This Spring, the Massachusetts Department of Agriculture issued a "cease and desist" order to prevent animal shelters and animal rescue organizations from bringing dogs into Massachusetts from out of state, and putting them up for adoption. The only alternative is to house imported dogs in regulated facilities (which the shelters and rescue orgs must buy, establish and maintain); and have them examined by a state-approved veterinarian. The order effectively puts dog rescue organizations out of business.
At The Doggie Den we work with Save A Dog, an all-breed rescue organization based in Framingham, MA. Like virtually all such organizations, it is staffed by volunteers and operates on an extremely tight budget that consists solely of funds that the volunteers raise. On their own time and money, volunteers drive to locations where distressed dogs are being held, and bring the dogs back to Massachusetts. The new arrivals live in volunteer foster homes while they are vaccinated, treated for health problems, and trained so they'll be adoptable. The Doggie Den and other grooming shops groom rescue dogs for free, often to diagnose the extent of coat and skin ailments that may require the volunteer foster parent to take the dog to a vet.
This entire process takes years of organizing, fund raising, skill acquisition, and volunteer training. The D. of A. order sent hundreds of hard working volunteers into shock. It meant that years of dedication were cut short; and speaking of cut short, we cannot help but think of the thousands of animals currently dying of starvation, disease, dehydration, or euthanization because Mass. rescue workers cannot save them. The reason for the D. of A. ban is that unethical opportunists go to states that are known for their plethora of unwanted dogs and bring the dogs back to Massachusetts to sell them. These people often neglect to provide new arrivals with medical care, nutritional support, or training. Their neglect has caused multiple problems, including the discovery of locations where large numbers of sick animals have been abandonned. It falls to the Commonwealth to euthanize these poor creatures.
Within Massachusetts, there are comparatively few adoptable animals to be rescued. In contrast, in some areas of the South there are thousands. To save lives, dog rescue organizations must be able to bring animals in from out-of-state. The only organizations that are currently permitted to do so are established shelters that have facilities that the Mass. D. of A. can inspect, rather than volunteers with adoptable dogs in foster care. Ironically many shelters are less stringent than volunteer rescue orgs. in checking out potential new owners. Rescue orgs. often do home visits, which shelters seldom do. Some state-approved shelters also euthanize dogs that have not been adopted, while rescue volunteers foster, vaccinate, heal, and train dogs until the dogs become adoptable.
Many rescue organizations like Save A Dog are now scurrying around to raise enough money to buy an inspectable facility where new arrivals can be held for adoption. Of course, this is a major undertaking, and some groups will not succeed. If you can help, please do! Rescue organizations need supplies, skills and money. Go to saveadog.org; or any one of a number of breed rescue sites like pugrescuenetwork.org; greyhound.org; and ygrr.oprg (Golden Retrievers). Also check out Especially for Pets in Westboro; The Buddy Dog Humane Society in Sudbury; or the Bay Path Humane Society in Hopkinton.
Tuesday, July 31, 2012
Belle of the Ball
Belle is an adorable Yorkie with big brown eyes that let you know exactly what she wants. For example, she was having none of the birthday party hat thing. Not only the LOOK, but she also screamed her outrage. So I took off the hat, and sang "Happy Birthday" while she worked on her Frosty Paws treat; and she let me know I was finally getting it right. Belle recently acquired a Yorkie brother, Milo, and she willingly shared her treat with him.Monday, July 30, 2012
L'il Pup Jamboree
Starring:
Wally the apricot colored shih tzu
Simon and Samantha the Malteses
Furby the black and white havanese/toy poodle mix
Check out these dog links!
Saturday, July 28, 2012
Cleo the Timid of October
Cleo is our October Dog of the Month. She's a very special, beautiful Great Dane. Also the very definition of a gentle giant. She loves to lean against you and be loved, but only once she gets to know you. And that usually takes weeks! Definitely a conflict avoider too with her puppy pals.
Check out these dog links!
The Doggie Den Homepage
The Doggie Den Homepage
Thursday, July 26, 2012
Sammy's 3rd Birthday
Meet Sam, our min pin mix. Like his brother Gabe (see our post dated January 14, 2009), Sammy loves the window seat and chose it to enjoy his peanut butter Frosty Paws. He actually turned 3 on August 11, but we overlooked him, so he got apologies and lots of hugs to make up for it.
