are never any meat by-products or common grains that are linked to dog food allergies, such as corn, wheat, and soy. As well, they never use any artificial flavorings, preservatives, or colorings. If you are looking for a vet recommended dog food then the Wellness Dog Food line is a great choice.

They have 3 main lines of dog food: CORE, Simple Solutions, and Super5Mix. CORE is considered one of the best grain-free dog foods out there, with Simple Solutions also good for dogs suffering from allergies. While the Super5Mix line gets great reviews, it really isn’t considered a super-premium dog food as CORE and Simple are (see below for reasons).

Wellness CORE

Wellness CORE is considered to be one of the best grain-free dog foods on the market. Many people believe we are feeding our dogs way too much grain and that their bodies just weren’t made to process that much grain, and that is why we are having so many problems with our dogs.

The solution, a grain-free dog food. But when you add more meat to dog food, you are adding more than just protein – you are also adding more fat, phosphorus, calcium, and calories. All this needs to be taken into consideration to create a balanced dog food, and that is exactly what Wellness CORE does. They even created a low-fat grain-free version.

Wellness CORE has a 4.8 out of 5 stars rating with almost 300 reviews. Comments included how great this food is for dogs with sensitive stomachs, excessive gas, skin issues, allergy problems, and soft stools. They commented on how shiny and soft the coat became and how they no longer had large, soft stools, but smaller, well-formed stools that did not stink.

Dog owners who buy low fat dog food have dogs with issues such as being overweight or having pancreatitis. Some just wanted to add more essential fatty acids (omega) to their dog’s food without worrying about the extra calories.

Wellness Simple Solutions

Wellness Simple is a limited ingredient dog food aimed at dogs with allergies (usually presented as skin and coat problems), sensitive stomachs, and itchy feet (another common allergy symptom). This line of dog food uses only 5 main ingredients, with added dog vitamins and supplements to create a balanced dog food. It also contains no corn, soy, wheat, dairy, or meat by-products, as well as nothing artificial (preservatives, flavorings, colorings).

It comes in three mixes: chicken & rice, duck & rice, and rice & salmon. Now, these are fairly low in protein content, around 20, but when you are dealing with allergies, especially dog food allergies, this dog food has lots of supporters. There were also some customers reporting that it helped with Cushing’s disease (a metabolic imbalance causing weight changes, excessive thirst, and/or brittle coat, as well as a host of other problems).

Wellness Simple Solutions has a 4.6 out of 5 stars rating with 55 reviews. Most people loved the relief it gave their dogs from all their allergy symptoms. Of course, one food cannot be the cure for every dog and every allergy, so a few people did not see any improvement and just went on to another hypoallergenic dog food (as they should).

Home Remedies For Dogs With Itchy Skin

It is so frustrating when your faithful companion is constantly scratching and biting. And we want to give our dogs quick relief, which is why we so ofter turn to home remedies to help alleviate the itchy skin.

And you should look for quick relief. The damage to the surface of his skin caused by their teeth and nails can become infected, and this can be very painful, especially when the itchy feeling doesn’t stop. Effective home remedies can at least help minimize the damage.

There are some home remedies that work well to control your dog’s scratching

There are some home remedies that work well to control your dog’s scratching. If the itch isn’t too bad, you may want to try some of these home remedies for itching and try to manage his condition at home.

Here are a few suggestions that can make life more pleasant for him.

