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Wednesday, September 29, 2010

A Dog's Eye View of Halloween and Anxiety Wrap

Halloween is a time for dress up, tricks and treats. It’s great fun for humans, but may not be a good night for our dogs.

Most dogs do not like playing dress-up. Putting a costume on your dog may look cute, but is the dog comfortable? Many dogs are uncomfortable with and even afraid of suddenly being forced into wearing hats & clothing of any kind. If you want your dog to wear a costume make sure the outfit is flame retardant and freely allows the dog to breathe, see and hear. He needs to be comfortable with it so a bit of work on your part is required. Gradually desensitize the dog to wearing the costume before going greeting the public. To do this put the costume on the dog while giving him some tasty treats. Repeat this several times until he comes to associates wearing a costume gets him great treats! Remove small or dangling pieces he might chew or swallow and avoid rubber bands.

If you’re wanting your dog to be part of greeting trick-or-treaters, you should know most dogs are too excited or fearful to remain well mannered at the door. When a dog is over stimulated or fearful it's not fun for the dog, even if that tail is wagging! The truth is, most dogs are stressed by Halloween activities and the interruption of their routine. An ordinarily well-mannered dog may feel threatened enough by oddly dressed and acting strangers at the door to growl, bark, lunge or even bite. Do your dog a huge favor and put an Anxiety Wrap on him or her 20 to 30-minutes before the trick or treaters start ringing your doorbell and leave it on throughout the evening's activities. You should also consider putting him in another room with a food stuffed toy, but at the very least allow him to roam the house freely wearing his Anxiety Wrap, and never force him to join you at the door! The freedom to remove himself from the activity is necessary for him to feel safe. Think about it, if you were unsure of someone or something would you feel better if you were pulled closer to the scary thing or person or would you feel better if you were free to back up and keep your distance. Of course the answer is, you would feel better being allowed to approach if and when you felt comfortable with the situation. It's the same thing for your dog. The Anxiety Wrap adds to the dog's comfort by via maintained pressure and acupressure, which gives your dog a safe long lasting hug creating a safer internal feeling. Remember once the Anxiety Wrap is on your dog stop interacting with him so not to get him excited which could override the its effectiveness.

More tips: Before the night begins, confirm the dog’s I.D. tags are up-to-date and exercise him with a long walk prior to any trick-or-treaters arriving. While on the walk be aware you may meet costumed children and adults. Most dogs will be afraid of not only the odd costumes, but also the scary movements costume wearers like to make. It’s a time of year where people try to scare others, including dogs, so be sure to give any ghouls a wide berth. If the weather is comfortable in your area, put the Anxiety Wrap before and during the walk to increase your dog's comfort level. If you live in an area where it is still hot outside wet the Anxiety Wrap with cold water and it will act as a cooling agent in addition to calming your dog. Once back home keep your dog indoors because dogs are known to be taunted and teased, when left outside. When this happens some dogs become so frightened they run away in an effort to remain safe.

Remember, no candy for the dog and be sure to keep the candy bowl out of the dogs reach at all times. Explain to everyone (including children) how dangerous candy is to dogs. Chocolate is particularly dangerous to dogs, causing cardiac problems or even death and is found in many Halloween goodies. If you have any reason to suspect your dog ingested chocolate, check with your Veterinarian right away. Here are some of the symptoms: excessive drooling and urination; pupil dilation; rapid heartbeat; vomiting, diarrhea; hyperactivity; muscle tremors, seizures or coma.

Halloween is a night of fun for kids, but definitely not the best night of the year for dogs. Although with proper planning, and the Anxiety Wrap you and your dog will do just fine.

Monday, September 27, 2010

Face Wrap: It Can Work For Your Pet


Does your dog suffer from thunderstorm fear?  Car anxiety?  Excessive unwanted barking?  Face Wrap may be your answer.

While we are 'technically' into the fall season, thunderstorms can continue to rumble across nearly every part of the country.  A common fear and anxiety with many dogs is the fear of thunderstorms.  The loud rumbles of thunder are often times unsettling to them, causing them to pace, scratch at the floor and even more severe destructive behavior. Face Wrap can be used in conjunction with Anxiety Wrap to comfortably reduce the dog's fear and anxiety. 

It's important to point out that the Face Wrap is NOT a muzzle in any way.  It's completely comfortable and in fact a dog could easily paw it off with ease.  Face Wrap works via maintained pressure and two acupressure points;  one over the bridge of the dog's nose and the second one at the back of the dog's head.  The maintained pressure is the key calming element that makes Face Wrap so successful. 

Face Wrap has also proven to be successful with car anxiety. Simply slip the flexible, comfortable wrap in place, along with the appropriate anxiety wrap for the dog's size.  This combination reduces and even ends drooling, barking and more. 



