The entire family, including your dog, experiences Thanksgiving together.  It is a time to be thankful, eat good food, relax, go for walks, and just be together.  But you need to be careful about what you feed your dog and learn what to keep out of the doggie bowl completely.

Do Not Over Feed

The best word of advice is to create a balanced meal for your dog.  Your dog needs a mix of grains, vegetable and proteins.  Provide correct proportions and amounts.  Keep your dog in mind and do not overstuff.  Your dog could become very ill from overeating.

Remove the Bones

Turkey is something you need to watch out for.  Turkey is a good food for dogs to eat but you need to make sure you give a piece without any bone.  Turkey bones are hollow, splinter and become stuck in the intestines.  In serious situations, this requires surgical removal.  If you do choose to go the turkey route, choose white turkey meat.  It is leaner than the dark.

Avoid the Fat

Along the same lines as choosing white turkey meat, skip on the fat when feeding your dog.  Do not give your dog the items that were bathed in butter or high fat sauce.

And two foods to always avoid when feeding a dog are garlic and onions.  These can have fatal results on your dog.

If you would like to learn more about what to feed your dog for Thanksgiving, talk to a Florida dog training or a k9 obedience instructor today!

Taking your dog trick or treating is so much fun, and seeing your dog dressed up in a Halloween costume brings joy to those around you.  Kids and adults love it!  But there are a few things to keep in mind when taking your dog out trick or treating.  Here are the top tips to remember this Halloween.

Choosing a Dog Costume

Dog costumes are readily available in big brand stores, such as Wal-Mart and Target.  Find something within your budget.  Find one that is easy to put on your dog.  They come in many different sizes and styles, so it might be wise to have your dog with you at the time of the purchase.

Types of Dog Costumes

There are many different dog costumes to choose from.  Some of the most popular ones are the angel and devil costumes.  But I have seen a taco costume for little dogs, super hero costumes for larger, and cat costumes for those in-between.  There is really no limit to your imagination when it comes to dog costumes.

Taking Your Dog Trick or Treating

Before taking your dog around the neighborhood, there are a few things to do.  One is be sure your leash is secure and the ID tag information is updated.  Also, keep a flashlight with fresh batteries ready.  Some dogs get scared from the new sights and sounds of Halloween.  Minimize the fright factor by using your flashlight when needed.

Also, be respectful to the neighbors.  Not everyone is comfortable with pets.  Thus, bring someone with you to ring the doorbell and let your neighbors know there is a pet present.  This eliminates any negative reactions from homeowners.

To find out more information about how to dress up your dog for Halloween, talk to a Florida dog training expert or a k9 obedience instructor today!

Your dog looks sharp.  The coat is trim, nails short, fur shiny, but what about your dog’s ears?  You need to take care of your pet’s ears on a regular basis.  Here are some tips on what how to take care of this sensitive area.

Ask the Vet to Show You How to Properly Clean Your Dog’s Ears

The shape of a dog’s ears encourages parasites, yeast and bacteria to hide and grow within.  The ears become clogged and full of harmful substances leading to infections and ear damage.   Thus, you need to clean your dog’s ears properly.  One way to do this is with a cotton ball dipped in mineral oil, hydrogen peroxide or a product specifically designed to clean a dog’s ears.  The first time you handle this task, ask the veterinarian to guide you through the process.  The ear is very delicate and it is a bit tricky for first timers.  You do not want to cause any further damage to the ears.

What to Do with a Dog’s Ears During Water Sports and Baths

When you bathe your dog, put cotton in your dog’s ears to avoid any water from getting stuck inside.  The water causes infection and irritation.  It is worse than having swimmer’s ears as a human, so you need to take additional care.  If your dog is prone to ear infections due to swimming and water sport activities, then put a tiny drop of ear drying solution.  It helps significantly.

To find out more about how to take care of your dog’s ears properly, talk to a Florida dog obedience or a Florida dog training instructor today.