  1. If your dog has a flea or two, refer to the Flea Control section for getting rid of fleas on your dog and in your home. Even if you’re sure he doesn’t have any of these little blood-sucking parasites, treat them anyway. Fleas are the most common cause of itching in dogs, and they aren’t always easy to see, especially with thick coats. Also remember that dogs that have a flea allergy can itch severely from just one bite.
  2. A gentle wash with an oatmeal shampoo for dogs can soothe itchy and irritated skin and reduce much of the inflammation. Don’t bathe your dog too frequently though, because that can dry out his coat and make him itch even more. You may also want to use a leave-in oatmeal conditioner so that the soothing effect lasts a bit longer.
  3. Put a barrier in place to prevent your dog from making it worse by too much scratching. For example, if he is licking his feet constantly, an easy home remedy is to try putting a soft bandage on them so he can’t get to it. If he is turning around and biting his back all the time, consider using an Elizabethan collar. These act as a bucket on his head and prevent him from reaching his itchy spots with his teeth. Remember that this doesn’t stop the itch at all, so your dog will still feel uncomfortable. This means that on its own, a barrier is not a good solution.
  4. Antihistamines can help relieve itching in people, and they can work in our pets too. Benadryl is a common and well-known antihistamine that has been safely used in dogs. Unfortunately, many dogs won’t show any response to anti-histamines. Check with your vet regarding how much anti-histamine is appropriate for your dog’s body weight.
  5. Improper nutrition and dry skin are also causes of itching. If your dog isn’t getting all the nutrients they need from their food, their skin can become very dry and itchy.

Keep In Mind:

Severe inflammation and infection need veterinary care. Your vet can help you diagnose the reason for the constant irritation, and can help you to get it under control. Ultimate treatment may involve medicated shampoos, antibiotics, and anti-inflammatory medication.

Constant itching can make life miserable for your four-legged family member, but there’s no need for him to suffer. Ask your veterinarian for advice, and your vet may recommend some senior dog supplements like omega 3 fish oil, salmon oil, and coconut oil to help relieve itchy skin and excessive licking. It won’t be long before his skin feels better, and you are both happier.

The 5 Most Common Causes of Dog Itching

If your dog’s itching is excessive, it is an indication that there is something the matter. While occasional itching and scratching is normal, if it is happening enough that you notice it, then you need to learn how to stop dog itching.

If you don’t, the condition will worsen and can lead to all sorts of problems down the road – from secondary bacterial skin infections to hearing loss. You would think a dog’s itching should be a relatively simple problem to overcome, right? 

The problem is, we can’t simply ask our dogs what the problem is. Instead, we must play detective and use our best guess as to the cause – of which there can be many. Once the cause is determined, then a plan of action can be formed.

Steps To Figuring Out What Is Causing All The Itching

So, to stop dog scratching, one must first figure out why your dog is so itchy in the first place. The easiest way to do this is going through each of the possible causes, in order. 

  1. Fleas/Insect Bites
  2. Mange
  3. Improper Nutrition
  4. Psychological (anxiety/stress)
  5. Allergies

Allergies are last because there can be so many things your dog is allergic to.

And if you go through items 1 through 4 and still find your dog’s itching has not gone down at all, then you can dive into determining the allergic trigger.

For example, improving your dog’s nutrition (#3) may very well take care of any food intolerance that your dog has, which may be the very reason for all the scratching.

#1 Fleas And Insect Bites

Fleas and insect bites can cause non-stop scratching, especially if your dog has an actual allergy to flea bites. But fleas are probably the easiest to determine: yes or no. Your dog has fleas or they don’t.

#2 Mange in Dogs

Mange is caused by a parasite known as a mite and is another matter that is relatively easy to determine.

There are three main types of mange – read about mange in dogs to understand the different symptoms and with help determining if this is your dog’s problem.

#3 Nutrition

Improper nutrition is actually a HUGE reason many dogs itch and is also commonly misdiagnosed as dog food allergies and other allergies.

Depending upon the type and quality of food you feed your dog, they may not be getting what they really need, and their immune system becomes over-stressed – producing itchiness.

Click Here for more about Stop Dog Itching

#4 Anxiety/Stress

Psychological problems that cause itching and licking can be very hard to determine.

Believe it or not, dog separation anxiety is a huge and growing problem, as is noise anxiety (fireworks, thunderstorms).Dog anxieties manifest themselves in many ways, and constant itchy skin is one of them.

