Happy Thanksgiving

Hope everyone has a Happy Thanksgiving, enjoy with your loved ones!

True or False: Ticks are Insects

Actually, ticks are arachnids! Here are 5 more facts about ticks we'll bet you didn't know. Speak to us about the best way to treat and protect your pets against them!

Caring for your pet’s paws

As vulnerable as a human foot, paws need to be taken care of and pampered. An owner wouldn’t walk across a hot parking lot or a snow covered field without the proper protection on their feet. A paw pad needs to be checked for a myriad of issues that should be addressed including nail length, cracked pads and foreign objects wedged in between paw pads. Learn more.

Pet Costumes

Our patient Mickey Hudson in costume. Show us your pets in their favorite costume.

Dog Body Language

Even though ‪‎dogs‬’ faces and heads come in many shapes and sizes, your dog’s basic facial expressions can tell you a great deal about how he’s feeling. Learn more about a dog's body language.

Have Fun with Your Dog

Be sure to make time to play with your pup today!

Dinnertime Manners for Your Dog

Does your dog steal food, whimper when you refuse to share, or try to put his nose or paws on the table? He needs to learn some self control! In order to do this, your dog must first have a complete understanding of, and respond without hesitation to sit, down, and stay; so take care of that first.

Once your dog has those three basic training commands down, all you need are some soft, easy-to-eat treats, and a rock-solid anti-begging resolve. If you want to teach your dog not to beg during dinner, you absolutely cannot EVER cave and give him snacks when he begs. Those big brown eyes might be just about irresistible, but you just have to keep in mind how pleasant it will be to eat dinner with your family without a slobbery dog face in your lap, and you can be strong. Make this very clear to the rest of your family as well. No matter how well you train, if your kids are still slipping their vegetables to Fido, your hard work will get you nowhere.

Your dog needs to understand that you control of when he eats, and he has no say. The concept is, self control equals tasty treats. An easy way to teach your dog this principle is to sit down with him and some small, soft treats. Let your dog watch you place a treat in one hand and close your fist around it. He will probably sniff and lick your hand, desperate for a treat. Eventually, though, he will give up, assuming he’s not going to get the treat. As soon as he backs off or looks away, drop the treat. This will teach your dog that he only gets yummy snacks when he is relaxed and not demanding.

In the wild, dogs have to wait for the pack leader to eat his fill and allow them near the food before they get to eat; use this mentality to your advantage and assume the leadership role. Before you put his food bowl down at dinner time, ask him to sit and stay. Then put down the bowl, wait a beat, and say “ok.” If he lunges for the food before you give him a release command, pick the bowl up and try again. A hungry dog will work hard to figure out what he needs to do to get you to leave the bowl on the ground, so it should only take a few tries to get him to wait for your command.

The next exercise is centered on how your dog should behave when you are sitting down to dinner. For the time being, until your dog gets the concept, you can crate him or put him in another room while you eat so you can still enjoy your dinner time. Create a mock dinner time by sitting at the table with a bowl of your dog’s favorite goodies. When you walk over to the table to sit down, your dog will no doubt be at your heels, begging for some of that delicious food. Sit down and ask him to sit, down, and stay. Once he’s lying down, count one second in your head and give him a treat. If he tries to get up, make him lay back down and count again, then give him a treat. Ask him to sit, down, and stay again, but this time count to two before you give him his treat. If he can’t be still for two seconds, go back to one second and do it a few more times. After he’ll stay down for two seconds, count to three. If he gets up before you make it to three, start back at one. Continue this process until he can stay in the down position for a 30 count.

As long as nobody cheats and rewards your dog for inappropriate behavior, you’ll have a dog with beautiful dinnertime self control before you know it. Just remember to be patient and consistent.

Crate Training

There are several accepted methods of house training your new dog. However, if you’re looking for not just a housebreaking method, but are also interested in adapting your dog to a safe and confined environment for various safety and comfort reasons, crate training is for you.

Proper crate training teaches your dog that his crate is his “bedroom.” Just as a child will retreat to his room when scared, when he wants to be alone, or when he just wants some time to play with his toys, so does a crate trained dog. Dogs are den animals, so they crave that close, cozy space for comfort. Learn more on how to crate train your dog.

Fun Fact

The expression "The Dog Days of Summer" goes back to ancient Roman times, where people thought Sirius, the Dog Star, created oppressive heat on Earth.

Shih Tzu

This breed’s full name is Tibetan Shih Tzu Kou, which translates to Tibetan Lion Dog. It was bred to resemble a lion.

Pekingese

The Pekingese was a popular breed during the T’ang Dynasty, but only members of the Chinese Imperial family were allowed to have them.

Are Dogs Color Blind?

It is a myth that dogs are color blind. They can actually see in color, just not as vividly as humans. It is akin to our vision at dusk.

A Healthy, Happy Dog

A happy dog is a healthy dog, and a healthy dog has strong, shiny fur. Your dog’s coat is one of the best ways to gain insight into your dog’s condition, be it physical or emotional.

Keep Your Dog Safe This Weekend

With ‪‎Memorial Day‬ coming up soon, a lot of us will be engaging in cookouts and they are quite fun, but you need to stay alert and keep your dog safe. Read and share these tips to prevent accidents.

Don't ever leave your pet alone in a car

A quick pit stop may feel like no time at all to you, but it's too long to leave your pet in a car by himself. One hazard is heat: When it's 72 degrees Fahrenheit outside, the temperature inside your car can heat up to 116 degrees within an hour. On an 85-degree day, even with the windows slightly open, the temperature inside your car can reach 102 degrees in just 10 minutes. If you're held up for 30 minutes, you may return to a car that's 120 degrees inside and a pet who is suffering irreversible organ damage or death.

Domestication of Dogs

Although experts often disagree, there is scientific evidence which shows that the domestication of dogs could have occurred more than 15,000 years ago.

Traveling by Car with Pets

Do you know the best place for your dog or cat in your car?

Dogs shouldn't roam in the car
The safest way for your dog to travel in the car is in a crate that has been anchored to the vehicle using a seatbelt or other secure means. Dog restraints or seat belts are useful for preventing your dog from roaming around the car and being a distraction to the driver, but they haven't been reliably shown to protect dogs during a crash.

Cats belong in carriers
Most cats aren't comfortable traveling in cars, so for their safety as well as yours, keep them in a carrier. It's important to restrain these carriers in the car so that they don't bounce around and hurt your cat. Do this by securing a seat belt around the front of the carrier.

Leave the front seat for humans
Keep your pet in the back seat of the car. If an airbag deploys while your pet is in the passenger seat (even in a crate), it might injure your pet.

Keep those heads inside!
Dogs and cats should always be kept safely inside the car. Pets who are allowed to stick their heads out the window can be injured by particles of debris or made sick by having cold air forced into their lungs. Never transport a pet in the back of an open pickup truck.

Give your pet plenty of rest stops
Stop frequently to allow your pet to exercise and eliminate. But never permit your pet to leave the car without a collar, ID tag and leash.

How Are We Doing?

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Making The Most of Your Vet Visit

Taking your pet to the vet? Whether it's a routine appointment or you're checking on symptoms, there are steps you can take to help the appointment go well.

Bringing your pet’s health records, or having them transferred ahead of time, is one of the most important things to do. Learn more

Autistic Children May Benefit From The Companionship of a Pet

A recent study found autistic children are better socially adjusted if they have a pet at home.