Happy 2012 New Year!

As this year comes to a close, I find myself in the middle of the rush to wrap everything up.  This blog is no exception.  Today is my final blog for the year.  But don't worry, January 2nd, 2012 I will have something new and exciting to open the year with.

Today, I will keep it simple, no long reflection or monologue on the ending of this year or the best of this or that, I just want to leave you with a couple of simple messages.  Though, I do have to say, this year has brought me happiness beyond my imagination with my "new" dog coming into my life and has delivered sadness that seemed unreal by loosing not just my "old" dog, but a few friends as well.

Remember your dogs when you are planning your New Year's celebrations.  Many people go to parties or host them.  Just remember to give your dog what they need to, be that a potty break sometime throughout the night or a safe place from all the celebrating.

Finally, training for your dog is necessary.  You don't have to have a trainer, but you do have interact with your dog and lay out clear rules for them to live by.  Most people don't know exactly how to do that and that is where I can help.  Think about your dog, does he have the manners you want him to have?  If not, maybe a training session or two in the new year is the answer.

For those of you that were hoping for a best of list, here it is.  Petside has the 25 top Pet People of 2011.  Enjoy the list.

To train with Bark & Clark, bark on the link:  Bark!

Happy Holidays Friday!

As we all celebrate the Holidays in our own way, I thought it would be good to go into the weekend with a little laugh and smile.  Enjoy and Happy Hanukkah, Merry Christmas and Happy Kwanza.

The 12 Dog Days Of Christmas

On the 12th day of Christmas my true love gave to me-

 

12 Dalmatians drumming

 

11 Spaniels sleeping

 

10 Magnificent mutts

 

9 Poodles prancing

 

8 Rottweiler’s ringing

 

7 Labs a leaping

 

6 German Shepherds

 

5 Golden Retrievers

 

4 Beagles begging

 

3 Dachshunds dashing 

 

2 Terriers toasting

and a

 

Pomeranian in a Pear tree.

Puppies for Christmas!

Each year right after the new year my phone begins to ring a little more, my business has a little boost, all because of the puppies people get for Christmas.  I love the increase in business, especially because I get to work with so many puppies.  But the down side is that not all these people end up keeping their pups.  Many call me half way through the training and say they can't take it, the sleepless nights, the potty training, and the chewing or biting.  So, I wanted to focus my blog today on puppies and what it is to have a puppy.  My goal is to help you make the right decision about whether to get a puppy for yourself or someone else.

We all can agree that puppies are one of the cutest things ever, their eyes, the cute yawns, the clumsy way they walk around, all of it equals a big ball of cute!  But these cute little things have another side, they chew, they bite, they cry and usually don't sleep all through the night.  And on top of all of that, they need to be potty trained.  Assuming, of course we are talking about a 3-4 month old pup.

Many people buy puppies because of their cute looks and some get pups because they want to have the dog their entire life, especially if they are buying it for a child.  No matter what the reason, there are some things you should keep in mind as you make a decision on what age of a puppy to get and where to get them.

Some things you should know about a young pup is that it is similar to bringing home an infant child in the sense that they will wake you up mid-way through the night.  They can not be left in a room unsupervised as they may chew on a cord or get into something that could hurt them, so they should always be with you, in a crate or playpen.  Let's not forget the potty training, they will need to be taught how to potty outside or on a potty pad, remember puppies don't know how to control themselves at a young age.

If you are a person that works all day and you cannot take your pup with you and you cannot afford a dog walker, getting a puppy may not be the best idea.  To achieve successful potty training you need to take your pup out consistently on a schedule for them to learn what to do.  Also, you don't want your pup to get bored, that is where a lot of the destructive and bad behaviors develop. 

If getting a young puppy doesn't fit your life style, you may want to consider getting an older puppy around 7-9 months.  This is a great age to introduce the dog to your life and they will still have that puppy energy, but likely they will be potty trained.  Though you may still have to teach them not to play bite, chew and of course obedience.

No matter what age of puppy you get, remember that getting a dog means your life will change.  There are walks you will have to fit into your schedule, especially first thing in the morning and late at night, which may require you to get up earlier and go to bed later.  Exercise is a key part of any training, if your dog is not getting a proper amount of exercise they may be difficult to train or exhibit a lot of bad behavior due to an excess of energy.