Sam loved his Frosty Paws (would NOT share) but he was not going to eat it wearing his party hat. Once we took the hat off, he tucked into his treat with gusto.
Tuesday, July 24, 2012
Poisoned dog foods
There's been a ton of reaction to the pet food contamination that has been sickening and killing our furry friends, so I've resisted adding my two cents 'til now. But after the initial hullabaloo, the blogging, emailing, and press coverage have quieted down, and that's too bad. Because pets are getting ill and dying at the same or a greater rate than earlier in the crisis. Reporting is spotty, so it's hard to know just how many animals have been affected. But the early reporting was just the tip of the iceberg! Huge quantities of harmful substances have found their way into pet food ingredients. And 90% of the big commercial brands use the same suppliers!! That means that almost ALL of them bought from the Chinese supplier of wheat gluten whose inventory contained melamine.
We did a series of posts of what's in pet food and how to buy good pet food a year or so ago (please see our archives). That's because pet nutrition is something I get very excited about. Dogs are carnivores, and to a great extent, they can be omnivores. They basically need meat and fish, and can use grains and vegetables. So the ingredient list on a pet food package should start with meat or fish, NOT with grain or "water sufficient for processing"! The first ingredients on the list comprise 95% or so of the food. So there has to be high quality protein, at least for young dogs (older dogs can be healthy eating more grains and vegetables), right at the top of the list. Bone meal is acceptable protein if it's good quality product, meaning processed under sanitary conditions and relatively fresh. Discount dog foods buy up pallets of old bone meal that some distributor will move at a low price, so even if it appears on a supermarket brand label, don't buy the food. And don't buy a food whose first ingredient is a starch, like corn or corn meal. It's okay if corn appears as the 5th or 6th ingredient, but not before.
Besides the content, you need to know that the quality of the ingredients is acceptable. As I documented in my earlier series of posts, all of the supermarket brands are made in huge batches with the cheapest possible ingredients - for big conglomerates it's about a business model, not about pet nutrition. For heavens sakes, Walmart is quite outspoken about that. They tell us in their advertising that they're all about PRICE. They squeeze their suppliers to sell more and more cheaply to Walmart. Why in the world would you feed you best furry friend something you bought in Walmart??? The grains and vegetables in big chain supermarket brands are older and of poorer quality to start with than those in small batch foods. The fats and oils are more often than not rancid by-products of the food industry (like used fryer oil that sits around for months before being processed into pet food).
Remember, pet food ingredients are not protected the way human foods are. And gov't scrutiny of our food chain is woefully inadequate! Please, protect your pet. Notice that NO HEALTHY, SMALL BATCH PET FOOD HAS HAD PROBLEMS WITH CONTAMINANTS! Not a single one! So here are some good foods. Go to your local pet store and ask for: Canidae, Merrick, Chicken Soup for the Dog Lover's Soul, O&M, Bill Jack, Prairie, Red Barn, Pet Naturals of Vermont, Fromm, Diamond Naturals, Precise, or Premium Edge. There are others. Just make sure of two things:
1. The food must be made in small batches (manufactured and packaged by the company on the label and not subcontracted to a big pet food processor). The only preservatives that appear on the package should be natural ones like vitamin E (tocopherals). Chemical preservatives are only necessary if the food spends many months getting from the mixing process to your pet's dish. And they can cause nervous system stress and allergic reactions of which you may not even be aware.
2. The food must contain only human grade ingredients. Lesser ingredients contain bacteria and virii that are not acceptable... and they're not all neutralized by the potent preservatives that big companies use.
The Doggie Den Homepage
We did a series of posts of what's in pet food and how to buy good pet food a year or so ago (please see our archives). That's because pet nutrition is something I get very excited about. Dogs are carnivores, and to a great extent, they can be omnivores. They basically need meat and fish, and can use grains and vegetables. So the ingredient list on a pet food package should start with meat or fish, NOT with grain or "water sufficient for processing"! The first ingredients on the list comprise 95% or so of the food. So there has to be high quality protein, at least for young dogs (older dogs can be healthy eating more grains and vegetables), right at the top of the list. Bone meal is acceptable protein if it's good quality product, meaning processed under sanitary conditions and relatively fresh. Discount dog foods buy up pallets of old bone meal that some distributor will move at a low price, so even if it appears on a supermarket brand label, don't buy the food. And don't buy a food whose first ingredient is a starch, like corn or corn meal. It's okay if corn appears as the 5th or 6th ingredient, but not before.