#5 Allergies in Dogs

Allergies in dogs can be so difficult – your dog, like you, can become allergic to so many things.

  • allergens inhaled, such as pollen and dust mites;
  • allergens absorbed through skin contact, such as rubber, wool, pesticides;
  • insect bites, such as fleas and mosquitoes;
  • and of course, dog food allergies.

But when dealing with allergies in dogs, rather than using anti-histamines (which are meant for humans), you really should try to boost their immune system and control your pet’s environment to limit exposure to the allergen.

Those Are The Top 5 Reasons For Dog Itching

So those are the main reasons that cause dogs to itch and scratch incessantly. Unless you specifically know what is the problem from the beginning, go through these systematically, eliminating areas and helping you to narrow in on your dog’s problem.

Take a look at Natural Itching Remedies for ways to help calm the itching while you take care of the problem.
 

Mange Shampoo: A Natural Cure For Mange In Dogs

Is it possible to give your pet itch relief using a mange shampoo that is both natural and gentle on your dog?

This bath feels so good!!

There are some all-natural dog shampoo on the market that are directly targeted at removing the mites that cause mange, helping soothe your dog’s skin to prevent further scratching and patches of hair loss, and keeping them calm. What is best about these kinds of treatment, is that the shampoo is not hard on your dog’s skin. Your dog is going through enough right now having to deal with these bothersome parasites – using harsh chemicals, internally or externally, is just even harder on your dog. While natural methods may take a little longer, they are much better for this skin problem.

One of the top rated home treatment is an all-natural dog shampoo for mange called Defendex.

Team this up with a healthy immune system boosting supplement for natural treatment, both internally and externally.

What about mange dips?

We’ve all heard about the horrible mange dips. This is where you dip your poor dog in a toxic bath as a treatment to kill all the mites on the skin. Unfortunately, many dogs suffered from serious side effects, so much so that one of the more common brands is completely off the market for canines now.

While some vets use a Mitaban (also known as Amitraz) dip for demodectic mange treatment, most prefer to use this only as a last resort. Medications and shampoo are the preferred way to attack this problem first. Ideally, you want to strengthen the immune system to help fight off these parasites naturally.

Medicines for Mange?

Most veterinarians now have other ways to deal with these parasites, the most popular being Ivermectin for scabies, a broad spectrum anti-parasite medication. And while most people say it works on their pets, you are still having them ingest chemicals, which tastes horrible. And if your dog won’t take it orally, you will have to inject him with it. A simple shampoo is so much easier!

It should be noted that not all canines can tolerate Ivermectin -most notably herding breeds, but all dogs should be tested for sensitivity to the drug before using it.

One of the problems with using a medication for treating scabies or demodex infestation, is that mange is not a disease – it is the result of a parasite that the body cannot keep under control – something that it can do when healthy and free of stress. Using a mange shampoo to help control the infestation is better than having to ingest toxins.

For more tips on how to stop dog from itching, bookmark our website at http://www.tgshowdogs.com

Natural Remedies To Stop Dog Itching

Natural ingredients can work wonders in helping to ease that itchy feeling

There are many natural dog itching remedies that provide immediate relief for your dog’s itchy skin until you find his problem (nutrition, allergies, fleas, mange, anxiety).

All natural products are just safer for your pet, your family and the environment. There are several types of remedies, from salves to bathes, to help with your dog’s constant scratching.

What To Look For In Natural Itching Remedies

Below are some of the more common natural extracts and oils used in natural remedies AS TOPICALS to stop dog itching, help with dog skin allergies, condition the skin, and keep the skin from getting infected.