Lastly, when you look for where to get your puppy, my suggestion is to start at the shelters and rescues.  Their are a lot of puppies that get turned in and they need good homes.  If you go through a breeder, just make sure that they are not a puppy mill.  A legitimate breeder will have no issues with you coming to their facilities to look at the puppies and check out their environment.  The facilities should be clean and the dogs should all be in good shape and healthy.

If your gifts for Christmas include a puppy, I hope this blog has helped you decide what age is best for you.  I know for certain, no matter what age you get your pup, they are fun!

For training with Bark & Clark, bark on the link:  BARK!

Doggie Flu Vaccinations

This time of year doesn't just bring good cheer and celebration of the holidays, it also brings us that nasty illness known as the flu!  I think every human I know has at some point or another been struck with the flu virus and now either vaccinates themselves against it or risks it without the vaccine.  But what about our pooches?  Well, many of you may be surprised to know that they can be infected by the flu virus as well.  First, let's be clear, it is a different virus, humans cannot spread our flu to our dogs.  But they can get the K-9 flu and they do have vaccines for it.  The question is, do you need to vaccinate your dog for this too?

Well, Dogster had a great blog about this very thing this morning with great information that can help you determine if this is something you should be discussing with your vet.

Well as many of you probably know, dogs can get the flu – just not the flu viruses we suffer from, fortunately. The canine influenza virus (CIV) is a relatively new problem, with the first reported case in 2003, and is reported to be extremely contagious. The CDC website says scientists think the virus jumped species, from horses to dogs, and has adapted well. Yikes! Fortunately it is not contagious from dogs to people.

Here’s what doginfluenza.com (an info website created by the makers of a dog flu vaccine, but with much the same info as everyone else) has to say about the contagion factor:

“Just like human flu is among humans, canine influenza is highly contagious among dogs. In fact, unless a dog has already had the illness and recovered, virtually every dog exposed to the virus will become infected. This is because the virus is relatively new…and dogs have no natural immunity to it…

“CIV can pass from dog to dog through virus particles in the air (eg, through coughing or sneezing) or by coming into physical contact with other dogs (touching noses). It can also be picked up if a dog touches or plays with objects that were touched by infected dogs (for example, food bowls, toys). Humans can even transfer the virus between dogs. For example, they may spread the virus if they touch an infected dog, or even touch a toy or doorknob that the dog has contacted, and then touch another dog before washing their hands.”

I don’t know many dogs who contact doorknobs (do some dogs have opposable thumbs these days?), but the other stuff is pretty commonplace. Canine flu is usually pretty mild, but some dogs can become very ill from it. About 20 percent of dogs with CIV get pneumonia and a high fever. Eight percent go on to further complications.

How do you know if your dog has the flu? He can’t exactly reach for the Kleenex and tell you he doesn’t feel like going for a run. Sometimes the signs are subtle, so here are some things to look out for:

• Mild, low-grade fever (103°F)

• Lethargy (tiredness)

• Loss of appetite

• Cough, which may be dry or may bring up sputum

• Runny nose with clear secretions at first, but may later change to a thick and yellow and/or pink-tinged color

The symptoms are quite similar to ours. If you think your dog has the flu, call your vet. And don’t take your dog to places where other dogs could be exposed to it.
But this brings us to the question: Does your dog need to be vaccinated against dog flu? It’s something to discuss with your veterinarian, of course. I know a lot of you feel we already overvaccinate our dogs, and some of you will want to go out and protect your dog immediately. Here’s what I’m generally finding about vaccine recommendations. This version comes from VetDepot.com:

“Not every dog needs to be protected against the flu. Dogs that are housed in close contact with one another are at the highest risk. So if your dog is boarded, goes to a professional groomer, or attends doggy day care or dog shows, vaccination might be in his best interest. Infections are also frequently diagnosed in dogs that have spent time in shelters or pet stores. Interestingly, going to dog parks does not seem to increase the risk of canine flu infection.”

(The last line is hopeful for those of us who take our dogs to parks other dogs frequent, but it doesn’t jibe with the extreme contagion reported in most CIV literature I’ve read. I’m not in a position to interpret the conflicting information, so your trusted vet is probably the place to go for answers.)

I hope this information was helpful to you, it certainly was for me.  I will be discussing with my vet if this vaccination is right for my dog, I hope you will all do the same.  I am lucky to have a vet that will give me a truthful answer about vaccines, meds and tests for my dog.  I know she will only recommend what is best for Neville, not what is best for her pocketbook.