Besides the content, you need to know that the quality of the ingredients is acceptable. As I documented in my earlier series of posts, all of the supermarket brands are made in huge batches with the cheapest possible ingredients - for big conglomerates it's about a business model, not about pet nutrition. For heavens sakes, Walmart is quite outspoken about that. They tell us in their advertising that they're all about PRICE. They squeeze their suppliers to sell more and more cheaply to Walmart. Why in the world would you feed you best furry friend something you bought in Walmart??? The grains and vegetables in big chain supermarket brands are older and of poorer quality to start with than those in small batch foods. The fats and oils are more often than not rancid by-products of the food industry (like used fryer oil that sits around for months before being processed into pet food).
Remember, pet food ingredients are not protected the way human foods are. And gov't scrutiny of our food chain is woefully inadequate! Please, protect your pet. Notice that NO HEALTHY, SMALL BATCH PET FOOD HAS HAD PROBLEMS WITH CONTAMINANTS! Not a single one! So here are some good foods. Go to your local pet store and ask for: Canidae, Merrick, Chicken Soup for the Dog Lover's Soul, O&M, Bill Jack, Prairie, Red Barn, Pet Naturals of Vermont, Fromm, Diamond Naturals, Precise, or Premium Edge. There are others. Just make sure of two things:
1. The food must be made in small batches (manufactured and packaged by the company on the label and not subcontracted to a big pet food processor). The only preservatives that appear on the package should be natural ones like vitamin E (tocopherals). Chemical preservatives are only necessary if the food spends many months getting from the mixing process to your pet's dish. And they can cause nervous system stress and allergic reactions of which you may not even be aware.
2. The food must contain only human grade ingredients. Lesser ingredients contain bacteria and virii that are not acceptable... and they're not all neutralized by the potent preservatives that big companies use.
The Doggie Den Homepage
Sunday, July 22, 2012
Seasonal allergies
In spite of the cold, drizzly weather that has afflicted us in the Northeast, allergy season is settling in, so get ready for the sneezing, itching, and scratching. Not just you, your dog too! Dogs commonly experience seasonal allergies, usually through dermatitis. Instead of sneezing and getting itchy, watery eyes, most dogs have allergic reactions on their skin.
Symptoms of allergic dermatitis include excessive scratching, licking and chewing of paws. Some dogs do get watery eyes too. Excessive scratching can be harmful, in that areas of raw skin are vulnerable to infection and parasites. Dermatitis can be relieved by using a moisturizing shampoo that's made for allergic dogs; allergy itch relief sprays and creams can also be helpful. If the raw spots don't heal quickly be sure to consult your veterinarian.
In addition to common allergens like pollen, fleas are one of the leading causes of dermatitis in dogs. Make sure that your pup is up to date on his/her flea and tick protection. Collars are not much help - use a liquid medication that you apply once monthly to the dog's skin on the back of his/her neck. Frontline Plus, Advantage, and Program are good ones. Read the package to make sure the medication kills fleas, ticks, AND THEIR EGGS. If the latter are not killed they can drop off into your carpets or furniture causing an infestation in your home.
It's also a good idea to make sure your pet is getting proper nutrition to keep his/her coat and skin and immune system healthy enough to resist irritants. The use of vitamins and supplements can help maintain a healthy coat, but the first step is to feed a high quality food that's produced with human grade ingredients and manufactured in small batches. That means no supermarket foods!!! Companies like Iams and Eukanuba have been bought up by huge conglomerates and are no longer premium foods. Go to a health-oriented pet store (not a large chain like PetCo) and get a food that specifies human grade ingredients and lists Omega 3 and 6 among the first 8 ingredients. If you want a healthy pet you need to read labels carefully, just as you should for your human family!
The Doggie Den Homepage
Symptoms of allergic dermatitis include excessive scratching, licking and chewing of paws. Some dogs do get watery eyes too. Excessive scratching can be harmful, in that areas of raw skin are vulnerable to infection and parasites. Dermatitis can be relieved by using a moisturizing shampoo that's made for allergic dogs; allergy itch relief sprays and creams can also be helpful. If the raw spots don't heal quickly be sure to consult your veterinarian.