For unwanted barking, Face Wrap could be the answer you've been looking for!  Every Face Wrap comes with easy to follow step-by-step instructions. 

To learn more about Face Wrap and Anxiety Wrap products, visit our website. You will find all the information you need to understand how the wraps work.  While there, click on the testimonials link and read many great success stories for yourself. 

Wednesday, September 22, 2010

Thumbs and Paws Up for Face Wrap

We are always thrilled when we come across a blog that sings the praises of our products.  Most recently, we came across Following Pips Pawprints, a wonderful blog that shares the life and times of a growing Border Collie. 

Pip's owner, Barb describes in her blog that Pip had a bit of a barking problem and tried the Face Wrap.  Here is part of what Barb shared with her readers: 

"I had heard good reports on this product called The Face Wrap. One of my colleagues had video of a barking Pom who magically quieted after the Face Wrap was put on. I had actually tried it with a client's dog who was a fearful barker and didn't have a lot of success with it, but I believe it's because the dog was already over his threshold when we put it on.

I have to report that it worked like a dream with Pip. A couple days before the workshop I desensitized her to it by feeding a liver treat whenever it appeared. Then I had her touch it with her nose and get a treat. Finally I laid it over her nose and fed her through the loop. When she was happy about seeing the Face Wrap come toward her, I criss-crossed it under her chin and snapped it behind her ears. Lots of treats then. She didn't fight it as much as I thought she would. When she laid down calmly with it, she got treats. When she fussed about it, I walked away.

During our workshop sessions when the dogs were crated, I alternated having her wear it and go without it. There was a definite difference when she had it on - she was calm and laid down during the sessions. When she wasn't wearing it, she was sitting up, staring at me and barking."


Pip looking happy wearing the Face Wrap

What a wonderful testimonial to the benefits of Face Wrap.  We would like to thank Barb for using Face Wrap and sharing her success with her readers. 

We'll be following Pip and the adventures that growing up can bring!

Thursday, September 16, 2010

Newest Additions To Our Charity Foster Program

Animals are important to us. We do more than just donate money to the cause of animal welfare. We spay, neuter, vaccinate, foster, train, and find great homes for countless numbers of all kinds of animals! And it’s all sponsored by every Anxiety Wrap purchase! In addition to donating Anxiety Wraps and providing funding to shelters & other rescue groups, we, at The Original Anxiety Wrap company, also give our time, effort and skills.

Our foster program includes housing the dog at our training facility where he or she joins doggie daycare for socialization and great exercise!  Daycare includes a 6-acre fenced field, as well as an inside heated and air-conditioned area complete with 1-inch thick matting on the floor for health & safety. At night our foster dogs either sleep in our office (therapeutic dog mattresses) or with the trainer who lives in our adjoining apartment, or they’re placed in the home of one of our trainers and/or skilled foster volunteers. Wherever the dog stays they are integrated into family life, including other dogs, cats, kids and more.

We recently had two new additions to our Charity Foster Program.  We'd like you to meet Addie and Just  Jack
 
Addie

Addie is 10 yrs of age.  No bad habits - likes to be outside when it's nice and travels well. Sweet dog to both people and animals.  Doesn't bark and appears to be house trained. A little shy, but that's to be expected as her world has been turned upside down in the last 24-hrs. 

Just Jack

Just Jack is a 5-yrs old -  Minpin/Jack Russell/& more - excellent health.  Jack has barked twice when the other dogs barked and is house trained. Likes to play ball, shake hands  and jumps into your lap on cue. Friendly to both humans and animals. Weighs approximately 20-lbs and travels well.  This dog could do it all, from tricks to Broadway, he's athletic and a quick learner!

We have every confidence that these two adorable dogs will be placed in a great, loving home.  

Your purchase of Anxiety Wrap helps us help them.   

Wednesday, September 8, 2010

Meet Ginger

Ginger is a beautiful dog that unfortunately dealt with her anxiety through avoidance. She would pace endlessly when she became anxious.  Watch how Anxiety Wrap helped Ginger become less anxious and as a matter of fact, so relaxed, she decided to lay down!


Tuesday, September 7, 2010

Anxiety Wrap Mentioned in The Whole Dog Journal

We are thrilled that Anxiety Wrap was mentioned in the September 2010 issue of The Whole Dog Journal!

Dog trainer and expert, Pat Miller, CPDT-KA, CDBC mentions Anxiety Wrap as an effective tool to help reduce stress in the September article, "Really Obsessed.  True Obsessive Compulsive Behavior Disorders Are Anything But Cute." 

We are so pleased with Pat's mention!

Pet owners contact us on a regular basis with their praise for the Anxiety Wrap.  To see what others are saying about Anxiety Wrap and the changes it made to their pets lives (and theirs!), please see the testimonials on our website