If any of you should need a vet referral, give me a BARK!

The Treats, Bones, and Rich Foods of the Holidays

We have talked a bit about safety for your dogs and cats during the holidays, but I thought I would dedicate this blog to all the treats, bones, and rich foods your dog and maybe cat will be exposed to over the holidays.  I know my dog has already received so many doggie bakery treats, bones and other treats that I don't know how he will ever eat them all.  Most have been stored away right now and he is getting a little at a time. 

Beyond, the gifts your dog (or cat) may be given, there is the food we will be making.  I am not one to say that dog food and human food is all that different.  The important thing is to understand what food is normal for your dog and what is not.  For instance, my dog is use to getting cooked chicken, turkey or steak and his kibble is a fish formula, but he is not use to raw meats.  So for me to give him a bunch of raw meat as I am preparing our holiday meal is asking for an upset stomach.

Same thing for those treats and bones I was speaking about earlier.  A lot of the bakery treats he has never had before, so instead of letting him gorge himself, I will give him a little at a time to make sure his stomach can handle it.

The best rule is to monitor how many treats your dog is getting and watch how their stomach reacts.  Also, for bones, if they are bones your dog has never had, just let them chew on it a little at a time so you can check how it will effect them.  You don't want the bone or treats to have a bad reaction and end up with a huge mess to clean up or worse a very sick dog.

I know there are some dogs out there that could eat the treats and the wrapper they come in and be fine, but to be cautious is never a bad thing.  So take the treat giving slow and remind all your guests (especially the children) that there is a limit to what your dog's stomach can take.  They may not know it at the time, but your dog will thank you for it.

Happy Holidays!

Holiday Fun Friday!

To put us all in the holiday mood, I wanted to share with you this cute video.  I think it is a pretty accurate viewpoint of what a dog might feel about Santa!  Enjoy and let the spirit of little Dexter put you in a good mood!




Happy Holidays and don't forget to do something fun with your dog this weekend!

Holiday Safety Tips For Dogs- 2

Yesterday we focused on safety for your dog (and cat) regarding decorations, plants and sweets.  Today I want to focus on the entertaining aspect of the holidays. 

This is the time of year to see friends and family and maybe even host a few parties.  This is very exciting for us as humans, but how does your dog feel about it? Here are some simple tips to help you have a great time and your dog too.

1.  If your dog is shy or fearful, crate your dog in another room as guests arrive.  Once everyone is present, put your dog on a "house line" or a light weight leash that is attached to both you and your dog and walk him through the party.  If he is still too nervous, simply allow him to stay in another room away from the the people and go visit every so often.

2.  Make sure your guests understand what they can and cannot feed your dog.  Many people want to share their food with the dog and often do not know that some foods can hurt them.  Also, if they are feeding them at the dinner table, they may be creating a begging habit you would rather not have.  Some guests may bring a present for your dog in the form or treats or a bone, be sure it is something your dog has had before, otherwise only give him a little bit at a time to see how it reacts with his stomach.

3.  As you go out and your dog is home alone, make sure you are not leaving for longer than they can handle.  For example, if your dog is use to staying in their crate or inside the house for a maximum of 6 hours, try not to exceed that time or you may be coming home to an accident.

4.  When you leave, be sure your presents are kept out of reach from your dog and sometimes your cat, you wouldn't want them all to be opened when you come home.

5.  Jumping up is a horrible behavior, especially around this time of year.  As people come into your home, you don't want your dog to jump up on them and get them dirty or knock the present or party dish out of their hand.  If your dog jumps on your guests, put your dog on their leash when you open the door and have them in a sit position.  If this is still too much for your dog, you can also have them in a separate room until all guests have arrived.

6.  If other dogs are coming for a visit, make sure all bones and toys are put up to start so there will be no possession issues.  If this is the first time for the dogs to meet, go to the street and allow them to greet outside the house, you could also walk around the block, then go into the house all together.  This will help ensure a peaceful greeting.

7.  Children can be fun or frightening to a dog.  If your dog is not the biggest fan of children, take the introductions slow and make sure the children are supervised at all times.  Also, give clear rules on how they should interact with your dog.  You want both your dog and the children to be safe and have fun... a dog bite will be fun for no one.

Entertaining should be fun, not just for us, but for our pets too.  Make sure whatever your plans are, you keep your pet's safety in mind.

Happy Holidays!

Need advice on how to curb a behavior?  Give me a Bark!