In addition to common allergens like pollen, fleas are one of the leading causes of dermatitis in dogs. Make sure that your pup is up to date on his/her flea and tick protection. Collars are not much help - use a liquid medication that you apply once monthly to the dog's skin on the back of his/her neck. Frontline Plus, Advantage, and Program are good ones. Read the package to make sure the medication kills fleas, ticks, AND THEIR EGGS. If the latter are not killed they can drop off into your carpets or furniture causing an infestation in your home.
It's also a good idea to make sure your pet is getting proper nutrition to keep his/her coat and skin and immune system healthy enough to resist irritants. The use of vitamins and supplements can help maintain a healthy coat, but the first step is to feed a high quality food that's produced with human grade ingredients and manufactured in small batches. That means no supermarket foods!!! Companies like Iams and Eukanuba have been bought up by huge conglomerates and are no longer premium foods. Go to a health-oriented pet store (not a large chain like PetCo) and get a food that specifies human grade ingredients and lists Omega 3 and 6 among the first 8 ingredients. If you want a healthy pet you need to read labels carefully, just as you should for your human family!
The Doggie Den Homepage
Friday, July 20, 2012
Cuba turns 10
Cuba is the sweetest girl in the world. Her 10th birthday is Oct 21st, but we goofed and celebrated today, Oct 4th. She saw the Frosty Paws treat and was too smart to correct our mistake! Anyway, Happy Birthday for all of October, Cuba!
Check out these dog links!
The Doggie Den Homepage
Check out these dog links!
The Doggie Den Homepage
Thursday, July 19, 2012
Susan's new puppy "Shuki" at 4 months
Meet Shuki, The Doggie Den's newest puppy. Susan bought her in March; she's the first puppy Susan's ever gotten from a breeder, hence her name: Shuki means "marketplace" in Hebrew. Shuki adapted to the playgroups at The Doggie Den without missing a beat. She loves to run around inviting others to chase her. If that doesn't work, she jumps on someone's back and bites their ears. Luckily she's gentle or she'd be in trouble! She's smart, funny and a ball to live with. Go Shelties!
Wednesday, July 18, 2012
Puppy Poisoned by Popular House Plant
It’s hard to believe a houseplant could harm a tough cookie like the Woytek family’s Lab mix, Amber. A survivor of Hurricane Ike, the young pup was diagnosed with distemper in the months after her adoption from the Houston SPCA in September 2008. But according to Laurie Woytek, Amber defeated the often fatal virus—and went on to form a tight bond with her canine “sister” and partner-in-crime, Scout, a one-year-old Rhodesian ridgeback mix.
Early last month, Laurie discovered that Amber had eaten parts of a sago palm plant. Sago palm—with its dark green leaves and hairy trunk—has become a popular houseplant in recent years, but unbeknownst to many green-thumbed pet parents, it’s also highly toxic to cats and dogs.
Immediately ill, Amber was hospitalized at a nearby emergency clinic. Says Laurie, “I was very scared, but thought, ‘She's tough—she'll make it through.’” After several days in the hospital, the emergency veterinarian delivered the heartbreaking news to the Woyteks—Amber had developed jaundice and life-threatening liver failure.
“We took Amber to our regular veterinarian to discuss our options with him,” explains Laurie. “She suffered seizures in the car on the way, and we ultimately made the very difficult, yet humane decision to let her go.”
Sadly, Amber’s story is all too common. Since 2003, the ASPCA has seen an increase by more than 200 percent of sago palm and cycad poisonings, and 50 to 75 percent of those ingestions resulted in fatalities. According to Dr. Sharon Gwaltney-Brant, veterinary toxicologist and vice president of the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center, all parts of the plant are toxic, not just the seeds or nuts, and common signs of ingestion include vomiting, diarrhea, weakness, depression, seizures and liver failure.
Before the Woytek family said their final goodbyes to Amber, they took her home to see her best buddy, Scout. “As Amber lay still on the floor, Scout kept nudging her as if to say, ‘C’mon, get up,’” Laurie says. “They weren’t just 'sissies'—as we referred to them—they were best friends.”
“It was the hardest thing I've ever had to do,” reflects Laurie. “Amber is truly missed and will forever be in our hearts. She was our little princess.”
In memory of Amber, and to mark the end of National Poison Prevention Week, March 15-21, the ASPCA reminds all pet parents to stay informed about protecting pets from accidental poisonings. Please read our poison prevention tips online.
Check out these dog links!
