A bored dog is not a happy dog and boredom is often the root of dogs behaving badly…

In many cases boredom can be managed with variety of materials that will distract and entertain your dog, meaning it doesn’t need to find some mischief to get up to. If your dog is leaving a trail of destruction when left at home alone, he may simply be bored.

Signs of boredom:

• barking
• digging
• ripping up things
• chewing things they shouldn’t
• escaping

If your dog is left alone a lot, or has gotten into bad habits which are now entrenched, try our all natural  Home Alone Mist.

This is a mixture of flower essences to help with boredom, separation anxiety and breaking habits. The calming essential oils add to this effect and give it a lovely scent. Just spray on your dog’s coat twice daily and before you leave it at home alone.

Home Alone is made from all natural ingredients including flower essences and essential oils that are totally safe for dogs.

Try it and see the difference

Buy Home Alone Mist

Relieving the boredom is another necessary step to prevent and stop the abnormal or unwanted activity.

There are many ways to help bored dogs, the most obvious being to provide your dog with something to do while you are away:

• toys – have a variety of different toys. Only leave your dog with one toy at a time and change them every day or so.
• time release treats – there are many chew toys that you can stuff with treats (make them healthy ones) and it will take your dog hours to extract them all
• ice blocks – great in hot weather – put some raw meat, carrot, peas and oats in a container, fill it with water and freeze. Just before you go out on a hot day, put it out in the yard with your dog – hours of entertainment and good nutrition too.
• my personal favourite – a lovely meaty bone – there is nothing else to put a look of bliss on your dog’s face like chewing for hours on a bone, and it is the best toothbrush you’ll find too! If your dog is a chewer, give them a bone…
• you can also give them an old shoe you are finished with – walk around in it for a while before you leave – dogs usually go for your favourite shoes because they were the pair you had on last and your scent is on that pair. Use this tendency to your advantage.

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Mange in dogs is caused by parasite infection from tiny (invisible to the naked eye) louse-like mites that bury benath the skin where they breed and cause intense skin irritation.

The affected area turns grey, fur is lost, the skin erupts, is wet in appearance and there is an unpleasant smell.

Common places for mange to occur include the back and the top of the neck.

Management of mange:

• Bathe your dog weekly with natural herbal shampoo – one containing natural essential oils for parasites
• Apply Yicche cream twice daily. Massage well into the entire affected area
• Groom your dog daily
• Soak all bedding, collars, leads and grooming equipment for several hours in a solution containing 2 drops of eucalytus or tea tree oil per 1 litre water. Also wash down the kennel. Do this weekly

Natural feeding also improves overall dog health and strengthens the skin, helping your dog to be more resistant to all skin vermin.

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One of the good things about homeopathics is that they are very compact, light and portable. A homeopathic first aid kit is a must when you are travelling, camping or live remotely. It also comes in very handy in the stable or the kennel.

The homeopathic first aid kit contains homeopathic remedies that can assist in a crisis or first aid situation when  you are waiting for medical assistance or unable to immediately access it. The remedies are additional to, and enhance ,the rest of a normal first aid kit. They are not a substitute for proper medical care – please still see a qualified health practitioner as soon as possible.

Click the icon below to purchase a homeopathic first aid kit in Australia:

It contains:

Apis

Arnica

Arsenicum

Belladonna

Chamomilla

Euphrasia

Gelsemium

Ledum

Nux Vomica

Rhus Tox

You can also restock your homeopathic first aid kit with the same company by typing the name of the remedy into their search box.

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Herbs have safely been used to treat illnesses in dogs for thousands of years, just as they have been used by humans.

In fact dogs, like most animals are wonderful herbalists. They instinctively seek out a wide variety of plants as they go about their day, and use these plants to self medicate. If you doubt this, watch your dog out in the yard actively eating grass or another plant. It is not always the same grass. Even domesticated dogs can identify dozens of plants, know how to use them medicinally, and will purposefully seek them out when needed.

Dogs are sensitive to some herbs, so never assume that a herb is safe for a dog just because you can use it yourself or on another animal. Dosage is also very important.

It takes years to train a herbalist about the safe use of herbs. A large amount of time also includes what is called “the fine print”. Which herbs should never be used. Which herbs need to be used with caution, especially in regards to dosage.

When it comes to herbal treatment of animals, what is safe in a horse can kill a dog.  A herb that can safely be used by dogs can kill a cat.

More harm is done by herbs out of ignorance from untrained lay people than by all the herbalists in the world combined.

At Herbal Dog we aim to raise awareness of how some common herbs can help maintain and improve you dog’s health and wellbeing.This is purely for informational purposes, please seek advice from a herbalist qualified in the herbal treatment of dogs before giving your dog any natural remedies.

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Bruises respond well to topical applications of herbs, but for bid or deep bruises, internal herbs are also recommended.

Soak a cotton pad with Witchazel Lotion or 1stAde solution and apply as a compress to the affected area for between 15 and 60 minutes, depending upon the severity of the bruise. Repeat one to two times daily until all soreness, swelling and discolouration is completely gone.

You can also apply take homeopathic Arnica:

After the compress, apply Herbal Healer to the bruise several times daily.

Like all herbal medicines, the sooner you start the remedy, the faster and better the result. If it was not possible to apply these healing herbs immediately after the injury, start as soon as possible – better late than never. I

If you have a very old bruise that still feels hard and / or a little tender even months or years later, apply one of these herbs at least once a day until the area feels normal once again; this may take many months but it is important that it be done.

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Weekends, in the middle of the night, whilst overseas or out camping are all times when medical help is not as readily available as you might like. This is when a well stocked first aid kit comes in handy, and there are many safe, simple and economical natural remedies that can be of assistance until more help is at hand.

Insect stings respond very well to an application of Nettles ointment. I have used Nettles successfully with wasps, fleas, mozzies, ants, leeches, ticks and march flies. And of course, close encounters with Nettles herself. Apart from the fact that it works quickly, the best thing about this remedy is that the sting does not continue to come up itchy again in the following days and weeks.You can also make up Nettles Tea and apply it as a lotion compress. Nettles tea is available to buy by clicking the icon immediately below.

If applied immediately Nettles as an ointment or lotion / compress will soothe the bite within ten minutes (and that will usually be the last you think of it). If its still itchy after ten minutes, repeat the application at ten minute intervals until you have relief. Three times is nearly always enough.

Be aware that Nettles ointment will only relieve the itch from ticks. It is VITAL that the tick is removed fully by the head and any other symptoms watched for and immediately treated because tick bites can quickly prove fatal.

Chickweed is another good remedy for itching this time for the itching of eczema and psoriasis. You can also take it as a tea for eczema or psoriasis. Chickweed is a herb that you can both put on the outside while you are taking it on the inside. Chickweed ointment is very soothing if the skin is really dry.

My Soothing Itch Balm is absolutely wonderful for people, horses and dogs – click below for more information and to buy.

• Soothing Itch Balm for people
• Soothing Itch Balm for horses
  
• Soothing Itch Balm for dogs

(But do not use Soothing Itch Balm on cats – they are very sensitive and the essential oils in this formula are way too strong for cats to use it safely).

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