  • Calendula: anti-bacterial agent that also has a quick, soothing itchy dog skin relief to irritated skin.
  • Peppermint: acts as an antiseptic agent; also soothes itchy skin and acts as a natural insect repellent. Only use oils that are designated for canines (typically a lower concentration).
  • Colloidal Oatmeal: has anti-inflammatory and anti-itch properties that helps reduce the “need to scratch” dog itchy skin.
  • Flowers of Sulfur: mild anti-bacterial and anti-fungal agent that also helps relieve itching. Mix with oil (like vegetable oil) and rub gently into coat.
  • Aloe Vera: brings immediate cooling relief to fleabites and helps reduce itching and dog dry skin. Aloe contains minerals, proteins and enzymes that help soften the coat and soothe the skin.
  • Marshmallow: has been used since ancient times and is used as an anti-inflammatory to soothe and heal surface irritations to the skin.
  • Neem: the Neem tree is known as the ‘Heal All’ tree in India; neem acts as an anti-inflammatory, anti bacterial, anti-parasitic, anti-fungal, anti-protozoal and anti-viral. Only use oils that are designated for canines (typically a lower concentration).
  • Grapefruit Seed Extract: helps alleviate skin conditions such as irritation, flea bites and mange; also helps to control bacterial infections and parasites. Only use extracts that are designated for canines (typically a lower concentration).
  • Tea Tree Leaf Oil: a powerful anti-septic and anti-fungal agent which does not irritate the skin, it relieves pain and disinfects; also soothes insect bites. Only use oils that are designated for canines (typically a lower concentration).

When looking for all-natural dog itching remedies, you definitely want to see many of these compounds in the ingredient list for the maximum itch relief for your dog. The most popular contain one or more of the following: Calendula, Tea Tree Oil, Neem, and Aloe Vera.

Topical Dog Itching Remedies

To provide immediate relief for your dog’s itching, try using a topical, such as an oil, lotion, or spray. These types of itching treatments should be a definite weapon in your arsenal for dog allergy remedies.

Topical remedies are applied to exactly where your baby is scratching and usually start working within minutes to help with most dog skin problems. Most contain moisturizers as well to help condition the skin.

You can either purchase or make your own home remedies for itchy dogs, it is more a matter of convenience and comfort level. See above for detailed information on different types of ingredients you should look for in dog itchy skin remedies.

How Do You Know If Your Dog Has Allergies

How Do You Know If Your Dog Has Allergies

The only way to reliably tell if your dog is allergic/intolerant to a food is by using the elimination diet. This is where you provide one new protein source and one new carb source for your dog to eat, and only eat this, for 8 to 12 weeks. There should be no treats or table scraps while on the elimination diet.

CAUTION: If you have a special needs dog, a puppy, or a pregnant or lactating dog, the elimination diet may not be advisable, as your dog may not be getting all the necessary nutrients during this time period. Consult with your vet before any change of diet. If your dog food allergy symptoms disappear (this will not happen for a couple of weeks), then it may be a food allergy. To confirm this, after the 12 week elimination diet is completed, you can either go back to the old diet or try introducing foods one at a time and watch for reactions. The most common foods to provoke allergies in dogs are wheat, corn, chicken, dairy, and soy – although anything can be the culprit.

If you don’t want to, or don’t feel comfortable feeding your dog as described above, then the best food for dogs with allergies would be a quality hypoallergenic dog food, which is packed full of nutrients your dog needs. Lack of quality nutrients can actually frazzle an immune system, causing it to always be on the attack and mimic allergies.

A hypoallergenic dog food has a limited number of ingredients which helps to reduce the possible allergens your dog is exposed to. Some of these foods will also use ingredients your dog has probably never had, such as duck, venison, barley, and sweet potatoes, and thus have no adverse reactions to. Many people see a great improvements in their dogs allergies just by switching to hypoallergenic dog food. While not the most common reason for an allergy, dog food is by far the easiest to control for testing. Two of the best hypoallergenic dog foods are Wellness Simple Solutions and Natural Balance LID.

Feeding your dogs with the right food will stop your dog itching.

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We can’t make it alone. We need your help. We always need volunteer who love to help. Your small help can bring a big change.

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