The Doggie Den Homepage
Early last month, Laurie discovered that Amber had eaten parts of a sago palm plant. Sago palm—with its dark green leaves and hairy trunk—has become a popular houseplant in recent years, but unbeknownst to many green-thumbed pet parents, it’s also highly toxic to cats and dogs.
Immediately ill, Amber was hospitalized at a nearby emergency clinic. Says Laurie, “I was very scared, but thought, ‘She's tough—she'll make it through.’” After several days in the hospital, the emergency veterinarian delivered the heartbreaking news to the Woyteks—Amber had developed jaundice and life-threatening liver failure.
“We took Amber to our regular veterinarian to discuss our options with him,” explains Laurie. “She suffered seizures in the car on the way, and we ultimately made the very difficult, yet humane decision to let her go.”
Sadly, Amber’s story is all too common. Since 2003, the ASPCA has seen an increase by more than 200 percent of sago palm and cycad poisonings, and 50 to 75 percent of those ingestions resulted in fatalities. According to Dr. Sharon Gwaltney-Brant, veterinary toxicologist and vice president of the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center, all parts of the plant are toxic, not just the seeds or nuts, and common signs of ingestion include vomiting, diarrhea, weakness, depression, seizures and liver failure.
Before the Woytek family said their final goodbyes to Amber, they took her home to see her best buddy, Scout. “As Amber lay still on the floor, Scout kept nudging her as if to say, ‘C’mon, get up,’” Laurie says. “They weren’t just 'sissies'—as we referred to them—they were best friends.”
“It was the hardest thing I've ever had to do,” reflects Laurie. “Amber is truly missed and will forever be in our hearts. She was our little princess.”
In memory of Amber, and to mark the end of National Poison Prevention Week, March 15-21, the ASPCA reminds all pet parents to stay informed about protecting pets from accidental poisonings. Please read our poison prevention tips online.
Check out these dog links!
The Doggie Den Homepage
Tuesday, July 17, 2012
Happy Birthday Peso
Peso may be a chihuahua, but when it comes to defending his birthday treat he's a BIG GUY, He couldn't get the treat down fast enough. And 'though we'd never heard him growl before, he gave off fierce noises when anyone else tried to share his birthday bounty. Happy Birthday, dear Peso!
Check out these dog links!
The Doggie Den Homepage
The Doggie Den Homepage
Sunday, July 15, 2012
TrainingTip: No Free Lunch!
As a part of basic doggie manners I teach all my clients doggie and human the importance of the Nothing In Life is Free (NILF) protocol. Basically the dog sits (or whatever other behaviour you like) in exchange for a reward, resource, valuable article whatever you want to call it. I look that this as being the dog saying "please" for his dinner, to go outside, for affection, to get his leash on, for a cookie, to play a game like retrieve or tug. It's just good manners and it instills not only polite, calm manners in your dog, it also a great, non-aversive way for the human in the partnership to be considered the one in charge.
One of the most valuable things to teach a dog within the NILF program is to "Wait" at an open door until released by a verbal cue.
This from a politeness point of view alone should be enough to want to teach it, but let me make it a little more enticing for you. How about safety, yours and the dog's?
I have four dogs and going for a walk it a highly valued resource for them (as it is for most dogs but with four, large canine pals, well that's 16 legs, plus mine and a combined weight at the door of over 300 lbs not including mine, wanting to get out into the great beyond). So it's dangerous for me in a very big way.
My front door leads right into our street (doesn't yours), which means that any dogs who plough past me through the door will go right out onto the road (albeit not a busy one, but it only takes one car right). So it's dangerous for the dogs.
To teach the "Wait", leash your dog (one at a time if you have more than one dog, kennel the other dogs) and go to the door. Saying nothing at all, wait for your dog to default to a sit, all you need to do is wait which will be difficult for you as being human we just love to talk, but don't, just be silent and wait.
When the dog sits (ignore any and all other behaviour) move your hand to the door knob, your dog will likely get up, so take your hand away from the door knob and again wait for the sit.
When you get the sit, hand goes to the door knob, remove hand everytime the dog breaks the sit. Once you are able to put your hand on the knob, trying opening the door a crack. Your dog will probably get up again from the sit, close the door and wait for the sit again.
Repeat over and over again, opening the door only a crack at first so you can easily close it if the dog breaks the sit and you won't catch Fido's nose or paw in the door.
The object is to get the door all the way open and then use your release cue to allow the dog out of the sit and through the door way.
Just a refresher - your release cue is the cue/phrase that you use after your dog provides you with a requested behaviour such as a sit. It lets the dog know that he is no longer on your time, there's nothing worse than a dog who does the sit and then walks away as he warrants. My guys have all been taught a formal stay but they also know that when asked for a sit or lay down, they stay in the requested position until I say "all done". Your cue could be "all done", "ok", "that'll do" or "banana cream pie", dogs don't speak english to say what you want, just make sure you say it and say it consistently.
It doesn't matter if you go through the door first, the dog does or you go through together, what matters is that the dog doesn't go through until you give the release cue.
Now both you and your dog's are safe, plus they are well mannered and calm.
Reprinted from Canine Minds and Manners Calgary Dog Training, a blog by Kirsten Rose, Certified Professional Dog Trainer
Check out these dog links!
The Doggie Den Homepage
One of the most valuable things to teach a dog within the NILF program is to "Wait" at an open door until released by a verbal cue.
This from a politeness point of view alone should be enough to want to teach it, but let me make it a little more enticing for you. How about safety, yours and the dog's?
I have four dogs and going for a walk it a highly valued resource for them (as it is for most dogs but with four, large canine pals, well that's 16 legs, plus mine and a combined weight at the door of over 300 lbs not including mine, wanting to get out into the great beyond). So it's dangerous for me in a very big way.
My front door leads right into our street (doesn't yours), which means that any dogs who plough past me through the door will go right out onto the road (albeit not a busy one, but it only takes one car right). So it's dangerous for the dogs.
To teach the "Wait", leash your dog (one at a time if you have more than one dog, kennel the other dogs) and go to the door. Saying nothing at all, wait for your dog to default to a sit, all you need to do is wait which will be difficult for you as being human we just love to talk, but don't, just be silent and wait.
When the dog sits (ignore any and all other behaviour) move your hand to the door knob, your dog will likely get up, so take your hand away from the door knob and again wait for the sit.
When you get the sit, hand goes to the door knob, remove hand everytime the dog breaks the sit. Once you are able to put your hand on the knob, trying opening the door a crack. Your dog will probably get up again from the sit, close the door and wait for the sit again.
Repeat over and over again, opening the door only a crack at first so you can easily close it if the dog breaks the sit and you won't catch Fido's nose or paw in the door.
The object is to get the door all the way open and then use your release cue to allow the dog out of the sit and through the door way.
Just a refresher - your release cue is the cue/phrase that you use after your dog provides you with a requested behaviour such as a sit. It lets the dog know that he is no longer on your time, there's nothing worse than a dog who does the sit and then walks away as he warrants. My guys have all been taught a formal stay but they also know that when asked for a sit or lay down, they stay in the requested position until I say "all done". Your cue could be "all done", "ok", "that'll do" or "banana cream pie", dogs don't speak english to say what you want, just make sure you say it and say it consistently.
It doesn't matter if you go through the door first, the dog does or you go through together, what matters is that the dog doesn't go through until you give the release cue.
Now both you and your dog's are safe, plus they are well mannered and calm.
Reprinted from Canine Minds and Manners Calgary Dog Training, a blog by Kirsten Rose, Certified Professional Dog Trainer
Check out these dog links!
The Doggie Den Homepage
Saturday, July 14, 2012
Java turns Two
Java the labradoodle turned 2 years old today, so we gave her a Puppy Patty treat and she couldn't get it down fast enough. She must have been saying something we couldn't hear to the other dogs because nobody dared interfere!
Note the hat is not on the head. That was Java's choice as well.
Check out these dog links!
The Doggie Den Homepage
Note the hat is not on the head. That was Java's choice as well.
Check out these dog links!
The Doggie Den Homepage
Thursday, July 12, 2012
Confusion About Flea and Tick Preventives
Ever since, people have wondered whether to stop using these products. Since the announcement 3 years ago, additional research has yielded some answers:
1. Cats are more susceptible to becoming ill from spot-on flea and tick treatments than other pets.
2. The vast majority of reported illness has to do with misuse of the products. That is, people did not follow the directions on the packaging. For example, repeated application over a given 30 day period is dangerous.
3. Products intended for dogs must never be used on cats, for they can cause death.
4. A veterinarian must always be consulted before using spot-on flea and tick treatments on very young, very old, sick, or pregnant pets. These groups are more vulnerable to problems than mature, healthy, non-pregnant pets.
5. When dogs and cats are treated according to the package labeling, there are significantly fewer problems.
6. When dogs and cats became ill even though the product was applied according to labeling, the effects were relatively mild. They included skin irritation and stomach upset and usually resolved in 24-48 hours.
The ASPCA Poison Control Center says the basic message is that people should continue using spot-on flea and tick medications and follow the directions on the packaging. If your pet is in any of the above-mentioned risk groups, do not use the treatments until you have checked with your veterinarian.
Check out these dog links!
The Doggie Den Homepage
Tuesday, July 10, 2012
A Study in Contrasts
Little Mackie Mix and Big Bailey Rottweiler are The Doggie Den's best examples of "opposites attract". They LOVE to play together and have two basic strategies to compensate for the difference in their sizes. Either Bailey lies down and the floor and Mackie jumps all over him; or Mackie jumps up on the couch to be more at Bailey's level. In the latter case, Bailey pushes Mack around with his head, while Mack bears his teeth with great bravado!
Monday, July 9, 2012
Chosing the Right Doggy Daycare
You may be really busy some days. You could be planning an event in your home not suitable for your dog to attend. You might have to work late. It just does not seem to you right that your dog should suffer for your situation. What is the solution? It could be a private dog walker or sitter. It could also be to place your canine in Doggy Day Care.
What Is Doggy Day Care ?
Doggy Day Care is the canine equivalent of kiddie day care. You enroll your doggy. You then drop him or her off in to care of the doggy day care facility. You can leave him or her there for a set amount of time. This depends upon your situation and the hours set by the doggy day care.
In this safe environment, your dog can play. He or she can make new friends - school buddies. Doggy Day Care is a great place to socialize. It relieves you of the guilt of not being able to walk the dog or play with him or her at some times. You are being a responsible owner. You are providing your dog with an alternative. Doggy day care is a solution to your problem and can be great fun for your dog.
How To Find And What To Look For
Doggy day cares are not difficult to find. They advertise. They are in telephone directories. You can also ask about them from friends with dogs and fellow doggy park walkers. There may be a posting at your vet’s or your vet may recommend or know of 1 or 2 operations.
Listening to all suggestions does not merely tell you the location. It is also a tool in finding the right doggy care for you and your pet.
• Ask your friends who they use and why. Get their opinion on the facilities, the people who operate it and the employees.
• Pay a visit to the doggy day care when it is in operation. You need to check out the facilities and talk to the employees.
• See if the facilities are roomy and clean.
• Do the dogs have enough supervision? Are there enough employees for the amount of dogs? Do they supervise or let the dogs do as they please? What seems to be their philosophy of dog handling?
• Are there enough toys, water bowls and other items to serve the dogs?
• Does the doggy day care ask the right questions? Do they demand that all dogs have certification of their shots - up to date, of course?
• Do they ask you for clear instructions? Do they understand what you expect and can they deliver it?
• Does the doggy day care ask for specific information on you and your dog? Do they know the number of your vet, your emergency number and any other pertinent information?
• Do the employees care about the animals and deal firmly with bullies and aggressive animals.
Before you enroll your favorite dog, you need to ask all these questions. You also need to visit the establishment a couple of times. Only then can you make a decision that this is the doggy day care for your dog.
Information provided by Carl Cooper of Oh'>http://www.ohmydogsupplies.com/dog-supplies/pet-gates/">Oh My Dog Supplies, where you can find a extraordinary assortment of dog'>http://www.ohmydogsupplies.com/dog-supplies/food-storage/">dog food storage containers online.
Check out these dog links!
The Doggie Den Homepage
What Is Doggy Day Care ?
Doggy Day Care is the canine equivalent of kiddie day care. You enroll your doggy. You then drop him or her off in to care of the doggy day care facility. You can leave him or her there for a set amount of time. This depends upon your situation and the hours set by the doggy day care.
In this safe environment, your dog can play. He or she can make new friends - school buddies. Doggy Day Care is a great place to socialize. It relieves you of the guilt of not being able to walk the dog or play with him or her at some times. You are being a responsible owner. You are providing your dog with an alternative. Doggy day care is a solution to your problem and can be great fun for your dog.
How To Find And What To Look For
Doggy day cares are not difficult to find. They advertise. They are in telephone directories. You can also ask about them from friends with dogs and fellow doggy park walkers. There may be a posting at your vet’s or your vet may recommend or know of 1 or 2 operations.
Listening to all suggestions does not merely tell you the location. It is also a tool in finding the right doggy care for you and your pet.
• Ask your friends who they use and why. Get their opinion on the facilities, the people who operate it and the employees.
• Pay a visit to the doggy day care when it is in operation. You need to check out the facilities and talk to the employees.
• See if the facilities are roomy and clean.
• Do the dogs have enough supervision? Are there enough employees for the amount of dogs? Do they supervise or let the dogs do as they please? What seems to be their philosophy of dog handling?
• Are there enough toys, water bowls and other items to serve the dogs?
• Does the doggy day care ask the right questions? Do they demand that all dogs have certification of their shots - up to date, of course?
• Do they ask you for clear instructions? Do they understand what you expect and can they deliver it?
• Does the doggy day care ask for specific information on you and your dog? Do they know the number of your vet, your emergency number and any other pertinent information?
• Do the employees care about the animals and deal firmly with bullies and aggressive animals.
Before you enroll your favorite dog, you need to ask all these questions. You also need to visit the establishment a couple of times. Only then can you make a decision that this is the doggy day care for your dog.
Information provided by Carl Cooper of Oh'>http://www.ohmydogsupplies.com/dog-supplies/pet-gates/">Oh My Dog Supplies, where you can find a extraordinary assortment of dog'>http://www.ohmydogsupplies.com/dog-supplies/food-storage/">dog food storage containers online.
Check out these dog links!
The Doggie Den Homepage
Saturday, July 7, 2012
Thursday, July 5, 2012
Hate the hat!
"
I'm an easy going fellow. I like to party. But this HAT... Not eating my birthday treat 'til you lose it, okay? I mean we had this conversation last year on my birthday and you're still with the hats."
I'm an easy going fellow. I like to party. But this HAT... Not eating my birthday treat 'til you lose it, okay? I mean we had this conversation last year on my birthday and you're still with the hats."Wednesday, July 4, 2012
Three Birthdays This Week
We've had a busy week partying! Lucy the chihuahua mix, Cody the labrador retriever and Houdini the beagle all had birthdays. As you can see, all three tucked into their Frosty Paws treats as though they hadn't eaten in weeks. Lucy only weighs a couple of pounds, but she made the contents of her dixie cup disappear in minutes. Her tongue must have been frozen. Houdini ate the treat then started in on the cup itself. Had to pick pieces out of his teeth! Fortunately we got to him before he swallowed any.
Tuesday, July 3, 2012
Hi I'm Polaris and I'm an Alaskan Klee Kai
Most people refer to me as a "mini Huskey" but ahemmm... I am my own breed and I'm very fancy. Klee Kai. I'm extremely shy; yet Susan insisted on pointing that black box thing at me for what seemed like forever!
Check out these dog links!
The Doggie Den Homepage
Check out these dog links!
The Doggie Den Homepage
Monday, July 2, 2012
Floyd wins the Esteemed Elder prize
Floyd the friendly basset turned 11 today! He's our official senior pup though he doesn't act like it. He watches from the couch until he sees something he wants to participate in, then he jumps down and barks his deep WOOF! He loved his treat - wasn't even aware of the party hat. He has very clear priorities: FOOD, FUN, SLEEP pretty much in that order.
Sunday, July 1, 2012
NAPPS: National Association of Professional Pet Sitters
This weekend (Jan 28-31) I was off to Atlanta (from Boston) for the annual NAPPS conference. It was terrific! There was an unusual ice storm in Atlanta but we holed up in a very nice Sheraton for the conference. There were about 125 petsitters and lots of information was exchanged. I was delighted to spend 3 days with other small business owners, swapping stories and resource hints. NAPPS members come from all over the United States, and it is the most respected professional pet care organization that I know of. While most NAPPS members go to their clients' homes to do pet care, which The Doggie Den doesn't do, we still had lots in common. I found out how others get the word out about their services, especially via veterinarians, pet stores, shelters, and humane societies. In fact, many members volunteer to care for animals at shelters. One woman I met volunteers at a National Wildlife Center in New Jersey where sick and injured wildlife is cared for, then released back into the wild. For more information about NAPPS, or for a list of petsitters in your area, check out www.petsitters.org.
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